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CodenameSpivey

LAP-BAND Patients
  • Content Count

    90
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About CodenameSpivey

  • Rank
    Senior Member
  • Birthday 06/25/1983

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  • Website URL
    http://www.facebook.com/codenamespivey

About Me

  • Gender
    Male
  • Occupation
    IT Professional
  • City
    Las Vegas
  • State
    Nevada
  • Zip Code
    89002

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  1. Hi guys.. I'm a year out of surgery... lost all the weight I'm going to lose and need to lose and have been maintaining very well. I obviously didn't get the Protein in I needed too, or something because I lost a ton of muscle, especially in my upper body... I'm not weak, but I'm not near as strong as I was 110lbs ago.. My arms are the worst... I need to start adding some lean muscle (don't want to get big) - I've got some protein shots, to give me an added boost and to give me some extra protein... but I had some questions like -- when is the best time to take the protein? I've heard it's best to take 30-45 minutes before a workout.. I need to build up muscle, and fast as the weakness and lack of endurance I have in my arms are starting to effect my work... anybody have a good routine for upper body, and upper arms? I'm good on all my Vitamins, I take a great multi, and do all my Calcium and other supplements - it's only the protein, and I eat a good amount, but I think it's just the inevitable muscle loss.. but I need it back! Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks!
  2. I have all sorts of problems, my range is definatly not there, neither is projection or just overall power... I went to band practice and made through less than 2 songs before I was getting raspy.. This is not good.
  3. I'm about 9 months and 100lbs post surgery, a lifelong musician that I put on the back burning during my "fat" days.. I always kept writing, playing guitar and singing, however since surgery my voice, while fine talking, is missing projection and is not near as strong as it once was, I find myself struggling to sing for more than a song or two without starting to feel strain.... I can only assume this is from weakened abdominal muscles or something like that... Anybody else out there that can chime in? It's a unique problem. Thanks!
  4. 105lbs down in 8 months... you can't ask for anything better!

  5. CodenameSpivey

    Today Was My Day....march 2, 2012

    Congrats, I'm 8 months post op from Dr. Umbach as well.. couldn't be happier.
  6. CodenameSpivey

    My Gastric Sleeve Story

    Wow.. I had not realized that I haven't updated this in so long...... So, I'm 8 months out from surgery today... well, yesterday... Weighed myself before surgery... and saw the most magical thing... 199.6! Giving me 106lbs lost.... I still lose a little here and there, I'm not really actively trying to lose anymore as I'm perfectly content where I am now... I wish I had a before picture.. I'm totally a different person, I'm still myself but a better version.. I feel great, I'm just a happier person... Size 44 jeans down to a 32, wearing large shirts versus XXXL... and in only 8 months... As far as my diet goes, I don't eat a whole lot, I know I'm supposed to eat my 3 meals a day, but I find myself realizing that I don't want to force myself to eat.. if I'm not hungry... so I eat 2-3 small meals.. usually lunch and dinner. I've been doing a mostly vegitarian lifestyle for a while, so I'm getting my Protein via protein shots, and I found over the last couple months meat makes me sick a little bit.. I had my 6 month check up and my labs were great.. great blood pressure, no cholesterol issues, everything was perfect! I'm happy to start the next chapter in my journey.. as last week my wife was sleeved with Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana... I'm so happy and proud of her for taking the step... I love her so much... and I hope this brings her the happiness it's brought me... she's awesome, and deserves this way more than I did...it's another thing we can share and have in common now! I started taking a phenominal new multi-Vitamin... that Dr. Ortiz's office sells, they're in capsule form and as fast desolving, however, nutritional value off the charts... I was tired of the chewables, and the chalky after taste... they're a little on the pricey side, but if you're looking for a good alternative.. check these out.. which also includes an energy blend (no caffine) and 100% of your daily Biotin... and more.. and 6 servings of fruits and vegtables... here's a link to the nutritional value..and info... http://store.obesitycontrolcenter.com/products/espira-the-complete-Multivitamin Anywho, I'm stoked to see all the success people are having with the sleeve around these parts! I'm trying to take time to support people and help with questions, but this group is so supportive and fast, it's hard to keep up! Stay Frosty!
  7. CodenameSpivey

