For newbies: Getting the Most Out of This Forum (repost)

It wasn't directed at you, actually.

You shouldn't let others determine how much or how little you post. Also, it's good to know about the bad stuff that can happen, no matter how unpleasant it might be.

Thank You Bette!

All was well  said. I sure do miss our old friends    who have felt they were run out. I miss Krista and that romanian (I think she was,) who use to post here, and so many others. I know I stayed away  for a loooong time, and I use to be here on a regular basis prior to my banding.

 thanks again,

Prek3

Krista and Elena are both on FB quite a bit; they just don't stop in here very often anymore.

Thanks Bette,

I agree that it would be lovely to have more action here because you are right; it is very hard to tell a newbie to post and read about their band when there are so few here. I relied on so many to help me the first year and more and I hate to see newbies not getting that.

Sue

In its hey day with the regular vets (not part time, change your name 12 times posters) but the ones who were here in the trenches every single day for years we could agree to disagree and still get along with out drama. I feel like the other poster, I'm not an advocate of the band for the majority of people but if someone already has one I'll try to help them and yes I will point out there are other options if all else fails. Many don't even know a revision is an option if the band hasn't worked for them. However if they already have the band and it sounds like they are working it properly or are unaware of something that may help them I'll bend over backwards to try to help them get the best out of their band and be as successful as they can be. I think most of us want to help each other, some of us simply can't blow rainbows and glitter just for the sake of doing it. I wish someone had told me that with my health conditions I would be hard pressed to be successful but it was my only option at the time and I took it. I don't want anyone to have to feel the guilt and shame so many of us had to deal with when our bands didn't work they way we were told they would. That's what I want to stop, I don't want anyone to have to go thru that, to me that was worse than being fat.

I never dreamed I'd end up weighing over 300 lbs when I used to work out 2 hrs a day 6 days a week and ate healthy wholesome food.However once I developed lung disease and a crippled hip there was no way I could continue to work out. Even eating healthy food in moderate amounts didn't work because I couldn't get the exercise. So in theory the should have worked but for whatever reason it didn't, so I KNOW how to diet, lose weight AND keep it off IF my body worked like it used to. So I do try to help and be supportive of most any bandster, but I can't in good conscience support someone who hasn't actually gotten a band yet, it goes against my personal ethics and my sense of honestly.

It would be nice to have even the old OT subjects they were usually of a more personal nature and helped us get to know each other better. I don't know if OH doesn't allow them or if people just don't know it can be done. Some are adamant that the forum be kept strictly for weight loss subjects but there really is more to life than weight loss! Thanks for reposting this Bette, I hope it opens the door to a more active and fun forum again!

Bette,

I think you have said it all.

Wendy

I will keep trying to peer out from under my internet bush and participate more here as well.  Thanks, Bette.

"It may be possible to get this place back to its heyday, but I need all of you to start posting again. I know you are still out there, lurking in the internet bushes. Come on out, pull up a chair and chat a little. We used to always be there for each other - the newbies and the old timers, the successes and the struggles."

Bette, I have tried! Honestly! But  don't think we will ever get it back.  Too many have left. I do post occasionally but I'm never going to be a regular as I used to be.  Just not a welcoming place.

Kate

I agree with you, Kate. It's not looking good . . . 

May I add....

use a decent font! In this day when so many of us access sites on tablets or phones, handwriting script in small font is a real pain! In fact, I don't bother! I have to stretch it to read it and then it goes off the edge of the screen to I have to keep swiping the screen! And pale colours are even worse!