Lee4love1

:clap2: Hello Bandsters of Mississippi. I am glad to say, this is day 18 for me--after getting the lap band. I am trying my best to do the damn thing. I purchased 3 new bicycles. Two for my 2 boys and me. I have gotten them into the workouts each day. I do the walking 3 days a week at the gym--35 minutes a pop, then leg exercises. Then for the past 2 weeks--I am riding the bike 3 days a week. This week it's been 4-5 days. My boys are nothing but 9 and 11--but they enjoy riding in the cool weather. They are beating me in the races--so far---sons 8--daddy 2.:faint: .....I dress them in layers. So it's fun and my boys now say--they feel great riding as a family. My friends offer me the silly things---get a Woman--maybe she'll slow you down. Or-- losing 107 Pounds--You'll look too poor, you'll look like a crack head. Today--45 minutes and I am spent. My kids love their new bikes and I love having my muscles burn-:biggrin1: The pain at the port site--minimal.(no pain pills needed) Sleeping at night--great. People around me who see me--wonder--what the hell is wrong with me? lol:) ..Finally today--a lady saw me--Said--"It's so nice to see a Daddy ridsing with his soon and with helmets on. We have safety helmets, gloves-they have knee and elbow pads. They see me riding up and down the apartment complex with the kids--happy. With a simple 12 pounds weight loss---it feels great. I am at 259 from 271. I am wondering so far into the future--how will I feel with a 52 pr 72 pound weight loss? I know the weight may slow down--but I am hoping to pump my body up with this cardio. My goal--2.66 a week. Hey--maybe it'll be less--but I am doing one thing--pushing. I 'm hoping Dr McGraff-Weaver will be in on Monday morning. She was pregnant and went into premature labor the day after my surgery. She's been off work as long as I have have been recovering. She got her nurse to call me--saying--She will try to see us Monday--all of the Post op's. She tells us--she'll have her child and may not see us again until month #3. So I guess we'll go to one of her associates for our first fill. I have a 9:30 time slot. I am hoping she is ok. Whatever happens from now--I will stay on the bike 3 to 5 days a week and in the Gym. 3 of the days this week--I did double workouts...Gym in the morning--riding with the kiddies in the afternoon...I am waiting for my ok to lift weights. I now will not be a power lifter. I am going to into light weights---no more than 160 pounds--with more reps. A few of the bandsters here have told me--I am going to fail. What a great motivation tool. My goal is set at 163 lbs. If I make it to 173 or 183--will I be mad? No way. I will know I have given this my all. For a Man who is Disabled Veteran-- (A fused back, fused neck, left knee replacement and a torn left shoulder)---why complain? I got all of this in the Army--but--why feel sorry for myself. I am glad I can paddle a bike--lift weights, walk 35 to 45 minutes. I was once told--I will have a limp for life--I once did have one--but it's all gone--God works.....:notagree

Thank you so much. Today I had to take a day off. My kids are great to ride with. I am feeling my age each day. I got the best compliment a Man or Dad could get. I was riding 2 days ago--we got to the park where the young guys shoot ball...One kid said--"I wish my Dad would spend time with me like he does with his sons"...We ride out routes daily--I really don't think of it. Even ladies--teachers who live in the neighborhood have said--are you losing weight? All I have lost is 1o pounds--maybe more now. But I am not going to weigh myself each day. I want to do it each 14 days...I am proud I decided to incorperate my kids. My legs feel funny. They don't feel sore anymore--they feel hot and like blood is rushing through...Ok...thank you again...

I don't mean to step on any toes. But why blame him? If you're done with him--only you have the power to stop the hands, the kisses and other things that comes your way. Even conversation can't be going on long without replies. When I wanted to step away from my ex-wife--but she called until she made me run out of unlimited minutes (joke)--I learned--hang up the phone or better yet--don't pick it up. She tracked me down once I moved away. Asked me why I moved--even though the divorce was dry on paper. I acted like her. I said--"Oh I am in the middle of something--bye"--hung up. A Lady who learned to dislike....I did her to the same--sorry--the phone is not clear---can't hear you...Whatever it takes to lose your lover. If you go back--just because you are weak--you need to do the grown up thing--play dumb. Act like you hardly know him...

