It has been a really long day, followed by a dinner out with multiple margaritas, so I am ready post my first LBT Rants and Raves post.

I won't follow the herd anymore. Ever. I stopped doing that years ago when I realized that I made every decision based upon how I could make the most people happy (or prevent conflict). That's simply not healthy. And it takes all the fun out of life.

I hate absolutes. Absolutely hate them. I can't stand to lump a group of people together for any reason. All people at LBT are not sweet and perfect. All people at OH are not cheerleaders and ***** supporters. All Muslims are not extreme radicals. Not all of us Texas women are Southern Belles (ok so that one is debatable). All women are not subservient (ok I know you ladies agree with that one). We are all, quite simply, just people.

I don't want to be told I have to do something because it is the Christian thing to do. Are you my priest? My rabbi? My high priestess? Where do people get off on judging other people????? I don't freakin' get it. Each of us have own spirituality or lack of it. Each of us have our own moral core - although some are harder to identify than others. Don't attack me because I don't agree with you - hire a yes-man for that job - it doesn't pay enough for me to take it. And don't push your personal belief system off on me.

I like most people. Really I do. And I get along with most people. Some people just get to me, and I don't have to like them. There is no rule about that. There is only one person on my bad list at the moment, and if I ever get a personal apology that person will come off the list. You and I don't have to like the same people or have the same ideas to be friends. I prefer friends who are different from me. If I wanted everyone to be like me - well then I would become a hermit(ess) and just have ME for companionship.

I love our differences. I love the passion in which so many of us debate what we believe in. I just hate the herd mentality that says we all have to believe the same thing, or like the same people, or hate the same people....because ya know what? We don't. We are different. Our differences make us unique and teach us more about life than any book will.

And one more thing. I rarely drink and I really love Margaritas! :whoo:

Nope...he said that I should get to goal on what I got..lol. For 4 weeks I have felt restriction, but not what I had before. Then this last week I pb'd once and felt like it tightened up. He said it probably did tighten up. So I tried to be as honest as possible and thus no fill. (which is fine...I dont want an unfill or problems later) I think I will follow my very wise friends advice (my quality friend..lol.)that told me I couldnt just run down to see our doc McDreamy and to seriously analyze where I am at.

Good decision on both your parts. You know you could have pushed and got your fill. I'm glad you didn't. You're so close to goal. Fills at this point, even small ones, can be disasters, especially if your fill doc leaves town.

Yep..she said in her six days post op with the band she was cured of obesity and it didnt matter if she followed the instructions or if her band came out because she had a handle on it now. Weirdness. I am a self pay and my husband would divorce me if I had that attitude.

Now that I think about it, I don't think I've seen this person around since. I do doubt the story, as I couldn't even get V8 juice down at 6 days post-op, let alone chicken! I cannot imagine going through surgery, and not caring enough to stick with a brief period of liquids.

Work,

I don't know if you saw the post a while back by a newbie, claiming she was eating everything, including chicken, because she thought she was healed at 6 days post-op. Her basis for this was because she was a "fast healer". She knew exactly what she SHOULD be doing, but chose not too. We'll see how that turns out.

OMG - that one was totally strange. And very defensive, so I had to wonder "troll?".

Now that I think about it, I don't think I've seen this person around since. I do doubt the story, as I couldn't even get V8 juice down at 6 days post-op, let alone chicken! I cannot imagine going through surgery, and not caring enough to stick with a brief period of liquids.

Ditto here, I had to mix my V8 with warm chicken broth. It was actually pretty good that way.

OMG - that one was totally strange. And very defensive, so I had to wonder "troll?".

Chelle,

How's YOUR fill going?

This is off topic, but any Mom's here? This Mom has a 300# 16 y/o daughter and is considering the band. I'm not a Mom, I think this one needs other Moms.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f15/need-help-daughter-16-300lbs-43001/#post590859

Now that I think about it, I don't think I've seen this person around since. I do doubt the story, as I couldn't even get V8 juice down at 6 days post-op, let alone chicken! I cannot imagine going through surgery, and not caring enough to stick with a brief period of liquids.

I can't imagine eating chicken six days post op. Not sure if I will be able to eat chicken 6 days post fill.

I researched long and hard before committing to major surgery, and still I had lots of questions. I am very thankful to those people who answered my posts. The information was sometimes inaccurate, but it gave me a starting point for research and helped me decide when to try something, do more research or call my doc. There were a few people who truly made a difference to me in those early days, and some who still do now.

It's sad that I am so hesitant to mention names nowadays, even to recognize good peoples, because it might start another controversy. There is one person in particular who was so honest and so good to me in the beginning, and she no longer posts on OH. She is one of the reasons I stay around, to give back to others who need support.

Chelle,

How's YOUR fill going?

