Question:
Do you have any suggestions to make this site better?

This is your chance to let me know how this site could be better. What features would you like to see on it? What things could be added or changed to make it better for you? What changes or additions could you think of that would make the site more popular and helpful? Please share your thoughts. Thanks!    — ericklein (posted on July 8, 2000)


July 8, 2000
As you may or may not be aware I contribute a lot. The site is good but there has to be a way so that every post gets posted. I have several times written responses and I never see them again
   — snicklefritz

July 8, 2000
Hi Eric...I am glad you asked. Because this site is used to amass information about basically 4 topics. Insurance info on specific carriers, doctors who do the surgery and pre and post-op surgery questions. I get most of my answers from already asked questions but because I can't find the answers in our data base I like others re-ask the question. Ray had a good suggestion with the dates but that would only work for those of us who are already here. I would like to see better catagories for the questions so I can find the answers I need. I would also like for you to go back to welcoming new people in the gallery like you did me when I first arrived. I had so many hellos and offers for info that I did not feel the need to post for while. I had made friends my first week on. It was great to be welcomed that way. If people objected then at sign up make it an option. Lastly, alot of info that is posted on the Q&A board is info really best for the messaged Board. Some clarity as to which is which prior to posting is good. I really do like the things that our sister Kathy has been posting, however because we have a submissions section she could post them there for everyone to see and get to because once the day rolls and more questions get asked, if I did not print it I can not find it again. Victoria has some cool things too but I am lost looking for them because they are gone. Oh yeah and a seperate page for the Century Club would be cool. They could take up alot of the Q&A slack. They have alot to share. Thanks for asking, sorry so long winded....
   — Courtrina Amur W.

July 8, 2000
Eric: Love the site. Would like to have something where we can check the calories and protein grams in foods - or calculate our daily intake of these. This is available on other sites, but who wants to go to other sites? Also, I see way too many things on the Q & A Board that belong on the Message Board. Another thing, when I post a response on the Q & A Board, I am automatically transported to the screen where I can look up items in the Library. This causes me to have to click again at the top of the page to go back to the original Q & A site. Why is that? I'd like to just continue after I respond to one question and then read some other questions. That's enough for now.
   — Cindy H.

July 8, 2000
Hi Eric....first off, this site is fantastic.....but I do agree with Cindy. A program that tracks your intake of calories and protein would be great. I found one recently at Dietwatch.com that I plan on using after I'm on the "other side"....but I'm on this site EVERY day, it would be nice to have it right here where I feel at home. =-) Thanks for your loyalty to this site....you're the best!!!
   — Marcella S.

July 9, 2000
When you go into the surgery page to enter comments, it would be nice if you could just identify yourself one time and the system would continue to recognize you until you "signed off". Thanks! As always... LOVE THIS SITE
   — kimberly1224

July 12, 2000
This is a wonderful site! It has provided an endless amount of support for me. It's very easy to navigate and the design is clean and straight forward. God Bless. Carolyn
   — C. G.

July 16, 2000
Hi Eric... You do an AWESOME job here! Thanks for asking... What I would like to see is... When a person posts a question in the Q & A section, I would like to see another box added to specify the surgery type you are questioning. Nine out of ten times, a question is posted in reference to a specific surgery type, yet they never say which surgery. They just assume you know. It's wasted time trying to figure out which surgery they are referring to or want information on. It could be easily solved with a box asking which surgery type. Thanks for your help Eric!
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 17, 2000
Eric: This isn't a suggestion, but you asked me to create a site to lead others to this one and I wanted you to look at my site. I have a link to yours on it. It isn't all functioning yet, but one day all the links will work. Cindy http://www.geocities.com/mrsverlin/index.html
   — Cindy H.

July 18, 2000
I am really frustrated with this site. I am sure part of it is because I am new to it. I find it hard to figure out where I can get the answers I want regarding the surgery and procedures and just generally looking around thru the site has been frustrating. I am wondering if it isn't just easier to contact the Dr. locally in my area that does the surgery and get some general answers.UGH!!!!
   — [Anonymous]

September 18, 2000
It would be nice to have some links to sites that explain the various surgeries in much more detail, i.e. medical journal and research articles. It took me quite a while to find sites and gather enough information that I felt explained things well.
   — Linda J.

