Dominic

Hi guys, I'm getting my lap band on the 14th of this month and I was wondering if I'll be able to continue to gain solid muscle mass. I ask, because I'm not only overweight, but I'm also muscular. Not only do I not want to lose muscle, but I also want to be able to build it after the procedure. I asked my surgeon the same question and he said it wouldn't be a problem, but you all have first-hand experience. I'm 5'10, 27 years old, and weigh in at a solid 215-230 lbs when I'm in shape. I'm currently 330 lbs. I want to be healthy, not skinny. I'm doing this for my health, but as I mentioned before, I by no means necessary want to be skinny and flabby. Thanks In-shape: (2007 pictures) Out of shape (current): (what I look like now, but taken in 2005)

That's an admirable quality, Missy. I was always clueless when somebody was hitting on me, even when I was in shape.:cool:

Thanks, Missy. I don't feel attractive at the moment, but that's sweet of you to say.

Thanks, smilin_apple. I'm going to get banded on the 21st (this Friday). I'm looking forward to it, because I hate the way I look and feel (physically and emotionally). I've gone from being a very capable guy to one that is barely able to handle his own weight. I'm hoping to either look exactly like my before pics, or in a best case scenario, better. People treat you differently and in general, it seems like a lot more opportunities are afforded to you when you're not overweight. As soon as I can, I'll be hitting the weights and treadmill. I want to fill out any loose skin with solid muscle mass.

That's correct. Those pics were of me right before I gained my weight.

Having gained all of my weight in the last 2 years, I can testify that my ability to attract the ladies has diminished greatly.

When I lost over 100 lbs on Atkins, I had some loose skin, but I was able to fill out reasonably well with lots of weight training. Without a tuck, I'll never have that "ripped" look, but I'm more concerned with looking good in my clothes. I really hope that I can continue to gain muscle with the band, because I haven't really heard from anyone that's been able to build solid mass on it. Here are some pics of me at about 245 lbs to illustrate: One last pic with clothes (to illustrate that I don't appear to be "saggy"):