I so want to help but sometimes it just doesn't pay

Well, you've taken the words right out of my mouth. You'd be amazed how often I sit, cussing at the computer and going on and on to Fredling about this, and how much it frustrates me. But I keep quiet on the boards about it...better to hush than start a war... Now of course people will take THIS post the wrong way and will whine about it too... My Dr told me nothing about this surgery...everything I know about it, is the result of my own personal research...I later learned some things here at OH (not much though, I did extensive research) The most important thing to me about OH was the support and friendships...and MY being able to help...well it's impossible to help those *****fuse to help themselves! Anyhow...thanks for posting this. Linda~

Derrick and I were just doing the same thing this morning!! LOL The ones we can't handle are the ones that complain about only losing 19 lbs in two weeks!!! COME ON FOLKS, WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU LOST ONLY 19 LBS IN TWO WEEKS!!!! I was ABSOLUTELY THRILLED with losing 18lbs in two weeks, so how could I possibly answer that post without sounding insensetive or "holyier than thou"(as some posters to this thread are being called)??!! And they are usually the posts that have a zillion replys (mostly from other pre or newly post ops)!! We do the same thing; just bi**h to each other and not say anything on the boards about it for the same reasons you state above. Just because those type of posts make us crazy does not diminish the sincerity in which we have answered other posts. "The most important thing to me about OH was the support and friendships...and MY being able to help...well it's impossible to help those *****fuse to help themselves!" EXACTLY!!!! All of the medical and technical stuff should come form professionals not flight attendants and housewifes (of which I am both so don't flame me!) Thank you for you contribution to this thread because I needed to hear that someone else felt the same way I do!! Have a great day! Patrice

Pre-op here just nosing around. Wanted to add my .02 to your post. No flames, I promise As someone who "interviewed" two surgical "specialists" I was appalled at the lack of information the first local surgeon offered about his practice and the procedures performed, aftercare, etc. "Drive Thru WLS" is what I coined it. Once I located and found a holistic surgical practice - 2 hours away from my home - I was even more disgusted at the lack of info Doc #1 offered. I suspect that most folks, like myself, start out expecting that Doc is going to GIVE you all the information you need. Most folks probably show up at a surgeons office desperate and over/underwhelmed, just wanting WLS to "fix" them and they'll be on their way. Unless a brain cell kicks in and you start digging for this information for yourself, you really DONT KNOW what you dont know. I strongly suspect that a high percentage of posters here & abroad are the "victims?" of the likes of Doctor #1 as I described. If that is indeed the case, no wonder they are "cut-up and clueless" after the fact. It is entirely possible that they truly DIDN'T KNOW what they were committing themselves to. For this reason, I sympathize and I understand the "dumb" questions...... That being said, I completely agree with your observations and your post. I do believe that Common Sense is something that ideally would be handed out to every PRE-OP before guts & lives are completely re-arranged. Just like anything else available, once an item becomes so popular and commercialized, it is also subject to becoming "*******ized" if you get my drift. WLS is no exception. Ironically, while some (even myself) would complain that it's so hard to acheive approval and get the procedure done, it's actually become almost TOO EASY to get it done, and because of that more and more folks are approved for the procedure quickly, and before they even know what they're really signing up for. Prospective patients to WLS are far more concerned with getting insurance approval than they are choosing the surgeon, dietician, and professionals that will literally change their lives. In my darkest moments I humble myself and become thankful that it HAS taken me this long to get the procedure approved. It has given me time to get to know my surgeon, her staff, her beliefs, and also to interact with Post-Ops to get to know the whole story. It is because folks like you who are willing to share themselves that a minority like me actually will prosper thru this process. smiles, Jen

If everyone was nice all the time; I wouldn't trust 'em.

I haven't had my surgery approved, yet, but I have to agree with you. I get frustrated when posts say how frustrated they are with ONLY losing __pounds. I have a friend who is already approved for surgery and doesn't know anything about the restrictions or even what kind of surgery she is having. How can that be possible? No support group? She doesn't have a clue! She says she hates Atkins diet and it makes her throw up. Hello, she will be pretty much on Atkins after surgery (high protein, low carb). Personally, I have been like others, googling everything and anything I can on WLS. I want to be informed BEFORE I am sliced and diced. I want to say I am very grateful for ALL of your comments. I personally hope that if I get off track after surgery, I will have one of you post to me to get me back on track. You know, a real reality check. Please keep posting to newbies because you really inspire and help us!!!! ~Heather (I was denied but now I am appealing, please keep in your prayers)

1 answer: I was telling an OH member here about the terrific patient education program MCV has and when I mentioned the book we have to read twice and are quizzed on twice, she said she would throw the book away--didn't read. I guess that means books since uses this site. I bit my tongue. Lois