A Monday Reflection
"For the negative attacks, Some might think that is just being honest and telling it like it is but it can come off as condescending and bossy."
Unfortunately, such is the nature of written vs. verbal/personal communication. No tone of voice, no inflection, no facial expressions to aid in the meaning of the words.
As for negative "attacks"...what you call attacks, most here call straight shooting. The problem is, the majority of people who come here are brand new VSGers, who have had no prior experience with WLS. The vets know that; they've been here helping those people for years. If they see someone say they had popcorn soon after surgery, and nobody pipes up and says that's a bad idea, or even "stupid decision," those new people will think that's just fine and dandy. They're not like you, with a decade of lap-band and low carb eating under their belts; and without a history, nobody here would know that about you either. The assumption would be that you are brand new as well, and just making bad choices.
So, if you think it's harsh, naturally that's your prerogative. As a former brand-newbie myself, I appreciated (and still do), people being called on what I also now know are risky and sometimes foolish behaviors and decisions.
And because it's written and not spoken...sure, sometimes the advice or comments read as brusque, hard, and even maybe rude. They're rarely meant that way, but again, nature of the beast. When it's happened to me, and believe me it has, mostly I just shrug it off, think to myself that person is an ass, and go on my merry way. They're written words on a forum, they can't affect me, they can't make me do anything, and they can't hurt me. If you're thin-skinned, perhaps the best thing is to refrain from posting something you think might get a negative response.
Truth is though? It's gonna happen. Take it or leave it, your choice.
