Cingulus

So the deed is done, i have the band and this story will not end like most bad blockbuster movies with the heroes having triumphed and the villain has slithering away to return in the squeal do next summer. Screw That! After getting banded I have no interest in seeing the weight-loss sequel. I just want the pounds-I-have-to-lose villain dead. One of the things I loved about the movie “Taken” is the Liam Neeson’s character does not try to be to be heroic. He is simply on a mission to find his daughter and take her home. He systematically finds the next bad guy, beat the crap out of him for the information he needs, then kills them so they can’t come back to haunt him. In the final scene, he does not taunt and gloat over the villain giving them a chance to cleverly get away. He simply shoots the ultimate villain and takes his daughter home. Now that I have the band, that is my plan for the pounds I have to lose and they are the villain. I plan on killing them cleanly and quickly with little fuss and no parades. Yes, my testosterone is talking, but I am a guy…deal with it. I am three days post op and went to the gym, did 30 minutes on the elliptical and I am hunting down those evil pounds like they have my daughter and I her want it back. My 26th anniversary is coming up and my wife asked me today if I wanted anything special. I told her no. My mission right now is to kill those villainous pounds and stay focused on the target. Those who have read some of my past blogs know I can be a bit over the top…and I am. However, that does not change my conviction and mission to make a great movie about losing weight , the villain will die at the end and there will be no sequel.

Hi Folks, I am very glad to report the band is finally installed as of yesterday. Very minor gas pains so far and all is good. As expected my stomach is sore, but not much worse than a bad bruise or overworked muscles. I am very glad to have the next phase of my lap band journey begin. Leading up to yesterday, I was surprised how many people asked me if I was "excited" about getting the band. I told them I was not really excited, but "prepared" I know this is just the first step…yes a rather significant one…but a single step of a longer journey. The nurses kept asking me if I want a sedative before the surgery and I kept telling them no…it took 3 times before they stopped asking. I got the feeling that they thought I was trying to be a macho-male about the process. I did not have anxiety about the process, like many here, I have spent the past year doing research and knew this was the right path and the right process for me. So for all of those on the fence, do the research so you know what is going to happen and then you can relax. Watch the videos of the surgery, follow the blogs of people who have had success, remember that individual choice and execution is still required, just getting the band won’t do it all. And the final points I have taken away from all the people who succeeded with the band are load up on extra protein…exercise 5-6 days a week and crank up the intensity every month or you will plateau and we still have to eat better. No free ride. Now I just have to follow my own advice. Thanks to all of you who have been supportive and shared your experiences, I have learned how to be successful with the band now I have to do it.

We will make it We just have to be patient and sty focused. Shaun

I am a guy but at 320. I love spin class. It can be self paced, just do what can. Yes, it can be intimidating to go into the class with people who do it all the time, know all the class rules and are already athletic. Just go for it.

I will be joining you as well. Noon on 1/27

Hey, In watching the others who have succeeded the bottom line to success seems to be: 1. Loading up on Protein 90-100G/day probably more than you have told by the doctor (check out ISCpure Zero Carb drinks) 2. Exercise 60 minutes 5-6 days a week (Weights and Cardio) 3. 3 small meals and 3 protein shakes/day This drives metabolism up and weight-loss down. I hope this helps.

I found the real litmus test for me was when I did not want to have a bunch of last meals (and I did for years) that told me I was ready to do this. I think everyone mentally struggles with this point because in the process. Just stayed focused on the goal.

Great List. Thanks.

4 days and counting.

I would add one bottle of Isopure Zero Carb drink to your day 40G of Protein. 160Cal no Sugar. Nature's Best

Pure Protein Bars...Strawberry and Bluberry

Wow, this is a great thread and an interesting case study in comparative morality. We have heard the story that the band is a tool…and it is, but when you apply it as a competitive weapon it is a superior tool. I am grateful to I have the ability to use the lap-band and I whole-heartedly embrace its assistance. However, it is a tool that creates and advantage, if it did not we would not be here using it. This is like saying that building a house with hand tools is the same degree of difficulty as using power tools. Since you are considering using it in a competitive manner it reminds me of the debate about using steroids in sports, there is no doubt that they help athletes become faster, stronger and more capable. (BTW…I am not against steroids and have used them myself in sports where they are legal. But that is another debate…I also hate the BCS and think we should have division I football playoff…just to add fuel to the fire…sorry to get off track) We have all know the adage use the right tool for the job and LB is the right tool for losing weight. The question is one of ethics…if you and the other competitors agree that a LB participant is acceptable…then no harm, no foul. If you don’t tell them it violates the spirit of the competition. I really don’t mean this to sound so high-and-mighty, I am a very competitive, Type-A person and will use every tool I can to win, but inside at the end of the day, I want my victories to be untainted and for no one to be able to say they should have the proverbial “asterisk” attached to them.

Although I just going in for my surgery on Jan 27th. After spending a year reading this forums here is what I would tell you: 1) You will find the help and support you need. There are lots of people who have done it right. 2) Requirements of eating and exercise never change so you have be honest with your self about what you need to do... 3) Focus on the posts and threads about success, many folks also vent frustrations here so keep that in perspective and don't let those divert your focus. Shaun

Why am I losing Weight? I would love to say the politically correct things like health and family, but the reality of it is…that career advancement, fitting into airplane seats, I hate Big and Tall stores and vanity have more to do with it than anything else.

That is amazing :rolleyes2:

This is great if you have the time. It is also good to split weights and cardio if you have the opportunity.