s1nemesis1s

Hello everyone, It has been a while since I posted. I started at 370LBS and now I rest between 176-181. I have met goal weight. Here is my question. Can the loose skin around your midsection, belly and love handles get worse with time? I am not gaining weight but I noticed in the past few months my pants are fitting tighter. I am afraid I am gaining weight but the scale just bounces from 176-181. I got as low as 161 at one point but the doctor made my gain some weight because it was a health risk. I am frustrated. My "newer" pants feel tight, I have even had to go up a notch on my belt to be more comfortable. However, strange enough, my shirts fit the same! I still wear a size small in mens. Pants can be a 32 to 33 waist. Thanks, Don

I hope thats what it is. I am at the point where I doubt myself and just wonder if I am gaining. So you are saying weight does settle that way? What does everyone else think? Btw, I am in louisville, ky. I am thinking about a tummy tuck and getting the love handles done as well. I was going to get it done in seperate procedures because of work. What is the going rate around here? I just hope I am not gaining! jeez..it can get so depressing!

I will also add that shopping has become a unique experience. Before the band...I hated it.. I knew nothing would fit right and I would look like a blob. Now I go in a just pick stuff up. I wear a medium shirt now and I am just about in a 34 pants size. I can wear the expandable ones fine, and the regular just about fit, they are just snug, part of the reason is all this EXCESS skin! I would rather have the skin than a HUGE fat belly. And my rearend...being a guy hurts to say this, but sags now. It looks like mini blinds. Don't know how much plastic surgery I will be able to afford, but I am at least getting a tummy tuck. I bought a compression shirt at target, size small, wish it was a bit tighter, but anyways, does anyone know where I can buy some cheap white compression shirts. Paying 15-17 dollars a piece is out of my price range, I need 7 in total, that would be like 119 dollars plus tax. P.S. I also have noticed I lost about a shoe size, bought some flip flops the other day...size 9! Wow, I felt small. I am wearing a size 10.5 or a 10 in dress, tranning, a casual shoes. Thanks.

Okay Guys, I am generally distressed about this whole weight fluctuation business. About 6 days ago I weighed 196 and I stepped on the scale this morning after about 5 hours of sleep and weighed 204! I have lost a total of 174 LBS since last July. How could I possibly gain 8LBS in less than a week! My walking has stayed the same, I'm adjusted very well so I can't eat crazy...I mean very well, I can't eat most things. Lots of Pbs. I have delved into some cotage cheese as of recent because I was afraid of how much I had lost and was feeling weak and dizzy when I stand. That has stopped. This has been weeks ago though, I was still losing, then this morning, Bam this morning 204!! I am not using the bathroom very regular due to a lack of fiber, my fault on that one, but I am just curious. I thought I had finally beat the 200 LBS barrier, never been there before in my adult life, always been fat. This is really worring me, is this normal. My doc set my goal for 200, I wanted 190 or even 180. Im 5'9 so I think that is doable. Dunno...is this normal to experince this type of fluctuation? Thanks guys, s1nemesis1s:eek::thumbup:

Thanks for the info. I am drinking plenty of fluids. I woke this morning and weighed 199... down from 204 yesterday... My scale is fine. I had my dad test it out, who had his own really nice scale..a bit of a health nut, and my girlfriend stepped on it, and was like..yup...its right...and then she was upset for a while...I wish she would get the band, her weight bothers her so much but she has seen alot of what I go through..not being able to eat this or that, and the pbs that happen every now and then, plus her insurance sucks. Personally, I think that WLS should be free, I pay enough taxes for bullshit anyway, why not make this free and take a bunch of people off the system. Okay...not trying to get political, scratch my last statement...Im a democrat but things have gotten out of control..I digress... Guys, I am just confused. Baffled really. I don't think its a plateau, I am just confused. I eat, am adjusted very well..I am taking all the advice you guys have to offer, any more would be greatly appreciated.. I am happy to be right at this 200 mark, a below it..but I need to loose 20 more according to my doc. Thanks in advance for any other ideas.

