Cingulus

Thanks for the comments folks. I don't think it is a trust issue, I travel extensively for work. She has never been clingy we do most things together but, certainly not everything. last nights concert is a great example, she is not a Bon Jovi fan. I think it was just one of those times when we had to get somethings on the table and examined before they became bigger than they should become.

I got the following: Protein drinks Optimfast sugar-free Jello Progresso chicken Soup and strained it for the broth... bullion cubes suck Vitawater 10 (Lemonade is my favorite) Gummybear Vitamins Good earth tea Gas-x strips

The past week has been a bit trying for my wife and myself. We are both big people and as it turns out she has many medical issues that might preclude her from having the band. However, she did not want me to skip it the opportunity to be banded. I very grateful for this, however, as we were in bed a few nights ago, she seemed distant and distracted. I asked her what was wrong she said nothing. I did not believe her, but I let it lie (no pun intended). I have read many threads about couples who struggle to adjust to new bodies in relationships. I was beginning to sense that we might be starting to find some of those issues. I have dropped 80 pounds so far (pre and post op combined) and have another 90 to go, but obviously my body has changed. I have been shopping for new clothes and she has commented on how much the changes are noticeable. (Yes, the red flags should have been going off, but I am male…we can be oblivious sometimes) After a few days of thinking about it, she sent me and email saying that as we were in bed she could feel the changes in my body and she felt intimidated. We have been married for 26 years and the last thing I want is to have the band, or the results of the band, come between us. I told her not to worry…that I was not going anywhere, everything was fine…needless to say, that did not help. As our minds can do, we both started to feel a bit insecure and our imaginations started to get ahead of us. Last night, I was on my way to a Bon Jovi concert and it all kind of came crashing in around me. Before I left, she told me… you look so good, make sure you keep your hands to yourself. We laughed, but it was very strained. As I ran this over in my mind, this interaction and a number of others this week no longer felt right. I called her and asked if she was really OK. I am glad to report that she said yes, but she was also a bit freaked and, as it turns out, we both needed reassurances that nothing had changed between us. We both agreed that as we enter this new territory, it is vital that we are very clear about the internal reactions and thoughts that creep up with this kind of life change and that we need to share them so they don’t fester. The physical changes with the band are both amazing and exhilarating, but if they hurt our relationships with those we love the most, it can defeat the purpose and the value of doing the band. I still love my band and the progress I am making, but this week’s discussions and thoughts were a great reminder of how important it is to recognize that the mental changes are hardest and most challenging in this process.

It is normal to have cravings and head hunger. Check out the recipe section on the board. Find some things that are good and good for you. Just because we have the band does not mean eating has to be boring and dull.

So I sit at 296, 99 pounds of fat from my goal weight. I am sure you can hear the song ringing in your head so here is my version… 99 pounds of fat to fall 99 pounds of fat Lose one pound, it hits the ground 98 pounds of fat to fall… Ok it’s dorky, but I am in one of those moods…Keep on singing 

No passing pounds along just dumping down the drain :cursing:

So I sit at 296, 99 pounds of fat from my goal weight. I am sure you can hear the song ringing in your head so here is my version… 99 pounds of fat to fall 99 pounds of fat Lose one pound, it hits the ground 98 pounds of fat to fall… Ok it’s dorky, but I am in one of those moods…Keep on singing 

So I sit at 296, 99 pounds of fat from my goal weight. I am sure you can hear the song ringing in your head so here is my version… 99 pounds of fat to fall 99 pounds of fat Lose one pound, it hits the ground 98 pounds of fat to fall… Ok it’s dorky, but I am in one of those moods…Keep on singing 

I have been anxiously waiting for my first fill, which I got today. I went from 3.5 CCs to 5.5 CCs. We will see how that feels. I am glad to report the first fill was simple and uneventful. However, the real reason I am excited is I been cleared to start lifting weights and pushing the exercise limits beyond the elliptical or stationary bike. I know the 4-6 weeks after surgery is the norm, 4 weeks in my case, but I really feel like I have been missing something in band journey without the ability to really rev up the exercise. Needless to say I am thrilled. So tonight I feel like I can finally begin the real fight to slay the weight dragon and drive towards my goals weight and clothes sizes. Attached is my work out plan for any who are curious, I also plan to drop in 2 spin classes a week as a cardio option.

