Lee4love1

30 minutes straight may work better....People will not beleive me-but I am shooting for that 60 minutes--5 days a week on the treadmill---then kicking in 30 to 45 minutes of weight training--3 time a week It's not hard now that I am not depressed anymore....I always say--P.U.S.H. Pray Until Something Happens

Well.....may I offer you my apologies. I had the strangest thing told to me last week. The group I will be with post op is 75% Women. The Dr also said the Women in this group have a hard time losing the weight. He then said--the next 25% are Men--who are the best and the worst. Oh well, I guess we all have to work harder at obtaining our goals. Don't worry--Just push yourself and things will start to happen.....

Becky---you have a current weight of 250--but it's now Jan-07....is it time to update us or not?

There is only one of me.....I am not worried about what others say. I repeated it on this page...

Hello.....I am moving along pretty fast. I got my physical done, the blood tests, the Psycological report and testing done. Tuesday is the Stress test and endocardiogram. I am hoping that Upper GI is this week coming too. Then the office Visit to the Dietician and the 2 days class. If all goes well, I am looking at the 15th at the latest for banding--depending on the schedule of Dr Weaver....Funny thing, my family Dr is named Weaver too--bith women and no relation. I just want to get it done and work hard to be the Man I am supposed to be. I am hoping that I can look like my age of 35 to 38. A nice 175 pounds--lfat stomach and this time-I am going to value all of this---LL

I am looking forward to kicking myself in the butt. I will miss the fried chicken, the ribs and the nice pork chops...I looked in my picture album....I gained on an average of 10 pounds per year. At age 39 in this picture of me--I was 176.....I actually was shocked to know I had a good weight.....I was shy to ake off my shirt during that time--at 175....Lord was I stupid... Now--if I am blessed and work hard to get back to that elusive 165-175...:eek: :hungry: My shirt is going to come off a lot--hahahahahahaaha....I would love to go back to the Coast of Mississippi--and show the ex---but she'll say the stupid things---"Oh Lee--you look sooo sick":omg:

I am looking forward to kicking myself in the butt. I will miss the fried chicken, the ribs and the nice porks chops...I looked in my picture album....I gained on an average of 10 pounds per year. At age 39 in this picture of me--I was 176.....I actually was shocked to know I had a good weight.....I was shy to ake off my shirt during that time--at 175....Lord was I stupid... Now--if I am blessed and work hard to get back to that elusive 165-175...My shirt is going to come off a lot--hahahahahahaaha....I would love to go back to the Coast of Mississippi--and show the ex---but she'll say the stupid things---"Oh Lee--you look sooo sick"

Good Day to the group....I can call myself a quick starter. I got my information packet in the mail on Jan 9th. I've already done the Psyc evaluation and had my Dr to fill out the other info. My next step as many know--would be a stress test, a upper GI exam.....Once that's done--I'll be ready for my dietican. Although I have 2 insurances--they want me to shell out $350 for the entire year visits. What's strange is-I am a Medicare and Blue Cross/Blue Sheild person. The medicare will not give zip, zero of the money back. They will pay up to 80% and BC/BS will pay the rest. I guess I will have to swallow this--entirely. If BC-BS was picking it up--I could get my $350 back. When ever I see a Dr--I am covered 100%--no co-pay. No fuss--I am getting my last portions in now. I am planning a good menu--from the menu's I saw on here. I have already brought me the 3 containers of Protein powders and some meal replacements--about 60 to help me. 100% of the meal replacements are just 130 calories. The protein drinks are 110 calories at 4 oz with water. I don't like milk...This will great. My next major buy will be liquid vitamins. I think it'll be better than chewing....wish me luck in the next 15 days....LL:clap2:

I did my pre-op blood test today. I am still waiting on Tuesday (16 Jan-07) stress test and echo-cardiogram. All will go well, I had the echo 6 months ago. The stress test--no problem. Next appt to be scheduled is the an upper G.I.--then to the dietician. It's moving fast and I am good to go--as in spirits. Up against the so called friends who disagree--oh well. I say--6 to 8 months will tell the story. I just found a picture of me at age 37..almost a flat stomach and looking good. The past 12 years--I went from that 177 to this 270. I am going to work it out for sure...LL

