rosstheboss

Hi All its 3 1/2 years since I have been banded and 1 year since my body lift. And I am really pleased with the results, I never though I would have abs and kind of that " V " that everyone strives for. But I need some help to see if I am just fooling myself and eating too much or If I really OK and should accept myself where I am. Its really frustrating. My top weight was 330 - 335 in High School. Today I'm 240. i was 245 1 Year ago the morning of my body lift. I am almost 6' 1" I did get to 233 a few months after my body lift when I was recovering. I have been around around this 240 Mark now for a few years! And don't know what I can do to get to my goal which is moving up now to from 225 to 230! I am still a big guy. I have been heavy all my life, my dad and mom were big. So the it's in the Family. The only really thin "ADULT" member of my family is a cousin (HE's ADOPTED!) I was always the biggest guy in the class or room etc. So hear I am. Down 90 lbs from my High and 60 since the band. I work out 3 x a week for 3 years now. Yea I have built muscle but want to loose more. I keep looking for an answer and no one seems to have one for me. My Nutritionist says that my body really likes this weight! At my thinnest was 225 when I was 25, Now I am 55 and 240. so 225 is not realistic! My Medical Dr says I am fine! Not on any medications, labs are good. He is really happy where I am and what i have done. My Lap Band DR says I am a success. "Because the band gets you healthy not skinny." Oh THANKS FOR TELLING ME NOW! My Shrink says! "Live in the Now look where you have come from" Your a big guy and can't change your body type. My Trainer says do more cardio on my off days But I still want to loose some more. My Body lift was a year ago today, the Dr said he took off 10 Lbs but not so with the scale. I was 245 when I had my body lift, so I should be like 235 now but I am hovering around 240. I had gotten down to 233 during the recovery of my body lift. One I got back to the gym it started to up again. I would love to get some other suggestions too. It is frustrating, I know I am building muscle. My chest is almost a big as when I started ( NO MAN BOOBS THOUGH) but my waist went from a 44 to a 36, My Chest from a 52 to like a 48. My Shirt went from XXL to L but now back to XL Because of weight training my chest is getting bigger. Some guy friends have poked my chest and commented about the muscle so I guess that's good but not what I was really aiming for. (Yea I do kind of have abs now ! Yea I said that before) So really at a loss as to what to do next. I have tried eating more, eating less. Low Carbs, no carbs, normal carbs? The scale goes up if I eat too many carbs or go off my plan. A few days back on its down. I have had the tests done on the amount of calories I should eat. They say around 2,000. I actually have My Nutritionist and I agree around 1500 - 1600. I work out with a trainer 3 x a week, doing mainly strength I really should be doing more cardio on my off days. But I do have bad knees. Guess I am looking for motivation or something. I never thought I would have a body this good especially at 55, Yea my abs are fairly good but still see that fat guy, Yea when I look at old photos I know I look much much better but still, want to be thinner but not sure if I am willing to starve. And I can't starve and work out! Just can't do it! " I have tried it! " Any suggestions am I kidding myself or just being ungrateful. I guess I just look NORMAL Now. Better than most of my Friends , but am I just being ungrateful and unrealistic. any suggestions.