So far so good! I am being ever so careful this time around, drinking liquids every hour and will progress slowly. I think I would feel like a failure if this one had to be removed! Patience is a virtue, unfortunately just not one of mine.

It's sad that I am so hesitant to mention names nowadays, even to recognize good peoples, because it might start another controversy. There is one person in particular who was so honest and so good to me in the beginning, and she no longer posts on OH. She is one of the reasons I stay around, to give back to others who need support.

JMHO but if someone made a huge difference in your life and helped a great deal, seems to me that they deserve a bit of recognition. Even if they aren't reading boards. If someone has a problem with a person that helped you that much, wouldn't it be their problem?

I can't imagine eating chicken six days post op. Not sure if I will be able to eat chicken 6 days post fill.

I researched long and hard before committing to major surgery, and still I had lots of questions. I am very thankful to those people who answered my posts. The information was sometimes inaccurate, but it gave me a starting point for research and helped me decide when to try something, do more research or call my doc. There were a few people who truly made a difference to me in those early days, and some who still do now.

It's sad that I am so hesitant to mention names nowadays, even to recognize good peoples, because it might start another controversy. There is one person in particular who was so honest and so good to me in the beginning, and she no longer posts on OH. She is one of the reasons I stay around, to give back to others who need support.

This might sound naive, but I've been on many, many weight loss boards, and I honestly have not seen that much bad advise. There are things that I may not agree with, but I wouldn't call it "harmful". Mostly what I see is helpful, and if it's not, I disregard it. I know at 3 years out I have a bit more insight than a newbie, but even then I could spot something that wasn't quite right.

I was given handouts for each part of my pre-op/post-op phases. I went on OH during the 2nd week of my post-op liquid diet and questioned was there another way for me to get my protein/liquid requirements without milk. It was a Sunday and my nut wouldn't be in until Monday. I accepted Sandy's advice but ultimately decided that I would just keep with the milk and protein shakes until I heard from my nut. Her advice just didn't sound right.

I really think the difference is in our programs and told my surgeon (Dr. Prachand at the University of Chicago) that they need to get into a room and hammer out a basic guide. It's funny because although Dr. Curry isn't banded his wife is. Therefore, I'm more inclined to believe him over Sandy. Some forums don't even have a surgeon on them.

Then when Sandy pm'ed me with Wendell's personal information, I lost all respect for her. That was the most underhanded situation that I have ever experienced online. I called Dr. Kuri and his office manager stated that Sandy is a patient and does not do fills for him. When I posted on the thread that was bashing Wendell's protein calculation, I wasn't defending him. I was defending his choice. Everyone is so high up on their horse with these band rules. Then people were emailing Brock saying that he was Wendell? WHO CARES???

Work, I think that you have "worked" the hell out of your tool. When I first came on the board, I thought that you were a big %$#* starter. Of course, I came in the middle of a protein shake/band rules war. Then you posted about folks posting to ask if people were still around and that it creates drama. We have the most OT posts on OH. IMHO, that was an unnecessary post. Yet, you have the right to post it. If folks don't understand that you guys have friendships outside of the board, SCREW THEM!!! Why post to the newbies and explain?

To sum it up. If an adult is not mentally handicapped, they don't need our protection. Can you really say that someone has said that they were saved from Wendell by you all? I don't feel sorry for people who don't follow their programs advice. If you listen to someone online over your doctor, you shouldn't have wls.

Whew, that felt good to say.

Sharee

JMHO but if someone made a huge difference in your life and helped a great deal, seems to me that they deserve a bit of recognition. Even if they aren't reading boards. If someone has a problem with a person that helped you that much, wouldn't it be their problem?

In theory, yes, but you know as well as I do that there are some pit bulls who won't let go of things. I used to recognize this person on OH often, until she told me why she left. Then I realized that it was yet another personality conflict and we sure didn't need another one over there!

She knows the impact she made on my life, and I have referred others to her privately when I think her particular experiences would be helpful. Do this defeat the concept of a public forum? Of course it does, but I have to choose my own battles. Maybe if I weren't in such a high stress job, I would be different here. Forums, the good ones, are my sanctuary and I want to protect that.

"Trying to define yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth." -Alan Watts

I was given handouts for each part of my pre-op/post-op phases. I went on OH during the 2nd week of my post-op liquid diet and questioned was there another way for me to get my protein/liquid requirements without milk. It was a Sunday and my nut wouldn't be in until Monday. I accepted Sandy's advice but ultimately decided that I would just keep with the milk and protein shakes until I heard from my nut. Her advice just didn't sound right.

I really think the difference is in our programs and told my surgeon (Dr. Prachand at the University of Chicago) that they need to get into a room and hammer out a basic guide. It's funny because although Dr. Curry isn't banded his wife is. Therefore, I'm more inclined to believe him over Sandy. Some forums don't even have a surgeon on them.

