Re: : Re: Re: Who's at Mount Sinai 12/17--12/20?/GWEN :)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/6/01 7:26:58 PM, duodenalswitch writes:

<<

> About the MtSInaiDS group... it appears that now it is

> 'invitation only'. When I joined way back (and subsequently left the

> group because of the constant bickering that was going on at that

> time. As a recent post-op, it was just way tooooooo much!), there

> wasn't any process to become a 'member' - one just signed

I guess I won't try to make this meeting.

>>

Oh, Gwen: DO COME! I'd love to see you there -- and and anyone

else who is going! I don't know why the e-group is 'members only' --- I was

frustrated because I couldn't even submit the required information (the

e-mail got sent back to me even though it was an address that was provided on

the initial form the group sent -- it was a form letter, not a personal one

and I'm sure it's sent to all people wanting to sign up).

I have no idea why the e-group has changed from being more open to being

invitation only (at least that's what yahoogroups said)... Perhaps the group

has gotten so huge that they wanted it to be monitored and perhaps they

wanted people to get to know each other better by answering some questions

(none were invasive - just typical questions like pre and post op weight, any

problems experienced, any subjects you'd like to talk about, etc.).

I haven't been to the meetings in about 9 months so things could be very

different now. I decided NOT to let the bickering and such get to me ---

that's why I'm going regardless of what I experienced before! It's still

a great place to meet other post-ops and hopefully things have calmed down a

bit by now. To be fair, I was attending right when the group was going

through a major 'reorganization' and just starting the format that it uses

now.

I think Rich has the right attitude -- just sit back if things get heated and

if it gets to be too much, just leave. I won't let anyone get the best of me

or deny me the right and opportunity to attend a meeting, meet others (most

of whom I wouldn't normally get to meet because they are from all over the

city or nation) and have a nice evening!

Personally, I've been 'dropping out' a bit too much in the past few years ---

It went along with trying to make myself rather 'invisible' and hide behind

my weight. While it may eliminate emotional stress on my end, it really

doesn't do much for me in the end nor does it do anything else for others who

might benefit from something I have to say, my point of view or just being

there for them (to listen, to share). I may not be able to make the meetings

every month but I'm going to try to go more often. I hope to see you there!

all the best,

lap ds with gallbladder removal

January 25, 2001

Dr. Gagner/Mt. Sinai/NYC

10 months post-op and still feelin' fabu

preop: 307 lbs/bmi 45

now: 198 lbs/bmi 28/size sweet 16, but squeezin' into size 14! LOL