Hello from one nervous Biker

iradi8fortheusa · January 29, 2009

Hello,

I am scheduled to have my band surgery next Thursday 02/05/2009. I would be lying if I said I was not nervous. I keep asking myself what the hell am I doing? Well I started my journey about 8 months ago when I weighed 345lbs. I am only 6'0" tall. I could no longer ignore my bodies complaints; aching back, knees, neck, ankles, and copious periods of shortness of breath. Lets not forget the pre-diabetes, high cholesterol, high liver enzymes, sleep apnea (yes I have a pappy), and high blood pressure. Of course any illness or injury I have had in the last five years was blamed on my weight by my physician. (you got hit by a meteor, well if you were not so morbidly obese you would have been able to run out of the way!) I have tried just about every diet with limited success, for I was always hungry. At the end of each diet I would gain back all the weight I lost plus an extra 20 or so pounds just to add insult to injury. I have done lots of research, and read countless blogs and I have decided that the Lap Band was for me! I am not interested in replumbing my body, God I have enough problems already with out having to remap my digestive track. Well I would just like to say "hello", and I will keep you posted on my journey. Please bear with my stupid questions, but I am a technical guy.

One nervous biker

plain · January 29, 2009

Hey there nervous biker! Why you gotta be spreading isotopes around like that? LOL

Your story sounds a lot like mine. I'm a big guy.....always have been. My struggles with my weight stemmed from my portion sizes. I could put a lot of food away in a sitting. That's why the band has worked for me.

So, I'm not trying to give you the hard sell on the band, or anything. Everybody has to make that choice for themselves. But I am glad you managed to find us here. There's a lot of information to be unearthed, if you'll snoop around a bit. Good luck!

GordoNoMore · January 29, 2009

Hello Biker: You are the man!! Go for it. I just got approval from the Dr. at the VA hospital to get on track to have the surgery this spring. I can echo everything you say about dieting and eating. I look forward to being banded to use it as a tool not to over eat. Best of luck and keep us posted on your progress. God bless, art, a friend of Jesus.

moonchild713 · January 29, 2009

HEY I know how you feel! I freaked out!!! As they were taking me down the hall I kept asking everyone PLEASE TELL MY WHY I"M DOING THIS! It's really not to bad! you just have pain from the small cuts. No in side pain!! Really! They worst was the gas from them pumping you up. Try to get out of bed asap to get that gas to disapait. I have had other operations this was CAKE! I know your up-set. BUT is is soooo worth it! I have lost 60 pounds since June. I feel better and have more energy. I have a bad back and it is really helping that. Really it's not tat bad. Just think how much better your feel riding!!!! I trying to get my husband to do it to! I got a new bike last year and fat bob! Mean looking bike and I know he would enjoy it so much more if he took some pounds off... You will be fine you just need to look for the good things that are going to happen to you. If you were not upset about it then I think I would worry.. Good luck!

moonchild713 · January 29, 2009

Oh & they have cut my bp meds in half. My Fluid pill in half.. 20 more pounds the doc to taking the metformin away to....not that this applys to you but allot of my woman proplems have been inproving. You take off 40 pounds your knees and ankles will thank you! You need to talk to my son... He was banded in may and has lost almost 90 pounds.. He is 6'3" he lookd great. Yes i took would never do the bypass...... I think the band is a safe way to go. You want to pounds to come off slow ad steady

FuriousAbyss1947 · January 29, 2009

what up bro,

I am the son of the woman in the previous post. Listen.....I know there is much more fear than just the procedure itself. there is fear of the actual change in life style. no more good foods, soda, beer, bread, and any other nasty food we all love will be gone. but, i have lost almost 90lbs in 8 months. i was 380lbs, and loved food more than my own life. that has all changed. i almost get sick thinking of the foods i used to adore. in the first month of being banded i lost 30lbs, a pound a day....i am 22 years old. but i didnt mess around. i work out and exerise 4-5 times a week. i am millitant when it comes to food and exercise. the amount of work you put into the band you get back 10fold in health. dont be worried the surgery is cake, almost little pain, mostly gas. but i would take ten times the amount of pain......because it is worht it. the band is the greatest tool for weight loss. motivation, sacrifice, and courage are all words needed to describe the lap band journey. once you get it over with the procedure.... is when the the real work begins. STAY STRONG....STAY MOTIVATED...AND STAND TALL. IF THE ROAD IS EASY...THE DESTINATION IS NOT WORTH THE WALK. if you want to talk about this more i would be more than happy. i want to see you do well, so dont hesitate to talk to a person that has been in your shoes and walked the line.-FuriousAbyss1947

