What is a KNOW it all?

I don't just post willy nilly stuff without backing it up with cited materials or things that I've LEARNED and seen others go through over the years clinically by other surgeons and Bariatric professionals. Call it arrogant or whatever, that's your prerogative.

That being said, most veterans like myself really don't have to post to share what worked for us, or have seen others go through with their lap bands. Also I learned MANY things over the years from OTHER lap band veterans that my surgeon(s) did not have a clue about, so sometimes learning from others who've BEEN THERE and DONE THAT with band is just AS important as cited materials, in my opinion.

Many are getting invaluable FREE advice here on a Public forum OPEN TO EVERYONE.

If you are the type of person from a small town and DON'T like diversity or opinions of others and only like to get YOUR advice from people that you *LIKE* AND CLICK with, please block me, because that will surely help me, because I don't want to waste my fingers helping someone that have other agendas here.

I honestly don't have to spend one key stroke of advice here. I can just lurk and observe and keep quiet when people are in need, but I thought I would give back.When I was a newbie over 8 years ago, there were not that many long term veteran bandsters, but I sure WELCOMED their advice and their experiences whether good or bad, I am smart enough to filter out any advice that is not applicable to my own situation and take all information here with a grain of salt, and HOPEFULLY everyone else does the same.

My advice that I've given here IS NOT GOSPEL and if anyone have read my post, they should be smart enough to take the information what they can use and discard the rest. We are unique individuals with different medical conditions, different types of anatomy, metabolisms, etc.

Also, many think that their banded life will be the EXACT same forever, if they are in the "clear" today with NO issues, does not mean they will be in the "clear" in the next few years, so I think everyone should LEARN as much as they can about the band whether negative or positive.

In fact each of our banded journey will be a bit different, some people complain about throwing up and not being able to eat healthy foods, I've never had that problem EVEN with a tightly restricted band (with two bands), so I honestly can't relate to some of these people's issues, I can just advise them based on what I've seen others go through over 8 years and THEY can either take that advice or ignore it.

Regarding O'Brien, and his studies, many surgeons highly respect him, his updated information about no longer waiting to drink after 20 minutes has been out there on the internet in his videos now for about 3 years --- so I just REPEATED this information in my last post I am not sure how many here got so uptight about it, when it's been out there for a few years. I don't understand why many people here got angry OVER O'Briens advice or ANY advice about the band, NO one is pointing a gun to your head to make you take this advice, some people follow the 10 golden rules, some only follow a few of the rules...and many don't follow nothing...but that's YOUR prerogative

I know that I will ALWAYS be humble and thankful for ANYONE posting here, whether it be complications, failures, successes, problem with surgeons, etc. -- ALL this information is valuable.

Honestly the reason I put all of this information out here is that I've gotten sick and tired of hearing band bashing and so many having preventable complications. Even though I've been a member here over 7 years, I don't have that many posts here because I've ALWAYS been a happy lap bander, and not needed to post that much here, even when I experienced a bump in my journey last year and had to get a hernia repaired which caused me to get my old band replaced.

My band changed my life, I got to wear cute clothes, got down as low as a size 8, maintained my weight loss for over 7 years with no problem, went on dating sprees, and dating guys that I thought I could never date and had the time of my life, married a wonderful guy 3 years ago, travel constantly, etc...so to say the band has not helped change my life is an understatement.

I had not posted IN years, when I came back Alex welcomed me back and hopefully EVERYONE should feel welcomed to post here to share their journeys whether good or bad, some think they are invincible and NOTHING will never happen to them, My advice on that is learn, learn as much as you can about the band and always be cautious but yet positive and optimistic.

I am a very happy and VERY successful long term lap bander and LUV my Band .

