I know I have been guilty of this as well...and sometimes you just want a personalized answer. But a lot of generic questions have already been asked and can be found using the search function....is it me

I know I have been guilty of this as well...and sometimes you just want a personalized answer. But a lot of generic questions have already been asked and can be found using the search function....is it me

I don't, this site isn't the easiest to navigate in my opinion, lots of info overload. At first I thought you meant to people read and search to respond to damn near everything. I appreciate answers but it seems as though some folks have way too much time on their hands when it comes to responding to almost everyone's post like a subject matter expert. :-)

I find it terrible for searching. If I have a question, I just ask. It is much easier than searching in my opinion!

Don't be afraid to ask a question, most people are friendly and will give advice!

Kelly

I don't, this site isn't the easiest to navigate in my opinion, lots of info overload. At first I thought you meant to people read and search to respond to damn near everything. I appreciate answers but it seems as though some folks have way too much time on their hands when it comes to responding to almost everyone's post like a subject matter expert. :-)

I usually only reply if I have something funny to say...

ok that wasn't funny.

I usually only reply if I have something funny to say...

ok that wasn't funny.

Yes it was funny, you made me laugh

I search. But I'm apparently not very good at it. It usually comes up blank even when I know there should be something there. So I think there's no harm in asking things again or telling new stories on the subject. No one has to read or respond.

But I do think I am missing a key to how to search well.

I'm pretty decent when it comes to searching other websites, but I have a tough time with this one. One thing that I found somewhat helpful is to search only for a single word - and not a phrase. Seems when I search for a phrase I get zilch. But frankly, the search feature isn't that great.

There's certain topics I won't even reply to because I've answered the question probably 200 times on another topic or several topics.

I know that's horrible, but typing in hair loss, stalls, or soda in the search feature at the tops gives 1000's of topics, and I'm fairly sure one of the first 10 that pop up I've replied to at least one of them. Vitamins, nutrients, post-op "what worked for me" posts still intrigue me because those are things I still want to learn about.

I'm much better with specific questions, and direct messages to me via the private message feature on here.

It's hard to answer without sounds mean to "I haven't lost any weight in 4 days, and I had surgery 3 weeks ago". Also, I'm an over-researcher (if that's even truly possible when we're talking about removing the majority of a major organ), and knew about stalls, hair loss and soda long before I ever allowed them to cut on me.

For me, I truly believe there has to be some personal responsibility in knowing the "what ifs" post-op, and doing diligent research will help ease the nerves, anxiety and concerns.

I'm a big advocate of the search feature LOL.

Yeah, search feature is your best friend. I lived in the My Content Section of Tiffykins, LilMissDiva, and other veterans for about a month before I even started responding. I don't post if the question has already been asked.

I find it easier to search when I am in the forums section and usually a single word or a couple of words and I usually find what I am looking for. I agree with Tiffykins that when you have replied the same info over and over that you just do not want to reply anymore. Lately I have been slacking on reading the boards and sometimes only read the status updates.

Tiffy I can totally see how you would get frustrated. I'm a relative newbie and it annoys me.

I use the search feature with mixed results...used it today in fact to try to figure out the source of my back pain! Sometimes though you just want some who has been there to reassure you that it will all be better tomorrow. I think we all ARE subject matter experts on our experiences either as someone preparing for the surgery, recovering, learning to eat again and hopefully living with maintenance! I am never annoyed with folks jumping in with help and support and that quality of taking care of each other is why I love this board.

I use the search feature with mixed results...used it today in fact to try to figure out the source of my back pain! Sometimes though you just want some who has been there to reassure you that it will all be better tomorrow. I think we all ARE subject matter experts on our experiences either as someone preparing for the surgery, recovering, learning to eat again and hopefully living with maintenance! I am never annoyed with folks jumping in with help and support and that quality of taking care of each other is why I love this board.

Thank you. I very much appreciate the compassion behind these words.

I was thinking of this more as a support board, as well as a place to occasionally have fun. I may have had it backwards as it may be more about just gaining information from a repository. But it's nice to know it hasn't annoyed everyone.

Yes it was funny, you made me laugh

Thanks for the support chilo. I like to think that I get my sense of humor from my dad who has a very dry and subtle wit about him.

I find it easier to search when I am in the forums section and usually a single word or a couple of words and I usually find what I am looking for. I agree with Tiffykins that when you have replied the same info over and over that you just do not want to reply anymore. Lately I have been slacking on reading the boards and sometimes only read the status updates.

I'm with you on reading the status updates. I will usually only read a thread on the boards if the title intregues me. There is just too much to sort through on the boards. I guess that is one of the hard things about having the size membership that VST has. That is also why I really like the new Groups feature. Can't wait to see more and more people using that.

How do you get to the groups anyway?

I was thinking of this more as a support board, as well as a place to occasionally have fun. I may have had it backwards as it may be more about just gaining information from a repository. But it's nice to know it hasn't annoyed everyone.

That's how I think of it too. A lot of times it seems people just want reassurance, a high five, or a feeling that someone out there gets them. That's the majority of what I use it for. As for information, it's on here too, and some people just want solid info, but if you look at the tone behind many question, I think it's more the former than the latter.