I keep a daily long, which yes, is a serious PIA lol. I have my meals planned pretty well, three squares so to speak. I indulge once and a while in some Gin and a Diet coke, but not everyday. It just scares me to see the scale going in the other direction. 200 was so important, and I am afraid that I have lost that...breaks my heart. I just cannot believe the increase, i mean thats 8LBS, very strange. My doctor has told me to walk. I am not lifting weights. I am walking maybe 1 mile every other day. I just thought it was odd. Thanks for the input guys, any other ideas or words of wisdom?

I never thought I would say, wow 174LBS later...currently at 196LBS...goal at 190..I wanna loose more;) I think its possible for me to get to 180 or 175. I am wearing medium shirts, I am in 34/36 pants (so much excess skin I have to go wtih the 36 most of the time) I never thought I would be able to ride an amusement park ride again. Hell, I didn't think I would ever get laid again! The lapband saved my life...didn't think I would say that either, I thought it would be good, but it saved my life.

That smile is exactly how I look when I do it!!! LOLLOLOL MY first fill went great. NO PAIN! and the doctor did it himself! One poke and that was it. I got 3.5cc and I am excited.

Hey everyone, Well I had my first PB the other night!! Yikes, ouch, hurts, and sucks! I had gone on a REALLY long motorcycle ride and was VERY hungry and very tired. So I went up to arbys, ordered a roast beef and cheddar and that was all. I proceeded to slowly eat it. About three bites in I got a VERY FULL and stabbing feeling in my chest, a great pressure! Every time I would try to swallow to push this food through it made it worse! I was hiccupping, spasming, and generally looking like a chicken. I pulled the car over to the side of the road and stopped. I am talking SERIOUS PAIN :eek: at this point! I opened the door and puked :frown: in some poor guy’s yard, it just kept coming up like crazy! I felt SO much better. Good enough to try and eat again. I took the meat off the burger and small piece of the bread and ate it...guess what....PB again! I threw up in my driveway... My sister walked out and teased me about being anorexic now. I went inside drank about 2 cups of coke and chilled. I got some chicken fried rice out and ate half the container and was full. I felt much better. No more arby's for me..... LOL I am not even filled yet either which is weird. I have the larger band for men too, I guess I am just REALLY big on the inside and the band is doing its job with no fill... I go see my doctor for my first next week, I will have to tell him all this. :crying:

Well I am sure the nutritionist would not want me to eat an arbys roast beef However the doc says it won't hurt, just eat what you can tolerate, remember this is not a diet, u are trying to lose weight and begin/continue to eat healthier I don't see the harm in just eating the roast beef. It is thin sliced and stuff, I will just never ever eat the bread again. :eek: My band gave me the good ol' proverbial spanking! LOL Thanks for all the advice!

My doctor said the following on sodas: If you drink a soda and you have pain let it sit for 15 minutes. Try again. If you have pain then, let it sit out for 30mins. Try again. If you have have pain then, let it sit out for an hour. If you STILL have pain, or any dicomfort then you're out of luck buddy! Time to break out the crystal light, unsweet tea, water, etc... :crying: So my doc says they are okay; as long as you have no pain or discomfort. Which is a GODSEND; I don't have ANY pain!! I grew up on diet soda, and I would be lost without it. LOL Of course, that is what my doc says, make sure you follow YOUR docs instuctions. Have a great day!

My doc said the following: You CAN drink carbonated diet drinks, diet pepsi, coke, generic..ETC. He also said, if you get any discomfort, let them sit for 15 mins, try it then. If you still are getting discomfort, let them set for 30 mins. Try again, if you are still getting discomfort go for a full hour. If you STILL have discomfort...break out the unsweet tea, crystal lite, etc.. and forget about carbonation. LOL As of now, I am an avid diet cola drinker, no probs with it with my band!! I grew up with the stuff, I would be lost without it! yay!! Just be careful, and of course, do what YOUR doc says, just letting you know what mine says!