Good Morning to you Connie.. I must admit--from the point of me being in my Momma's stomach--she complained--I never stay still. I knew something was wrong when I got lazy--fat and really miserable. Now that my attitutde has been spread like a virus to my kids (8 and 10). It's worthwhile riding the new bikes we all brought 2 weeks ago. They woke mme saturday with a weather report at 7 am. Saying--Daddy---can we ride in weather? I said--let's wait in the streets to get dryer. Bye 10 am--we was getting dressed and out the door. Sunday--we finally made this hill we couldn't for so long. I finally was able to make it--after 3 tries. I am not lazy--think the lord. I 've had a left knee replacement in 03--back fusion and neck fusion. IMagine this--I will be 50 in June. Folks are now looking at me riding like I am someone crazy. Only few compliments--but who cares. I even have a new lady who is interested---young by my standards (age 24)--but it gives the ego a boost. You never know--chances can be taken--since she is a Mom and looking for a nice older Man. Anyway--I am headed to the Dieticians office and it's 30 mile ride to "St Francis Hospital". I am going in a matter of minutes. I have to be there in 45 minutes--it's a 27 minutes ride--when I drive sensible. Even if my weight lose is not as I am expecting--I am still going to boost up my riding. My goal is to ride the 10 ride with my kids. Plus with them both playing football this coming year--I asked them--since you can endure the pai of the hills with me---imagine football games and football practice. A piece of cake- well it'll be easier to do. They fully ageed. That would be an almost 11 yr old and an almost 9 year old. I am maming it a family deal each day. I was going to do 5 days a week. Now my kids have requested--can we ride as a family everyday. They even have their water bottles in the fridge--waiting to drink after and uring the ride....Is this motivation or not? They've got me going--strong.....Think of a way to get up and do something....

Oh no Connie....I am soooo sorry to hear that... I must admit--I am very bad at doing my proftien--but I have started. I am getting better at my schedule now. Today--I road my bike again and it became obvious--more protien is needed. I have went out and brought 2 containers and will make up a batch to drink--this evening and tomorrow....It's 25 grams a scoop...so I am going to mix in some strawberries to this vanilla mix--make me up 16 ounces--that is 100 grams of protien... I hope that my Dr gets better too. She is having a baby---the Lap band business is booming. Which made her do this....She said--she put me on a smaller band than most. So that my fill at 6 weeks--won't be so bad. She knew that she was close to labor time--but continued to work...

It's now--April 13th...17 days since I had the lap band done. Not much pain--I was shocked. The Nurse told me of using pain meds---I almost has to argue--but as I see---I need zero. I am doing ok and have progressed pretty good. Pain---I can handle. I don't nee any of the drugs they gave me. In fact--I've used the Percocet 3 times--the last time has a sad result. I could not sleep all night....So I am toughing it. I brought three new bikes---so that my 2 sons could ride with me--making it a family thing. We race each day--for the past 5 days. I've won only twice out of 7....I am talking of racing a whole block. My sons are having big fun too. I am in pain some of the days--But I am building up for a 10 k ride with them. We may not go like straight through---but I have made it a family project for getting in shape. Ok back to my surgery. My Doc was like 7 months pregnant before the surgery. As of March 29th--the day after surgery--she became sick and placed on bedrest. Now she's had to switch all of her appointments around. So now I have see her Monday-April 16th...Hopefully she'll be there... Her nurse says she'll be there for the Post opt appointment. I hope she does well with her Baby. I am feeling great. Sometimes tired--but I am told--I need to keep up my protien drinks....

Hi there Lap band folks...I have found a way to deal with the port pain...Now that I am 16 days post surgery. I have decided to ride my bike a lot when I am not up to walking in the gym. for 4 days now--I have been doing racing with the 2 boys I have. We race--they've beat me each time. But with the energy I born--you know when the stomach is hurting--the legs are burning. I have noticed--the pain is nothing compared to the leg pain I've hard each time. It's a great thing. Yeah--it's been great pain---getting in shape pain. I know--without--there is no gain in energy. Just keep on pushing...

I must say you're right...But being a couch slug was for me when I was sick and not feeling well. I think me spending almost $200 for a new bike was not for nothing. Plus I already know I can do 30 to 45 minutes per day--been there and done that. I have a lot of things pushing me now---dreams, goals that I have to obtain. I was once 315 pounds---I got down to 218 once--but I didn't have the right stuff to keep me there. Now--with the way I feel and all that I have done to get the lap band--I'd have to be a fool to play the couch slug. I am just one Man with 2 small kids. Who do they depend on--me. I came to my final conclusion in November that I had to get off my duff. I lost weight--gained it---lost it--gained it back and more. Now with my new tool--it's more of a confidence factor than anything. Trust me--the minutes last week was just the beginning. I wondered---how did I ride my bike 30 minutes on Wednesday--then go to the Gym for 37 more minutes if my mind was trying to be a couch slug??? Sorry....it will not be that way...

