I am discouraged

I keep reading such crappy advice being given on the main VSG board and people are following some crazy suggestions.  It saddens me and at least for today makes me feel like just keeping quiet. I don't even engage in the advice giving as much as I used to do.  Maybe I am wrong, and all of these people will do just fine, but my heart doesn't really believe it and it makes me a bit sad. ( This is not about any particular post, just the general direction).

A lot of the great posters with knowledge are gone. I do miss the "older" board and I honestly only come here to post my weight and to stay on track.

I think there comes a time when the drawback from coming here outweighs the benefits. Maybe it's an ego boost but I'm trying to put more time and effort on my family and the fun I can have outside of OH.

I seem to go through stages where I really feel the need to pull back.  It sometimes feels like the forces of ignorance are just too much to deal with and so many of the best and brightest are not posting anymore.  I mean there are many other smart and well read newbies, but I miss the old-timers. 

I am posting less and less, too. Some of the advice I have seen this past week just blows my mind. That said......

What I try to remember is that your posts, Frisco's, Ruggie's, JennChap's, Happy's, Slimpickin's and others really helped me along the way. The advice you offered was sound and well founded in science and experience. I chose to listen and attribute a lot of my success to the support I found here on the boards. Also, because of you I have been introduced to a man who continues to inspire and excite me on this journey and helps me understand what is needed for long term success. So, I continue to post on the main VSG board when I can. Maybe I can help someone, too.

So next time you feel like being quiet or giving up altogether, just remember how you've helped me and so many others. Today or tomorrow might be the day that you help someone as much as you have helped me. 

Just sayin'.........

Thank you.  You were always going to be a success, with my help or without it.  You had everything you needed right from the start.  But I hear you.  I miss the people that were here when I was a newbie.  There used to be a woman here called PeanutFreeMom and I used to read every single one of her thoughtful and kind posts.  It just seems like there are more people who have a very different attitude about this surgery and about this path.  Maybe it's just the way I am feeling today.

Yeah...that is why I read every one of YOUR thoughtful and kind posts....we smart newbies need you and Kairk and Rob and Frisco and others to help us along. I am faaaaar from maintenance but I come to this board a lot and hope that by the time I get to maintenance I will have been imbibed with all of your experience and wisdom, so please please please post on the main VSG board, and have a look at the main board too. There are so many who could benefit from your knowlwdge.

The ignorance and poor advice have driven me away from the VSG board here and on VST.  I just couldn't read any more posts about not following the prescribed diet because "I had the surgery so I wouldn't have to diet anymore."  I'm sorry, but to me, following your surgeon's instructions and changing the habits that made you fat would appear to be the way to achieve goal.  Unfortunately, I fear that they will be the ones who never get to goal and have early regain as well.  

Preaching to the choir here but I share your frustration. 

Can you say 55% EWL?  This is where some are headed.  Not you, not me, not a lot of us who keep our heads in the game and know what it takes to do this right.  I mean Jeez, what the heck did we all go through this for anyway?  So we could eat 1/2 of a Big Mac?  Some people are just thick skulled and there is nothing that you can do, but I hear ya, it saddens me as well.  I don't post there much anymore as well and find myself finding other diversions that keep me busy and off OH.  I'll pop in, see that there is nothing that I can or want to respond to, come over to this board and post my weight and maybe respond to one of my old friends, like you.  It is disheartening.  Keep trying, there is someone out there that needs us...(((Hugs!)))

Deb

Thank you Deb.  I sometimes think that I can do more good talking to people in person than on OH.  A few months ego, I told the mother of one of my clients that I had VSG.  She is someone that could benefit from looking into the surgery.  I mentioned it in passing and moved on to my job.  But I had a feeling that I might have planted a small seed.  Just today, she told me that she has been looking into it since I mentioned it and is thinking about moving forward.  We had a good long talk about it.  I am not sure why so many of us, like me, feel the need to pay this forward, but for some reason we do.  I think that I am so overwhelmed by feelings of gratitude toward VSG and my surgeon that I keep wanting to help others on this journey.  On the other hand, it has been three and a half years and maybe that is just enough.

A prayer for you:
God grant me the serenity to accept STUPID people the way they are, the courage to maintain my self control and the wisdom to know if I act on it, I will go to jail!!

Please don't give up, you have helped me and so many others. I miss some of the
others too. We need inspiring people and good examples. I love all the Dr C people. I had a great surgeon but the support meetings are awful - only 1 a month. Hang in there.