I have been anxiously waiting for my first fill, which I got today. I went from 3.5 CCs to 5.5 CCs. We will see how that feels. I am glad to report the first fill was simple and uneventful. However, the real reason I am excited is I been cleared to start lifting weights and pushing the exercise limits beyond the elliptical or stationary bike. I know the 4-6 weeks after surgery is the norm, 4 weeks in my case, but I really feel like I have been missing something in band journey without the ability to really rev up the exercise. Needless to say I am thrilled. So tonight I feel like I can finally begin the real fight to slay the weight dragon and drive towards my goals weight and clothes sizes. Attached is my work out plan for any who are curious, I also plan to drop in 2 spin classes a week as a cardio option.

That is awesome, I can't wait to post the same thing for myself next year :wink:

I posted this blog today, but felt I should add it to the Pre-Op section. I know this is a tough choice for many...I hope this helps you. Yes, I still have a long way to go, but it seems in reading many post by new folks fear of the process and concerns about if it can really work are the biggest concerns. I hope this helps. 299...When One Pound Makes a Difference I stepped on the scale today and for the first time since 1992, I saw a “2” in the first digit. Yes, it was only 299, but it started with a 2! If anyone is on the fence about getting the LapBand…let this blog be the reason you go forward with the process. Intellectually, I knew if I got the band, followed the rules this should happen. Hell we all know that, but experiencing it is just a tremendous relief… I did not do all of this for nothing. It is also a motivational driver for me. Emotionally, I can now tell myself. If you can make a “2” the first digit then you can make “1” the first digit. The other thing I was thinking about were benchmark/goals for my weight relative to my height, build and desired configuration. I am 5’ 8” tall and have always, even while being fat, 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’ 1” and weight between 190 and 230 lbs. 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 MMA competitively) • 3. Break 225 (Average NFL running back weight at 5'10") • 4. Hit 197 (My school wrestling weight) You have to move from the 300s to the 200s to make the 100s. It was only open pound, but it helps me believe that I can really make it this time, I did not waste $17,000 of my own cash and the hope of the LapBand is not an illusion, but an attainable goal.

I wish they would take it off the air and just let him talk to his wife (assuming she is still talking to him)…I could not resist the head line. But…it did get me to thinking…that I do owe a great of thanks to my wife and sons who have been very supportive of my LapBand process. I have read so many posts of people who are ostracized or belittled for seeking or having the LapBand done. It continues to amaze me how much grief others have to go through just to help themselves. Undoubtedly, there are thousands of different reasons, fears, jealousies and circumstances the lead to the comments made by family and friends of those who don’t understand. All I can say is sometimes you have to make choices on your own and live by your convictions. Best of luck to those that don’t get all the support you deserve, it will be with it in the end. Now back to CNNs biggest news story and debate about the credibility of Tiger’s apology, was he sincere enough…was it better than when Kobe apologized. I think the marriage is shot…Tiger give it up, go back to being the best golfer in the world, keep your head down, be the best father you can be to your kids and stop whining to the globe. The world and endorsement folks will forgive and forget for the most part if Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Bill Clinton, Alex Rodriguez and others are any example. Welcome the world of mere mortals.

Saturday was day 10 post-op and was a day filled with some errands and we went to see the new Travolta flick “From Paris with Love.” Which was OK, but I would save the movie until it comes out on NetFlix. However, the point to this little epistle is…Popcorn. I walked into the movie theater and was assaulted by the smells of Popcorn. It was like listening to Satin whisper in your ear…it’s OK…a few bites won’t hurt…you have been good… you deserve it…it will be fine. It was so overwhelming I almost left the movie theater. CRUEL is the only word I can use. The reaction was so physical and visceral that I wondered if I had gone back in time to when I could scarf popcorn. After a few moments, my brain kicked in and suppressed my primal reaction to the smells. During the first round of pre-op prep, (I lost about 6 months due to some extenuating circumstances at work) I posted a blog about the real battle for the band was with my mind and avoiding my own tendencies to self destruct on my diets. Now the front in my band war has shifted from my mind to my nose. We always hear that each of our sense can be extraordinarily powerful. For me this is very true, and my nose and Orville Redenbacher hit me with a full fledge guerilla attack on Saturday, that I did not come close to seeing in advance. We now know that the nose is a mean bastard and he works for the darks side.