Tomorrow starts my 1 full week. I had the band put in March 28th. I am looking to get back much of my stamina. I know it's there--since I walked 37 minutes the first day last week. I am using the fat burn mode on the treadmill (2.9 to 3.4 mph) I am going up the ante within the next 4 weeks to 60 minutes per day. If I am not in the Gym--I also brought me a new moutain bike too. I will get relased by April 18th once I get my first fill. I am not worried about the first 2 months--I am concerned about Months 6, 7, 8 and 9. I am thinking--burn 400 to 650 calories per day on the treadmill--not counting weight lifting. It takes 3500 calories to make a pound. Since I was eating close to 2600 before and now I am down to 800 per day---I shouldn't do too bad. With the band--I could lose 2.57 pounds a week. I am looking to push it hard for that extra .5 to 1 pound more. I may sound crazy---but I am just serious and ready.

Exercising---no..But each eveing for a little it starts to hurt or after many sips of water--I will sip a bottle of 20 oz water over 45 mins---then comes the pain

Thank God---10 days post "Lap banding" and I am feeling ok. The only bad part of the banding--the port site on the left side. Finally I can sleep on that side. My next appointment is April 18 for a fill. Problem is--my Dr started having labor contractions the very next day--Yes Dr Weaver is pregnant. I joked with her about not going into labor during the surgery- It happened the next day--so instead of the 23 hours stay--I had to stay 28 hours--until her colleague got in... I sure hope I have some lost weight. I saw one thing that made me freak--that big belly looked like a femal belly that had dropped--like right before a baby comes--lol. I am looking forward to my goal of 107--I am giving myself only 12 months of losing it. Sorry sprots fans--if the energy level peaks--I am going to have a heck of a workout plan of the old days. I am building up my stamina with walking---Oh it seems like I am just running on air right now. The energy level--mmm--is so low now. It's ok--I brought me some "Noni Juice with the Vitamins" to go with my chewable Centrum. That made my stomach hurt at first (felt like hunger), but I had some more energy. I tried to take one of my so called 3 hour power naps. It turned into a 45 minute nap. So--maybe it's rising up--that good old energy.:faint:

It's now April 7th--6:05 PM and I am post Lap band as of March 28th. I am finding out the hard way to on schedule. But I am doing ok. My port site is the only place that seems to hurt more than the rest. Yes at about 10:30 am--March 28th--I went in for the banding. There is a funny feeling to eating now. You all were correct--my tastes have changed. I can now have lunch for $1.19 at wendy's. Their chili is pretty good--lots of juice and nice soft beans. Fits perfect with my mush diet. I tried to cheat and brought into my wanting a piece of ham---trust me--I was a comode God within 5 minutes of eating it. Just a small amout--maybe 2 ozs... That's happened 2 times in 8 days. Trust me--I am not up to that anymore. I started my walking 4 days ago....Funny I did good for the first three days. My 4th day felt like I was out of gas. So I just used light exercises on the leg machine--since i did drive to the gym. Back on track as of Monday again. My next appointment for a fill---April 18th...My has time been flying by. Do I feel hungry? Yes---just a little. No more binge hunger---"Thank the Lord.... Last thing--the legs puffiness has gone away....

I am sitting here with less than 12 hours to go. It's 7:20 Pm and I am told---get to the hospital to get prepped by 6:30.... I can't say I am excited---but waiting on many results. I now know that I had a food addiction of the worst kind--anti-depressives..I will be happy let you all know--I have seen the changes in myself and now--fed up with this extra 107 pounds... My first goal is buying me this mountain bike as early as Monday morning. I may be in pain--but I've asked my neighbor to take me...I will emply this to ride to the gym--since it's 2 miles from the house and I know a great back road to ride...wish me luck in the morning...

Good evening to the Banders and prospective banders...I have right at 36 hours before I am banded. I have to be at the hospital in Memphis-Tn (St Francis) at 6:30 am (28 March-07). I am told with no complications--I will be out of there in 23 hours. Am I excited--Oh yes--no doubt. I have given out my Drs cards to a few of my surrounding friends. One guy who made me laugh so loud. "Lee, you get your surgery--I'll watch your results, then I'll get mine done". I hate to say it--but ole boy got me beat by a lot. You can't see his belt when he is standing. It's ok--if he wants me to be a model--I will be shopping at Walmart anyway...yes--he is a guy I know who sells my contacts... What do you guys or gals think of the people who will gyrate towards us-after banding? I am talking about--maybe 90 to 180 days. If we are getting that 1 to 2 pounds week worked off? I say the average can be 1.5--that is 39 pounds or we could go to that 78 pounds--gone. Anyway--I will ask that question---"why now? Why are you interested in being my friend--now? I have 107 to lose. I have set that to 110 for myself. 160 is one helluva goal to shoot for. It's just over 1/3 thid of my body weight --can't wait to start losing...:faint: --My long term goal--having the band remain in--remain with my life changing mind and body. Saturday if I am feeling ok--I will buy myself a mountain bike--getting it for my morning rides--in case I am not going to the Gym...peace