September 20, 2000
The photos that run on the first page are always the same few people. I know you have bigger fish to fry but a friend of mine who is going to join said to me that she figured since the same faces were always there that the site must not have but a few people who send it photos. Could we add some photos so that we get a better variety of folks to look at. I mean those faces are nice but they are getting a little old. Thanks. Trina
   — Courtrina Amur W.

September 24, 2000
How can people with no profile and e-mail info post to this site?? Is that how it is supposed to be? Thanks
   — Courtrina Amur W.

October 10, 2000
I LOVE this site!!! I happened on it by sheer accident (fate, I think). I was really depressed about my weight and found out about all the surgeries and I got SO excited and have gone into the site every single day ever since I found it and I see something new each time. This site has also helped me decide on a doctor. I don't even have an appointment yet, but I called his office and he's going to call me back. I think you've done a FANTASTIC job with this site ... thank you!!! By the way/weigh ... have you ever been over weight? How did you get involved doing this site??? Thanks
   — Betty Todd

October 10, 2000
I LOVE this site!!! I happened on it by sheer accident (fate, I think). I was really depressed about my weight and found out about all the surgeries and I got SO excited and have gone into the site every single day ever since I found it and I see something new each time. This site has also helped me decide on a doctor. I don't even have an appointment yet, but I called his office and he's going to call me back. I think you've done a FANTASTIC job with this site ... thank you!!! By the way/weigh ... have you ever been over weight? How did you get involved doing this site??? Thanks
   — Betty Todd

October 30, 2000
I live in Norman, Oklahoma; and I am flying to Atlanta, GA for a lap rny on 11/28/2000. My pcp helped me with the insurance approval but advised me afterwards that he was concerned that I should have this surgery and told me to get a new pcp. Surprisingly, I have sort of hit a road block finding someone who would support me after the surgery... anyway to put WLS friendly pcp's on here?
   — blank first name B.

November 1, 2000
Hi Eric, This is the best site on the internet, but you already know that. This concerns new folks that are just finding this site and want specific info, or want to ask questions of the post-ops esecially in the chat room and feel uncomfortable or when they feel they have been ignored by folks that are friends in the room. Why not have group sessions two or three time a day put on by posties to welcome and answer what questions they can and point folks in the right direction. Also for folks that cannot go to WL support groups because of distance or lack of a way. We could have the meetings right here. Also this would help poeple that are lurking join in and ask the questions they need to know about this site and WLS.
   — William C.

November 1, 2000
<p><font color="red" size="+1">AHHH... it would be SO great if the text in the chat room could be in a different color for new people. Like a choice of <i>Red</i> if you are new to chat. I realize we would be on the honor system of NOT using the color if we are NOT new but I think it would help the new people NOT feel ignored.</font></p><hr><p>See, did you pay more attention to that (providing this box accepts code... duh) I don't even know if it does or not.<br> I agree that a "scheduled chat time" (maybe in the unmoderated chat room) for new people like twice a day would be great... people who have been here longer I'm sure would pop in to answer questions if we knew the specific times and we would stay on topic.</p>
   — blank first name B.

November 3, 2000
WHY ISN'T MY QUESTIONS BEING POSTED TO THIS SITE???? WHEN I GO BACK AND CHECK NOTHING ABOUT ME IS HERE???
   — BARBARA C.

November 4, 2000
Eric, I really enjoy this site and it has been very helpful to me. I found my surgeon on this site by seeing what others think of him. My only suggestion would be that when you go to see your local peers it would also show the doctor they are using so you could go straight to their page and see what they have to say. Thanks again for such a wonderful site. It is full of information and so nice to be able to meet people going through the same thing you are.
   — Margaret T.

November 12, 2000
I would like to see the clothing exchange back again. I have not been able to find it. Maybe it is just confusing to find, but if you could do that I would be thrilled! It was such an awesome idea! THe site is awesome!! You do a fabulous job eric!
   — nyjess01

November 12, 2000
I think it would be neat to have different chat rooms for people at different stages. Like one for people considering WLS, a room for pre-op and one for post op.
   — tandem

November 28, 2000
Why do you list only 1 surgeon on the North Dakota Doctor's Page? (L. Michael Howell M.D.) <a href="http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/showdocs.phtml?State=ND">http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/showdocs.phtml?State=ND</a> When you have three Doctors in your Database from ND that perform WLS: Brent Bruderer, M.D. Bismarck, ND <a href="http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/mdcomments.phtml?N=964365750">http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/mdcomments.phtml?N=964365750</a> L. Michael Howell M.D. Fargo, ND <a href="http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/mdcomments.phtml?N=k102">http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/mdcomments.phtml?N=k102</a> Dean Quigley, M.D. Minot, ND href="http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/mdcomments.phtml?N=966055706">http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/mdcomments.phtml?N=966055706</a> If you Can would you please list all of them? Blain
   — Blain B.