Do it! I am just at the start of my journey, but I can already tell you it WORTH IT. I had second thoughts as well, I just said to myself, "its this or die of being fat." I know it weird to become a cyborg, but once it is done you are the same person and you will be so glad you did it. I was up and about the same day, and back to work, with a "little soreness" about 6 days later. I know it is scary but we are all here to help you! Here is what I posted in another thread, it might help you feel better. "I get my first fill next week. I have lost 28LBS since surgery date, 6/18/2008! YAY! I went out and bought some new clothes, I have been wearing and then washing the same pair of pants and same three shirts for about 3 months, now I can open my closet up, get out the pants I used to wear 2 years ago and they fit and are loose! Its like I have all new clothes!!! I went from a 46 - to almost a 42!! I know it will slow down, but I am so happy! I am looking better. My skin is acutally looking better, my psoriasis is better, and I am feeling much more confident! I have felt restriction though, the first two weeks after surgery it has been willpower, then all the sudden, I almost had a PB? on taco meat, it hurt bad! My parents kept trying to talk to me, I couldn't speak. I turned around and grunted, "I AM IN PAIN, HUSH!!!!!" LOL Then the other morning while standing in line for the new iphone, i KNOW I KNOW, I AM A GEEK, I bought a white castle sauage hamberger with egg. I had another "stuck" feeling and tears came out my eyes! I learned my lesson, smal bites, eat SLOWLY. That pain is awful!!!! OH AND I QUIT SMOKING ON JULY 3RD!!!! SO now I dont eat much or smoke, LOL I have SO MUCH FREE TIME!! I used to lie on the couch pre-band and eat like a horse and get SUPER THANKSGIVING FULL, and not move all night, I was embaressed to go anywhere, and have no energy to go anyways. I would just watch tv after dinner and smoke all night. Now I get up and go for walks, bike rides, motorcycle rides, and work on all kinds of projects! The band so far is chaging my life!!! In the words of Howard Dean: whoooooohahahahhawooooooohahahahhyeeehawwwwww!!!!! LOL gotta love him."

Hey, congrats on all the success! I get my first fill next week. I have lost 28LBS since surgery date, 6/18/2008! YAY! I went out and bought some new clothes, I have been wearing and then washing the same pair of pants and same three shirts for about 3 months, now I can open my closet up, get out the pants I used to wear 2 years ago and they fit and are loose! Its like I have all new clothes!!! I went from a 46 - to almost a 42!! I know it will slow down, but I am so happy! I am looking better. My skin is acutally looking better, my psoriasis is better, and I am feeling much more confident! I have felt restriction though, the first two weeks after surgery it has been willpower, then all the sudden, I almost had a PB? on taco meat, it hurt bad! My parents kept trying to talk to me, I couldn't speak. I turned around and grunted, "I AM IN PAIN, HUSH!!!!!" LOL Then the other morning while standing in line for the new iphone, i KNOW I KNOW, I AM A GEEK, I bought a white castle sauage hamberger with egg. I had another "stuck" feeling and tears came out my eyes! I learned my lesson, smal bites, eat SLOWLY. That pain is awful!!!! OH AND I QUIT SMOKING ON JULY 3RD!!!! SO now I dont eat much or smoke, LOL I have SO MUCH FREE TIME!! I used to lie on the couch pre-band and eat like a horse and get SUPER THANKSGIVING FULL, and not move all night, I was embaressed to go anywhere, and have no energy to go anyways. I would just watch tv after dinner and smoke all night. Now I get up and go for walks, bike rides, motorcycle rides, and work on all kinds of projects! The band so far is chaging my life!!! In the words of Howard Dean: whoooooohahahahhawooooooohahahahhyeeehawwwwww!!!!! LOL gotta love him.