Hi All its 3 1/2 years since I have been banded and 1 year since my body lift. And I am really pleased with the results, I never though I would have abs and kind of that " V " that everyone strives for. But I need some help to see if I am just fooling myself and eating too much or If I really OK and should accept myself where I am. Its really frustrating. My top weight was 330 - 335 in High School. Today I'm 240. i was 245 1 Year ago the morning of my body lift. I am almost 6' 1" I did get to 233 a few months after my body lift when I was recovering. I have been around around this 240 Mark now for a few years! And don't know what I can do to get to my goal which is moving up now to from 225 to 230! I am still a big guy. I have been heavy all my life, my dad and mom were big. So the it's in the Family. The only really thin "ADULT" member of my family is a cousin (HE's ADOPTED!) I was always the biggest guy in the class or room etc. So hear I am. Down 90 lbs from my High and 60 since the band. I work out 3 x a week for 3 years now. Yea I have built muscle but want to loose more. I keep looking for an answer and no one seems to have one for me. My Nutritionist says that my body really likes this weight! At my thinnest was 225 when I was 25, Now I am 55 and 240. so 225 is not realistic! My Medical Dr says I am fine! Not on any medications, labs are good. He is really happy where I am and what i have done. My Lap Band DR says I am a success. "Because the band gets you healthy not skinny." Oh THANKS FOR TELLING ME NOW! My Shrink says! "Live in the Now look where you have come from" Your a big guy and can't change your body type. My Trainer says do more cardio on my off days But I still want to loose some more. My Body lift was a year ago today, the Dr said he took off 10 Lbs but not so with the scale. I was 245 when I had my body lift, so I should be like 235 now but I am hovering around 240. I had gotten down to 233 during the recovery of my body lift. One I got back to the gym it started to up again. I would love to get some other suggestions too. It is frustrating, I know I am building muscle. My chest is almost a big as when I started ( NO MAN BOOBS THOUGH) but my waist went from a 44 to a 36, My Chest from a 52 to like a 48. My Shirt went from XXL to L but now back to XL Because of weight training my chest is getting bigger. Some guy friends have poked my chest and commented about the muscle so I guess that's good but not what I was really aiming for. (Yea I do kind of have abs now ! Yea I said that before) So really at a loss as to what to do next. I have tried eating more, eating less. Low Carbs, no carbs, normal carbs? The scale goes up if I eat too many carbs or go off my plan. A few days back on its down. I have had the tests done on the amount of calories I should eat. They say around 2,000. I actually have My Nutritionist and I agree around 1500 - 1600. I work out with a trainer 3 x a week, doing mainly strength I really should be doing more cardio on my off days. But I do have bad knees. Guess I am looking for motivation or something. I never thought I would have a body this good especially at 55, Yea my abs are fairly good but still see that fat guy, Yea when I look at old photos I know I look much much better but still, want to be thinner but not sure if I am willing to starve. And I can't starve and work out! Just can't do it! " I have tried it! " Any suggestions am I kidding myself or just being ungrateful. I guess I just look NORMAL Now. Better than most of my Friends , but am I just being ungrateful and unrealistic. any suggestions.

Hi, this seems strange, but 9 fills doesn't mean 9 CC. Having 1 cc in a fill is a lot. Usually they will only put in .25 .50 maybe up to 1 but no more than that. There is also a bit in the band when they first place it. But 9 CC would be a lot. You may want to try and have a fill done under fluoroscope. That way you can actually see how the band is working and how the flow is! I am really surprised that most Dr. Don't have this equipment. It is expensive but so very important. Because many people are actually too tight and that is harmful and not good for weight loss. Anyway, I don't think that it could evaporate, Due ask him how much is in their, my dr also checks each time to see how much is in the band they don't just add more. Good luck. Ross The Boss

Hi well, first of all after your band you will not be eating wings and drinking beer for some time. While Dr have different plans the first weeks and you slowly start to eat regular foods also some have a pre-op diet. Your friends will notice your weight loss etc. If they are they type to push food on you than you need new friends. The older I get the more I realize that most people are self absorbed and really are not going to be too concerned about what you eat or don't eat. If you have some Fat Eating buddies they may try to sabotage you so you do need to be careful about that. I was out on Monday with some guy friends at a pub for dinner each had 2 beers and dinner. I had my dinner no beer and the biggest difference was when we each got our checks! Mine was a lot less! So don't worry about it and good luck. Ross

Hi, I am in NC and have a lower body lift in Nov, my biggest concern about having the surgery done out of the country is after care! I had a lower body lift and some chest work done. Had 6 Drains, I really had no problems but still I was at the PS at least once a week for at least 6 weeks, even after my final drain came out I had some Fluid build up etc. So unless your PS in Mexico has some agreement with a Dr in your area for after care I would not want to go out of the country. Additionally about 3 months, the PS Did a small revision, due to the swelling my skin stretched a bit above my pubic area so he tighten that up too. All of the follow up was part of the surgery cost. The only cost of the revision was $200 for the surgical tray. I would since Nov I must have see the Dr at least 20 Times from Nov to April. So due keep this in mind. My surgery was $12K thins are a bit less costly in NC. Good luck to you. This is a major surgery so follow up is really important.

Sorry to hear about your insurance, you should talk with HR about the options you may be better with Cobra as I believe it is a continuation of your present insurance. It may be hard to get insurance on your own due to the Lap ban in fact any weight loss surgery can have the put you in to the High Risk Pool. But that in itself may not be bad and in some cases is less than individual policy. One thing to do ASAP is make an appointment and talk with the Dr. Office. And talk to the nurse and the office etc. I am almost 3 years out now, last summer when I went in for a fill they said I should be coming more often. My Dr charges like $800 as they due the fluoroscope also. The Nurse said that I was eligible for a special program when you were 2 years out and the cost was $500 for the year! So they may have a special program. Also you may want to check to see if their are any Fill centers! I understand that more and more of these are opening up. Good luck and keep up the good work.

