So, I have shared pretty openly on this site for years. I have done it because it helps me (accountability) but also because others before me did it and helped me alot too. It helped me believe that success was possible during a time when I really didn't have that belief inside...and i want to pay it forward.

Even before the recent flurry of people deleting accounts and stuff over this I have been thinking about it. I know a number of you don't share pix and details for privacy reasons, but I have such mixed feelings about it. It is like, if we can't show what success looks like, how will that impact the people just starting out? Flip side, it could all be used against me somehow, right?

I think about when i decided to get plastics, i must have looked at 1,000 photos on real self, on Dr Sauceda's patients private forum on OH, his Facebook group etc.

Anyway, there is no real answer to this - I just think it is too dang bad.

If it weren't for the people willing to share their "adventure" in WLS and photos,

I don't know if I would have had the confidence to commit to WLS and take control of my life.

I can appreciate the concerns about privacy and not everyone wants their photos on the net.

I didn't either... at first. But as I lost the weight and saw my transformation,

I wanted to pay it forward to the next nervous newbie (I was an incredibly insecure WLS newbie!) :-)

I think the basic rules of the internet apply here. I don't share anything online that I would be embarrassed about. Deleting means nothing since there are far too many ways to retrieve deleted information if someone wants to. I came here because I wanted the extra support and accountability and FB wasn't cutting it.

I have been asked to post photos, but because of my husband being a law enforcement officer, and with all today's antagonism towards law enforcement and the various threats we face (yes, even families are threatened), it is not wise for me to do so. Just know I appreciate all of you AND your successes! And you are awesomely brave and I admire you greatly.

I read through the privacy concern post and I didn't reply because it kind of blew my mind that people had an expectation of privacy on an online forum. I have never posted any pictures on here or anything that was truly private because it is just plain common sense. If you don't want something about your life being on the internet, don't put it out there. I suppose if someone really wanted to find out who I was they could, but as someone who has kept my surgery a secret from all but three people, I was always cautious about what I put on any site. I think you're right that posting your progress is important for other people and that when I went through plastics I also looked at a TON of online postings with pictures. I only ever put pictures of my arms online because in the event I want to run for president someday I didn't want my fake boobs, my new butt and my fab stomach anywhere online for others to see. Anyone who is not cognizant about the fact that anything posted online is a matter of public record, really needs to become more educated in how to use the internet before continuing to do so. I have seen no privacy guarantees on this site or any other online forum, so the fact that people are all shocked and shaken that their posts are not private on a publicly advertised site is a little surprising to me.

I was shocked people were surprised too. The topic has been on my mind for awhile as well.

I was gobsmacked that in this day and age people thought they were posting on "the private, confidential Internet."

Just astonishing.

I don't post my pix here or anywhere because I decided long before being sleeved that I was going to remain on the down low about my VSG surgery. Hence, my fake name and no pix.

How did they possibly think their posts on these forums would be private and confidential. You don't even have to create a BariatricPal account or be logged in to read the posts here and even if you did ANYONE on the planet could create a BariatricPal account. There's no screening of account creation. Just provide an email address in you're in!

I'm with you @@CowgirlJane in that I don't mind sharing pretty much everything.

Reminds me of my teenage daughter who was aghast when I emailed naked pic of myself to strangers in foreign countries (Dr Sauceda and another doc in Costa Rica LoL).

Anyhow, I'm not sharing anything I don't share in real life--my before and after pictures are in my doctors advertising and the advertising for the whole hospital chain foundation.

Why? Same reason you say, I needed that when I was deciding and I so whole heartedly believe in this process I want to help others find it. Heck I find myself wanting to stop people on the street and show them my before pic!!!

I mean I don't share my last name or specifics about my kids... Things where safety is a concern. But me personally? I'm so excited and proud why wouldn't I share?

How did they possibly think their posts on these forums would be private and confidential. You don't even have to create a BariatricPal account or be logged in to read the posts here and even if you did ANYONE on the planet could create a BariatricPal account. There's no screening of account creation. Just provide an email address in you're in!

Right??? I mean how did they find it? They didn't need to be "let in" so how could they imagine it was private?

I'm one of those who was/is hesitant about posting pics. However, it's for an entirely different reason.

You see, I'm ridiculously good looking....

Ruggedly handsome, yet bathed in youthful beauty and charm...

I'm often uncomfortable with the level of attention that I get from both sexes...

Not that I mind really...

Let's face it...

I've got it going on!!!

I'm ridiculously good looking....I've got it going on!!!

@@KindaFamiliar

i'm just like you

what more can i say??

keep up the great work

kathy