Re: Message from Group Owner

June 7, 2006

Robin,

Thank you and all those who work to make this group a success. I

have just begun the WLS process and at this time don't even have a

surgery date. I do not actively participate but I do read the e-

mails and visit the group pages. It reminds me why I started this

in the first place, to have a happy, healthy and better life with my

children, husband and entire family. You are never going to please

everybody. You advise is right that if you are not happy with the

way the group functions don't participate. I hope that at sometime

I won't need as much support but until then every single person who

chooses to share there store is an insperation.

Thanks again,

Crystal

>

> Hi everyone.

>

> This is Robyn, the group owner. I just wanted to say a few words.

I

> started this LOSERS group as a place to find and give support.

> Additionally, I wanted to create a friendly, non-judgmental

network

> for online, in person and social support.

>

> This online group is FREE. No cost. No charge. NO expense to

anyone.

> It is a safe haven for WLS people, past, present and future.

>

> I closed the LOSERS bariatric item store because there were

problems

> with Bariatric Advantage sending out orders in a timely manner.

> It's not my responsibility to call their toll free number to

> complain to them about your delayed orders. In order to avoid the

> temper tantrums and outright threats from some of our members with

> poor impulse control, I simply closed the store. Who needs those

> headaches? Our group received 10% commissions on all orders

referred

> by our group. With the loss of those monies I ceased sending

> birthday cards and surgery gifts to new members as well as ending

> the online contest prizes.

>

> I ended the Secret Buddy program because too many members

neglected

> to send out gifts to their secret buddies. There were too many

hurt

> feelings and many members took offense to being reminded their

> obligations. Enough of that!

>

> My secretary manages the group in my absence. She received too

many

> emails from members complaining about the volume of email.

> Ironically, one member complained of too little email for a group

> our size. Some members complain about boring posts of no use to

> them. Hello?? I say GOODBYE!!!! Please don't be a lurker. You

joined

> for support then please give support, even if it's just a

> congratulations to someones smilestone, weight loss goal or

victory

> in obtaining surgery approval. You never know how a kind word can

> makes someone's day! Practice a random act of kindness! It's goes

a

> long way.

>

> I told my moderators to ignore those emails. We all have keyboards

> and we all know how to read and change our email settings. In turn

> she posted a daily reminder to the group on how to change your

email

> settings. Yet, I am STILL receiving demands to change email

> settings. Be advised: I will IGNORE those requests. It is NOT my

> responsibility to change your email settings. Figure it

> out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

>

> Some members complained about the posting of news articles on

> obesity. You don't like them? Don't read them! One woman

complained

> about not being able to find recipes. Try typing in " recipe " in

the

> message box. Or simply cut and paste the recipes and place them in

a

> folder in our FILES section. Get active in our group! Spend the

time

> to get to know how the group works.

>

> Some members have sent me abusive email complaining why I don't

> answer their email. I delete obnoxious emails. If I don't answer

> your email, it's because I don't have the time or never received

it.

> Please give it a rest. I have received complaints about why

> someone's photo has never appeared on the home page. Perhaps you

> never sent in your photo??? I have asked for photos from our

> members. This is NOT my fan club. I love highlighting our group

> members. Heck, you rarely see my mug shot on our home page. This

> group is not about me. We are the LOSERS group!

>

> This group is a labor of love by me, O and Sharon.

Remember

> why you joined the group. It is a SUPPORT network. We are NOT here

> to cater to YOUR needs. We are a collective to give and receive

> support. I have expended a great deal of my own time, money and

> energy to create a support system. However, I can't and won't

please

> everyone.

>

> Thank you for reading. Just keeping it real and telling it like it

> is. You are free to come and you are free to go. I am too busy to

> deal with nonsense. Okay, so this is not exactly a " few " words,

but

> it has been worth saying....now back to the mission of our group--

> SUPPORT!

>

> On a more warm and fuzzy note, I want to send out a big warm and

> fuzzy to the members that are active and supportive in our group.

I

> know we all have lives and get busy. Life goes on. Many members

have

> come and gone. In fact, I rarely have time to spend sitting in

front

> of a computer monitor anymore. Thank you for being here and

helping

> and inspiring the newbies. I LOVE WLS! I am so grateful for the

new

> life my weight loss has created. That is my inspiration for

> maintaining this group. I want to help others. But please note

that

> I cannot do that alone. Please support our group by responding to

> posts for help and advice, especially if you are a long termer or

> well on your way to goal. Think about the anxieties, fear and

> worries you experienced as a new post op. Let's be there for our

WLS

> brothers and sisters.