December 18, 2000
Just wanted to thank you for the site it's the best on the internet I found everything I've needed so far and more thank you, thank you, thank you Jodi L NH
   — Jodi L.

December 25, 2000
Hi Eric- First, I want to sincerly thank you for all your efforts with this site. I have found more useful information on this site than anywhere else. My suggestion regards the chat room. I agree that the should be chat rooms for people at different stages, thinking about surgery, pre-op, and post-op. Additionally, I believe that you should try to set up some chats with guest speakers like nutritionist, dietician, etc. The chat room sometimes becomes just a social gathering place. I believe that by having guest speakers and moderators, people will get a lot more out of it. Thank you again for all of your hard work and diligent efforts to keep us all informed!
   — T. C.

December 26, 2000
I would like to see an "At Goal" page.
   — Julie C.

January 5, 2001
I confess... I just wanted to say how much this site influenced my pending surgery (open rny) on January 23. Found your site by accident one lunch time (mid November?), and that was the beginning of the end - - the end of my battle with this demon!!! I'm still learning my way around the site, so bear with me if I've responded in the wrong place. Thank you very much!!!! Trish
   — Trish H.

January 5, 2001
Two Words: SINGLE SIGN ON. It woud be great if the site recognized me by putting cookies on my machine. This way I don't have to be annoyed with signing in each time I want to make a comment, post a question, etc. etc. With the chat feature, it would be groovy if there was an indicator telling us who's online.
   — corpdiva2006

January 7, 2001
This may not be an answer to your question, but you were to mine! This website gave me courage and answers to questions I didn't know I had. The booklet you sent with the quotes from members is my daily guidebook. I have not gone to support meetings - it's not my thing - but the booklet and this website has given me just what I needed to begin the process and now to make the journey - with friends. Your emails and those of members have boosted me when I needed and even the holiday card gave me the knowledge that ya'll are sticking by me. I need to help others now, even as I still need help. Thank you to Eric and the other founders and all the unselfish, caring people who have helped me onto the path to good health! (After two months of recovery from surgery, I have already begun the process of returning to work after a year off, during which I was way too sick to work.) Thanks for everything! Rachel Goldfarb
   — Rachel G.

March 1, 2001
Why is it that the before and after pictures don't work anymore? And why can't I find recent profile updates for members anymore? Sort of annoying...
   — corpdiva2006

March 13, 2001
I agree with Kimberly! The dates AND the year should be on every single question and answer page, so everyone knows just how old the comments/questions are. I also noticed the "What's New" page is old, as it shows the info from JULY of last year, I'm assuming? Need to update. Good idea! Also, the "Doctor's Advice" page should be updated as well. There are some postings that have been there for a very long time! How long do you keep posting up anyway? And, today is March 13, 2001!
   — Donna T.

March 13, 2001
Thanks so much for AMOS...a few observations I have made recently: questions are disappearing after they become older than number 10. Also, sometimes answers don't appear on the main Q&A page, but if you click on "see other answers/ask a question" you can see them there. Peer search function isn't working. Can't wait for full functionality again!
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 25, 2001
Bravo on a job well done on this site Eric! This site has become my online Bible for WLS and I love it! One improvement I can think of would be a simpler way to update our profiles. Instead of having to scroll through to the end of the existing profile, how about an empty box to add to what's there and include a date tag. So when other members read our profiles, they are up to date on our progress. It's frustrating to read someone's progress and have no idea how long ago their surgery was or when this or that happened. Also, single-sign on with cookies would also be nice to avoid signing in each time we want to comment, sign a surgery page or ask a question. Thanks for the great site!!!
   — kahlualoverinva

August 20, 2001
Eric, I've noticed that this site is very US focused. We have members from the UK and Canada and I think it would be great if you changed things so that you listed your country then add US vs. Europe (or whatever) to the Peer Search so that these members can find peers in their country. Thanks!
   — kylakae

August 20, 2001
I would like the ability for our user name and password to be stored so I will not have to enter it each time I post a question or answer. Eric you created a life saver for me, this board was my life pre op and trul helped me become a post op, thanks!
   — bob-haller




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