Hi you seem to be doing great! I had a body lift about 3 months ago hopefully a good amount of the skin will snap back but much depends on your skin type and I think how long you have been overweight. A good PS will give you the proper advice as to if you should wait until after you have kids or not. I know my PS does a lot of Mommy Makeovers " Tummy Tuck" after a few kids especially if one has twins etc. I was always a fat kid and lost 100 lbs when I was your age, than over the next 25 put gained and lost over and over, I was looking at some pictures from my honeymoon and although at 54 I weigh a bit more than I did when I got married my stomach now after my Body lift is better than when I was 25. So you have a lot to look forward too, Just make sure to talk to at least 3 or 4 PS and get recommendations from your lapband dr and your PCP. Good luck to you

I occasionally make these too, they are not bad and just follow the direction, the fish smell is not much.

Hi I had a body lift in November, my port was much more visible before, not it is hardly noticeable. Took awhile before I could even feel it. My Dr advised that he does not move the port, to my surprise after the Body lift my port which was on the right was now on the left. Seems that tightening up the muscles the port ended up on the other side! Just shows you how much they were tightened. Think it all will depend on your weight etc.

Brooks " The Beast" is what my Dr. Recommended .

You look really good, I am now 3 months out from a body lift, for me the swelling took quite some time and you can really tell when the skin gets to the point that you can feel the muscles and bones below. it takes quite a lot of courage to do this but it is worth it.

Hi I have a summer home in Dennisport and come up in the summer also my daughter was just banded in Dec.

Hi was just told today that they removed 12 lbs! Wow no only wish I was 12 lbs less than the day of surgery! Christmas did not help, actually down 10 since surgery but my goal is 10 lbs less than I am now.

For me drinking water is no problem, i can gulp it if I need at the gym, when I work out is usually when I get most of my daily water in, I typically drink about 60 onz at the gym, 40 during my work out and another 20 after and on the way home.

Hi I am 8 weeks out from a lower body lift and Yes I would do it again, make sure you have a good support system the first few week are hard, not that you are in that much pain but their is a lot to handle. I am a Big Guy so it may have been a bit harder, and came home with 6 drains as I had some chest work done also. You really have to give yourself 2 preferably 3 weeks or more. You are up and around but you will not feel like doing much. Also I sleep in my Recliner for almost 2 weeks, It was just more comfortable. I was also working out 3 x week for 1 1/2 years did not realize what good shape I was in until the surgery when you really need strength in your leg and core. but it is so worth it.

Hi I like Jillian Michael s Chocolate, I mix it with Sugar free Almond Milk, Ice and put in my bullet. or I mix the Vanilla with Cold Coffee and blend. I have for Breakfast or sometimes after the Gym. A good way to up the protein with out the calories. Many Nutrition prefer you eat mainly real food. But I think their is a place for them in ones plan.

Just noticed this post hope you are doing well, the swelling does take time, I am 2 months out and most is gone but still comes and goes, hopefully you are doing better

Hi and Congratulation: I have been banded now 2 1/2 years and YES You will eat again and virtually everything! Do not rush it once you are banded, take time and listen to what the Dr and Nutritionist tell you. Key once you get the band is to keep your Protein up. So clear Protein drinks etc. Do not worry about not eating steak etc. I eat Steak, Popcorn etc. Not to say I eat this everyday and it takes time to work you way back to eating a steak, and you will not be eating a huge steak and you will need to chew more. The biggest change is that I am now the last person to finish eating when I go out! Rather that the first. I was recently at a business dinner and the Steak was melt in your mouth tender, and after a bit I realized I was the only one still eating and enjoying this fabulous meal. So you don't need a bucket list of foods, and you may find that some of them are things you will no longer even want. I eat well and healthy. Take Care ROSS THE BOSS

Good luck sure you will do fine, what a great way to start the new year!

Hi you have been through alot of changes, I would suggest like othrs to try and increase your excerize, also look for someone to talk with in your pre-op process you most likley had to talk to a shrink, if you talk to your Lap band dr and get some suggestions they can help alot. go to the support meetings, also it is not out of the question to go to a group like Weight watchers. Keep in mind that the band is a tool so you can use others. I too was over filled for about a year and had to have the ban unfilled than gradualy filled again. At this time I know I need a fill as I can eat just about anything, I usually don't but I could so it is time for a little fill. Also I see you had your band in 2009, my dr has a plan that you pay $500 for the year and can go as often as you need to but this flat rate is only for thoes who are 2 or more years out so see if your dr has something like that.