>

> Best wishes to my fellow LOSERS,

> Robyn

> Group Owner

>

June 7, 2006

Thank you Crystal.

For the life of me I don't understand people's attitude of

entitlement. You get what you give.

Thank you for being involved in our group.You never know who is out

there. Some people may be looking for someone to whom they can

connect and feel a connection to. There are some people on this

board I have never met but we call and send gifts to each other

because we created a bond online.

I post my travel photos to inspire others. Sharing my new found

mobility is a thrill. Maybe not everyone will climb the Sydney

Bridge or the top of the Eiffel Tower. For some of us, just walking

to the mailbox is a thrill and a smilestone. I could barely walk 10

steps without breaking into a sweat from the exertion.

Thank you for being out there. Good luck on your WLS journey.

Robyn

>

> Robin,

>

> Thank you and all those who work to make this group a success. I

> have just begun the WLS process and at this time don't even have a

> surgery date. I do not actively participate but I do read the e-

> mails and visit the group pages. It reminds me why I started this

> in the first place, to have a happy, healthy and better life with

my

> children, husband and entire family. You are never going to

please

> everybody. You advise is right that if you are not happy with the

> way the group functions don't participate. I hope that at

sometime

> I won't need as much support but until then every single person

who

> chooses to share there store is an insperation.

>

> Thanks again,

>

> Crystal

>

June 7, 2006

Robyn - thx for the group. Ya know - yer too shy, you need to let us know how u

really feel.... <grin>

Mindy

Check out my website/blog: http://www.myspace.com/mindyswls

__________________________________________________

June 7, 2006

Thanks for the hard work Robyn.....I know it must be a major pain to run

this group, We do appreciate it.

Mike in California

Message from Group Owner

> Hi everyone.

>

> This is Robyn, the group owner. I just wanted to say a few words. I

> started this LOSERS group as a place to find and give support.

> Additionally, I wanted to create a friendly, non-judgmental network

> for online, in person and social support.

>

> This online group is FREE. No cost. No charge. NO expense to anyone.

> It is a safe haven for WLS people, past, present and future.

>

> I closed the LOSERS bariatric item store because there were problems

> with Bariatric Advantage sending out orders in a timely manner.

> It's not my responsibility to call their toll free number to

> complain to them about your delayed orders. In order to avoid the

> temper tantrums and outright threats from some of our members with

> poor impulse control, I simply closed the store. Who needs those

> headaches? Our group received 10% commissions on all orders referred

> by our group. With the loss of those monies I ceased sending

> birthday cards and surgery gifts to new members as well as ending

> the online contest prizes.

>

> I ended the Secret Buddy program because too many members neglected

> to send out gifts to their secret buddies. There were too many hurt

> feelings and many members took offense to being reminded their

> obligations. Enough of that!

>

> My secretary manages the group in my absence. She received too many

> emails from members complaining about the volume of email.

> Ironically, one member complained of too little email for a group

> our size. Some members complain about boring posts of no use to

> them. Hello?? I say GOODBYE!!!! Please don't be a lurker. You joined

> for support then please give support, even if it's just a

> congratulations to someones smilestone, weight loss goal or victory

> in obtaining surgery approval. You never know how a kind word can

> makes someone's day! Practice a random act of kindness! It's goes a

> long way.

>

> I told my moderators to ignore those emails. We all have keyboards

> and we all know how to read and change our email settings. In turn

> she posted a daily reminder to the group on how to change your email

> settings. Yet, I am STILL receiving demands to change email

> settings. Be advised: I will IGNORE those requests. It is NOT my

> responsibility to change your email settings. Figure it

> out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

>

> Some members complained about the posting of news articles on

> obesity. You don't like them? Don't read them! One woman complained

> about not being able to find recipes. Try typing in " recipe " in the

> message box. Or simply cut and paste the recipes and place them in a

> folder in our FILES section. Get active in our group! Spend the time

> to get to know how the group works.

>

> Some members have sent me abusive email complaining why I don't

> answer their email. I delete obnoxious emails. If I don't answer

> your email, it's because I don't have the time or never received it.

> Please give it a rest. I have received complaints about why

> someone's photo has never appeared on the home page. Perhaps you

> never sent in your photo??? I have asked for photos from our

> members. This is NOT my fan club. I love highlighting our group

> members. Heck, you rarely see my mug shot on our home page. This

> group is not about me. We are the LOSERS group!

