Your assignment: define "Support"
There's a lot of talk about this being a support site, but the people who say that usually want sunshine blown up their butts. I can't do it. I won't.
I've been hanging around this place longer than almost anyone (nine year anniversary coming up) and while that does not make me an expert on everything, I have seen and heard almost everything. I've been through a lot in those years as well: a revision, a heart problem that required surgery, a health crisis for my husband, the loss of father and mother-in-law, the loss of my job, the loss of my husband's job, the loss of health insurance and general security about life. Hell, I even dealt with the loss of a beloved dog, and I got through it all in no small part through the friends here on OH.
Here's what "support" means to me.
- it means cheering your (and my) successes, whether surgery-related or not. Lost another two pounds? Yay!
Got a new job? Double yay! 
Finally got pregnant? Woohoo!
Passed your EMT class, as I did recently? Kudos and congrats to one and all! 
- it means showing tough love when it's needed. It's telling you to see your surgeon, nutritionist, PCP when you're struggling and things aren't going right. It means telling you to get your ass to an ER - PRONTO - when you haven't been able to keep fluids down for three days. It means reminding you that post-op diet stages are there for a reason and no, you CAN'T have "just one little bite" of pizza!
- it means giving you a cyber-kick in the ass when you need one. If you say that you're not eating right, not following the band rules, don't want to exercise, drinking your calories, I will NOT be giving you a sparkly unicorn!
I will give you a kick in the ass, and I expect you to do the same for me.
- it means that when diaster strikes - when you lose your job, your boyfriend, your turtle, a loved one or even - yes, it can happen! - your BAND, I will do what it takes to help you get through it.
What I WON'T do - E.V.E.R. - is blame you for something that is not your fault.
If you're looking for someone who will **** you a rainbow
instead of telling you when you need to straighten up and fly right, you'd better block me now *****es, cause I will NOT be changing to make anyone happy.
If you want someone who is going to give you what you REALLY need when you REALLY need it, I'll be here.
I've been hanging around this place longer than almost anyone (nine year anniversary coming up) and while that does not make me an expert on everything, I have seen and heard almost everything. I've been through a lot in those years as well: a revision, a heart problem that required surgery, a health crisis for my husband, the loss of father and mother-in-law, the loss of my job, the loss of my husband's job, the loss of health insurance and general security about life. Hell, I even dealt with the loss of a beloved dog, and I got through it all in no small part through the friends here on OH.
Here's what "support" means to me.
- it means cheering your (and my) successes, whether surgery-related or not. Lost another two pounds? Yay!
Got a new job? Double yay! Finally got pregnant? Woohoo! Passed your EMT class, as I did recently? Kudos and congrats to one and all! - it means showing tough love when it's needed. It's telling you to see your surgeon, nutritionist, PCP when you're struggling and things aren't going right. It means telling you to get your ass to an ER - PRONTO - when you haven't been able to keep fluids down for three days. It means reminding you that post-op diet stages are there for a reason and no, you CAN'T have "just one little bite" of pizza!
- it means giving you a cyber-kick in the ass when you need one. If you say that you're not eating right, not following the band rules, don't want to exercise, drinking your calories, I will NOT be giving you a sparkly unicorn!
I will give you a kick in the ass, and I expect you to do the same for me.
- it means that when diaster strikes - when you lose your job, your boyfriend, your turtle, a loved one or even - yes, it can happen! - your BAND, I will do what it takes to help you get through it.
What I WON'T do - E.V.E.R. - is blame you for something that is not your fault.
If you're looking for someone who will **** you a rainbow
instead of telling you when you need to straighten up and fly right, you'd better block me now *****es, cause I will NOT be changing to make anyone happy.
If you want someone who is going to give you what you REALLY need when you REALLY need it, I'll be here.
Banded 10 years & maintaining my weight loss!! Any questions, message me.
To me support is:
Answering questions with either information from a reliable source ("...my surgeon's requirements were...") or from feelings, symptoms, experiences I personally have or had.
Celebrating success, no matter how small
Offer encouragement to someone who is struggling
Be empathetic to another person's suffering
Make recommendations to see a medical professional to all who seem to be having difficulties with eating, drinking or following doctor's orders.
Ask for some follow up so we can know if the poster is doing better.
Politely put the smackdown on information that is obviously not reliable, citing sources, personal experience, my own doctor's recommendations.
Be fearless in supporting those whose experiences and posts may not be popular or well liked, but have valuable information to share.
Answering questions with either information from a reliable source ("...my surgeon's requirements were...") or from feelings, symptoms, experiences I personally have or had.
Celebrating success, no matter how small
Offer encouragement to someone who is struggling
Be empathetic to another person's suffering
Make recommendations to see a medical professional to all who seem to be having difficulties with eating, drinking or following doctor's orders.
Ask for some follow up so we can know if the poster is doing better.
Politely put the smackdown on information that is obviously not reliable, citing sources, personal experience, my own doctor's recommendations.
Be fearless in supporting those whose experiences and posts may not be popular or well liked, but have valuable information to share.
6-7-13 band removed. No revision. Facebook Failed Lapbands and Realize Bands group and WLS-Support for Regain and Revision Group
Can't say anything better than Bette and Stephanie.
Support is about being on the side of those who need help, whether by sympathy, quoting reliable information, by telling them honestly if, in my opinion ( and personal opinion is all it can ever be), I feel they are doing things which may harm them or if I think the problem lies not with the bandster but with the band.
Kate
Support is about being on the side of those who need help, whether by sympathy, quoting reliable information, by telling them honestly if, in my opinion ( and personal opinion is all it can ever be), I feel they are doing things which may harm them or if I think the problem lies not with the bandster but with the band.
Kate
Highest 290, Banded - 248 Lowest 139 (too thin!). Comfort zone 155-165.
Happily banded since May 2006. Regain of 28lbs 2013-14. ALL GONE!
But some has returned! Up to 175, argh! Off we go again,
(deactivated member)
on 6/25/12 4:37 am
on 6/25/12 4:37 am
On June 25, 2012 at 11:09 AM Pacific Time, kate P wrote:
Can't say anything better than Bette and Stephanie.Support is about being on the side of those who need help, whether by sympathy, quoting reliable information, by telling them honestly if, in my opinion ( and personal opinion is all it can ever be), I feel they are doing things which may harm them or if I think the problem lies not with the bandster but with the band.
Kate
*Support is about being on the side of those who need help, whether by sympathy (and I will add this) OR TO JUST LISTEN WITH A KIND HEART.
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