Thank you very much....I will do my Physical and pre-op blood tests. If they move too slow--I am making my own appoitments fo the upper G.I. and stress tests....But-I'll give my Drs office a chance to gt me right. I am hoping all of this can be done by Jan 30th and 31st. My date I am expecting to get in will be Feb 10 -20th...I am already dreaming of a nice 70 to 80 pounds gone....I have to admit....the last time I restricted food was when I was in the Hospital for my back.....I quickly lost 5 pounds in 7 days. They put me on a light diet with no salt--and the first 3 days of clear liquids....I am hoping I can get that max weight loss at 2.5 -3.0 pounds a week.....Walking on the treadmill from 45 to 60 minutes a day.....I already know I can do it....it's a mind thing...I am 270 now at 5'9"....I have a BMR of 11....a female over 40 has a BMR of 10.....I can do it

You're doing the right thing.....I am sooo lucky to have been in decent shape....But now I am ready for my change.....What my so called friends have done is push me hard. If I told about 15 people--maybe 12 were negative....Which made me wonder--what is wrong with these folks. trust me-=-all of my associates are big and bigger than myself. One guy acted as he was an expert--told me..."I heard they don't work". You know when you know someone--you must always consider the source of the words coming at you....lol So we're gonna do our thing--soon to be new people--if we work our butts off

Noooo, never did you offend me. I just had a different experience. I married a Lady who thought the Gym and weight loss would steal me. She never changed--even with our divorce. It's ok--I am long gone from the Coast. I am on my way--I am about to call my Drs office now to see what's up with the appointments. I am hoping that once that is done--I am going to excited beyond what I ever expected. My Mom is not too keen on the idea. But then again--we're southerners and think-(she thinks) if I lose weight with this lap band--I may get too small or too skinny. She herself used to be about 250 at 5'2". She finally went on that liguid diet and went to a size 16--not bad. But from time to tme she gains weight and has to set aside many of the things she eats. "Oh well" I said. I will be small due to the 'Co-mobidity" factors. I use the face my younger brother of 46 is going through kidney failure. Then te fact of Luther Vandross, Gerald Levert and Barry White--big names--Big guys--major problems all caused them go to the grave far too early. No one made it to he age of 60--such a shame that many Men and black Men in general will not go to a Drs office. With the fear that--whatever is going to happen-will happen. Suhc a fools ways of taking care of himself as well as his life-span....

Trust me--I am doing it for Lee-not anyone else. That is not exactly truethat the people on the coast is more receptive. When I lost the first 70 pounds back in 03/04--I was quickly accused of smokng the rock. I told my Pastor after he repeated the rumor to me. I said--the only drug I'm on is weights---come get some each morning at the World Gym.He should have shown up since he was and still is a Fat guy of 375 plus pounds..... I lived on the coast for 5 years--in the Gulfport-Biloxi area. Many are not educated either on the warning signs of being overweight. During a small time in 2003 I wanted to have the surgery--My now ex-wife threatened to Divorce me. Told me she married a Big Man--that is what she always wanted. I said-ok I will try to lose the weight without the surgery. So happens that when I lost about 60 to 70 pounds during the 2003/2004 time frame--she complained and complained I was getting too skinny. OH well with the way she changed with just that weight loss--a divorce was emminent. I mean--I was 230 and the Woman hated that a few of her friends said I was looking mighty fine. I think they were giving her a hard time. Guess what--right about the time of our breakup--she went from a 10 to an 18 over a 7 month period. Depressed I guessed. So it is hard at times to deal with many things. Yesterday--Jan 10th-07--I completed the psycological testing. Tomorrow, the Pre-op Physical. Then I have 2 weeks to schedule the stress test and the upper G.I.--I am making the assumption that the first or second week will be my surgery date....I am ready too, nothing will stop me...Lee