>

> This group is a labor of love by me, O and Sharon. Remember

> why you joined the group. It is a SUPPORT network. We are NOT here

> to cater to YOUR needs. We are a collective to give and receive

> support. I have expended a great deal of my own time, money and

> energy to create a support system. However, I can't and won't please

> everyone.

>

> Thank you for reading. Just keeping it real and telling it like it

> is. You are free to come and you are free to go. I am too busy to

> deal with nonsense. Okay, so this is not exactly a " few " words, but

> it has been worth saying....now back to the mission of our group--

> SUPPORT!

>

> On a more warm and fuzzy note, I want to send out a big warm and

> fuzzy to the members that are active and supportive in our group. I

> know we all have lives and get busy. Life goes on. Many members have

> come and gone. In fact, I rarely have time to spend sitting in front

> of a computer monitor anymore. Thank you for being here and helping

> and inspiring the newbies. I LOVE WLS! I am so grateful for the new

> life my weight loss has created. That is my inspiration for

> maintaining this group. I want to help others. But please note that

> I cannot do that alone. Please support our group by responding to

> posts for help and advice, especially if you are a long termer or

> well on your way to goal. Think about the anxieties, fear and

> worries you experienced as a new post op. Let's be there for our WLS

> brothers and sisters.

>

> Best wishes to my fellow LOSERS,

> Robyn

> Group Owner

>

> We are a very active support group.

> If the email becomes overwhelming,

> please change your setting to NO EMAIL!

> Please contact Group Creator

> Robyn@...

>

June 7, 2006

Well Thanks Very Much from Australia, I appreciate your kind

words.

Tami

>

> Well Done Tami on your weight loss.

>

> Australia

> Re: Message from Group Owner

>

> Right On Robyn!

> As you know,I was invited to join this group by none other than

YOU, Rob Rob!

> I did and although I rarely post or ever participated in the

Secret Buddy programs, I'm still glad your site is up and running

and people find it, each other and a good support network.

> With my personal life and family obligations I don't have the

time or inclination to post often to the Losers group. I have

thoroughly enjoyed the in person meetings you have held that I have

been able to attend.

> As far as the complainers, whiners, spoil sports and just plain

pain in the toches's your absolutely right to IGNORE them.

> I enjoy reading the news articles at times re: to WLS, Health,

Nutrition and Exercise.

> I like seeing the recipes too.

> Personally, with your busy life style I think others could share

in submitting recipes and news articles (that's just my humble

opinion). A group this size is a HUGE responsibility and a task to

be kept up.

> You've done a great job Rob and I appreciate the Losers site

even though my posts are rare.

>

> Love,

> Tam Tam

> ( " The Newest Centurion " )

> - 102 pounds this week !!!

> Thank you Jesus and WLS!

>

> Hi everyone.

>

> This is Robyn, the group owner. I just wanted to say a few

words. I

> started this LOSERS group as a place to find and give support.

> Additionally, I wanted to create a friendly, non-judgmental

network

> for online, in person and social support.

>

> This online group is FREE. No cost. No charge. NO expense to

anyone.

> It is a safe haven for WLS people, past, present and future.

>

> I closed the LOSERS bariatric item store because there were

problems

> with Bariatric Advantage sending out orders in a timely manner.

> It's not my responsibility to call their toll free number to

> complain to them about your delayed orders. In order to avoid

the

> temper tantrums and outright threats from some of our members

with

> poor impulse control, I simply closed the store. Who needs those

> headaches? Our group received 10% commissions on all orders

referred

> by our group. With the loss of those monies I ceased sending

> birthday cards and surgery gifts to new members as well as

ending

> the online contest prizes.

>

> I ended the Secret Buddy program because too many members

neglected

> to send out gifts to their secret buddies. There were too many

hurt

> feelings and many members took offense to being reminded their

> obligations. Enough of that!

>

> My secretary manages the group in my absence. She received too

many

> emails from members complaining about the volume of email.

> Ironically, one member complained of too little email for a

group

> our size. Some members complain about boring posts of no use to

> them. Hello?? I say GOODBYE!!!! Please don't be a lurker. You

joined

> for support then please give support, even if it's just a

> congratulations to someones smilestone, weight loss goal or

victory

> in obtaining surgery approval. You never know how a kind word

can

> makes someone's day! Practice a random act of kindness! It's

goes a

> long way.

