A thread for super-sized bandsters - starting BMI over 50?

[mylapspirit 2]

Welcome to lbt! You will love this forum. Everyone is so nice and helpful and gives so much encouragement and information when you need it the most. Congratulations on getting your band(bella) and enjoy the new adventure.

shelli:girl_hug:

[whosyadaddy 0]

Welcome Fairlydust. I was born and lived in London UK untill i was 22 and moved to the states.

I saw a few ppl were banded on the NHS, how can that even be possible?

[fairydust 0]

not sure about how so many people are getting it done on the NHS. I think it depends a lot on which are you are in and how much that trust is in debt!! Also there arenot many GP's that support patients with being overweight, my GP was useless and "prescribed" 1hr cardio a day and eat less-which is easier said than done!

I know it cost me loads but it is an investment in my future!

[whosyadaddy 0]

Yeah Really. I think even if i did have to self pay it probably would of been the best investment i could of made!

I feel guilty as my diet has been a little off this weekend with traveling for a wedding and i gave myself a little break yesterday. Im back on today but i cant get to the YMCA today as there closed (American Labor Day thing).

I actually cant wait untill tomorrow when i can exercise really good and get back to my regualr 1200-1400 calories. How weird is that? I want to exercise.

Ok did you ever hear of Hemel Hempstead? Thats where i lived and worked and played all over London every day. I miss it sometimes. I like the big city feel. I think i would be happy living in New York City for a while.

[queenmama 0]

Hi all,

I posted this message on another thread a few days ago but after going over past postings, I see this is the place for me!

Panic Time

I'm new to this site and like all of you, I have some embarrassing stories but right now I am in a panic. I have had multiple opportunities to travel for work and I have always passed them to a coworker for fear of not being able to fit into a plane seat. Well now I am supposed to fly to Hawaii and I am the passenger who is quite overweight (size 26/28). I don't want to say no but am so worried that I'll be too big. I'm trying to check into seat size, possible upgrades, etc. , but since the company is paying for everything I'm not in on the arrangements. Since the flight is 10+ hours, I'm also concerned about the size of the bathroom as I can't hold it that long. I have been losing sleep over this and am tempted to say I can't go...but it's Hawaii for free!! I was banded on Aug 6, 2007 and I was hoping that I would lose before something like this came up again. Didn't expect something so soon! Does anyone have any flying hints or advice? Be brutal as I would rather avoid an embarrassing situation than walk right into one! I just hate living my life trying to keep one step ahead of any possible problems that my weight will pose. That's why I finally decided to get this surgery and I know it will be worth it. Best of luck to you all. By the way, I have 45 days...Aloha

I've seen a couple of posts that address this problem and I guess I'm looking for a little encouragement.

I'm not sure how much I have lost to date, but I was banded Aug 6, 2007 @ 346 lbs. ( I'm 5'8" ) Weighed in at 337 one week post op. Not sure what I weigh now because my scale couldn't read my pre or post op weights so I don't know how accurate it is (it's been reading about 225 but I'm not going to trust it yet).

I am going to see the nurse tomorrow for my first monthly follow up, keeping my fingers crossed. I'll let you know how it goes.

[Big Wave Dave 0]

Aloha

I'm Big Wave Dave, I live on the Island of Kauai and my job requires me to fly to mainland 3-4 times a year. I was banded on 7/11/07, I'm down 55 Lbs. and my last trip was a little better. But that doesn't help you now does it..LOL Well here are my travel trips for you, Getting and upgrade is quite expensive, Like about twice the ticket price, so that might not work. Check in early with the airlines and ask if there are any empty seats and if you ask real nice and they may give you a seat with no one next too you. Ask for an Aisle seat and but the arm rest up, sometime you can get a seat on the Aisle that both arms can fold up, that will give you a little more room. Get on line and buy yourself a seat belt extinsion. I got mine from SuperSizeWorld.com (or i should say my DSW bought me one) I've got the model "A" and I've never got on an airplane that it didn't work on. Also try and eat at the layovers if you have any, the food on the planes sucks and that's just one more things for people to talk about, "look how much that fat person is eating" and I can't get the service table down anyway. As for the bathrooms they are small but you can make it, I use the ones in the back of the plane, no sense giving the whole plane a show. Well I don't know what else to tell you, OH yeal but on your thick skin that day, some people are just mean and if you get the wrong seat mate they can make life difficult, they can always ask to me moved. Well Queenmama I wish you good luck and have a great trip and be safe. Make sure you go to the beach while your here, and don't say I can't I don't have a swimsuite, shorts and tee shirt works just fine, and my wife and my attuide is if they don't want to lookthey can turn there heads, and they will never see you again.

