SeanPA

I have not posted in a while. Went for my three month post-op check, and they gave me another 2cc fill to bring me up to 5cc. I have been banded for three months and am down 49lbs. I was hoping to be down 60lbs but, better late than never. I have been going to the gym for an hour of cardio a day. I really want to start swimming and weight lifting but, I am afraid to scare all of th other swimmers out of the pool. I also am concerned with lifting weights now. I am at 300lbs and want to lose more, don't want to slow the losing down by putting on muscle mass. Any weightlifters, let me know where I am wrong and what I can do to maximize my gym time. I make it to the gym six days a week and would like to introduce anything new to keep the weight burn going. I do 60 mins on the treadmill - inclined fast paced walking and a cool down of 15 mins on the stationary bike. Golf- I am going to use ban as my excuse this year for playing like crap for the sixth year in a row. I NEVER improve! Sean 350/300/?

They didn't kill me in surgery. I had the operation yesterday 2-14 at 1230Pm and I'm already home on 2-15 4:00pm. Everything wentwell, not too bad at all. The wrst part of the whole thing was the catheter as removed by a smokin hot intern. Damn my Irish genetics! I refused narcotics because of my job, so all I have had is Tardol. They prescribed Tylenol 3 and I can easily explain that away if I get a urinalysis. No real gas "pain", just mild incision pain that I would liken to doing a lot of sit-ups. Oh well, I need a nap. Sean5732 350/pending/we'll see start/current/goal

I get banded in the morning, 2-14-07. I am a little concerned about the surgery. I really don't want to die young (39). Neil, you are truely inspirational. I would be very curious to hear the type of diet you subscribed to once you were past the liquid stage. Maybe an idea of what your menu looks like on a given day. Well, hope to post again in a few days, should be home from hosp on Thurs. Sean5732

I get banded in the morning. I have to be at the hospital at 8:30am, not sure what that means in terms of an actual surgery time. I am rather concerned about the surgery, I think they are going to kill me. The thought of not being in control is almost overbearring. Once you got to the OR, how long before they knock you out?

Does anyone know if having the surgery involves any drugs that will come up on a standard urinalysis? I am scheduled to have surgery on 2-14-07 but, my job has random urinalysis. I am thinking of having the surgery and not telling anyone, just using vacation time. My concern is having a random drug test within the next thirty or so days and coming up "hot". That would cause problems.

My fear, Feb 14th, is not waking up from the surgery and leaving the wife with three kids, without my income. I am absolutely terrified of the surgery!

I have already completed the psych, the two required support groups and gotten my insurnce approval. I have to go to Pulmunary and Cardio on the same day. Can anyone give me sme insight as to what happens at those appointments? They both said to expect to last about an hour. Sean P.S. I am a little concerned about the actual surgery.... anyone heard of anyone dying during the lap-band procedure?

I have a liquid diet question: My date is set for 2-14-07 and is coming faster than I thought it would. My doc does not require a liquid diet pre-op however, the dietician reccomends you lose as much as you can so the liver shrinks... I f I were to go to say, a GNC, what would be the product that i would buy if I were going to go on a liquid diet? Is it just three or so shakes a day? Id there other things to go along with the shakes, is it a calorie counting thing? Any help woud be appreciated. Sean

Thanks for the replys, is optifast something you can buy in a store or is it prescribed?

Gaffer, I an scheduled for Feb 14th. What are the conditions of your Optifast pre-diet? Did they give you the "this much -this often" talk yet? I have not yet been given the standards for the liquid diet. I don't think they will give them to me until my visit in Jan 2007. Good luck Keep in touch Sean

Does nyone know of anyone that had the lap band or bypass surgery and then joined the military? Thanks, Sean 325/surgery pending/200

I leave in aout thirty minutes for the "introduction" seminar at the DR's office. If I want to proceed I have a scheduled visit with the PA tomorrow. I am hoping that this works the way I want it to. I am hoping to have insurance pay and get a date relatively quickly. I would like to have it done during Christmas break if possible. Sean

I have my first appointment on Wed. It is a mandatory "meeting" in which they discuss the band and other options... My question is, when people first decided to ernestly pursue this option, from first apointment on, how long did the journey take, from first appointment to the surgery day? Sean

Here is my laundry list of new guy questions: I do not like going to the Dr's., just a personal quirk. If I am sick I deal with it until I am better. Not smart but, I just do that. An annoying habbit I learned in the Army, don't go on sick call, it screws the rest ofthe squad. Anyway, that poses the problem I think I might have. I am overweight and need this surgery, I realize that, but, I when I go for my consultation/pre-interview I won't have anything in my oersonal doctor's file to subsantiate weight loss attempts, even though God knows I have tried everythingunder the sun for the last 10 years. Second question, how hard of a problem am I going to have with blue cross, blue shield personal choice? Third question, anyone have this done in the Philly area? Last question, does this board count as a support group for anyone? One of the doctors that I am looking into requires two support groups, just wondering if one on-line qualifies as one. Thanks in advance for any info you all can give. Sean