Cingulus

Congrats, I look forward to having the same results in the future.

Hi Folks, Thanks for the replies. I agree that regional venues east/central/west would make the events more accessible. In my business, we have seen a trend toward smaller regional events due to travel restrictions/costs. So what else would LapBanders want to see at these events? Please share you thoughts... Thanks, Shaun

i just told folks, that I was having a small procedure done and I would be out for a few days. I wanted to make sure that I could lose the 20 pounds my doctor required so I started the liquids about 4 weeks out, as it turns out it has kind of conditioned folks at work to see me with slim-fast an no really asks anymore. I will not deny it if asked, but felt no need to proactively share.

I am a little over 48 hours away from getting the band. I am intellectually resolved to this course of action, but I am amazed at how difficult ignoring all of the other emotional issues continues to be. Every time I read the new postings, there is a sea of conflicting experiences that assaults your mind and emotions. In no way do I begrudge others posting, venting and seeking help for issues, many of which I may also post and seek help for myself, but it does require work and some conviction to wade through these posts to derive a clear picture of the trade-offs, filter the fears, and sift out the relevant data. (this comment will probably get me some flame mail, but it has been one to the challenges in making a final decision) For me, losing the first fifty pounds has always been relatively easy, part of being a guy I guess. The next 100+ lbs, are the real challenge and the reason that I am getting the band. Since I started the liquid pre-op diet I am down about 40 pounds, which feels great, but it is a can cause significant delusions about not needing the surgery. However, this week provided me with some ample examples as to why I need to proceed. Starting with my trip to Europe last week, 12 hours is a coach seat is an excellent reminder. Second, I took my “official” pre-ops pictures today, which is another telling data point that I still need the surgery. I took the pictures, with and without shirt (I will spare you the Chewbacca shots) and it was a good motivator as to why I am doing this. Like many here, I will do a new set every 30 days to track and log the progress. My company is going through a major event, an attempted hostile take over, and I almost put off the surgery planned for this week. In the end, my wife pointed out that there will always be something at work that is important and every time I put off personal items for work, in the end, it does not really matter. So I will move forward and begin my new life. Oh, by the way…I liked the new Wolverine movie. My wife wants a few hours alone with Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds.

I am a little over 48 hours away from getting the band. I am intellectually resolved to this course of action, but I am amazed at how difficult ignoring all of the other emotional issues continues to be. Every time I read the new postings, there is a sea of conflicting experiences that assaults your mind and emotions. In no way do I begrudge others posting, venting and seeking help for issues, many of which I may also post and seek help for myself, but it does require work and some conviction to wade through these posts to derive a clear picture of the trade-offs, filter the fears, and sift out the relevant data. (this comment will probably get me some flame mail, but it has been one to the challenges in making a final decision) For me, losing the first fifty pounds has always been relatively easy, part of being a guy I guess. The next 100+ lbs, are the real challenge and the reason that I am getting the band. Since I started the liquid pre-op diet I am down about 40 pounds, which feels great, but it is a can cause significant delusions about not needing the surgery. However, this week provided me with some ample examples as to why I need to proceed. Starting with my trip to Europe last week, 12 hours is a coach seat is an excellent reminder. Second, I took my “official” pre-ops pictures today, which is another telling data point that I still need the surgery. I took the pictures, with and without shirt (I will spare you the Chewbacca shots) and it was a good motivator as to why I am doing this. Like many here, I will do a new set every 30 days to track and log the progress. My company is going through a major event, an attempted hostile take over, and I almost put off the surgery planned for this week. In the end, my wife pointed out that there will always be something at work that is important and every time I put off personal items for work, in the end, it does not really matter. So I will move forward and begin my new life. Oh, by the way…I liked the new Wolverine movie. My wife wants a few hours alone with Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds.