Talk to you soon

Aloha

Big Wave Dave

PS I just noticed you are 50, so am I, what a great age!

[smilin_apple 0]

Hiya, found this thread really inspiring. To see how much people are losing is great and you seem very supportive.

I am from London and have always been massive! I used to tell myself I will be then by the time I finish school, then it was at the end of College, then uni and it got to the stage where I knew a diet wasn't gonna do it! The most I ever lost was 6st (84lbs) but then I started to put that back on. I got back up to 340lbs and I knew I had to do something, so I took the plunge and got in touch with a private health company who specialised in bariatric surgery and within 6 weeks I was booked in! I got banded on the 25th August and including the pre-op diet I have lost 25lbs to date.

I have to lose the equivalent of 2 children (quite big ones!) but I don't care, I finally feel like this is gonna work. I have never been thin so I don't know what I look like but already I feel great and I have noticed that without the sugar and bread I am not having cravings for stodgy food and chocolate. Maybe Atkins really was onto something!! The British still don't really go in for low carb but I reckon when I can eat again I'm gonna do a low fat version!

Anyway just wanted to join in because I am on a long wagon ride and thought some company would be nice!!

WELCOME!!! You will love it here. I just joined myself a little over 1 month ago and have met some great people. They are great to turn to when you want to share some good news with people and even better when you just need to talk about things that might be not-so-great. I myself have not been banded yet but am seeing my surgeon tomorrow for a follow up and am hoping to get some good news on my upcoming surgery. Hopefully he will schedule me soon??? I am keeping my fingers crossed! I look forward to chatting with you and hearing about all your weight loss. Have a great day!

[insubordination 0]

I hear ya. I have a flight in a couple of weeks and I've been trying very hard to take some weight off. Every little bit counts. Fortunately, it's only an hour or so, so I can do it.

The tips above are great. When you check in, ask if you can be seated at the back of the plane (it's less likely to be full). Also, you MUST MUST get an aisle seat. Nothing else will do.

I assume you meant 325 not 225. Hmmm you could actually fit. The point is not to panic too much. You'll just have to deal with it when it comes, you will get to Hawaii and you will get back again.

Also, it's probably the last time you'll have to go through this, which is awesome.

[fairydust 0]

[quote=whosyadaddy;555837

Ok did you ever hear of Hemel Hempstead? Thats where i lived and worked and played all over London every day. I miss it sometimes. I like the big city feel. I think i would be happy living in New York City for a while.

Yes! I used to go shopping there fairly regularly! I origionally lived in Chalfont then moved to Uxbridge but I am now on the south coast which is lovely.

I am feeling really frustrated, I lost loads of weight in my pre-op stage and then the first week out but I have not lost a pound this week on my liquid diet!! I don't see how that is possible!! Any tips to start it moving again or am I being impatient?!!

[whosyadaddy 0]

Fairydust, This is soooo typical. After surgery your body is going to be in recovery mode. Its got alot of IV Fluid in it and your body is holding on to everything incase something else happens. I lost extreemely little in the two weeks after surgery. Now its falling off!

I know its hard but just hang in there. The worst is ppl that know you have had it and they say...well how much have you lost? thats why i told hardly anyone.

I used to Service the Air Conditioning in Lloyds Bank in Chalfont and Uxbridge. All those villages around there are so nice. I really liked Cheasham too. Nice to live on the coast.

[losingjusme 12]

The tips above are great. When you check in, ask if you can be seated at the back of the plane (it's less likely to be full). Also, you MUST MUST get an aisle seat. Nothing else will do.

i am the exact opposite. you may be careful about the back of the plane. SOME planes have slightly smaller seats back there, plus it's a pain to get back to with all your bags, etc...

i always try to get the window seat. the reason is that the windows are indented a bit ... i just snuggle in there a bit more.

but, i take what i can get. i work for an airline and we don't have to pay for domestic flights (coach / standby)... so i cant be picky at all.