Hello all, I had my surgery on June 18th. So I am 12 days out. For the first 6-7 days I felt some restriction. I could only eat a small amount. The most I ate was a can of cream of chicken soup for dinner, I did the slim fast morning and noon. I am starting to get REALLY hungry in between meals now. Here is my diet as of now: Morning: Carnation instant bfast - 375 calories, Two cups of 10 calorie jello Afternoon: Cambells soup individual serving cup 120 calories, microwavable cup. 1 10 calorie jello cup Dinner: Small saucer of taco meat, homemade, with two slices of pepper jack melted on top. total of 250 calories. Then I drink some light apple juice through out the night, 8fl 3-4 times at 50 calories a pop. I am getting very hungry. I am losing weight. From the week before my surgery I followed the preop diet, except in the eveings when I would have a "normal meal." (If I did not do this I passed out once at work.) Then up to now following the post op diet exactly I have lost 20lbs. Here is the problem. In order to acheive this goal I am bascially starving between meals, I was given the large band, I think it holds 14cc of fluid. I have no restriction to speak of. I see my doc tomorrow and I am afraid he is going to see my progress and set me up for a fill date 8 weeks from now! I don't think I can keep going like this. I am getting light headed and everything else from hunger pangs. I don't want to lose my progress and start eating more however on the other hand I am afraid my doc will see that I am losing weight steadly and put off my first fill. You see I must weigh myself daily, that is how they calculate the fills. So do I tell the doctor the truth I am starving and get a lecture on how I should eat more, even though I am following the diet to a T! Or should I say nothing and hope I get a fill sooner than 8 weeks from now. I am confused and tore up. I have been treating this as a diet, when in fact I need to use my tool/band so I don't starve and I can't becuase it is not restricted. I am sorry if I am not making much sense I am confused and really worried. I want this to work, but I can't keep up this diet without the hunger pangs dwindling down via some restriction. Any Advise.

That shakes sounds great. I am going to move to the solid food soon, and I might try one of those shakes as well! Right now I have a weeks worth of soups in my desk drawer here at work. I am going to have to finsih them off, becuase I paid a bunch for them! I also have 8 EAS drinks at home along with 3 CIB. So I will finish off all that the rest of the week and into next week. Then I will start some small portions of solid food, and see where we go. I am excited. Today for instance, I was able to button a shirt up and wear it work. I bought this shirt to just be open and wear a tee underneath, AND NOW IT BUTTONS AND I CAN WEAR IT WORK!!! YEEHAW!!!

Hello, I went to see my doctor today. He set up my first fill for july 22nd! Sweet! He told me that, meals were not CIB, Slim fast, and soup. LOL He said EAT! He wants me to eat three solid meals every day, cut out any juices and get rid of the cib, eas, and slimfast. So I am feeling better now about things, maybe he is not one of those very conseritive fill guys afterall. Only time will tell. For now I am happy.

I used to watch RR on 40$ a day. I liked the show, but I will say this much, what really got on my nerves was how she called EVERYONE she met a friend!! She bumps into a guy on the subway, says two words two him and calls him her friend! She takes a ride on a bus, talks to a couple of people for like 3 minutes, and then they are her friends. I don't know, its just something so fake and irritating about it. LOL I guess I am just being an ass... I dont' know...

I am just afraid if I lose the apple juice things will really go to hell. I am barely making it as it is. Last night I ate a little more thant I should have. I was VERY hungry. I had 2 1/2 cups of hamburger helper. Now I did cook it VERY Long and it was soft, but still to much. I am taking protein powder as well, it was provided by my program. Low in everything except protein. And those EAS drinks have like 20g of protein. Also the slimfast I am drinking is LOW carb, low Cal. I mean it has like 2-4grams of carbs per drink. I just hope I have not hurt my band or my new stomach by overeating last night. I was not hurting from it but I was full. I am a little concerned that I was able to down that much, could I be really that unrestricted?? I had a few burps and was good the rest of the night. I really want to lose weight, but you guys are right I need to heal. But my weight is really hurting me, and I think my Dr. is one of those bastards that is conservitive with the fills. Also, I as well do not like the word mushies, its sounds kinda...welll...like a female word...lol

