*POLL* What do you want this island to be?

We originally said we wanted a Vets forum where we need to keep it to members who are 1 year out. There is really no point in having a Vets forum if we aren't going to stick to that. In sticking to that, I mean....when someone asks you if they can join, we need to remind them of the 1 year criteria. It's not about excluding anyone... Thoughts, anyone?

One year seems logical to me. By that time, you have (or should have) learned to live with your band, you should be seeing some weight loss success (although not full success for most) and you should have experienced many of the trials and tribulations of the band. Yep, works for me.

I asked this question when we started this board and everyone universally agreed they wanted to keep it a vet board, with the one year out criteria. But I have noticed that when people who arent a year out (or at goal) are asking if they can post others just say Welcome. We need to decide because the rules should apply to everyone. If its a 'vet' board...then its a vet board. We wouldnt have hurt feelings if OH would give a stinkin forum like RNYers have. It clearly states you have to be a weight loss surgery graduate.

I took a jaunt over to the WLS Graduates board. It is definitely RNY slanted even though it doesn't say it is only RNY. I scrolled through some and saw on DS post and one band post. Everything else was RNY. So, my question. What exactly did OH say when they were asked about a vets board for bands? Did they imply they want us on the WLS grads board? How was the request to OH worded? Did we give some good verbiage about how different our issues are (as evidenced by the fact they give separate boards for each surgery)? How long ago was the request? Do you think we would have any luck if we tried again? I'm always up for a good fight if there is any hope of winning.....

" I took a jaunt over to the WLS Graduates board. It is definitely RNY slanted even though it doesn't say it is only RNY. I scrolled through some and saw on DS post and one band post. Everything else was RNY. So, my question. What exactly did OH say when they were asked about a vets board for bands? Did they imply they want us on the WLS grads board? How was the request to OH worded? Did we give some good verbiage about how different our issues are (as evidenced by the fact they give separate boards for each surgery)? How long ago was the request? Do you think we would have any luck if we tried again? I'm always up for a good fight if there is any hope of winning....." Vicki: The fine fight was already fought. You are welcome to try. The WLS grad board is supposedly for everyone, however many bandsters contacted OH..(and there was thread on this) and told them that since that board was RNY dominated we would like our own board. OH responded that there was no plans at this time to give bandsters their own graduate forum. They told us to take an unused old forum and make it our own. That is why we are on this archaic old board. Many many bandsters responded to the obesity help staff eloquently about how our needs are very different from bypass people or people of any other surgery. (Commonly when surgeries are mingled arguments break out, even for those who have already chosen their surgery and are at goal...strange I know) OH also responded that plans are in the works so that people can set up group forums and invite or not invite anyone they would like. The didnt tell us until pressed further however, that those forums will not be coming for months. This request to OH for a graduate forum was put in about a month ago. The owners of OH are not concerned with lap band patients. The money on this site comes from bypass. They basically told us to go jump in a lake.

I just wrote them again, and asked for the private forum that they told me about a year ago - that would be by invitation only. Now we wait....

It would be nice if they could make it restrictive by the surgery date in your profile. Invitation only implies that people could be excluded for other reasons which could get a bit cliquish.

"It would be nice if they could make it restrictive by the surgery date in your profile. Invitation only implies that people could be excluded for other reasons which could get a bit cliquish." Susan: Thats exactly what the new forums that OH is working on will be..Invite only. It will be cliquish. This forum is not invite only.... but it does have the one and only criteria..1 year out from surgery or at goal. I like your thought...I wi**** was restricted that way.

Agreed, but I'm not holding my breath!

I agree. I made the mistake of welcoming someone who asked to join in, thinking they were at goal. I didn't read the entire thread - my bad. We need to keep the Island as it was intended, until OH gives us one of our own. Thanks for the reminder!