Here's the thing.....
It makes me genuinely mad and upset when people lash out at our little board and our family here on the OH PA board. This is because when I found this site almost two years ago it felt like I came "home" to a place where people understood me and my struggles and my fears and my concerns and my life!!!! I felt like I finally found a place that "got" me and who I was and who I wanted to become.
So when people post extremely negative and angry posts directed at the board and all the lovely people here...it frustrates me to no end. I came here looking for support and that is exactly what I recieved. Honest, genuine support.
Hand holding, babying, and coddling were left at the door...this is serious business here. This is our life we are talking about each day. Obesity, morbid obesity and super morbid obesity are life threatening conditions that lead to the deaths of so many people. We are blessed to have been able to recieve this gift of surgery whether it is lap band, RNY, DS, or VSG...we were all given a second chance at life.
But the most important aspect of our journey is the constant support and accountability we recieve either from our groups or this board. But it does no one any good if we are not honest and forthright with each other...and if some people take honesty as a lack of support then they need to re-evaluate why they had the surgery in the first place.
We hold each other accountable so that we are able to stay alive, stay healthy, stay on track...because it is so easy to lose your way without good, strong, solid, honest support. That is what we have here on the PA board. I know I can come here day or night and get the right amount of encouragement and ass kicking if needed!! And I welcome it each and every day.
I don't like all the "big drama" but sometimes it makes you appreciate exactly what it is we are here for. This place is like a second home to me now and I would be completely lost without everyone here who has seen me through my worst and celebrated with me during my best. This board offers support but it also offers hope and renewal...every day can be better than the one before as long as I am getting and giving support and holding myself accountable to my friends here....
So on that note let us remember our reasons for embarking on the journey to begin with and let us all continue to help each other and guide each other in the best possible ways here regardless of what a small percentage may say...because in the end that doesn't really matter.
What matters is the heart and soul of this board which is the dedicated leaders and posters and friends and supporters who make this place real and have opened up their hearts and friendships not just to me but to so many of us....let's keep up the positive work and just let the negative fade into the background....
I love you all!!! :-)
Much luv!!!!
Laura
So when people post extremely negative and angry posts directed at the board and all the lovely people here...it frustrates me to no end. I came here looking for support and that is exactly what I recieved. Honest, genuine support.
Hand holding, babying, and coddling were left at the door...this is serious business here. This is our life we are talking about each day. Obesity, morbid obesity and super morbid obesity are life threatening conditions that lead to the deaths of so many people. We are blessed to have been able to recieve this gift of surgery whether it is lap band, RNY, DS, or VSG...we were all given a second chance at life.
But the most important aspect of our journey is the constant support and accountability we recieve either from our groups or this board. But it does no one any good if we are not honest and forthright with each other...and if some people take honesty as a lack of support then they need to re-evaluate why they had the surgery in the first place.
We hold each other accountable so that we are able to stay alive, stay healthy, stay on track...because it is so easy to lose your way without good, strong, solid, honest support. That is what we have here on the PA board. I know I can come here day or night and get the right amount of encouragement and ass kicking if needed!! And I welcome it each and every day.
I don't like all the "big drama" but sometimes it makes you appreciate exactly what it is we are here for. This place is like a second home to me now and I would be completely lost without everyone here who has seen me through my worst and celebrated with me during my best. This board offers support but it also offers hope and renewal...every day can be better than the one before as long as I am getting and giving support and holding myself accountable to my friends here....
So on that note let us remember our reasons for embarking on the journey to begin with and let us all continue to help each other and guide each other in the best possible ways here regardless of what a small percentage may say...because in the end that doesn't really matter.
What matters is the heart and soul of this board which is the dedicated leaders and posters and friends and supporters who make this place real and have opened up their hearts and friendships not just to me but to so many of us....let's keep up the positive work and just let the negative fade into the background....
I love you all!!! :-)
Much luv!!!!
Laura
Laura
"Two roads diverged in a wood..and I took the one less travelled by and that has made all the difference." -Robert Frost
Over 176+ lbs lost since surgery!! :-)
See my profile for my OH Blog!!
AMEN!! Love you all too!
This is first and foremost a surgical support site - something that has changed all of our lives. While it is always reccomended that people get the advice of their medical professionals we are offering been there done that medical advice!
Oh and finding best friends was just an extra special bonus!!
This is first and foremost a surgical support site - something that has changed all of our lives. While it is always reccomended that people get the advice of their medical professionals we are offering been there done that medical advice!
Oh and finding best friends was just an extra special bonus!!
you must be a rockin' teacher! I happen to agree with EVERY word! I often need to be put in my place and know that this is the place to do that and the words and meanings are given to me with love. Getting to actually meet so many of you and give real hugs in lieu of the virtual ones was amazing! I want to thank all of you because you GET it! We totally understand the happiness and the frustrations that go along with our condition.