You wanted to hear from some males, so here you go! First don't let anyone get you down because of your weight; I had to learn that the hard way. Just talk to us guys, most of us are pretty nice and not out for "JUST THAT ONE THING." We are just as nervous as you and would love a lady to strike up a convo with us. You'll do fine, let me share my story with you though, I had to learn the hard way. My dating life has been awful. I stated dating when I was 16(I am 25 now), I was overweight then, I am about 5'10 and I weighed about 235lbs then. My first date was with someone online that I met on a BBS (ah... good ol' days). I had talked with her for a couple of weeks and I had just gotten my license to drive. I told her I was "chunky" and she asked, well you're not FAT are you? I felt so bad, but I wanted to date someone as well, lonely was I. I came back with witty response and it won her over. I went up to the movie theater to meet her and I waited. She came in and was beautiful, about 5'10 raven hair, DEEP eyes, they went on forever. I said, "This isn't going to work is it? You're way too beautiful for me!" She just laughed, and said, "Lets see how it goes, you're bigger than I expected, but handsome. We went to see Bicentennial man, and let’s just say we didn't watch the movie. I was in LOVE! LOL the next day though, I got a call from an angry guy. He said he was my date's BF and that he wanted to kill me! She sent me an e-mail to tell me that she used me make her boyfriend jealous so he would pay more attention to her! To add insult to injury she told me that she didn't date "fat guys" anyway... I felt awful... After that I was broken...However my friend introduced me to a girl who was a year older than me. At that point I was scared to death of women though. He told me we were going to see a movie but instead drove to her house; he tricked me! I went in and met her, she seemed nice enough, and pretty eyes (if you can't tell its all in eyes for me, love those deep eyes) She accepted me. I felt wanted. The relationship shot off like a bottle rocket. I lost my virginity about two weeks later. Here comes the important part of my story though, I hate to say this but she mentally abused me. She cheated on me three times, and I took it. She said it was with a HOT guy and she couldn't resist. However, I took it and forgave her. She told me everyday how much I needed to change. She didn't like my car; she wouldn't ride in it unless I put a towel on the seat. (Keep in mind, this was a vintage 1966 thunderbird, my father and I restored it to basically brand new condition. It was spotless and beautiful) She rode me about it so hard I sold it and bought an explorer that constantly had problems. She hated my family and put such demands on me I had a nervous breakdown. However I kept going back, she knew what to say to just barely keep me going, the right "I love you's" and such. Finally I had grown into a man, at 20 years old I broke up with her. She came out to my area that day and picked my sister up when she was walking home from school. She told her I had been in an accident and that she had to go with her. I came home to find my sister gone! I freaked, I called her, and she said "You can't get away from me; I know all your weaknesses. She then said, "I will bring your sister home when/if I want." My parents freaked and so did I. She brought my sister home shortly after that. We were calling the cops as she pulled in. I went downtown to get an EPO on her. They said I couldn't because we weren't married or had ever lived together. They did put a no contact order in place though. She had to come downtown and go through a mediation session with me. During the session she was horrible. The mediator asked me after she left, what is wrong with her?!? I said I don't know. The next day I went to school, I was in university now. I came out of class and walked to my car. She was standing in front of my car with a LARGE kitchen knife pressed to her chest. She said she was going to kill herself. I didn't know what to do; the security guard came around in his golf kart and saw her. She started to cut her arms and face before I could wrestle the knife away from her. He called the cops and they came. However she left before they got there, she was bleeding everywhere. I begged her to stay and get treatment, I tried to hold her, and she said "I will tell them you attacked me if you keep me here." I let her go and she left. I gave the cops her license plate number and explained it all. The security guard saw it all so he also gave a statement. I never heard from her again. Now all this could have been avoided if I didn't have low self esteem because I am overweight. I could have just left and instead of coming back for more and more. Every time she would say something cutting, or horrible I would eat. I am working on my life seriously now. I am almost finished with college, I have a great job, and I just got banded! Now I am at 334LBS. It’s been five years; I have not spoken with a single women in regards to dating. Will I date again, I don't know/probably. I am getting over this slowly, I got burned a few times and I am am still stinging. Seeing all you nice women talk on here gives me hope and makes me want to get back to dating soon. Thank you.

