Question:
i AM ADDICTED TO THIS WEB SITE! Does anybody else spend hours here? Is this normal?
I am just addicted to this web site. I spend hours a day reading and researching. My doctor told me that I have TMI (too much information), maybe he is right. Anybody else spend endless hours on this site? Is this normal pre-op jitters? — Diane S. (posted on October 4, 2003)
October 4, 2003
I am so addicted!!! I am exactly one month till my date and I am still
looking up information constantly. I am however a little concerned that
the doctor thinks that you have too much information. This sugery will
change your life forever, it is going to alter your internal organs, there
is never enough information...
— NJChick
October 4, 2003
Hi Denise- If I don't get my daily fix of this website, I suffer from
serious withdrawls :o) I'm going to have to start attending AMOS Site
Anonymous meetings, LOL. I don't think there's such a thing as too much
information, as long as you verify things you read with your PCP or WL
surgeon and keep in mind that there are all sorts of opinions as to what's
best for us WLS folks. Good Luck :o) Mea
— Mea A.
October 4, 2003
I laughed out loud when I read your post. I'm always reading stuff here
too. My husband has been teasing me and saying "How much is there to
learn about it?" So, I just had to read him your post. He actually
laughed too. BTW I'm waiting for approval too.
— greg17
October 4, 2003
I think it depends what stage you're at. If you are just learning spending
all day is probably not uncommon. If your surgery is in a couple weeks,
again lots of computer time is probably normal. However, if you are
spending so much time on the computer (at this site or any other) you may
be obsessing, replacing healthy activities in your life (such as being with
family, getting fresh air on walks, talking on the phone with friends) with
the computer. Maybe look at the number of hours you spend on the computer
compared to what your life to be like in the bigger picture to see if some
adjustment is in order.
— bethybb
October 4, 2003
It is very normal. Before I had surgery (11-12-01) I was a stay at home mom
and I was on this site for 6 to 12 hours a day. I was totally addicted. I
am now a big promotor for this site when referring to WLS but do not spend
near enough time here. (I have too much energy to sit in my chair that
long...LOL) Good Luck, and if I can be of any help feel free to e-mail me.
— Lynda T.
October 4, 2003
I guess i am addited too, i am on here every evening for about an hour. i
am 11 months out and am 4 hours from my surgeon so i cant go to the support
meetings. this is my way of staying grounded and on track. i dont post that
often but i always read everyones post and the answers, usually my
questions and fears are posted and answered by others. if i do have a
concern i check the library and can most always fine something there that
helps. this site is conection to to all of you and i thank you all.
— terri R.
October 4, 2003
I think it's totally normal to be on here a lot before, during and after
your surgery. I am pre op and I find that most of the answers I forget to
ask my doctor or concerns I may have are often found here. I have learned
so much by reading everyones posts and searching the library as well as
posting when I have a question. I think if you need information theres no
place better to get it than from people who have gone thru it :)
— Juanita N.
October 4, 2003
I also spend at time everyday on this site..after my surgery of 2 years ago
it keeps me feeling close to others who share my new way of life. In
reference to your physician saying you have TMI...I would not like that
remark at all. This is your body and you can never have too much
information when you are making a life altering decision to have a serious
surgery as this. I would be mifted at that remark. I would find it
insulting to be honest with you. My surgeon was happy that I had done so
much research and had so many questions...and continue to have questions.
Have you thought about a 2nd opinion?
— Karen Renee
October 4, 2003
I've been here since the site opened, but I was already 4 yrs postie, so
its value to me is a lil different. Still a learning field. 9 years
tomorrow and I feel like I've finally touched the tip of the iceberg on the
subject of WLS. The info, the learning is bottomless. I learn something
new EVERY SINGLE DAY, in working with us-kinds. I stay tuned to the Grad
& Proteins lists, because that's where the longer term folks go. There
IS no end to this learning. Because it is still experimental, to a degree.
Every doc has an opinion, most of based on studies of normie, not us. So,
we all have different instructions. There is not standard for the
procedures or follow up. We HAVE to do our learning from each other.
— vitalady
October 4, 2003
I spent hours and hours reading everything I could find when I began
researching the surgery. I've been in the preliminary tests stage for
several months now, so I don't sign on every day anymore, but probably will
post-op to help me answer my little fears before I convince myself I'm in
big trouble over nothing. I just saw my surgeon Friday before last and he
said it was very important that I had been spending time on this site. He
recommends it highly. He also liked that I knew so much about the surgery.