Edited January 29, 2009 by FuriousAbyss1947

GordoNoMore · January 29, 2009

Good to read your comment to Biker! I can relate to "portion size" being a problem which is why I have determined that the LB can help me. I am praying and hoping that it does. Where in Texas are you? I am in San Antonio, art, a friend of Jesus.

Brandy~ · January 29, 2009

Hi there and Welcome to LBT!!

Congratulations on your surgery date. You will do just fine. I wish you a very speedy recovery

GordoNoMore · January 29, 2009

Thanks for your post! You sound very militant and that is what I need to hear. I wish I would have done this years ago. Now I am 61 years old and pushing 333 lbs of ass around. No more, this Spring the VA Hospital will LB me and I look forward to the use of this tool. I have the same problem you do - did - Portion Control. All you can eat buffets were my old friends who were killing me. I will keep an eye on your progress. Take care and God bless you, art, a friend of Jesus.

Denny_C · January 29, 2009

Hello,
I am scheduled to have my band surgery next Thursday 02/05/2009. I would be lying if I said I was not nervous. I keep asking myself what the hell am I doing? Well I started my journey about 8 months ago when I weighed 345lbs. I am only 6'0" tall. I could no longer ignore my bodies complaints; aching back, knees, neck, ankles, and copious periods of shortness of breath. Lets not forget the pre-diabetes, high cholesterol, high liver enzymes, sleep apnea (yes I have a pappy), and high blood pressure. Of course any illness or injury I have had in the last five years was blamed on my weight by my physician. (you got hit by a meteor, well if you were not so morbidly obese you would have been able to run out of the way!) I have tried just about every diet with limited success, for I was always hungry. At the end of each diet I would gain back all the weight I lost plus an extra 20 or so pounds just to add insult to injury. I have done lots of research, and read countless blogs and I have decided that the Lap Band was for me! I am not interested in replumbing my body, God I have enough problems already with out having to remap my digestive track. Well I would just like to say "hello", and I will keep you posted on my journey. Please bear with my stupid questions, but I am a technical guy.

One nervous biker

Hey Biker,

You and I are pretty close to the same build. I'm a little shorter (5'10'') but you have me beat by a few pounds when I started this same course of action.

First thing, the day of the surgery isn't as bad as it could be but it's not all that bad either. You will be really sore the first day but by the day after you can start to feel human again. You will feel the port for a few weeks and it will be sore so if you use your belly to push things you may want to think it over first.

Second, the band is not filled when you first get it. You will not feel a restriction until around the 3rd fill. At first everything will pass right on bye so you have to get rid of the weight by just following the doctor's orders for a couple of months.

Third, ya have to start an exercise routine. I walk everyday for at least 1 hour at a speed of 3 and an incline of 10 on the treadmill. Now, it took me several weeks to get to that level and it takes a lot of self discipline but you can do it.

For the good news, I weighed 326 on November 1st, 2008. I now weigh 267 and I’m half way to my goal of 210! I’ve followed the “rules” to the absolute and over exercised to make that happen but you can do it too.

Hang in there Bro you can do it and the operation is not all that bad. I won’t lie to you, the operation is not a fun thing but it’s not all that bad either. The fills are easy and really don’t hurt.

By the way, I’m older than you are by 20 years, so, if I can do it you can do it!

iradi8fortheusa · January 30, 2009

I want to thank everyone for your support, believe me it is much appreciated! I will keep everyone posted on my progress. I am not going to back out now, My body, mind, wallet, and insurance have been poked and prodded to the point of no return. Thank you again for the warm welcome.