Alright guys, I have been looking for a cool way to spin this whole lapband surgery to all my other male friends, mostly geeks BTW. Are we bandsters cyborgs?? I looked it up on google and here is what I got. A cyborg is: a human who has certain physiological processes aided or controlled by mechanical or electronic devices. Sounds like us? What do you think? I mean the Borg from Star Trek are considered cybernetic lifeforms, they are assisted by technology in order to maintain/aid/enhance their systems. I just thought I would throw this out there, any thoughts?

LOL. I know what you mean! I live and breathe Sci-Fi. I love Star Trek, I own: TNG, VOY(The Doctor: "The computer sounds like it needs a stimulant."), DS9, ENT(“What IS their fascination with OUR ears!” “I think they are jealous.”), and all the movies! I could do some massive quotes, and I know all the species...I am such a geek. I'm sorry;) I am huge fan of SG1 and SGA, own them as well. I also love Farscape, and own a copy of that series as well." Firefly was pretty cool, I own a copy of it as well. I've got it bad....LOL I've been really getting into Doctor Who and Torchwood as well. I could go on and on! Well, anyway, I will tell my buds what you said, I think they will like it.. LOL Geeks! Band together....Pun intended!

Hello all! I would like to introduce myself in the men’s room here if that is okay. I have been lurking for the past few months and the posts have been very informative! I went to my seminar on March 10th. Then had to see my PCP for full exam at the end of March. Went and saw the surgeon in April and he said I was a good candidate. Got all my paperwork submitted mid to late April and was approved at mid May. It really went fast thankfully! I did my preop this past Friday and I am scheduled for surgery next Wednesday! I am so excited! My doctor made my start a liquid diet, with a "few solids" i.e. 2 cups of veggies, and one small fruit or canned fruit for 7 days prior to my surgery. I have been on this diet since yesterday. I have been using EAS drinks for breakfast long with a sugar free pudding. The same for lunch, except I get half a banana then. Dinner I drink a low carb slim fast it has a few more calories than the eas and a little more protein, a cup of fruit and the other half of the banana. Wow yesterday was hard! Today is a little easier, this is so much different from what I am used to! I weigh 350lbs and am about 5'10. I am 25 years old and have battled my weight since the first grade! I still cannot believe I am that big. When people look at me they guess me at about 250. When I tell them my real weight they are shocked! I have surgery next Wednesday, and I am off from work that day of course and thorough Monday. So I would return to work the following Tuesday. So six days off including surgery day. I work in IT and wonder if will be okay to return then. I do alot of sitting, but I do carry PCs around and fix them. The weight about 12-18lbs. Should I be okay lifting these when I return with only six days of recoup? Just wanted your opinion.

GREAT! Good to hear from other Star Trek/Sci-fi fans! I think I will tell my family I will now be known as 3 of 5! Lots of good suggestions guys and gals! My friends think this is pretty funny. Now only if I had some assimilation tubules... We are the bandborg. You will be assimilated. Your biological and technological distinctiveness will be added to our own. Resistance is futile. ...plus you get a free lap-band!

Hello! You must be very excited!! I know I was when I had my date set. My surgery was June 18th. If you would like to read my story check out the post, "Soon to be a BANDit;" just to give you an idea of what surgery day may be like. The other guys have plenty of stories as well. This is an exciting time in your life! I know I am REALLY stoked about my band!