I spent a lot of time thinging about thi topic. Here is what I put in my blog on it. In one of my earlier blogs, I had set a target goal of 240 lbs, and later I changed it 197lbs. My wife asked me why I had made the change. The answer if both simple and complicated at the same time…From a logical engineering point of view I looked at my lean body mass measurement (206 lbs) and added 15% to that picked 240 as a target. Then as I thought about the likely fact that my lean body will probably drop, I began to rethink the target and changed my expectations to about 200lbs and those are the data driven reasons behind the change. Second, I thought about some of my historical, desired and emotional targets and remembered that 197lbs was my high school wrestling weight and since that was a) close to my technical target :thumbup: it would break 200lbs and get me into “onederland”…it seems like a good thing to shoot for. The other thing I was thinking about benchmarks of weight for my height, build and desired configuration. I am 5’ 8” tall and have always, even while being fat, been an avid weight lifter so I am not going to be scrawny guy. The best target analog I could come up with was an NFL running back. Most of them are 5’ 7” – 6’ 0” and weight between 190 and 230 lbs. Finally, as a really big stretch goal (and some PS will probably e required) was to look at my all-time favorite body—Frank Zane. Frank Zane was not the biggest, but he had tremendous symmetry, balance and grace. So here are my key targets for the journey: • 1. Break 300 (I have not been under 300 since 1992) • 2. Break 271 (The highest weight I weighed when I fought competitively) • 3. Break 225 (Average NFL running back weight at 5'10") • 4. Break 197 (My high school wrestling weight) • 5. Hit 174 (Frank Zane's weight when he won the 1977 Mr. Olympia)

Congrats and keep working in the right direction. All of these shared experiences make it easier for everyone. I am slogging through the liquid pre-op right now and have only had one major issue. I forgot to bring powdered Protein drinks on the 12 hour flight to London. I packed them in my checked luggage, and was really glad to see that when I landed.

Hi Folks, I did a search, but could not really find much. Sushi is one of my favorite foods, being fish based I am hoping it can possibly be on the post LB life. While I am fully prepared to let it go from my life, I wanted to see if people who have been Lapbanded still enjoy it and in what forms...if at all? Thanks, Cingulus

For me, it is just a personal choice. I will gladly tell anyone who asks, I just don't plan to advertise. At this point in my weight and life, if people don't understand, I can't change their minds and I not going to bother with trying. Like many things in life...only those that have had the experience/issue they will never understand.

In one of my earlier blogs, I had set a target goal of 240 lbs, and later I changed it 197lbs. My wife asked me why I had made the change. The answer if both simple and complicated at the same time…From a logical engineering point of view I looked at my lean body mass measurement (206 lbs) and added 15% to that picked 240 as a target. Then as I thought about the likely fact that my lean body will probably drop, I began to rethink the target and changed my expectations to about 200lbs and those are the data driven reasons behind the change. Second, I thought about some of my historical, desired and emotional targets and remembered that 197lbs was my high school wrestling weight and since that was a) close to my technical target :thumbup: it would break 200lbs and get me into “onederland”…it seems like a good thing to shoot for. The other thing I was thinking about benchmarks of weight for my height, build and desired configuration. I am 5’ 8” tall and have always, even while being fat, been an avid weight lifter so I am not going to be scrawny guy. The best target analog I could come up with was an NFL running back. Most of them are 5’ 7” – 6’ 0” and weight between 190 and 230 lbs. Finally, as a really big stretch goal (and some PS will probably e required) was to look at my all-time favorite body—Frank Zane. Frank Zane was not the biggest, but he had tremendous symmetry, balance and grace. So here are my key targets for the journey: • 1. Break 300 (I have not been under 300 since 1992) • 2. Break 271 (The highest weight I weighed when I fought competitively) • 3. Break 225 (Average NFL running back weight at 5'10") • 4. Break 197 (My high school wrestling weight) • 5. Hit 174 (Frank Zane's weight when he won the 1977 Mr. Olympia)

In one of my earlier blogs, I had set a target goal of 240 lbs, and later I changed it 197lbs. My wife asked me why I had made the change. The answer if both simple and complicated at the same time…From a logical engineering point of view I looked at my lean body mass measurement (206 lbs) and added 15% to that picked 240 as a target. Then as I thought about the likely fact that my lean body will probably drop, I began to rethink the target and changed my expectations to about 200lbs and those are the data driven reasons behind the change. Second, I thought about some of my historical, desired and emotional targets and remembered that 197lbs was my high school wrestling weight and since that was a) close to my technical target :tounge_smile: it would break 200lbs and get me into “onederland”…it seems like a good thing to shoot for. The other thing I was thinking about benchmarks of weight for my height, build and desired configuration. I am 5’ 8” tall and have always, even while being fat, been an avid weight lifter so I am not going to be scrawny guy. The best target analog I could come up with was an NFL running back. Most of them are 5’ 7” – 6’ 0” and weight between 190 and 230 lbs. Finally, as a really big stretch goal (and some PS will probably e required) was to look at my all-time favorite body—Frank Zane. Frank Zane was not the biggest, but he had tremendous symmetry, balance and grace. So here are my key targets for the journey: • 1. Break 300 (I have not been under 300 since 1992) • 2. Break 271 (The highest weight I weighed when I fought competitively) • 3. Break 225 (Average NFL running back weight at 5'10") • 4. Break 197 (My high school wrestling weight) • 5. Hit 174 (Frank Zane's weight when he won the 1977 Mr. Olympia)