    My Gastric Sleeve Story

    Sorry for my slacking on lack of updates... I stay busy these days.. So I'm I think 4 1/2 months out... Started out at 305 - today I'm at 219! 86lbs lost! My goal was 220lbs.. so I'm over my goal weight.. I really need to find some before pictures, I avoided the camera for so long, I just don't know if I have any... I'd be lying if I said that I'd follow things strictly... I really haven't... I try to eat well, keep my carbs low and my Protein up.. but there are days I just don't.. especially days I'm busy... I had some issues with my hair, but it's passed - I had pretty long hair as it was, and that made it worse, I cut my hair kind of short when the hair loss was peaking.. and since then really it's been a non-issue and has pretty much stopped... I feel like I've took the easy way this whole journey.. I haven't been to the gym once, I do walk around, and my job keeps me on my feet the other day... the only areas of fat i have to deal with is some in my abdomen.. I still have a hernia in my mid abdomen, and doing any kind of routine to help eliminate that scares me because I don't know what I can and can't do. So, recapping my totals.. started at 305lbs - 287 i believe day of surgery.. 219lbs today! 44 size waist, down to a 34... and a XXXL shirt to a L sometimes XL depending on the brand... weirdly it seems like I've went down a tad in shoe size too.. I've got tired of chewable Vitamins, so I've went to every day multi-vitamins once a tad, then a chewable later in the day to kind of not burn myself out on them... that's the one thing I don't slack on, I get my Water and vitamins everyday.. I do good on protein, though there are days I know I don't meet my goals, however, I'm always fairly close... I still find myself frustrated at times when I'm eating, especially if i'm out eating... I sometimes forget i have my sleeve and let my eyes get the best of me, only to find out I can't eat 1/2 of what I put on my plate... I still have problems eating a little too quickly... and I'm sure that leads to me getting full quicker... I still order drinks with meals, and I don't know why, I never drink them... I can pretty much do whatever I want as far as foods go... some tortilla's I don't agree with.. and some breads... but I pretty much can do whatever... I guess my sleeve has been very kind to me, and I've been very lucky, and almost feel bad, as the weight has fell off almost without effort.. I think I can probably stand to lose maybe another 10lbs... I'm totally happy where I am right now, and I'd never thought I'd get here.... Normally I see a fluctuation of 2-3 lbs a day... I weight myself in the morning before i eat or drink anything, and my goal is to be 220lbs after any flucuation.. so I have a couple more pounds to go.. but I'm getting close... it'd be amazing to see 199... though, I'm a big guy by nature, I have a big build, and that's almost too much... but seeing myself now, maybe I can do it... it's a pipedream, but if it happens, it happens.. otherwise I've never been happier... If I could get rid of this hernia, I'd be excited, because right now I just need to tighten things up, if i do that, i'd be in the best shape i've ever been in.. Anywho, that's my update... I'm there... and in only 4 1/2 months. I feel great, I sleep better, I'm not diabetic anymore... if anything my blood sugar is running a tad low... I'm going to go get labs drawn at 6 months and see how everything is... but I don't expect any problems.. my immune system seems stronger too, I haven't been sick at all.. despite my wife and kids all getting colds... I don't even have those feel like crap days anymore either... which were the majority of my overweight days... next up, my wife getting sleeved and joining me in being happy with themselves...
  8. Hi all! I'm 3 1/2 months sleeved, I've went from 305lbs down to 225lbs (which is my pre-weight gain weight) .. I'm still losing, but my major problem areas are the love handles mostly, and the stomach fat below my belly button. I know the normal exercises to get rid of those areas, however I have a hernia from a previous surgery above and to the left of my belly button... a little bigger in circumference than a quarter, right along my zipper scar from my previous surgery... My surgeon didn't want to repair it at time of surgery, and now with my relocating, I don't have insurance yet to get it repaired... what could I do exercise wise to help me get rid of those stubborn areas? Any ideas? It's really all I have left to do as far as my journey goes, and it's probably going to be the hardest! Thanks!
  9. CodenameSpivey

