tcrehm

Certainly we can all probably agree the big topics are what goes in. And what comes out... How and when are the variables....(In my opinion)
Lots of opinions.
That is for certain ????????????

I'd add "leaks" Constipation and TMI, ladies and boobs. And I second the suggestion that the links should be sent with the welcome email.

@@B-52 --
Agreement from this corner. Your concerns are valid from beginning to end. The impression I have, though, is that the info in the new section will come from recognized, accepted, professional WLS sources/existing literature, not opinions and anecdotal experiences of BP users. It's starting out as a grassroots effort, but I think that's only to determine what material would have value to users.

Would love your help! I'm a project manager and can help organize the heck out of most anything but could certainly use the help with writing and editing!!

Word of advice: I think this is a really good idea, but unless the software has it built in that your must do a search or check the FAQ before being allowed to post many people still going to post repetitive questions. It's just how the internet works. We now live in the TL;DR (Too Long: Didn't Read) age.

Im pre op and not a veteran or anything but I'm replying to every pissy post with

Does my sleeve stretch

I like this! While I agree with @@Ashlegal that folks may still feel compelled to post about their specific situation (the reasons she listed are valid and make sense), I think this could both help vets feel less annoyed AND help the newbs.
Topic ideas:
Which surgery should I have?
recipes
Third Week Stall
How much time should I take off work?
How did you take time off? (info about short-term disability, what you have to/don't have to tell)
Since there's so much disagreement about many of these topics, I second the idea of including links to our best old threads about them.
Btw, I work as a writer and editor (first for newspapers, now in marketing) and I'm happy to assist if you'd like my help.

-Weight regain,
-unsupportive significant others/spouses/family,
-back to work issues,
-psychological evaluations,
-separate category for questions about pre-op cheating (I have answered at least 50 threads on this issue),
-how to handle problematic times of the year like Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, summer Monday holidays, etc...),
-how to handle typical food-laden events or places (office holiday party, family reunion, weddings, etc...),
-theme parks and which rides are most problematic because of size or anything else
-what to do with old clothes and shopping guides for new ones
I'll think of more...

@@BLERDgirl I'm thinking that when someone asks a question that is covered under FAQs we can point that person to that topic in FAQs. If Alex makes it easy to find the FAQs section by putting it in several places in the Webpage then that increases the chance of people finding the answers themselves without having to ask.
If you find the article that you are mentioning above, please send me the link and I will be sure to include it.

Some things that I see over and over are threads related to hair loss, Vitamins, and stalls.
If I were new and I saw something to draw my attention to "everything I ever wanted to know" about some key points, I would go there. People may or may not like or know FAQ, so maybe something a little more creative. Maybe a few topics with some actual facts, followed by a listing of links to the most relevant threads related to that topic.

This is a wonderful idea and I have already seen so many great suggestions. Already starting to sound like Alex can get another book out of this!

Someone is finally fixing the Internet!

Keeping in mind, on some topics there is no right or wrong answer....and as soon as someone says one thing, another will come along and say the opposite...with their Dr.'s knowledge and approval....
Things such as Caffeine and Alcohol come to mind. Not everyone does everything the same way, and what one person believes is essential, can be unimportant to another...and have the success and experience to back it up....
The most important advice anyone can ever give anybody is, "What does YOUR Dr. say YOU should be, or not be doing?"
From first hand knowledge with over 30 years in the field, patients will not like the tough advice their Dr.'s tell them, and will try to find other people to give them the answer they are looking for to reinforce their bad behavior...
And this forum is loaded with such people...they have been told 100 times, and yet they keep asking....
Because if you ask me, I can only share what I have found from my experiences, and others will share what they have found from their experiences....and I guarantee they will not all be the same.
Personally, my biggest pet-peeve on this forum is when someone will tell another person what they should or should not do....REALLY?? Are You their Dr.? Are you liable for giving the wrong info? You don't know this person, their medical history, NOTHING!
All anyone can do, if they can relate to the question, is share what happened to them...otherwise, keep quiet.
I hope, by setting up this FAQ, you're not setting yourself up to be THEE Authority on EVERYTHING....
Sorry for the rant.

I think the section should be the very first one at the top of the main page. Don't put FAQs all over the different forums.
When you sign up to be a member, you should receive a message and a link to the FAQs with a big START HERE notation.
Make the FAQs read-only. People should not be able to post questions or comments on them.

A FAQ won't keep people from posting questions looking for answers that have already been discussed in great length.
There is a search button that could easily be utilized that would allow many posters to have never needed to make a single post.
And that's the thing; people want to post THEIR questions to talk about THEIR concerns, it is part of the process, it is part of our nature to reach out, feel comforted, feel included, feel as if we belong. It isn't that these people are lazy or dumb; it is that they want to talk, they want to feel less alone and confused about where they are in their journey.
It is important we give people that opportunity.

