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!

No, your truth is not my truth at all, and yes, over the top drama simply for effect is far too much *in my opinion*. Glad you own it, though.

I'm so glad that you're glad.

I think it's a good idea, but I wouldn't call it FAQ's. The term has adopted a new meaning that doesn't suit what's being discussed in this thread.

Essentially, the term FAQ now means questions that a vendor or supplier get asked frequently by their customers/users. Further, these tend to be questions with "black and white" answers.

My suggestion for those who are tired of answering the same question would simply be to not answer it.

I, for one, have zero interest in hearing what people think "right and wrong" is. Hopefully, we all have guidelines from our doctors that spell this out.

I do think it makes interesting reading to find out that some doctors say things like alcohol is okay after 6 weeks, but no coffee for 6 months.

I am very interested in hearing from real people, about real situations - both triumphs and failures.

I probably wouldn't even read an FAQ section where veterans posted there own ideas on right and wrong.

@@Cape Crooner --

I've seen only FAQ's that are "b&w" references since browsing my first. One BP member [sorry, your name is on the tip of my tongue] suggested above that it have a different title, which may come to pass. The understanding here is that BP's section, too, will be factual, not a collection of personal opinions and experiences. @@tcrehm proposed the new section to end or at least cut down on endlessly-repeated questions to spare vets and help newcomers. Some aspects will be tricky to compile, given that not all bariatric practices give identical instructions, but it can be done. The chief route around the difficulty will be the disclaimer to follow the "rules" of one's own practice.

Edited November 4, 201510 yr by WLSResources/ClothingExch

Did my doctor really perform surgery? I can still eat ...

I never said it to anyone at the time, but I wondered that one. Now look at me. I sneer at the askers behind their backs. It's lovely to be superior and jaded.

Sneer? Superior? Jaded?

Dramatic much?

In all my time on this forum, FB groups, other WLS discussion boards, etc., I have read ONE story where the author actually had proof of such suspicions. Even she had surgery performed, however, the stomach simply wasn't made as small as it should have been.

Never have I read/heard of someone who went in, went under, and came back with no WLS when advised they had it.

You?

Actually yes. From a nurse practitioner in a bariatric practice. The patient had gotten band surgery in another country and was coming to this practice for follow up stateside. They attempted to fill her band, but nothing was happening. They had a CT done and found there was never a band placed, only the port to fill the nonexistent band.

How about the perennial "I just got my period. Will the surgeon postpone my procedure?"

Suggestions for the FAQ portion that gives tips for making the most of BP:

1) Write a subject line that gives a clue to the subject matter.

Because, and not necessary in this order:

a) It saves other users time on clicking in to topics they can't help with or that don't interest them.

It will attract those who can make good contributions.

c) It will attract those who may learn something along with the OP.

d) It will not lose the people [like me] who ignore "A Question" or "Hi, I'm New," et al., expecting a pointless message and are rarely disappointed in that regard.

2) Write messages that clearly communicate what it is that you're asking.

Readers will not have to second guess. They'll be saving time if they understand you and can respond in a helpful way the first time.

(P.S. I did not put that stupid doodad in there. It forced its way through the door.)

Edited November 4, 201510 yr by WLSResources/ClothingExch

Me, again, with another suggestion. The maneuver is old and it works. People I've given it to through the years have been happy to know it. it's basic post-op and comes up often enough in one way or another in BP that it's worth including.

While incisions remain sore, firmly press a bed pillow against your midsection if you need to cough, sneeze, laugh or do anything else that will jar you. The pillow will brace you and minimize discomfort.

There are some old FAQs as stickies that I read when I first joined. Maybe just add on? There are also suggestions of what to add on those threads...

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/205249-frequently-asked-questions/

And yes, your period will start right before surgery (if you have the anatomy for it), your doctor HAS seen blood once or twice before and it will be ok.

How about calling it "The Top 50 from Vets to you... with a bow on it"

or

"VAQs" Veterans Answer Questions

My personal fav is "I am 2 1/2 weeks out and have stopped losing weight!".... followed by the 3 week stall talk. Prefaced by the admonishment of "Listen to your Doc and Nut" of course.

A list of abbreviations was just posted. It looks as though the poster will ask that it be pinned. It could probably be include in FAQ when the time comes.

Another suggestion from me: Ask new participants at least to put their chosen surgery procedure and the date/expected date in profile. The info is often pertinent when trying to give useful responses. This would be part of the "welcome, here are tips for getting started" communication from BP, but highlighting it elsewhere would help. Many leave blanks.

@ashlegal. Good points all!!

Protein drink reviews. Not just individual preferences, but what you liked and why (sweetness, texture, grittiness, artificial sweeteners, chemical aftertaste, lactose content, etc)

Protein drink reviews. Not just individual preferences, but what you liked and why (sweetness, texture, grittiness, artificial sweeteners, chemical aftertaste, lactose content, etc)

Not a good topic to include as the input is purely subjective. What one person thinks is wonderful makes the next person gag.

Protein drink reviews. Not just individual preferences, but what you liked and why (sweetness, texture, grittiness, artificial sweeteners, chemical aftertaste, lactose content, etc)

Not a good topic to include as the input is purely subjective. What one person thinks is wonderful makes the next person gag.

I respectfully disagree. If a relative scale is used for each attribute, you can easily describe drinks in a way that will help people know whether they are likely to like or dislike that product. Consumer reports, movie critics, and food critics do this all the time.

Everyone would recognize "smooth" vs "slightly grainy" vs "very gritty" for example. You're not telling them whether you like it or not, and it's up to them to know what they prefer. For example, I prefer the "grainy" texture of protein powders over ultra smooth ready-to-drink liquids (it makes me feel like I'm actually eating something.) whereas other people gag on drinks with that texture.

Edited December 6, 201510 yr by talkingmountain