The fills get easer my first was done by the Dr and was the worse one, all others have been by the nurse and they are usually better as they do more. Now that they know where your port is sure it will be better. Good luck to you.

Hi all thanks for all your encouraging these last few months. Well seems like tomorrow is the day! Also My Birthday! and I am getting a bit anxious looking forward to getting this over with, know it will be hard but guess know one really knows until they go through it themselves, Like getting the band is is part of the Journey, the difference I guess is that getting banded was to help long term health and now that I am so much healthy you have to wonder if it is worth the risk. I have talked to so many professional trying to justify this procedure and to my surprise they all were very positive. Actually the bariatric nurse who does my fills was kind of indifferent but confirmed that this my Dr. was the best. The only real negative comment was from a very obese friend. The few other friends are very supportive non of them have any weight issues but have been positive, some are Nurses and medical professionals so they have offered to help and one is going to meet and take my wife out during the surgery to help pass the time. Also as it's my B'Day friends have had us to dinner the last 3 nights! So much for the diet! Anyway I am still looking to justify this major step and the following is a list of the people I have consulted. Three Plastic Surgeons ( All said I would benefit also and was ready -Yes they have something to gain $) My Primary Care Dr ( Approved of it and said this my PS was the only one he would recommend and that is was better to get the redundant skin removed now as it could pose some problems later in life) My Psychologist (The lap-band ) Said if I don't I may be saying for the rest of my life that I should have done it. Also he has a number of clients who have done it and are all glad and I need to due it for me!) My Trainer - Said go for it and she is very excited for me. My pharmacist - Said do it now when your younger and healthy. My Nutritionist - Said it was a good idea and as I was close to my goal and still not happy it would be a good idea. My bariatric Office - Did not really have an opinion but confirmed the Dr. So with all this said if nothing comes up between now and 7:00 I am off for my body Lift! Will keep you posted and thanks again to you all and this site for so we can have a place to discuss these things and vent our feelings. Take Care all and talk to you later. Rosstheboss

HI All, Wanted to give you all an update! Things are going well and it is amazing what this Dr. Has done, the scale is not moving like I would like but I am still swollen but that is getting better, its been 4 weeks now, down 8 lbs from the surgery day, but understand I made the mistake of getting on the scale a few days after surgery and was up 10 lbs due to the Swelling. But anyway the Dr said not to worry about the Scale and just go by your clothing. Even when I was 10 lbs up just after surgery I was smaller in my clothes. This is a major surgery and maybe because I was on the bigger size the swelling is taking it time but it is amazing already the results. I have my first business trip next week to Costa Rica and still not sure what to wear, real pants are a bit of a pain between the compression garments and still some swelling things tend to slide down, but will try to deal with it. Had my jeans on today and they are swimming on me. But don't want to get anything until the swelling is down as your body is changing. Think the biggest difference will be in a bathing suite next summer I am really happy with my new belly button! HA HA HA and my flat abs. The scaring is not not bad at all, I had some chest work done too on the sides and I was concerned as they were really raised but they have now gotten flat, they are red but the Dr said that the redness peaks around 4 weeks or so, the lower scars are not bad at all the dr did use the glue on top which I think makes a big difference. He also said we may do another small procedure in the spring as I have had a lot of swelling where the pubic area meet the stomach and he thinks when the swelling is finally gone the skin may be wrinkled so he said he wants to due a little tuck to take care of it. (Also included) So 4 Plus weeks out, feeling good, not 100% Yet and still a bit sore, but so glad I did this. My only regret is I didn't take many before pictures did take a few which I will try to post some time. It is strange to have people wanting to rub your tummy! HA HA Take care my friends. Ross The Boss

Hi all just wanted to update you all, 3 Plus weeks out and the last of my drains came out on Monday. Still swollen a bit but really starting to see the results, and I have to say already that this was so worth it!

Hi there are lost on line like Spanks etc. The surgical ones you are not in that long, I am 3 weeks out and at about a week he said I could go to spank like garments. I am a guy so things apply but I find myself switching and forth. The surgical garments are a bit large now but more compression than the spank type. I had heard that people like wear compression garments for a long time as they feel better and I now understand. When they tighten your muscles they are tight with and without the garments but when you have them on the garment is helping and when you have less restriction your muscles are doing more of the work so they get a bit more sore. Good luck it is so very worth it! Take care ROSS