>

> I told my moderators to ignore those emails. We all have

keyboards

> and we all know how to read and change our email settings. In

turn

> she posted a daily reminder to the group on how to change your

email

> settings. Yet, I am STILL receiving demands to change email

> settings. Be advised: I will IGNORE those requests. It is NOT my

> responsibility to change your email settings. Figure it

> out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

>

> Some members complained about the posting of news articles on

> obesity. You don't like them? Don't read them! One woman

complained

> about not being able to find recipes. Try typing in " recipe " in

the

> message box. Or simply cut and paste the recipes and place them

in a

> folder in our FILES section. Get active in our group! Spend the

time

> to get to know how the group works.

>

> Some members have sent me abusive email complaining why I don't

> answer their email. I delete obnoxious emails. If I don't answer

> your email, it's because I don't have the time or never received

it.

> Please give it a rest. I have received complaints about why

> someone's photo has never appeared on the home page. Perhaps you

> never sent in your photo??? I have asked for photos from our

> members. This is NOT my fan club. I love highlighting our group

> members. Heck, you rarely see my mug shot on our home page. This

> group is not about me. We are the LOSERS group!

>

> This group is a labor of love by me, O and Sharon.

Remember

> why you joined the group. It is a SUPPORT network. We are NOT

here

> to cater to YOUR needs. We are a collective to give and receive

> support. I have expended a great deal of my own time, money and

> energy to create a support system. However, I can't and won't

please

> everyone.

>

> Thank you for reading. Just keeping it real and telling it like

it

> is. You are free to come and you are free to go. I am too busy

to

> deal with nonsense. Okay, so this is not exactly a " few " words,

but

> it has been worth saying....now back to the mission of our group-

-

> SUPPORT!

>

> On a more warm and fuzzy note, I want to send out a big warm and

> fuzzy to the members that are active and supportive in our

group. I

> know we all have lives and get busy. Life goes on. Many members

have

> come and gone. In fact, I rarely have time to spend sitting in

front

> of a computer monitor anymore. Thank you for being here and

helping

> and inspiring the newbies. I LOVE WLS! I am so grateful for the

new

> life my weight loss has created. That is my inspiration for

> maintaining this group. I want to help others. But please note

that

> I cannot do that alone. Please support our group by responding

to

> posts for help and advice, especially if you are a long termer

or

> well on your way to goal. Think about the anxieties, fear and

> worries you experienced as a new post op. Let's be there for our

WLS

> brothers and sisters.

>

> Best wishes to my fellow LOSERS,

> Robyn

> Group Owner

>

> test'; " >

>

June 8, 2006

Robyn, I mostly just read the posts and want to thank you for all your hard

work. I can't believe how people complain about things and ask you to fix them.

There will always be complainers,but alot of these posts help me know I am not

alone. I am 58 and have been having a very difficult time getting back on

track. I've gained 40 lbs through my own fault and am trying desperately to get

back on track. I work in a doctors office and you can't believe the junk food

we get from drug reps and free lunches and I have been falling back into my old

habits. My son is in the marines and will be going to Iraq in Sept and I worry

constantly about him and when I worry I eat. I used to walk everyday and now I

hardly do anything but I am not giving up even if I do one small thing a day.

Thanks for all that you do and all the support from this board.

Donna surgery May 2003

>

>Date: Wed Jun 07 19:29:58 CDT 2006

>To: GastricBypass-LOSERS

>Subject: Message from Group Owner

>Hi everyone.

>

>This is Robyn, the group owner. I just wanted to say a few words. I

>started this LOSERS group as a place to find and give support.

>Additionally, I wanted to create a friendly, non-judgmental network

>for online, in person and social support.

>see my mug shot on our home page. This

>group is not about me. We are the LOSERS group!

June 8, 2006

Well said Robyn!! I know I haven't been as active as I would like to be,

but there is a TON of things going on in my life right now (I will fill you

in when we have coffee LOL) but don't want to bore the group with them as

they really have nothing to do with WLS.

I have been a member of this group for..geeezzzz....how long? Over a year

right? I try very hard to respond to people when I can. I do answer private

emails from people asking me specific questions. I want everyone to know

that even if I don't personally respond to your emails I read them and say

little prayers and cheers for you!!

I am moving to WA on the 22nd of June, so hopefully by the beginning of July

things will be calm(er) in my life and I can try to find some normalcy (is

that a word?) LOL

Love and hugs to all my fellow losers!!

Bobbi

-- Message from Group Owner

Hi everyone.

This is Robyn, the group owner. I just wanted to say a few words. I

started this LOSERS group as a place to find and give support.

Additionally, I wanted to create a friendly, non-judgmental network

for online, in person and social support.

This online group is FREE. No cost. No charge. NO expense to anyone.

It is a safe haven for WLS people, past, present and future.

