DavidB

A test to see how I really felt about the way I looked after the weight loss and had to push myself big time for this one.. went to a nudist resort. I was nervous as hell but once I did it the experience was great. The most comfortable I've ever felt in my own skin. So I put this dare out to the rest of you guys....

The nurse offered me a copy of my surgery, everything was recorded as seen through the laparoscope. I was interested what my insides looked like and took the offer. Very interesting to see things in there and what exactly what the doctor did. Some parts I couldn't figure out what they were....or if it was just fat. Anyone else able to view their surgery? Or would you want to if given the chance? It does come in handy when I want to clear the kids out of the room! Just put that on and they run in all directions.

Bryan Tomorrow at this time you'll be on your way to a healthier you. Normal to be nervous, I know I was!

Good to hear you are both doing ok now. Keep us posted on how things progress.

I agree with Plain, get back on the horse. Can't go back and undo what's already been done but you can start now and change habits. Even with the band it's been no easy ride for me. In the beginning I was only loosing a few lbs a month and sometimes not any. It took until my 3rd fill to really get a grip on my eating. Also though I could drink all the Atkins Protein shakes I wanted and still loose weight....learned the hard way this is not true (but they really do taste good!) . Took a cue from one of the guys who posted here and mentioned most of his calories come from solid food, he hardly does any liquids (other than water). That makes sense since it will really limit the calorie intake. Exercise...also a hard one for me. Took 8 months to get motivated for this one. What I picked was jumping jacks. Gets my heart rate up, can do it in the comfort of my own home, doesn't require any special equipment (other than arms and legs). My wife got me some dumbbells for Fathers Day and have been using those consistently. Soooo....it took me awhile to get in the mode but now am seeing the results. Seems like your doctor would want to give you the fill since you are struggling, that's what worked for me. BUT...I'm not a doctor. Good luck and keep us posted.

down 50lbs in 10 months (to 188lbs). Another 30 - 35 lbs and I will have reached my goal.

Good one. And the good news is, as your belly shrinks "other" parts look bigger. :thumbup:

Is 51 old enough to be an "Old Goat"? Some days I feel like on that's for sure! Good you are taking control of things, your wife and daughters need to have you around for many more years. Seems like a lot of the charts show weights that are low. I'm sure you'd be happy with 190. Guess just see how you feel when you get there. I'm 5'8" and looking to get in the 150 -160 range.

Had mine done last year and can't remember exactly...thinking around 6 weeks. I was self pay so it might be longer with insurance. At least you are on your way and that is the good news.

Good deal Rick, you're on your way!

Old habits do die hard, even after 9 months with the band sometimes I'll eat to fast and get hit with the PB. Part of the trouble is I let myself get too hungry then I eat fast.

Bet you are happy to be on the post side of surgery and good deal on 24 lbs down. You'll probably find you can eat more over the next few weeks . It took me 3 band fills over 7 months to get the weight loss going at a good rate.

Congratulations to the new bandsters!

GOOD LUCK with everything. Let us know how it all went. Tomorrow at this time...you'll be on your way!

GOOD NEWS! I'm sure you are anxious and will be counting the days. I weighed this morning and coming in at 193...still can't believe I'm under 200lbs!

And one of the dumbest things I ever did...3 days after surgery I decided to eat a peanut butter pretzel. WHOA! Think of knife directly into the stomach. Don't know what made me think I could do that. Maybe just many years of bad eating behavior.

I was in the same boat, a lot of people were surprised I was getting banded. Being 80lbs over weight might not seem like a lot to some but I felt like it was killing me. I just never felt good and knew if I didn't get rid of the weight it might kill me. Good luck to your wife also. My wife needs to loose about 40lbs and she's a smoker. Hate to harp on her too much about either one, she'll have to decide when she is ready.

dwrd73...welcome to the group and good luck on your journey. I've dropped half the weight I want to and am off the BP medication. Hopefully the same will happen for you.

I absolutely know what you mean about the self doubt. I had thoughts of "I'll be the one person this doesn't work for and I'll be fat forever". I was banded October 2007 and it was slow going for many months. It took until this June 2008 with my 3'rd fill to really get things going ( although I did loose around 35 lbs during those months). Now that I've hit my "sweet spot" I can see my goal of 160 at the end of the tunnel. I would have loved to see a miracle the day after surgery but that didn't happen...BUT I'm on my way. Hang in there man, you can do it.

Keep up the good work on the pre op diet. 7 days will be gone before you know it. The Florida heat can zap your energy. I'm surprised how much better I am coping with it this year being 40lbs lighter.

33" waist...great job! I hope to be there one day. Last pair of shorts I bought were 38, at least I've come out of the 40's. My goal weght is the same as you have, 165.

Good luck with the pre op diet. Will have to admit I had a hard time with it but did loose about 7 lbs before the surgery. My dr had me on shakes only so knowing you can have at least one meal will help. Where are you having your surgery done?

CAUTION" If you find those shorts....don't even think of going commando!

WOW..You'll have to keep us posted on how close you get back to that 80's look (but with different shorts please). Is having a hair transplant a big process? Seems like that might be worse than having the lap band procedure. Amazingly at 51 I still have a full head of hair but quite grey. Have young kids (10 and 12) and it occurred to them recently "Man...you're old to be a dad. Most of our friends dads are like....35". That prompted me to go out and buy some "Just for Men". Afraid it would end up looking like a bad dye job but it came out quite good. It took off about 10 years on me and the wife seems to like it (did the beard too). 40 more lbs to reach my goal weight of 160...I'm on my way!

Hey Bux, like plain it took me 3 fills to really get the weight loss going. I only lost 30lbs in 7 months but last month with my 3rd fill I have hit my "sweet spot" . I've lost 7lbs already this month. Hang in there.