Oh yes....I start the liver shrink diet--less than 24 hours....In the morning...they said-do this-14 days before the surgery...I am upset though, I know that my hunger is part hunger and part habit...It's like smoking---it's like having to eat--when not hungry.... But...I am determined to kick the habit--which has been going well. I can't wait until April 28th--then Nov 28th and March 28th--2008...I am hoping on the 2.75 pounds a week.--Those are times when I'll look for certian progress times......I am going to push for that I recall being in the hospital some time ago....IN a mere 28 days-(12 days hospital-16 days following the diet after I got out) I had back surgery---I had no appetite--trust me--pain was more of an issue--21 pounds was gone when I was on a no salt, no sugar diet-low fat--all baked and broiled...sad I fell off it. I would get hungry during the evening--I drink lemon water--with a spot of sugar..it stopped the pains....I am told--once they suture that device around my stomach.....the taste of many foods will change---the words here---"Thank God"....:faint:

All I can say is---we all have to push it harder to lose. Not only do our diets count--but our regimen of exercise has to get bumped up--if we are to lose the weight. With me--I have that low thyroid--so it you do 3 days--I have to do that 5 to 6 days of walking. At least that is what my Dr says. On March 28th--I am going to have the band put in. I will be happy--even though sore. My goal is 107 pounds. I am in the Prevent Defense now...Preventing what could happen to me. Diabetes, worst sleep apnea, hypertension and this arthiritis that is kicking my a**....I have had the back surgery, neck surgery(2), left knee replacement--did the signall get sent well?? Why are we invisible--"Prejudice"--plain and simple. Even now--I tested the friendships I had with a few people. 8 out of 10 said--"don't do it. One lady told me--"aren't you going to be feeling bad when folks say you look like you're on crack? It sad at time to be a Black Man with a weight issue too. I am invisible to the Women. I have kids--so I get a lottle bit of love. My thing is--just bid my time and get back into the swing of things come 2008 and 2009. I will not be waiting--but easing back into them by this time. I have a goal of getting 2 or more pounds a week. I know the happy zone is 1-2 pounds. But by kicking butt at the gym--I will have a better chance. I am not going to be into heavy weights until maybe week 22. From the earliest times--I will still do the light weights with minimum reps. Strange how my life changed in 2002 and 2003. I lost 75 pounds with crazy workouts. But with all of that--I blew out that left knee too. I saw the people around me change. I saw the stupid ones change too. I got that--"hey, what are you doing to lose all this weight? Then came the drug rumors and the crack stories made up. What most did not know--I was doing 45 mins in the am and 45 at night 3 days a week on the treadmill. The other 3 days--I was lifting light weights, and still getting that 45 minutes in. I started to notice my energy levels to sky rocket until I was in that 60 minute zone for the treadmill. I had to make sure I was at the Gym at 7:00 am to get a treadmill for over 30 mins. The World Gym only allowed us 30 mins on it. The am period--no one was there except the elderly. So when you do things such as lose weight, change your appearance--you got to realize--at times your friendships may have to change. I even noticed that my wife became jealous--funny she was a 6 to 8 in size. In reality--her thoughts were lopsided....Her thought was--if I was a big and fat guy--no other woman would want me. So when the weight fell off--a few of her friends used to give me compliments (female friends). I brought a new $800 wardrobe. So now that I've had weight loss failure---I kept that wardrobe. It's ok...I will be wearing a few of those things come 8 to 12 months from now....I lost 170 pounds in 2005 too...That wife who was jealous and got on my nerves--well our Divorce came in good time. We got it--Aug-9th-05 and 8/29/05 Katrina hit the Mississippi coast along with the New Orleans area. I changed location and friends. Lastly--don't let others press you. Start keeping things within. Read self help books, read a lot of things. develope a new hobby. Do whatever it takes...I am going to my 1st support group tonight in Memphis, TN...It's 5:10 PM--I am going at 6:30--I have to drive 31 miles--I say--so what??? I need to know a few people before the surgery date of 3/28....