Then when Sandy pm'ed me with Wendell's personal information, I lost all respect for her. That was the most underhanded situation that I have ever experienced online. I called Dr. Kuri and his office manager stated that Sandy is a patient and does not do fills for him. When I posted on the thread that was bashing Wendell's protein calculation, I wasn't defending him. I was defending his choice. Everyone is so high up on their horse with these band rules. Then people were emailing Brock saying that he was Wendell? WHO CARES???

Work, I think that you have "worked" the hell out of your tool. When I first came on the board, I thought that you were a big %$#* starter. Of course, I came in the middle of a protein shake/band rules war. Then you posted about folks posting to ask if people were still around and that it creates drama. We have the most OT posts on OH. IMHO, that was an unnecessary post. Yet, you have the right to post it. If folks don't understand that you guys have friendships outside of the board, SCREW THEM!!! Why post to the newbies and explain?

To sum it up. If an adult is not mentally handicapped, they don't need our protection. Can you really say that someone has said that they were saved from Wendell by you all? I don't feel sorry for people who don't follow their programs advice. If you listen to someone online over your doctor, you shouldn't have wls.

Whew, that felt good to say.

Sharee

You go, girl, get it out of your system!

This might sound naive, but I've been on many, many weight loss boards, and I honestly have not seen that much bad advise. There are things that I may not agree with, but I wouldn't call it "harmful". Mostly what I see is helpful, and if it's not, I disregard it. I know at 3 years out I have a bit more insight than a newbie, but even then I could spot something that wasn't quite right.

I think too many folks just feel that if they need to know something, the doc will tell them. And we all know that doesn't happen as it should. Overall, I agree in that most of the advice given, even from the two most named people on the boards, is generally fine. The method of delivery is often annoying, but not harmful.

What I like best about boards is that someone can ask a question, and get a variety of answers - and the responses generally have a common theme and will guide the person appropriately.

I was given handouts for each part of my pre-op/post-op phases. I went on OH during the 2nd week of my post-op liquid diet and questioned was there another way for me to get my protein/liquid requirements without milk. It was a Sunday and my nut wouldn't be in until Monday. I accepted Sandy's advice but ultimately decided that I would just keep with the milk and protein shakes until I heard from my nut. Her advice just didn't sound right.

I really think the difference is in our programs and told my surgeon (Dr. Prachand at the University of Chicago) that they need to get into a room and hammer out a basic guide. It's funny because although Dr. Curry isn't banded his wife is. Therefore, I'm more inclined to believe him over Sandy. Some forums don't even have a surgeon on them.

Then when Sandy pm'ed me with Wendell's personal information, I lost all respect for her. That was the most underhanded situation that I have ever experienced online. I called Dr. Kuri and his office manager stated that Sandy is a patient and does not do fills for him. When I posted on the thread that was bashing Wendell's protein calculation, I wasn't defending him. I was defending his choice. Everyone is so high up on their horse with these band rules. Then people were emailing Brock saying that he was Wendell? WHO CARES???

Work, I think that you have "worked" the hell out of your tool. When I first came on the board, I thought that you were a big %$#* starter. Of course, I came in the middle of a protein shake/band rules war. Then you posted about folks posting to ask if people were still around and that it creates drama. We have the most OT posts on OH. IMHO, that was an unnecessary post. Yet, you have the right to post it. If folks don't understand that you guys have friendships outside of the board, SCREW THEM!!! Why post to the newbies and explain?

To sum it up. If an adult is not mentally handicapped, they don't need our protection. Can you really say that someone has said that they were saved from Wendell by you all? I don't feel sorry for people who don't follow their programs advice. If you listen to someone online over your doctor, you shouldn't have wls.

Whew, that felt good to say.

Sharee

You have a right to your opinion...I would post all that stuff again. The thread about asking where certain ones are and starting drama was in specific reference to many "new" people who would just become members or who had never been seen before and they would pop up and ask about Wendell or Dee. I thought that was a set up for more drama and was tired of it. (I didnt explain all that because many people knew...if you look at the responses you can see that) I dont agree with you about Wendell and have a very different perspective of his personality from talking to him on the phone (only one time for about 2 hours) and pm's that he sent me. So if saying how I feel makes me a *&_( stirrer so be it. I guess that could be said of anyone who speaks up. As far as the friendship post...I wanted to newbies to know not to feel left out and to jump in...it was also in response to others who have posted the board was cliqueish and if you werent in the clique you didnt belong. Again if you read the thread it was a positive one and everyone had positive things to say. I am not sure why that would bother anyone..but that o.k. if it bothered you....You could always block me there if my posts annoy you.