im only 2 months post op.. but i would think that as you lose more and more weight.. you rely less and less on your support system. yes, they probably are more "busy and popular". losing weight helps to give most people confidence. which means you'll probably go out with your friends more.. meet new friends... etc..

let me clarify, im not saying people need to lose weight to be popular. just saying that its something internal, you seek out people more because your more self confident. make sense?

I believe they do kinda forget about this site once banded you never hear from them unless there's a problem. I love this site but once I'm banded next year, I'm gonna make myself available like I am now for those who need support. That's just who I am.

I think what folks who are banded forget after their reach their goals is hello they are still banded and nutrition for us will always be "different". I don't think someone who has never had problems with their weight or had a "sticking/stuck/vomit" incident can relate, because this system does alter the interal anatomy of the digestive system to the point where if we "overtax" our pouch it will talk back in the form of vomit. And not everyone will understand what we put on our plates or they may always be critical of what we are eating. I think we should be their for eachother no mater what because nobody gets it like someone who has struggled with the weight perhaps for their entire lives.

I'm coming up on my one year, and I will say, not to insult anybody, but this website starts to become boring due to all of the repetitive questions. They keep asking the same thing day after day and you want to scream "Can't you read?"

But then you realize, that these are new people joining the group everyday, and the old posts concerning various issues become lost in time.

Also these new people will become veterans and begin to give advice to the newer members. The one thing that bothers me, and I will try to jump in without offending anybody, is when people begin to misinformation, because that will spread and people will take it for fact.

This thing about "Gas Pain" The majority of posts here have it all wrong!

Also, after being banded a year, it is very, very rare I learn anything new when browsing through all the posts. Like the previous person said, I don't need any support anymore.

Also, I remember people who used to be here when I was new, and would give advice from their experience. I have noticed that they are ALL gone.

I am also coming up to a year banded and I agree with B-52 sometimes u do want to scream as an initial reaction to some questions then u just try and help as best you can. I might not be here as much as i was intially but dont mind sharing time and experiences to help other people

Merry Christmas to you all !

I had to laugh (in a good way) as if you were describing me. I really needed the support the first year. I also found that it really helped me stayed focused. I also found that as I began to learn about myself and change things...I didn't "need" to be on the site as much. I didn't want to have my relatives get so sick and tired of me talking..discussing...etc about the band. On this site, I found others who understood and for that I will be forever thankful. I still do come on the site occasionally. I enjoy hearing the excitement of those who are just about to begin their journey.

Ditto to Dadkins8. I needed this site when I first started out, but as I figured things out, I needed it less. I still check in and read the blogs of those who have questions and try and give advice if I have some!