I wish they would take it off the air and just let him talk to his wife (assuming she is still talking to him)…I could not resist the head line. But…it did get me to thinking…that I do owe a great of thanks to my wife and sons who have been very supportive of my LapBand process. I have read so many posts of people who are ostracized or belittled for seeking or having the LapBand done. It continues to amaze me how much grief others have to go through just to help themselves. Undoubtedly, there are thousands of different reasons, fears, jealousies and circumstances the lead to the comments made by family and friends of those who don’t understand. All I can say is sometimes you have to make choices on your own and live by your convictions. Best of luck to those that don’t get all the support you deserve, it will be with it in the end. Now back to CNNs biggest news story and debate about the credibility of Tiger’s apology, was he sincere enough…was it better than when Kobe apologized. I think the marriage is shot…Tiger give it up, go back to being the best golfer in the world, keep your head down, be the best father you can be to your kids and stop whining to the globe. The world and endorsement folks will forgive and forget for the most part if Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Bill Clinton, Alex Rodriguez and others are any example. Welcome the world of mere mortals.

I stepped on the scale today and for the first time since 1992, I saw a “2” in the first digit. Yes, it was only 299, but it started with a 2! If anyone is on the fence about getting the LapBand…let this blog be the reason you go forward with the process. Intellectually, I knew if I got the band, followed the rules this should happen. Hell we all know that, but experiencing it is just a tremendous relief… I did not do all of this for nothing. It is also a motivational driver for me. Emotionally, I can now tell myself. If you can make a “2” the first digit then you can make “1” the first digit. The other thing I was thinking about were benchmark/goals for my weight relative to my height, build and desired configuration. I am 5’ 8” tall and have always, even while being fat, 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’ 1” and weight between 190 and 230 lbs. 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 MMA competitively) • 3. Break 225 (Average NFL running back weight at 5'10") • 4. Hit 197 (My school wrestling weight) You have to move from the 300s to the 200s to make the 100s. It was only open pound, but it helps me believe that I can really make it this time, I did not waste $17,000 of my own cash and the hope of the LapBand is not an illusion, but an attainable goal.

Great point, I will have to add that one.

I went to the gym and started doing the elliptical about 1 week after the surgery.

God that is funny, I was a cash pay so we did not have to do much this way, but it the initial consultation with the PA they asked me the same question. I was really amazed...Food tastes good, I like it, I had the money to pay for it...simple story. Like you, I am making changes, but that does not mean I had mommy our daddy issues

I stepped on the scale today and for the first time since 1992, I saw a “2” in the first digit. Yes, it was only 299, but it started with a 2! If anyone is on the fence about getting the LapBand…let this blog be the reason you go forward with the process. Intellectually, I knew if I got the band, followed the rules this should happen. Hell we all know that, but experiencing it is just a tremendous relief… I did not do all of this for nothing. It is also a motivational driver for me. Emotionally, I can now tell myself. If you can make a “2” the first digit then you can make “1” the first digit. The other thing I was thinking about were benchmark/goals for my weight relative to my height, build and desired configuration. I am 5’ 8” tall and have always, even while being fat, 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’ 1” and weight between 190 and 230 lbs. 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 MMA competitively) • 3. Break 225 (Average NFL running back weight at 5'10") • 4. Hit 197 (My school wrestling weight) You have to move from the 300s to the 200s to make the 100s. It was only open pound, but it helps me believe that I can really make it this time, I did not waste $17,000 of my own cash and the hope of the LapBand is not an illusion, but an attainable goal.

The port healed for me in about about a week. The small incisions have taken much longer about 2 weeks.

Now that I can start to eat again, one of the biggest challenges is eating out or getting out and finding yourself getting hungry. I think the best tool I have found is an iphone app from Men’s Health called Eat This, Not That $4.99. The key thing I like it is provides an encyclopedia of hundreds of restaurants and thousands of grocery store items. It will allow you to look up a specific eatery and it will show you the best food items on the menu. It will also allow you to select multiple food items and compare them. It provides not only protein/carbs and fats but sodium and other key food composition tid bits. I have also found that almost every place has a grilled chicken sandwich, sans bread that can work for a good protein meal. The really cool part is you can enter the food you want and it will then suggest a lower calorie and fat option. This might change where you go to dinner, but it will help keep you on track without making huge sacrifices to taste. Online it has gotten some harsh reviews because the books can be more complete, but it really works for me.