I got out of dating period--until I fix me. I have people who know me--asking..."Why don't you want a Woman? I say--I have goals in mind and I don't want distractions. I had a previous wife who once threatened to divorce me if I get the surgery....I was like--"so you want me fat and sick??? She says--"She married me because she wanted a BIG MAN....Eventually--I made it to court in August 05 to get a divorce. Of course-she never showed up. Some people I have come to know in my new area--I am a formerly of the "Katrina Storm area"....Some have thought that I am getting a useless surgery, a few said--if you lose 107 pounds--you will look like a "Crack head" and the biggie--"Aren't you going to miss the Barbeque ribs and Chicken??? So instead of dating--I am going to date my goal close with the quickness. March 28th--the surgery takes place. From that date on--I am committed to the cause of losing to get heathier...LL

I'm down to 20 more days.....I have the surgery the morning of March 28th....Wish me luck...I've got all of the appointment out of the way. The next is pre-surgery blood tests on 14--March...Lee

Finally, Finally I have a March 28th surgery date. I have be there at 6:30 am to do that change of life. It was an unusual day on 28 feb...My appointment was changed to 12 noon--but I got in by 2:00. The Dr had a sudden emergency to preform. Anyway...3/28/07--but first the "Liver Shrink" diet and then I am in....I am now entering 3 months of waiting, but my date is set...Thank God...

To mee it doesn't taste too bad. I have Vanilla, chocolate and fruit flavored drinks....With the vanilla I am going to drop maybe 6 to 8 strawberries into it--make it into 12 ounces with some ice--But I am not too concerned on big time taste--we're only drinking 4-0z at first and down the line it'll be 6 ozs....With this amount--you have to just try it out. Maybe you'll like it. You do know we're not using sugar--so all of the sugar free items are going to be in play--try it...right at $15.65 for a jar that has 27 servings. That is basically 9 days...I am going to have me 3 Jars a month--since I already have 6 already.....So it will be ok for the time being. Getting between 75 to 100 grams per day. Then again--Look at GNC--their products are a bit higher--but we gotta do something....

Hello SJB...I will be keeping the faith and getting out of the way of the old "Lee"...I sure hope my spirits will be lifted very soon...I hate waiting--but as I wait--I inch closer....Speaking of "inches"...I am looking forward to losing at least 10 inches off my waist line and at least 8" from my chest

:mad: Has anyone heard about the new changes with Medicare and Medicaid on "Bariatric surgery"? Well, I was approved as of Jan 21-07. Then about Feb-4th-07 a new memorandum comes down. All patients wanting the surgery, must present more than 5 current weights. So with this being said--(I have to wait 3 more months--unless I get my records) He or she must show at least 2 times of weight loss failure. Today I had to track down my doctor on the coast. (Gulfport, MS). I had to have them fax the St Francis Hospital Bariatric center. It's now from (2002-2005) and now (2005 to 2007) for my new Dr. We're talking of at least 6 times a year that I went to the Dr/ I'd go every 60 days--since I had a weight issue--I was even asked if I could obtain my VA file. That's me sitting at the VA part of the day--I am not even sure if I can sit there too long. I may have to show up at records and get a copy of my file too...(1989-present) The US made a deep cut into the medicaid. So now they are monitoring closely if we "morbidly obese" folks really need the surgery. It's like I woke up in January and I went from 175 to 270 over night. It's cool, I had my records faxed quickly within 24 hours. My hope is still to have my lap band done in march.....:faint:

Oh yes...look at the walmart--"six star muscle fuel"....It provides 25 grams of protien each scope..so mix the 3 scoops for 75 grams. Then with the food you have in the 3 meals--you should be right at 100 to 110 grams of protien for the day.It's only $15.00 where I live--so each month I am getting me that 3 jars---it provides 27 servings the the "six star body fuel" is 34 servings--which provides on 20 grams of protein....make your choice...there are more choices in GNC---but don't sweat it--just look around for the cheable vitamins and the liquid vitamins. Lets get busy....

Hey there....I'm straight....Drs appointment on 28-Feb at 3:15...I will be scheduling the surgery.....So no worries now--I am going to be doing fine...

Well--I am down to a few days of seeing Dr Weaver-McGraff...My appointment date is Feb-28 to set the date of the surgrery...Just a weekend and that wednesday afternoon....I hope to get it all over with by 15-March. Anytime from 1 March til the 15th is cool....I need to get my workout schedule straight too....wish me luck