TO ALL OF YOU THAT ARE BETTER THAN ANYBODY ELSE

I have been to family reunions that were less harmonious than this board is, so I think your friend's expectations may be out of line with what a community can provide.

If you're referring to the thread I think you are, it alleged that a self-described band expert who frequently advises people to ignore their surgeons' advice on this board is a fraud, a convicted felon, and a profiteer who preys on lap band newbies.  I don't know if these allegations are true, but evidence was cited that suggests that they may be.  I haven't seen a post that directly addresses these allegations in a convincing way, but I may not be looking hard enough.  If someone knows of such a response, I would love to see it.

If this really is a support board, such allegations should be raised if they are credible.

If you or your friend are looking for an experience that yields peace, joy, and harmony without a few fisticuffs, I'm not sure you will find it in any community, online or off. 

I have links if you want them.

A lot of people on this board give advice; some times good, some times bad.  We have no idea if they have any felonies or other secrets.  If you want to take the advice then take it.  If you don't, then don't.

I must have missed something and that is okay. Sadly, one thread colored the entire network for your friend. It has been said that we see what we're looking for. I believe that, because I have seen that in myself. If I need to see, or want to see ugly, it's there. If I need to see, or want to see beautiful, it's there. When I started believing this to be true, it was scary and exhilarating at the same time. . .

I do sincerely hope you and your friend can find the "beautiful" on OH, because it is here, no doubt. What do you want to, need to see? It will be here if you keep looking I bet.

Cindy

I have been reading this board for at least a year probably more and that is the first or second time I've seen something like that happen.  So compared to most phorums even the sewing ones that are inhabited by many religious women, I think one runaway thread in that time is pretty amazing.  I find this board wonderful in that fact there isn't the usual sniping that goes on so many boards.  There is always someone here willing to offer advice and support.  On boards as in life you always have to make decisions for yourself.   Taking what you need and want and ignoring the rest. . 

I must be living with my head stuck in the stand or something. I have had nothing but fantastic experiences on the board.  Never a bad word sent my way, only support. 

Guess I just read what is important to me....and I am not ashamed to belong to this board!

There are a gazillion positive supportive threads on this board.  Every now and again someone is called on their own crap they spew.

Seems to me that your friend needs to get over herself.  If she wants help and support she can ignore the once a month threads and pay attention to the other 99.9% of the threads.  If someone wants support, it is here.  If they want an excuse to avoid support, that is a choice, too.  Either is okay as long as folks are honest with themselves about it.

When a nurse who all but claims to be the ultimate band guru has more IDs than underdrawers, claims to be a licensed RN to bolster her credibility when in fact her RN license was revoked, has a felony on her record, uses her fake IDs to sell total crap to newbies who will do anything or pay anything to lose weight... she's gonna be called on those actions.  If you don't like it you are free not to read those threads.

I think your post is kind of silly and full of needless drama... you know the stuff you claim not to like.  I kinda hope your friend doesn't see your own thread, you know?

Sorry to all those who thought I was yelling.   Break computer is piece of crap, only does all caps, unless you can type holding down the shift key...... Not my fault.
Those that thought it was something towards me..... nope, don't even know the person that was bashed.....
I do try to take the good out of the post.  I like B$tchfest, OT's, ect..... butpersonal bashing...... those who have struggled their whole lives with weight...... think back..... it was no different than those poking fun, talking behind your back..... We are all human..... We are all trying to change something about us.  Some are there, some still trying.  I don't think I can make anyone act a certain way or do certain things..... I just think it'ssad to come to a support board, and read someone bashing another.
Did any of you know I stole lip gloss as a young girl? Not a felony, but I stole!!!!!  What kind of person am I?  Did any of you know I took money as a teenager from the church, the youth group.... I made all deposits and no one ever knew about it????  God I must be Awful?  Nope!! I asked for forgiveness and the only one that matters forgave me!!!  Did any of you know I cheated on my first husband? Yep!!!! Mistakes my WHOLE life!!!!!  God forgave me..... I don't think about it everyday.  It's something from yesterday and past I can't change.  Nothing I did I can take back.
I'm who I am.  Heck I can't be too bad, my local police department even hired me...... AFTER an hard long background check.
I'm just me, with my mistakes behind meMy friend's still like me and my family must love me.... but most of all I'm learning to love me

There was a thread over on Rants 'n Raves today involving some people who obviously had a backstory that I was not privy to. So I don't chime in on posts like that.

It's possible that you don't know the history here. And your friend who poked her head in, sure doesn't know it.

Most of the time this place is really supportive.

But you're not telling people to:

* ignore their doctor's advice
* buy stuff that earns you a profit

and you don't pretend to be such an expert that you have a right to overrule another patient's surgeon.

The thread you refer to did get out of hand and there was some piling on, which is even against the rules in football.  That happens online and offline and it's not pretty.

Nevertheless, if a self-described expert is, in fact, a con artist (not saying yes, not saying no), then a post exposing the fraud strikes me as appropriate.

None of us are perfect, but if our imperfections include behavior that has an impact on the people on this board, especially newbies, it is supportive for a poster to let others know of potential dangers.