Great deal....Great going--the Journey begins

To relate a story of me first dropping weight after my Knee replacementsurgery in 03/04. I had dropped about 75 to 80 pounds. I know that the Zoloft helped me along with some motivation. The drug which is a "SSRI"--will eventually turn and bring the weight back plus more--like it's done to me. Ok, my wife during that time met me when I was an obese 315 pounds I think. I started to drop the weight. I got to 240--seemed to be stuck for a little. I had stated to get the Lap band or the bypass. My wife blurted out--"if you get that surgery--we're getting a divorce". In her mind everybody was dying from the Bypass. Like a fool, I stopped working so hard and started to have more weight related problems. Anyway--we are Divorced anyway--in 05. I had enough of the spy game. She come from work--come to Gym and watch me. Came to any machine where I was working out on--then asked--"How long you been here? I may have said--1 hour. She say-"Ok--it's time to go". I'd look at her with a crazy look- then tell her---Go home-! Before you knew it the reputation caught on at the "World Gym' where I was going daily. They'd say--"Lee how do you handle her s***? I'd say--I am getting out of it within the next few months. I had lost weight and she had went on to go from a size 8 to a 18. I would not lie. Her thought was pills. pills, pills would work off her weight. Once the papers were filed and the court date was maybe--5 days away. I had to pull the cord out the wall. I'd get 2, 4, 6 calls a night from her. But my point is--Many will defy you, feel threatened, lose faith and most of all--exibit "Low Self Esteem". Asking silly questions is ok and is to be expected- saying things they have not even read about--but heard.. My biggest laugh is--When weight is lost--"You can not lose weight that fast"--"the only way to do that is "Crack". "Lee you sure you're not on the rock? Or the Biggie--"Hey, Man-you sure you don't have that HIV? I'd laugh at the stupidity. Even the mis-informed and ill-informed think I am going to be too skinny and I should worry of what People will say. I will only worry that If I don't--I will be a statistic. Like the recent story in the Ebony magazine...."Why Black Men are Dying".........:clap2:

Thank you Kelly...I have very few friends now. The few I do know are large guys like me. We've discussed this in the past about getting our health up. I think I am the only one in the group with 2 health insurances. Even one of the guys now has given more thought about his health. Last night I told him of my plans and he says--now he wans to look into this. I explained the precedure as well as I could. Then he wanted to ask me--how much did it cost. I told him the price and he said--mmmmm....I need to be looking at myself more. Then even made the excuse---"But I am 54 years old". I then had to use the story written in the "Ebony magazine"--"Why Black Men are Dying". Over the recent years, we've had many prominent well to do black Men leave this mortal coil--all die to weight issues that brought on other illnesses that could have been prevented. Instead many will not take the time to seek medical attention . The old saying--if you're fat--then you must be healthy. Even my 400 pound brother says with a stupid grin--"I will need this weight to fill my coffin". I had to think of the explitives when he said that. (Yet 1 year has passed since he's seen me--now jejaous about me weighing under 300--so I now can't call him due to his feelings--he will not answer the phone) Yet both of my 47 and 46 year old brothers now suffer from a number of illness due to their weight issues(Hypertension & diabetes, my 46 yr old brother is now in the begginnig stages of kidney failure, along with diabetes, Hypertension, stroke,gout and he's had 2 heart attacks within the past 2 years). I am ver lucky and blessed to be only dealing with depression and hypertension. So this has added the more recent wake up calls to me--along with the massive numbers of Men Black and White who are neglecting their health. I am so shocked that my nurse at my family Doctor says--"You look fine, even though the scale says--"268". She says-- You're doing great-Lee. I said something to shock her. "Would you prefer a Man of 168 lbs or a Man of 268 lbs? Her buddy says---"Lee don't debate her". "My Husband was a big old guy too, but he got smart and lost the weight as well". "You do what you must do to keep your health right and up to par". All of that education, but she is giving me the thumbs up and of course asking me why. It just goes to show us, many people still live by the old southern words--being fat means Healthy.... Last thing, I am waiting now to sign my documents from the Doctor to proceed with the surgery--I filled out a survey online to save me driving time ....Lee:clap2:

Hello again.....I can't wait to see a 32 to 40 pound loss. I have now gotten 4 calls from a few friends--telling me not to do it. The mis-informed thinking the surgery is too dangerous. I even explained to 3 of them--(why I have no idea) why it's a really safe surgery and it's for my health over a long periodof time....