I will see you there

So I got up this morning expecting to go Dr. Oliak’s office for my pre-op day and shit happened. I got a call from my PR firm says that my company had just received an unsolicited take-over bid. As you can imagine we had a firestorm of activity and communications work that have to be done with industry and financial analyst, customers and partners. Since, I run the outbound marketing group; needless to say, I had to make a change of plans and go to work instead. I called the Dr.’s office thinking my surgery date would get pushed out; fortunately they moved my pre-op day to May 5th, the day before my surgery. Today is a great example of learning to roll with the punches and taking life on its own terms. You never really know when life will change direction on you. Regardless of whether this acquisition deal goes down or not is not really material. What is amazing is how many meetings and actions seemed vital last night, got dismissed as irrelevant today. I think this is a great perspective check. You have to ask yourself what is really important and how is just activity to fill the void.

yep, I am the 6ht.

Hey, My pre-op is first lose 20lbs. and then Protein shakes for 2 weeks. Shaun

So I got up this morning expecting to go Dr. Oliak’s office for my pre-op day and shit happened. I got a call from my PR firm says that my company had just received an unsolicited take-over bid. As you can imagine we had a firestorm of activity and communications work that have to be done with industry and financial analyst, customers and partners. Since, I run the outbound marketing group; needless to say, I had to make a change of plans and go to work instead. I called the Dr.’s office thinking my surgery date would get pushed out; fortunately they moved my pre-op day to May 5th, the day before my surgery. Today is a great example of learning to roll with the punches and taking life on its own terms. You never really know when life will change direction on you. Regardless of whether this acquisition deal goes down or not is not really material. What is amazing is how many meetings and actions seemed vital last night, got dismissed as irrelevant today. I think this is a great perspective check. You have to ask yourself what is really important and how is just activity to fill the void.

OK…let me dispense with the rationalization. I understand the many pros, cons, limitation and issues with caffeine. I am will to submit to vast majority of good ole’ common sense items with being banded, but I want my caffeine fix…I don’t drink coffee, tea lacks the punch and banders can’t really deal with carbonation which kills Red Bull, RockStar and almost all the other energy drinks. So how to get my legal dose a speed when required. I have started using 5 hour energy shots and they seem to fill the gap, non carbonated, only 4 calories and plenty of kick. The site below review over 300 energy drinks :tounge_smile: http://energy-drink-ratings.blogspot.com/2008/03/extra-strength-5-hour-energy-drink.html Any other thoughts out there on band friendly energy products…that will not land me in a Turkish prison.

I have not had the surgery going in on May 6th. No solution is going to be perfect. I know that I will have loose skin to deal with on the other side of the journey, but I would rather have to deal with the excess skin vs. the excess weight.

OK…let me dispense with the rationalization. I understand the many pros, cons, limitation and issues with caffeine. I am will to submit to vast majority of good ole’ common sense items with being banded, but I want my caffeine fix…I don’t drink coffee, tea lacks the punch and banders can’t really deal with carbonation which kills Red Bull, RockStar and almost all the other energy drinks. So how to get my legal dose a speed when required. I have started using 5 hour energy shots and they seem to fill the gap, non carbonated, only 4 calories and plenty of kick. The site below review over 300 energy drinks :scared2: http://energy-drink-ratings.blogspot.com/2008/03/extra-strength-5-hour-energy-drink.html Any other thoughts out there on band friendly energy products…that will not land me in a Turkish prison.

I have not seen much posted about non-fat frozen yogurt? Which I must confess, I find somewhat surprising...so it has led me to ask. Is there some inherent evil associated with this diet friendly treat and the Lapband? An inquiring mind wants to know… I am planning on it being part of my post-op repertoire…or so I think? Second, it may just be my imagination, but it seems (no scientific data), that many of the newer banders are struggling with post-op weight gain and slow starts. While a few fortunate souls are making rapid progress, again the individual variable strikes…no two banders are the same. No real point to make…just an observation. Other than that it was a good gym day and we went to the Long Beach Grand Prix and got to meet Danica Patrick. Yes, she is as adorable in person. I am sorry to report, that they had the good corners of the drifting competition reserved for the VIP seats. The events held at Irwindale Speedway are much better, the venue is easier to get to and the layout is more crowd friendly. I everyone had a good weekend.