Ironically, I was watching TV with my husband this morning and people on the TV were talking about trying to quit smoking and how difficult it was. It made me think how lucky we are - that although we have a VERY serious condition, there is a tool that works for us - Although the surgery was not a CURE - it was a huge kick in the butt and I wished that there was something to help others with addictive disorders. I don't know if this makes any sense, but I do feel VERY lucky to have been given a 2nd chance to live a healthy life!
Thanks again to all of you for helping me through my journey! :) I look forward every morning to see what people are up to in their lives.
Ironically, I was watching TV with my husband this morning and people on the TV were talking about trying to quit smoking and how difficult it was. It made me think how lucky we are - that although we have a VERY serious condition, there is a tool that works for us - Although the surgery was not a CURE - it was a huge kick in the butt and I wished that there was something to help others with addictive disorders. I don't know if this makes any sense, but I do feel VERY lucky to have been given a 2nd chance to live a healthy life!
Thanks again to all of you for helping me through my journey! :) I look forward every morning to see what people are up to in their lives.
Well said everyone!!! I feel blessed to have found my way to this forum. Although I dont post nearly as often as I would like to, I do lurk and read and soak up the info like a sponge. I have shared my goods and some not so goods with you and I know that this is the place that i can come to whenever I need a pat on the back or a kick in the arse.
Yes I made the decision to have WLS...i went in with my eyes and mind open, researching the good bad and ugly of it all. From day one my surgeon stressed to me that this was a tool and only a tool to help with my weight loss. Other tools must be utilized for other issues in my life. Success or failure is up to me now. I can add you all to my list of support for my successes, but I will only have myself to blame for any of my mis-steps or failures.
There comes a point in every aspect / situation in life where we all must look in the mirror and become accountable for our own actions, choices, successes and failures. It isnt always easy, but I for one am counting on this group to be there when I need support or help. I count my lucky stars to have been welcomed into this fantastic group.
I know that although this is a wls Support forum above all, it is also a place of friendship and comraderie. That being said, there are just some issues that this forum isjust not equipped to solve/cure/deal with, nor should it (we) be expected to delve into other issues. ....... Oh crap, I just lost my train of thought LOL
ok, enough of my rambling
THank you all for being you...........group hugg!!!
Yes I made the decision to have WLS...i went in with my eyes and mind open, researching the good bad and ugly of it all. From day one my surgeon stressed to me that this was a tool and only a tool to help with my weight loss. Other tools must be utilized for other issues in my life. Success or failure is up to me now. I can add you all to my list of support for my successes, but I will only have myself to blame for any of my mis-steps or failures.
There comes a point in every aspect / situation in life where we all must look in the mirror and become accountable for our own actions, choices, successes and failures. It isnt always easy, but I for one am counting on this group to be there when I need support or help. I count my lucky stars to have been welcomed into this fantastic group.
I know that although this is a wls Support forum above all, it is also a place of friendship and comraderie. That being said, there are just some issues that this forum isjust not equipped to solve/cure/deal with, nor should it (we) be expected to delve into other issues. ....... Oh crap, I just lost my train of thought LOL
ok, enough of my rambling
THank you all for being you...........group hugg!!!
~ Denise 
Laura,
Very well said!! I value this group and all the support I receive and see here. In fact, everyone here was instrumental in my decision to have surgery. The morning of my surgery, I woke up and wanted to cancel the procedure. But I came on here and read some posts, and all I could think was that I wanted what everyone here had---I wanted to be healthy and to really live again. I've met some amazing people on this board and hope to meet more of you in person soon. Lots of wisdom and support here. I know I can come here for a recipe, ideas for food, exercise advice, to know I'm not alone in having dry mouth from my cpap, to laugh. And I know where to turn if I need a good butt kicking.
Thank you all for being here!!!!
Julia
Very well said!! I value this group and all the support I receive and see here. In fact, everyone here was instrumental in my decision to have surgery. The morning of my surgery, I woke up and wanted to cancel the procedure. But I came on here and read some posts, and all I could think was that I wanted what everyone here had---I wanted to be healthy and to really live again. I've met some amazing people on this board and hope to meet more of you in person soon. Lots of wisdom and support here. I know I can come here for a recipe, ideas for food, exercise advice, to know I'm not alone in having dry mouth from my cpap, to laugh. And I know where to turn if I need a good butt kicking.
Thank you all for being here!!!!
Julia
I came here looking to learn. In the process I not only learned but made some very good friends. The kind of good friends that will not only advise and support me but to whom I am giving permission to kick my butt when necessary. I did not go through all I did in the last year to mess this up. I do know I cannot do it alone. There may be a little quiet pouting but it will just make me try all the harder to succeed in my journey. Thanks again everybody
Kathy K
I know that I do not post to often, but I'm here every day I'm a very good lurker. One of the reasons I dont post is that most times someone else has said something better than I ever could. I just want everyone to know I value the honesty on this board I DON'T want it sugar coated. I think you are all amazing and I dont know what I would do with out this board. Thanks for everything!!
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