Well....it's not that....I take welbutrin XL...they can't be crushed as I am told....So that is my big concern along Dithiltiazm HCI...it's in a capsule....I am sure there can be a alternative or something to come off of this coming 2007/2008. I am hoping my BP drops to that magical number of 120/70....

I have really gotten smart and up to date on how to eat on the holidays. I am the one who cooks in my place--so we're not eating like there is no tomorrow. My problem of late was snaking at night. Then using that Zoloft antidepressive--which helped me gain weight. Now my antidepressive is a weight neutral tablet, but it's time released. Welbutrin, so I know it can't be crushed. Maybe I will have to change to two times a day in the regular one. The XL may have to be stopped--I'll see....Oh on the milk issue--no milk for me. I am sure I can find something that is latose free to consume. I am going to get me that protien shake with at least 35 grams of protien. So hopfully, I will begetting the adequate amount. Then Looking for my liquid vitamin will come in handy at this time...So far with my new way of eating--I am doing pretty good as I prepare my mind for the surgery. I even lost 5 pounds in 2 weeks....That is sooo strange....Lee

Don't even give it a second thought. I mentioned it because of what I read on family being supportive. Plus my Mom lives all of 1200 miles from me. I just thought I'd mention it to her. I am doing this for me and no one else. I had the same problem with my ex-wife a few uears ago whenn I had the yo yo weight issues and I relented. No more....I will be the one doing this without hesitation....Lee

Hello from MS... Over the years, my weight has went from a confortable 170 to a 270. It is really bad that I have had a knee replacement, neck fusion and a back fusion. Those are the signs, especially the back surgery. I take hypertension meds--went from 1 medication to 4 now and thyroid medication along with an antidepression. I switched from the zoloft to Welbutrin--which is weight neutral. Zoloft will help a person pack on the weight. At 5'9" -the BMI is 39.8. I used to be scared of the thought. I even got threatened with a Divorce 3 years ago. If I got the surgery. So that divorce took place anyway. I am not scared anymore. I really need to get back to that good feeling. Wearing the clothes I can find--instead of going to the big Man section. I have visualized 160 and 170 pounds....I can feel it within that 18 month period. Can anyone tell me what I can do to make all of this smooth sailing? Sincerely, Lee:clap2:

St Francis Hospital of Memphis, TN is a place I called--they have several Physicians.....So there is many of them to talk with. But I am sure I will be ok....I will call them wednesday....to make things right. Already my Mother has shown an attitude of all people...she says--I may get too skinny...she seemed mad with me when I called--she said with a evil tone...she knew

I have no surgery date as of yet....I know a time released tablet can't be 1/2-ed and a capsule with little beads--can't be sure. I am supposed to talk with the Nurse on Wednesday---to set me up. That would Jan-3rd.....It's going to be ok, I have 3 other helalth(problems) issues that goes with the 39-BMI. I am hoping to get these issues gone with that surgery--the Lap band....

Thank You....I am in the waiting zone since it's the New Years weekend. I contacted 2 places that will look at my case. I have done my homework for sure. The 39.4 ws disputed by a nurse. But I told her--these are my co-factors: Hypertension, Depression, progressive arthiritis. I have had a knee replacemet, back & neck fusion......what more would warrant This. I am sure I'll be a Lap band patient by Feb-2007

I am fully ready for that. The only problem I may have is--crushing my tablets of meds. I have 2 meds that is time released and they tell you--never crush. Then I take welbutrin--a weight negative antidepressive. So now all I have to do is get that increase after being on it for 2 weeks now. The normal adult dose is 300 mgs. I started on the 150-time released tabs....I am ready--who needs this 44 inch waist. I can see a 34 waist & 160 to 170 lbs in my future