[mmcbelle 0]

Hi all,

I have been trying to read through this whole thread before I said hello, but that may take me a while, so...hello. I am so happy to see this thread. I was beginning to think that there were very few of us over 50 BMI'rs, but am glad to not feel so alone.:clap2:

I am really enjoying the support I see out here. If you are having a good day you have folks to Celebrate with and if you are having a bad day you have folks to lift you up and cheer you on. What a wonderful thread. Thanks for being here.:whoo:

I am currently in a place where I am not making forward progress. I have had my first fill (forgot to ask how much it was). I had a rocky start in that my stomach swelled shut for three days - what when down came back up. On day 4 the swelling subsided and I got IV fluids. Due to my complication in the beginning it seems my aftercare support is being very cautious with every forward step. My biggest issue is this, :tired I can't eat solid food before 12 - 1 in the afternoon. I have ensured I am getting plenty of Water. I have tried the warm/hot beverage first thing in the morning to "open" my band and I am still having the issue. I did take off for the holiday weekend and I was able to eat Breakfast between 7:30 & 8:00 am. I am thinking I am stressing about work and that is why I am unable to eat solid foods in the morining. I am supplementing with Protein Shakes. Any body else have this kind of issue or read about it on a thread that you can point me to?:eek:

I do have a question about Protein absorbtion. My primary care doctor is concerned that I may not be getting enough protein. I have done the math about the .8 grams protein per each kg and my number is 135. I don't know how I can get that much protein in. :help: But my question is this, how much protein can the body process at a time. What I am trying to figure out what is the maximun protein can I have in a shake or other protein supplement and my body can effeciently process the protein. I don't want to waste the protein when my body can't process the excess anyway. Also, I just am curious. I can't seem to find a straight forward guideline about it on the internet and forgot to ask my Dr. when I had her on the phone. I just received an email from the patient coordinator at my after care center that gave the guideline of 20-25 grams of protein is absorbed over a 3 -4 hour time frame. Any thought or comments?

Thanks for reading!

[crazyace 0]

i am the exact opposite. you may be careful about the back of the plane. SOME planes have slightly smaller seats back there, plus it's a pain to get back to with all your bags, etc...

i always try to get the window seat. the reason is that the windows are indented a bit ... i just snuggle in there a bit more.

but, i take what i can get. i work for an airline and we don't have to pay for domestic flights (coach / standby)... so i cant be picky at all.

yes I like the window seat----you can still put up the arm rest between you and the person next to you and then lean toward the window--i feel like it is more room---and no one bumps into you when they walk by.---no one has to ask you to get up so they can go to the bath room----i have been on a plane and the belt doesn't fit me---i just tuck the two ends under my belly and just give the flight attendants mean looks ---so they will think you are difficult and not want to harass you---

Also remember you have paid just as much as everyone else and you have just as much right to be relaxed and comfy---and it is there only job to make sure you are happy with your flight!---Just because we are "super fat" doesn't mean we are second class citzens----

But most important have fun on your trip---

[faithmd 14]

i am the exact opposite. you may be careful about the back of the plane. SOME planes have slightly smaller seats back there, plus it's a pain to get back to with all your bags, etc...

i always try to get the window seat. the reason is that the windows are indented a bit ... i just snuggle in there a bit more.

but, i take what i can get. i work for an airline and we don't have to pay for domestic flights (coach / standby)... so i cant be picky at all.

I agree with losing TOTALLY. I ALWAYS get a window seat. It fit soooooo much better there, I could care less about crawiling over someone if I have to go to the bathroom, they'd have to stand up if I was 95 lbs or 300 lbs, planes these days are just too damned tight.

I get tired of the serving cart and people knocking into me in the aisle. I always take my own inflatable pillow and a sweatshirt to ball up against the window because it's pretty cold. I NEVER get an aisle. If I were taller, maybe. But I too am almost 5'8" and don't find I need to aisle to stretch for height. I and very thick through the butt/belly area and needed an extender at about 280lbs on up. I asked as soon as I boarded the plane for an extender, usually they have one tucked right over their heads in the forward galley and they'll just hand it to you, of they'll ask for your seat number and most have been pretty discreet about bringing me one. I now have my own as well. I was on a very turbulent flight one time and will NEVER go without my seatbelt again. I know MANY folks here say they tuck their belt under the edge of their shirt or under a newspaper rather than ask for an extender. NO WAY, my head and neck hurt for three days from cracking it on the rack above me.

[losingjusme 12]

hi mmcbell, welcome to the boards. i was banded by Dr. Marsden as well (October 2006)

i am so sorry you had a difficult beginning.

i, too, tend not to eat solids before 11 or 12. i usually just have an Atkins shake (Caramel Latte - in the freezer for a bit taste a bit like Starbucks Frapp!!!)

we dont have to worry too much about absorption of Protein (or any vitamin/minerals)

good luck!