    My Gastric Sleeve Story

    Well.. month 2 is over, and it hasn't been near expectations. I feel fine, and great.. I get frustrated very easily these days.. I'm of course on solid foods now, and I'm still having trouble adapting to going out to eat with my family or for work functions. I order food, and usually don't realize that there is no way I'm going to be able to eat it.. then for some reason I get frustrated when I can't eat it.... Is that weird? It still hasn't sunk in to my head I guess that I just can't eat a lot. Also, I stalled.. hard. Literally the day after my last post, the scale stopped moving.. and it didn't move for a couple weeks.... I went I believe 16 days only fluxuating up or down 1lbs... however, eventually it started moving again. and today I'm down to 238lbs... 305 before pre-op diet, 283 day of surgery, and 238 today, giving me a total loss of 67lbs since June 16th... and 45lbs since surgery, 30 in the first month, 15 the 2nd month. I was really hoping to take out another 5lbs or so before my 2nd month ended.. but that's ok... I'm 18lbs from my goal weight, in just over 2 months... If I can do more, great.. but I'm perfectly content at being 220lbs.. I'm a big guy by nature, and I honestly don't even remember being less than that, when I was skinny before all the weight gain, I remember being about 224.... and that weight suits me just fine. So I've went from wearing a XXXL shirt, down to an XL, sometimes a L depending on the brand. I've lost 10 inches from my waste, and went from a size 44 jeans, to a 34... so things are going well.. I've haven't started at the gym yet, like I wanted to, this relocation has been hard, and I haven't even started my new job yet, and money is just kind of tight... I start my new job next Monday, and plan to get gym memberships out of my first check. My main issue, have been beverages... foods haven't been an issue, however, I find myself sometimes drinking high sugar drinks, especially slurpees, lol... usually once a week I'll drink a slurpee, and it's hard to resist drinks like at Sonic and stuff, which is a big favorite for drinks while we're out and about... the diet cherry limeades are good.. but sometimes I just don't want to drink them.... and I'll get a cherry coke or something... Carbonated drinks I've had no problems with, I drink them fairly often, not daily, but at least 2-3 times a week I'll have a diet coke or a coke zero.. and no issues... Anywho, I'm going to work hard and try to cut these vices and get to my goal weight this month... here's hoping for the best!
  10. CodenameSpivey

    4 weeks out and a little frustrated

    I'm in the same boat as well.. I'm just at 6 weeks out.. and I haven't lost a pound since week 4... I lost 17 lbs pre-op, and 33lbs in the first 4 weeks... putting me at 250lbs... and I've been sitting there for the last 2 weeks... I'm getting in all my protein, liquids, vitamins, walking regularly... and I haven't seen the scale move in 2 weeks... I'm eating between 600-800 calories, give or take... I'm hoping like everybody else that it'll just start happening again... we'll see.. it's frustrating.
  11. CodenameSpivey

    My Gastric Sleeve Story

    Well... it's been one month now since I was sleeved.. and what a month it's been... I left Tulsa, Oklahoma on June 28th to come to Las Vegas, NV for my surgery... I had my surgery on July 6th, returned back to Tulsa on July 18th, and now it's August 5th, and I've relocated with my family back to Las Vegas... talk about a busy month. So, as for how I'm doing.. I'm doing good... I weighed in this morning at 253lbs... taking me 30lbs down since surgery.. and a total of 50lbs since pre-op diet. I've been doing solids for a few days, except for the few slips I had in week 3. The drive during the move was hard, once I started on mushies, I slowly started getting an appetite back.. and on the road for 3 days, there's not a lot of options... day 2 of the drive was bad, I found myself probably taking in several hundred calories of empty calories... from random candy, to a late night mountain dew to give me a little kick to finish the last part of the 13 hour drive... except for that 1 day, I've been ok... and done fairly well on my diet... I've found myself happy, about the weight.. but discouraged in a lot of ways, and saddened a tad by not being able to eat... I still go out for business dinners, and take my family out.. and even ordering small portions, I can't finish them, and usually after a few bites, I'm done... also having problems not drinking with meals, I've always been a big drinker at meals, now I can't.. yet, I order drinks anyways... I just don't drink them... I'm not even 100% what I'm supposed to be doing for diet now.. I assume once I'm on to solids, I can pretty much eat whatever my body tolerates... My body isn't tolerating dairy too well, tortillas aren't doing well either... though I only tried it once. My bathroom habits are rather odd.. I find myself having to #2 really only after I eat.. that's one weird thing.. if i start to eat something my body doesn't agree with, or maybe it does, and it's just odd timing.. I'll eat.. and 5 minutes later, I have to go to the bathroom... I also had a pretty bad bout of reflux one day, not sure what brought it on.. but it was a one time thing... Anywho, that's my update.. I'm hoping for another strong 2nd month... as weirdly enough, I'm well over half way to my goal... I'm naturally a big guy, wasn't always overweight, but I have a big build, even at my skinniest, I was still considered overweight though I didn't look it... I need to lose another 30 lbs or so, and I'll be at my goal, and I'm hoping..(maybe hoping too much) to get that off by the end of month 3.... in a couple of weeks, I'll be start a workout routine, and really going in to "bring it" mode.. I'm down from a size 42 waist.. to a 36, and a XXXL shirt, to a XL..... I've never been in anything smaller than a large shirt since my teenage years.. so getting back to a large shirt is my goal for now.. with my build I don't think I'll ever get smaller than that... but I'm 6'1.. and built like a football player... Anywho, good things are coming.. I feel good and ready for another good month!
  12. CodenameSpivey

