POLL: How Many helped by DianaCox & Larra, etc?

Me, me, me!!! for Diana Cox!

 Diana and Larra have done so much for the WLS community in general. They help so many who are seeking WLS, not only DSers. I think everyone on OH has been touched one way or another by them. Diana and Larra work together so well, one plays good cop the other bad, but they both have the patience of Saints.I love what Larra says, "you can only plant the seed". They both have such different ways of getting info out there but in the end they are both so selfless and always ready to help. I will be eternally grateful to both of these fine women for giving me the gift of the DS and helping me beat my insurance company to finally get a surgery that saved my life. I think the thing most dont understand is they would help you no matter which surgery type you get. I've seen both answer threads totally unrelated to the DS. Diana is a big softie. We're all very lucky that they both have stuck around and paid it forward. 

Woooo, chile! Can the church say, Amen?  lol

I definitely have been helped a lot by Diana Cox and the numerous research studies and statistics posted.  It really helped to solidify my decision.  And although she has been majorly flamed several times for it, I appreciate some of the data provided about differences in efficacy of certain surgeries between african-american and causasian patients.  The fact is that there are some metabolic/physiological differences between different ethnic groups and it may effect one's WLS outcome.  No need to bury your head in the sand. 
*Begin edit* -- She has also taken the time to answer my questions on the B/L about vitmains, common channel length -- basically anything and everything.  She never once ignored, and was always very sincere and honest in her responses.  That's A+ in my book.  Oh, and did I mention me and all the other Aetna members owe her the biggest gratitude of all since she paved the way to have the DS approved as an acceptable WLS procedure? *end edit*
She is definitely blunt as hell and not the most diplomatic of the bunch, but hey -- it is what it is.

I have never spoken with Larra directly, but have read her help countless number of folks.  She also seems to have a very warm, kind spirit.

Thanks for doing what you do, ladies. 

On many occasions.

I was definitely helped by these ladies.  I have seen them post with care and concern for newbies (me included) who ask the same questions.  

I don't like all the wars.  I wish there were no inflammatory comments. 

But count me in the "helped tremendously" column.

Linda

I'm here to testify... Love me some Diana, Larra, LeaAnn (baaaaaaaa) and BabyCatcher. There are many Renegades *****main 'in the shadows' for one reason or another but you contribute support, give directions and bust chops. Diana and LeaAnn for sure take a lot of the heat for all of them. And yes, some Renegades are smoothers, some are sellers, some are warriors and some are just *****y. (smooch)

But don't sell short the advisers who are not Renegades. For every Renegade there are 2 or 3 other DSers out there who are on this site everyday, paying it forward. Renegades, most if not all, have invested heavily in flame retardant panties and use them often. And wear them proudly.

I would be sitting here recovering from RNY right now had it not been for them!!

I've found the articles and kinder posts very helpful.  Posts with inflammatory titles or answers are a total turn-off to me.

My PCP told me about the DS and steered me clear of the RNY mill at her hospital, calling the RNY and band "butchery."

BUT, when I came here a year before my surgery (lurked first as a guest), I learned tons from the brave folks paying it forward here every day.

And because trailblazing warriors like Diana Cox had already fought them and kicked ASS, Aetna had to give me my DS. I was able to order up my amazing, life-saving, life-changing DS from them as if it was fast food joint. THANKS, guys!!

So add my name to the list of Diana and Larra's admirers. They paid it forward and got me what I truly wanted and deserved--a second chance at a healthy life. I am not going to squander it.

THAT is why I try and pay it forward on OH and in real life about the DS. If I bother some stupid, jealous or angry people with my posts on the main board, so be it. They can call me a "glutton" and worse because more than 2,000 people read my Main Board post and the thread on the Indy party. How's that for guerilla marketing? 

I admire all of the "official" DS Renegades and the unofficial ones. It ain't easy, spreading the word when you have to run the gauntlet of disappointed, jealous and angry people who chose other surgeries and are scared to death they might have made a mistake. But the word needs to get out, in order to save some uninformed people from the pain of a revision or a lifetime of pain.

My conscience is clean and I can still sleep peacefully every night (after a DS-friendly meal and snack, that is!).

Nicolle

I have yet to need Diana or Larra's help just yet personally, but I have benefited from the wealth of information these ladies put out. I think that all the warriors we have fighting the up hill battle of exposing the truth of the DS need to be commended. So thank you for fighting for me.