I live in a small town. Shucks... I guess I don't like diversity. Hmmm... nope... I think it's just that I don't feel the need to browbeat everyone who doesn't see things my way. Nana... you do have experience and obviously you have done your research. .. it's funny though that people that agree with you are "smart" and to be respected and those that don't are ignorant and uninformed. I'm happy for you that you found something to be so passionate about but putting down every one else's opinions, experience and choice of surgeons will not earn you respect. I too, made a comment recently( while recovering and in a bad place) that really put a lot of people off. The next day I went back and read through all the drama. All I could do was shake my head. I realized if that many people where ganging up on me then maybe I should check myself. It's not always what you say but how you say it. For example; I am a hair stylist, I have seen other stylists that have been in the business for 20-30 years and still have very little talent, while I have also seen stylists one year out that produce the most beautiful work. My point is maybe people are reading into what you say as being better than them just because you've done it longer. And while in some ways the years of experience give you more knowledge on some level, constantly bringing it up and YELLING in your posts isn't working. You seem to have put a certain surgeon on a pedistal and continue to put down others. Maybe that is not your intention but that's how it comes off. ... Now, if you don't care then carry on... but if you really want to reach people and help them then maybe really look and listen to how othet people are reacting to you. Good luck

To answer another point you made...

I did not imply that JennyBean was "smart" because she agreed with me, I implied that JennyBean was "smart" and wise by going into her Lap Band journey with her eyes open and LEARNING, and hearing what 'others' like O'Brien has to say about the new no longer waiting to drink rule.

She did not say she was agreeing with me, I don't expect EVERYONE to agree with me, I mentioned that in my post everything I say is not GOSPEL, I advised people to take what helps them and discard the rest.

There is nothing about my post that insinuates that I am arrogant or a "know it all". Have I learned many things going on 9 years with my lap band? SURE, I've done my homework, read MANY studies, good and bad, seen MANY with complications and how they happened...SO if I am "wiser" from all of this ...I guess you can call me a "know it all".

And I thought us VSGers were a dramatic bunch. This merger of WLS forums has really broadened my horizons!!!

Oh and Seela, don't beat yourself up over your "post de resistance". It happens. I had a post, at about 4 weeks out, where I literally "blah blah blah'd" the op and crew. I still maintain their point of view was wrong and potentially unhealthy but, damn, my delivery sucked and I was out of line. I owned it and moved on.

HAHAHAH Amanda, we are dramatic arent we hahahah. I personally see it as a great distraction to food and has kept me in tip top shape LOL (jk)

It's not normally like this. We are having a..um... flare up if you will. The fire just won't die.

I'm 5 days post op. My doctors office follows the "green zone guidelines" and I have the no liquids 30min before or after meals.

I don't think 30min being "stuck" "food just sitting there" is going to damage my "pouch"? Maybe I'm wrong but just my opinion and my doctors and that is what I will do!

...SO if I am "wiser" from all of this ...I guess you can call me a "know it all".

You're not just wise, you're an "elite level bandster."

To answer another point you made...

I did not imply that JennyBean was "smart" because she agreed with me, I implied that JennyBean was "smart" and wise by going into her Lap Band journey with her eyes open and LEARNING, and hearing what 'others' like O'Brien has to say about the new no longer waiting to drink rule.

She did not say she was agreeing with me, I don't expect EVERYONE to agree with me, I mentioned that in my post everything I say is not GOSPEL, I advised people to take what helps them and discard the rest.

There is nothing about my post that insinuates that I am arrogant or a "know it all". Have I learned many things going on 9 years with my lap band? SURE, I've done my homework, read MANY studies, good and bad, seen MANY with complications and how they happened...SO if I am "wiser" from all of this ...I guess you can call me a "know it all".

You know... it's really a shame that I approached you without an attitude and with sincerity and you are so defensive that you can't even see your own hand in front of your face. You just keep repeating the same things over and over. Instead of sharing your information you shove it. I don't believe anyone said anything about you being a bander... just a know it all with prejudice and a superiority complex. And for the record... oh.. never mind, your not worth it. If you could figure out a way to come down off your high horse you might actually be able to help someone. Otherwise you are just NOISE *(was that loud enough?)*

I'm 5 days post op. My doctors office follows the "green zone guidelines" and I have the no liquids 30min before or after meals.

I don't think 30min being "stuck" "food just sitting there" is going to damage my "pouch"? Maybe I'm wrong but just my opinion and my doctors and that is what I will do!

And congrats on your new surgery! I am very happy that you responded in an articulate way, GOOD FOR YOU, follow your surgeons rules, if he sees a problem with it long term, then your surgeon can address it.

The point of my post was to poll people and ask them if they were following one of the new rules, everyone does not use that rule...Heck I did not use it when I first got banded, I followed the 30/30 rule with my first band for many years....did it cause my esophagus to become horribly dilated? NO.....