In no way am I a compiler, editor, designer or anything else of the FAQ section, but I will be a user and, therefore, want it to make sense. No FAQ I've consulted at any website has been the ultimate resource. They are intended to be quick references pertaining to the site's purpose and a guide to navigating the site.. What follows are a few examples of things I think should be considered.
for the FAQ to answer questions like "Can I eat [fill in the blank]?" and "What is the best-tasting, chewable Vitamin?" (not to mention questions on other, near-infinite subjects) would require listing every item in the supermarket and drugstore and compiling a list of every BP member's favorite Gummy. Makes no sense.
Medical conditions that are included should be limited to those that have a bearing on or are affected by WLS. GERD/Reflux, yes. Tonsillitis, no. Gall bladder, maybe??? There are plenty others that are appropriate to include, but it's too easy for the list to get ridiculous. There are plenty of other sources, including WebMD. No need to duplicate what dozens of other sites and plain, old Uncle Google provide.
No way should the FAQ interpret whether what a doctor tells a patient is accurate. BP is not a doctor and, even if it were, it wouldn't be the doctor of the person asking the question. Beside that, FAQ is not a type-in-your-question feature.
@@2goldengirl's recommendation to start with a list of things for which people should contact their doctors is s-o-o-o-o right. I'd like to add that it be made just as clear from the outset that one's own doctor is the ultimate source of info and guidance. That, if you will, is the Prime Directive.
I'll go back to my corner now.

@@2goldengirl --
The FAQ section will be accessed by its own tab, as FAQ's are designed universally (as far as I know) -- not a "sticky" affair.

Not a veteran, but experienced with online forums. Is it possible to put these as a "sticky" so they are always at the top?
And let me just throw out there that the very first topic, in flashing lights (preferably with sirens) is "things you should call your doctor about immediately". The healthcare professional in me has gotten very alarmed over a few posts.

Oooh! Some disclaimer about surgeons preferences.
"My surgeon said ______ is that true?"
Commonly used abbreviations.
Just things I've seen.

"I'm ____ months out and I've only lost _____ is that normal?"

food for each stage of diet?
"Does ______ count as pureed?"
"I'm sick of eggs, can I eat _______?"
"I'm in ____ stage, can I eat tacos?"

Hi Vets,
I checked with Alex and he gave me the go-ahead to collect information that would go into a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Section that is easy to find on the Website (actually he asked if I could help coordinate it when I asked if we could do it)! That may help alleviate some of the concerns I've seen lately about re-answering questions over and over and give a resource to those that need it. I believe it would be easier than searching the forum because it is hard to figure out an exact topic to search at times and as a newbie, searching may not be the first thought of how to find information.
The vets have been answering (or at least viewing) the questions over and over so I am posting this in the vets section because I feel you are the experts for this but am eager to also hear from people that are not vets as well.
So three things I am asking for to collect the information for Alex to post:
a) Topics for FAQs (see beginner list below)
Information to put into the FAQs
c) Helpful hints on how best to provide the information and set it up (any web experts out there that can help advise?) Do we need to separate out for sections for each type of procedure or is the information universal for all procedures? How best to collect the topics and information to go into the topics? (I know SharePoint would be good but I don't think we have that with this site.)
I'm sure you long timers have a list of what should be there, but here is few to start:
- Hormone changes after surgery and impact on mood
- Alcohol when if at all?
- What to bring to the hospital for surgery (I saw someone has started a list already so this one may be close to being done for content!)
- Surgery in Mexico
- Pre-Op diet
- Post-op diet
- Maintenance diet
- How often should I weigh and pros and cons of different frequencies
- Stalls and what to do
- Plastic surgery
- Surgery regret
- Challenges pre-op
- Challenges post-op
- Challenges in maintenance
- Insurance approval and what to do if not accepted
- Helpful hints for each stage
- What to drink to keep Water amounts to where they should be each day
- What to eat to get in the Protein
- What not to eat and why
- What to expect day of surgery.
- What exercise works best at each phase?
- Thing I should definitely call my doctor right away about
I know that we have many different inputs from our own doctors and NUTs and would need to preface the FAQs with the information that your doctor's and NUT's advice should be followed over what is posted here, but it is to give folks an idea of what we have been told by outs for our WLS.
Any other ideas are welcome and appreciated!
Thank you!

Gall bladder problems
Reflux
Protein Drink preferences

Here's the article.
Also tied in with the reflux discussion should be some discussion on PPI's what they do and how they work.