    My Gastric Sleeve Story

    It's been getting rough the last couple of days... transitioning to mushy foods has brought my appetite back, which I haven't had an appetite since before my surgery 3 weeks ago... and I'm not liking it... I've cheated a tad with solids, and I feel worried about it.. I'm not in any pain, no fever, or feeling bad.. just guilt, and my appetite is making me struggle with my decision of getting sleeved.. because not that my appetite is back, everything sounds good... and I want to eat.. My mushy lists says I can have soft veggies, ground meats, and whatnot... I ate some refried Beans the other day, didn't go over too well... When I eat some things I get a little discomfort in my stomach, that passes pretty quickly... and I only get that on somethings.... I've been eating a lot of Soup this week, vegetable soup (no meat), wonton and egg drop soup are great too.. I even had some chicken tortilla soup the other night from Taco Bueno... a cup of it is only 60 calories, if you don't eat the strips.. It went down ok, but gave me a little acid reflux... So, what I've cheated with, has been a healthy choice meal.... which was sliced turkey/mashed potatoes/green beans... actually had no problems with them.. and I made sure to chew up the turkey really well... since it wasn't ground.. it was pretty low calorie (220 for the meal, with 19 grams of protein) but I felt bad about the turkey... today, I had 3 chicken nuggets from Chik Fil A... I gotta stop, it's only 1 week till I'm on solids, I look at my stomach the same way I look at my outside scars, my outside scars are pretty much healed... so I'm hoping I didn't do too much damage... it's got harder.. and I feel better the little bit I have ate actually makes me feel better through out the day.. as I've been a tad weak, and get lightheaded a lot... Anywho, that's my update, and will probably be my last for a bit as we're leaving for our move to Las Vegas on Saturday... But I'll update on my 1 month... i'm anxious to see what my weight is.
  13. CodenameSpivey

    My Gastric Sleeve Story

    I was terrified... totally.. but you know, i've went a month now, no diabetes, my blood pressure is down, resting heart rate is down, cholesterol and whatnot almost normal.. not to mention I've went from 283, to 255 in under 3 weeks.... I went 2 1/2 weeks with no hunger at all, now that i'm reintroducing food i'm getting somewhat of an appetite. It's not an easy process and it's a lifestyle change, I live in a town right now, that all there is to do is go to the movies, or go out to eat... and we used to go out to eat all the time, mostly just to get out of the house, and it's hard not getting to... it's about will power, and using the tools you have to better yourself and your life...
  14. CodenameSpivey

    My Gastric Sleeve Story

    I didn't think I'd ever get under 250 either... The thinnest I remember being in the last 10 years, is 245lbs.. and that was 8 years ago.. I'm less than 10lbs from being that, and at my lightest weight in a decade... it's really crazy...
  15. CodenameSpivey

    My Gastric Sleeve Story

    He actually didn't.. I requested that he would, but he said until I loss some weight I'd be at higher risk of not being successful. So sadly, it didn't get fixed... gonna have to go in and get that fixed in a few months, as I'm scared to do any kind of abdominal exercise with it right in the middle of my abdomen.

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