I agree with other posters that I'm uneasy with your surgeon's attitude if
he really thinks a patient can get too much information on a surgery like
this. I want a surgeon who likes to have his patients be a full partner in
their health decisions. It makes me feel safer. My insurance letter goes
in Monday, and I could get a date within two weeks! Getting closer and
spending more time here. I think it's healthy as long as it doesn't cut out
other necessary functions in your life.
— Chyrl W.
October 5, 2003
I wanted to add one more comment - as for the doctors comment of
"TMI" - I have worked for doctors for 17 years, and I sort of
know what the doc may have been referring to. Sometimes patients would
have researched their illness/surgery options to the degree that it was
just too much - even asking what kind of sutures the doctor would be using
in one case. There is a point when you have to let the doctor be the
doctor. I don't think he probably meant she really knew too much about
what she was getting into, but may be consumed by so much information that
it was to the edge of overwhelming. He may just be a jerk too, but I could
easily see on of my previous employers saying something like this and
meaning it as a joke.
— bethybb
October 5, 2003
I spend hours and hours also. Even at work. Makes me feel like I have
friends. I was on it the entire morning of surgery (my surgery was at
1:00pm) and the entire day before (drinking those fluids and hungry and
scared). I have many nice things in my life but this website is TRULY one
of the best things I've ever had in my life. I don't read it for
"information" - I read it for SUPPORT. Tell the doc that!
— Margaret G.
October 5, 2003
DENISE, I AM ALSO DOING THE SAME THING RIGHT NOW I DONT HAVE A COMPUTER AT
HOME SO I COME INTO WORK 21/2 HOURS EARLY SO I CAN READ MESSAGES AND LEARN!
LEARN!LEARN!,I AM PROUD OF EVERYONE I CAN'T WAIT TO HOPEFULLY GODS WILL BE
ON THE OTHER SIDE.
— D. WILLIAMS
October 5, 2003
I don't think there is anything wrong with being "addicted" to
this site. Better that than food, right? LOL!
Being informed is good. And knowing what others have gone through and/or
finding out some of the things we could go through (I'm pre-op too), is
good. It's good to know the good, the bad, the ugly, etc. Plus it is a
wonderful support system. There is still a lot of mixed feelings on this
surgery to a lot of people and it's good to get positive energy from the
people on this site.
I love this site and wouldn't know have of what I know if it weren't for
ObesityHelp.com! So thanks to everyone who made it possible!
— Lisa E.
October 6, 2003
I spent a lot of time here before as well for the same reasons. I can't
even begin to thank the hundreds wo give of their privacy and time,
answering posts and updating profiles. Now I am 8 wks post op and spend
less time...I think the fat me spent a little too much time on my butt
surfing the net and chatting online. The new active me needs less time on
my butt. BUT, I do stop in daily to the last 300 ?s to see if any apply
for me and try to answer those I can help with. I intend to update my
profile as well, since so many others' helped me out.
— Donya P.
October 6, 2003
Hello,
I'm almost 6 months post op and I come here almost every day.
Reading the profiles and success stories of so many others who are on this
same journey as myself is just too overwhelming to describe to anyone who
has not gone through this procedure. I am just getting use to the new
person that's coming out of me as I lose the extra weight. I don't regret
having this surgery one bit. I appreciate everyone who shares their
feelings, triumphs, pains and questions here at this site.
— Rese269
October 6, 2003
Oh my Gosh!!!
This is like my new Hobbie.. I love it here.. it is so encourageing and
exciting as I embark on this journey.. i feel like I know all of you... We
are like a secret socity of catapillars making our journey to BUTTERFLY
JANA
— Jana W.
October 7, 2003
Regarding TMI (too much information), I am months away from a decision,
much less surgery due to my travel schedule. However, I see a lot of
conflicting information here--note, not BAD information--just conflicting.
This doctor says this, that doctor says something else. Just my 2 cents.
— Hershey's M.
October 7, 2003
You could NEVER have 'too much information'! Most surgeons encourage you
to do your research and be totally prepared. I spent a whole lot of time
on here pre op. I found this site to be enlightening, informative,
supportive and inspirational! Good luck to you, Denise!
— Ginger M.
Click Here to Return