danj

I bought bicycle shoes about three years ago right before a very long ride. I have fallen about 8 times and always it's because I don't get my shoe out before I stop. I suspect on a regular bike it would be more scary. I have a recumbent so I don't have as far to fall. I have done many centuries and one double (when I was about 40 lbs. lighter) and I can tell you that I don't think I could ride that distance on a regular bike. On my recumbent I'm sitting on 3 inches of foam and leaning against a backrest as my pedals are out in front of me instead of under me. The downside is that I can't stand on my pedals going up hills, i have to puch harder.

I have told my wide that I am going to have this surgery. She thinks that I am crazy and should just go to counselling and "face my demons" to user her terms. She doesn't see why I can't just eat in moderation. I've told her I've been trying to eat in moderation for over 30 years. I Just can't. So, she does not agree with it, but I know she will fix my dinners the exact way I need to have them going forward. I have to do this for me. I am tired of the many drawbacks of being fat and I'm going to change it.

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Laura, you have the same delema I have. I think the sleeve is better and according to the 2 yr. results, it works well. I'm a little worried about the issues I've heard about from different people regarding the eroding of the band. Since my insurance will only cover RNY or Band and not sleeve. I'll go with the band, but I'm going to ask the surgeon how many of his band patients band's have eroded or slipped. I guess the slipping is not as much as a problem because they stitch the stomach over the band ton hold it in place. The problem is if they perforate the stomach and the stomach acids hit the band I think this accelerates the eroding.

To all you starting bikers, it just takes time to build up to distance. I haven't banded yet weighing 290, but got my referral and am trying toget scheduled for the cosult. I bike just under 30 miles on Saturdays (15 down the river trail and 15 back). I started doing short distances and have built up over the years to linger distances. About 5 years ago when i weighed 250, I entered a double century (200 miles in one day) just to see if I could do it and I did (started at 3:30AM and findished at 12 Midnight). Part of the reason I'm trying to get banded is that I need the help of a full fealing after the meal. I can do the liquid meals for 2 or 3 weeks as I havedone fasting for 2 weeks and without any other helo other than willpower, that;s tough. I go to the gym regularly. When I started doing the step machine, I could do it for 4 or 5 minutes and had to get off. It's just that you have to get used to any exercise. just because you can only do a couple of miles now, doesn't mean that you cn't build up. It will take time, but you can't give up. I'm looking forward to the banding and returning to my college weight. good luck to all you starting your exercise program. It will get easier.

I too have done a large amount of research on the Sleeve vs. the lapBand. I had wanted the sleeve procedure for one main reason - it eliminates the Gherlin hormone that is released 4 times a day causing the cravings. It goes away because that part of the stomach that releases it is removed. I have spoken with several medical facilitites and most of the doctors who have performed them successfully (more than 75 operations), swear by them. They leave the intestines in place and the pylorus valve which regulates the release of food into the intestines. I will end up with the lap band because I refuse to get the Roux-N-Y as way to intrusive and the lap band is covered by my insurance. I have a friend who had the lapband and went 345 to 245 in 5 months with no fills. Now he is getting a fill because he is platooing.