What on earth is this and what is it good for. I use aloe gel for sunburns etc..I see it mentioned and have never heard of it. Is this something I will need? I am hoping to be banded end of August.

"The Best Me" is a big advocate of aloe vera juice. There was a thread:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=17908&highlight=aloe+vera+juice

you can check that one out till she brings you in to the fold of the aloe lovers

Uhhh, that'd be me. Dylansmom mentioned it some time last year and I was having trouble with post-op swelling and reflux...didn't have a fill so I couldn't get my band loosened. So I went to Wal-Mart (tummy meds aisle on the bottom shelf) and bought a gallon of Aloe Vera juice, put it in the fridge and drank a few ounces 2-3 times a day, in addition to Prilosec, and it helped alot. It's soothing and healing, and I wouldn't be without it. I don't drink it everyday now. If I have trouble with a PB one day, I'll be sure to drink several ounces at bedtime and it seems to heal things up nicely. I recommmend it to folks who are post-op and anyone having esophogus/reflux problems. But really, it's good just to drink at bedtime to keep everything soothed. I love the stuff! Good luck in August! Yay you!

Kathy, what does that stuff taste like actually?

I ment to ask you when I saw you.

Kathy, what does that stuff taste like actually?

I ment to ask you when I saw you.

ahhh, hmmm, it tastes like...aloe vera juice?! really! it isn't sweet. it's cold (duh). it's not tart or tangy but it's sharp. it doesn't smell. some people say it's tasteless but it has a distinctive taste to me. Hard to describe. Not gross, not horrible, but not refreshing or sweet either. Try it! Oh, and it comes in a quart container now flavored with berry. I haven't tried it but I'll bet the flavoring helps.

Bless Kathy's heart!! THANK YOU!! I wouldn't be without this stuff either thanks to her. I bought it b4 banding and I am so thankful I did. The day after my surgery, I got sick (just water and not really a PB I guess). I was still in the bathroom and I sent my DH to get the aloe vera juice. It was very soothing. I bought the berry flavor and it's not bad. I told my surgeon I had taken it & he said that was a good thing to take. :biggrin1: I do have it once a day since then.