However, I did not keep my lap band horribly too tight, nor did not vomit often either, so NOTHING is set in stone, however O'Brien's point was he did not see an advantage to not drinking while eating and some people developed esophageal dilation over time, it does not mean everyone will...

Will I follow this new eating rule? Maybe I will do it sometimes, but not all the time...NO one ever asked me this question out 100 replies to that post..LOL

But the new O'Brien's not waiting to drink has made me MORE more comfortable in drinking while I eat especially when I go out to restaurants with hubby and I will no longer feel guilty by drinking while eating...

I really like John Mellencamp...

Got nothing against a big town

Still hayseed enough to say

Look who's in the big town

But my bed is in a small town

Oh, that's good enough for me

You're not just wise, you're an "elite level bandster."

Do you sleevers have elite level sleevers? Man, I hope to get there one day. I wonder if the administrators send us a gold plated pen?! I will flash my shiny pen in your faces, everyday, because us elite bandsters can do that you know ahhaha

And congrats on your new surgery! I am very happy that you responded in an articulate way, GOOD FOR YOU, follow your surgeons rules, if he sees a problem with it long term, then your surgeon can address it.

The point of my post was to poll people and ask them if they were following one of the new rules, everyone does not use that rule...Heck I did not use it when I first got banded, I followed the 30/30 rule with my first band for many years....did it cause my esophagus to become horribly dilated? NO.....

However, I did not keep my lap band horribly too tight, nor did not vomit often either, so NOTHING is set in stone, however O'Brien's point was he did not see an advantage to not drinking while eating and some people developed esophageal dilation over time, it does not mean everyone will...

Will I follow this new eating rule? Maybe I will do it sometimes, but not all the time...NO one ever asked me this question out 100 replies to that post..LOL

But the new O'Brien's not waiting to drink has made me MORE more comfortable in drinking while I eat especially when I go out to restaurants with hubby and I will no longer feel guilty by drinking while eating...

Does anyone else find this very condesending? " I am very happy that you responded in an articulate way"? What does that mean? That kind of comment is exactly what everyone is talking about. Your sharing of knowledge and experience is great but your delivery sucks!

Na Na your post was not about eating and drinking after you asked if we were letting food sit in our esophagus for long periods because the band was placed around the bottom of the esophagus which is a crock of bull. The band is placed on the fundus the area 2 to 3 inches below the esophagus and if you have food sitting in your esophagus you have a problem with your sphincter not closing and or you are over eating. Any surgeon that would put a band around the bottom of your esophagus is an idiot. No need to answer either because I really don't give a rats ass on your opinion one way or another. Stop giving out wrong information.

Yes

Does anyone else find this very condesending? " I am very happy that you responded in an articulate way"? What does that mean? That kind of comment is exactly what everyone is talking about. Your sharing of knowledge and experience is great but your delivery sucks!

Whhhhhaaaatttt? Condescending? Say it isn't so. We are too stupid to be right. Better ask NaNa hahahaha

PS Having a great band today? How's everyone doing with their bands/sleeves/bypasses

HAHAHAHAHHAA! Butter is going to get stung on his BEAN!!!! So much better than getting stung on the frank, I guess.

AHAHAHAH AHHAHAHHHAHAHAHHAAH (chocking on slime) AHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAH

Nana, your crap is worse than getting stuck.

OKOKKO on a serious note, and this is for the sleevers and bypassers. There is no reason you can't venture in OUR TERRITORY, and give US advice, or comment on our ARROGANT attitudes. (Was that enough caps NaNa?) Because in the end, we talk about a wide variety of issues and they are not exclusive to one surgery type or another. Case in point, this post is all about NaNa's tirade on giving and getting advice. Clearly this is not a 'for bandsters eyes only' kind of post. One must remind my dear delusional friend, that if you put it in public it's for the public's viewing. So may I kindly request all nonbandsters to please frequent our posts and join in the conversations. I'd love your insight/feedback. And disregard any pushback you get.

We are not 'teams' playing surgery wars. I'm far to consumed with the tit for tat game to indulge in that MUAHAAHHAHAHA

You sure do say TIT a lot. Just an observation.... :ph34r:

HAHAHAHAHHAA! Butter is going to get stung on his BEAN!!!! So much better than getting stung on the frank, I guess.

Ha.....are you speaking from experience?