I closed the LOSERS bariatric item store because there were problems

with Bariatric Advantage sending out orders in a timely manner.

It's not my responsibility to call their toll free number to

complain to them about your delayed orders. In order to avoid the

temper tantrums and outright threats from some of our members with

poor impulse control, I simply closed the store. Who needs those

headaches? Our group received 10% commissions on all orders referred

by our group. With the loss of those monies I ceased sending

birthday cards and surgery gifts to new members as well as ending

the online contest prizes.

I ended the Secret Buddy program because too many members neglected

to send out gifts to their secret buddies. There were too many hurt

feelings and many members took offense to being reminded their

obligations. Enough of that!

My secretary manages the group in my absence. She received too many

emails from members complaining about the volume of email.

Ironically, one member complained of too little email for a group

our size. Some members complain about boring posts of no use to

them. Hello?? I say GOODBYE!!!! Please don't be a lurker. You joined

for support then please give support, even if it's just a

congratulations to someones smilestone, weight loss goal or victory

in obtaining surgery approval. You never know how a kind word can

makes someone's day! Practice a random act of kindness! It's goes a

long way.

I told my moderators to ignore those emails. We all have keyboards

and we all know how to read and change our email settings. In turn

she posted a daily reminder to the group on how to change your email

settings. Yet, I am STILL receiving demands to change email

settings. Be advised: I will IGNORE those requests. It is NOT my

responsibility to change your email settings. Figure it

out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some members complained about the posting of news articles on

obesity. You don't like them? Don't read them! One woman complained

about not being able to find recipes. Try typing in " recipe " in the

message box. Or simply cut and paste the recipes and place them in a

folder in our FILES section. Get active in our group! Spend the time

to get to know how the group works.

Some members have sent me abusive email complaining why I don't

answer their email. I delete obnoxious emails. If I don't answer

your email, it's because I don't have the time or never received it.

Please give it a rest. I have received complaints about why

someone's photo has never appeared on the home page. Perhaps you

never sent in your photo??? I have asked for photos from our

members. This is NOT my fan club. I love highlighting our group

members. Heck, you rarely see my mug shot on our home page. This

group is not about me. We are the LOSERS group!

This group is a labor of love by me, O and Sharon. Remember

why you joined the group. It is a SUPPORT network. We are NOT here

to cater to YOUR needs. We are a collective to give and receive

support. I have expended a great deal of my own time, money and

energy to create a support system. However, I can't and won't please

everyone.

Thank you for reading. Just keeping it real and telling it like it

is. You are free to come and you are free to go. I am too busy to

deal with nonsense. Okay, so this is not exactly a " few " words, but

it has been worth saying....now back to the mission of our group--

SUPPORT!

On a more warm and fuzzy note, I want to send out a big warm and

fuzzy to the members that are active and supportive in our group. I

know we all have lives and get busy. Life goes on. Many members have

come and gone. In fact, I rarely have time to spend sitting in front

of a computer monitor anymore. Thank you for being here and helping

and inspiring the newbies. I LOVE WLS! I am so grateful for the new

life my weight loss has created. That is my inspiration for

maintaining this group. I want to help others. But please note that

I cannot do that alone. Please support our group by responding to

posts for help and advice, especially if you are a long termer or

well on your way to goal. Think about the anxieties, fear and

worries you experienced as a new post op. Let's be there for our WLS

brothers and sisters.

Best wishes to my fellow LOSERS,

Robyn

Group Owner

June 8, 2006

WOOHOOO Tam!!!

Bobbi

-- Re: Message from Group Owner

Right On Robyn!

As you know,I was invited to join this group by none other than YOU, Rob

Rob!

I did and although I rarely post or ever participated in the Secret Buddy

programs, I'm still glad your site is up and running and people find it,

each other and a good support network.

With my personal life and family obligations I don't have the time or

inclination to post often to the Losers group. I have thoroughly enjoyed the

in person meetings you have held that I have been able to attend.

As far as the complainers, whiners, spoil sports and just plain pain in the

toches's your absolutely right to IGNORE them.

I enjoy reading the news articles at times re: to WLS, Health, Nutrition and

Exercise.

I like seeing the recipes too.

Personally, with your busy life style I think others could share in

submitting recipes and news articles (that's just my humble opinion). A

group this size is a HUGE responsibility and a task to be kept up.

You've done a great job Rob and I appreciate the Losers site even though my

posts are rare.

Love,

Tam Tam

( " The Newest Centurion " )

- 102 pounds this week !!!

Thank you Jesus and WLS!