The Guys’ Room

1,612 topics in this forum

Hey guys - I have been through about ten different appointments in the last week. Set to be banded on June 11th. I have a couple more to go this week. I guess I must have sleep apena, because I have a CPAP test Friday night. Also my Pulmonologist suggested a vena cava filter to stop possible PEs. He said with my BMI it is a higher risk. My BMI is about 51, but I am a 26 YO. Did anyone else get one of these? Penny for your thoughts:)

Well it's been 24 hours since my surgery. When I woke up, the gas pain for about one and half hours was a killer. They said it would pass, and it did, but I was not ready for that. Then they tell me that men get it more than women, Great. Any way, all and all it was a ruff day, but I got through it. Today, much better. Everything is just tender. The best part is that "I did it". A new chapter. :wink2:

Hey all, 9.5 days post op and fealing prety good. 19 lbs lost already! Here is my question for all of you; I started to introduce mushy foods today i.e. mashed potatos, pureed scrambled eggs, thinned out oatmeal ect. I am supposed to be on a liquid diet for three weeks but i sure am enjoying the mushies. What diets did your doctors have you guys on? when did you start eating pureed and mushy foods? When did you start eating solid foods? Looking forward to hearing from you.

feel a little freaked out all of a sudden? my banding procedure is scheduled for Monday (5th). i'm totally ready and 110% willing....but all of a sudden, tonight, started getting major butterflies. for those of you who have had it - did you feel the same in the "11th hour"? help a brotha out here. RAS

Hey guys, It's been a while since I've posted but I'm back. I have finished all my pre-op stuff and got approved. My surgery is scheduled for 7/3, it could have been 6/19 but that wasn't a good date for me. I'm am nervous I think. Not sure what I am feeling, I just left my doctor's office for my final pre-op appointment. Tell me some good sutff if you have a minute! Tanks

This thread goes hand in hand with keeping the band a secret. How do you guys manage yourselves at social functions where people notice you're not your usual self with all the drinking and eating they were use to you doing? :confused2:

Hows it going fella's? 3 weeks post op, feeling good, down 17 lbs.,36 lbs. total. First fill in 3 weeks, feeling hungry, but hanging in there.Have a question i hope you can help with. Had my first feeling of food getting stuck yesterday when i ate something i shouldn't have. It was painful, i was sweating, i almost threw up ,but eventually it passed. I was wondering how this compares to the fullness you feel once you have restriction? I guess i'm hoping you just feel full not uncomfortable. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank You.

Having once been a fairly healthy and very active outdoorsman, a big part of looking into the band is to return to a weight where I can safely participate in the outdoor activities I love. For example, at or near goal weight, two of the trips I would be planning are to climb Mount Rainier and Kilimanjaro. Both are extended duration trips at altitude where the average person might be burning around 3000-5000 calories per day while needing to consume large amounts of Fluid to remain hydrated. Not exactly optimal conditions for having a narrow stomach. Has anyone here done any activities like this after banding? What does one do to accommodate the band? If you are c…

Just wanted to let everyone know that I'm new here. I am waiting for approval for surgery through insurance and believe surgery will be later june first of july. I live in Tn and I love to hunt and fish, and love being outdoors with my family. I weigh 350lbs and I am going to change some habits. I deal with HBP, sleep apnea and anxiety. Has anyone dealt with anxiety? I dont know if its caused by being overweight or what. Alot of times I feel like have to catch my breath throuhgout the day its been going on for about a year. Some days are better than others. I also enjoy dipping snuff but am having a hard time quitting. The Doc wants me to be nicotine free by sur…

I'm 48 hrs post op now and no bowel movement. Is this normal?

hi all I am new here and I am getting banded june sixteenth and I have never had surgery before. I have also never been put to sleep. I see a lot of people say its a breeze. I am self paying and this has to work. any advice would be appreciated.

Well I am STILL waiting to get a surgery date and find myself getting impatient about the process. Just ranting a little about things and admiring the progress others are making.

hey guys getting banded in june been nervous as hell lately...saw a good website..that does a lot of good explaining..everything wish my dr had one like this,,i don't no how to link sites but here is the site www.drsimpson.net,also has a site just for men www.azlapband.com...pretty good site can watch seminar video ,better than the hundred people i was in with

Hey fellas i'm 9 hours post op (5/23/08, 9:00am) and fealing pretty good considering, however i feal pretty bloated. Anyone else experiance this.

Hey guys got my date today. 6-11. Nervous but ready to make the change. How is everybody doing?

OK, in 12 hours from now I will be the proud owner of a lap band! Does anyone have some last minute advice? I do have one question, what are some essentials i need food wise for the next few days? What do I need to get from the store tonight, you know other then whats on the list?! Also, did anyone do anything creative as far as before and after stuff, i.e. creative ideas for pictures, clothes, measurements ect....

hey just wondering how many of you guys got the realize band

I'm thinking of going to Meico for my Lap-band. I need feedback and maybe a recommendation on a Doctor in Mexico.

I saw a law enforcment thread so figured some cops would see this if I posted here. I am getting banded the end of June. In August my wife and I will be moving to Florida for her job. I am a network administrator but have a degree in criminal justice and I am thinking about switching careers when I move. My question is: If I get the band, do you see it effecting BPT in anyway besides making more fit for physical work. Like will the port get smashed around or something. And also, has the band ever hindered you when you were working? Thanks in advance!

MDix, who has had his band for much of a year, mentioned that he's drinking hardly any calories - what's the significance of that? I'm 2 months post-op, with an unfilled band, and a diminished appetite. Most days, both for taste and for convenience, I have a Protein shake made with a can of low carb SlimFast Optima with a banana, Protein powder and some peanut butter; the calorie hit is about 350, and I'm getting about 20 g Protein from it. Should I be avoiding getting protein via liquids as much as possible? I also top off my protein intake with Isopure premade Protein drinks, just to make sure I'm hitting the numbers. How are you guys estimating your protein nee…

My surgery is scheduled for one week today, 5.23.08, anyway......I am concerned about low energy levels( not that I have a lot of energy at 300 lbs) the first few weeks while on the liquid diet and while my body is adjusting to the low caloric intake. Has anyone experience this...

I have been noticing a tingling sensation on the skin covering my left shoulder blade. It doesn't hurt but it is getting to be a bit distracting. I mentioned it to my surgeon and he smiled and said, "Yes, that is related to the band... a 'referred' sensation." I left it at that but now I'm wondering if it is going to go away. I'm 11 months out from surgery, and the sensation is new. Anyone else experience this?

Hey fellas. I have been reading on here for the last couple of weeks. I try to check this site a couple times a week, I find it pretty helpful. My story: I am a married 26 year old. I work for one of the local colleges and I am a full-time student. I have always been overweight, but never thought it was a problem. I always laughed it off. Early last year I decided I would have to do soemthing about it, when I couldnt get a job, because of my health issues. I hadnt weighed in more an 4 years and was afraid to do it now. My dad had the GB a couple years ago and lost 150lbs. I decided to go see a Dr about it. I went to the class and made an appointment. My wi…

I'm a Lt. in Va. Just banded on 3/24/08 was wondering if there any other firefighters out there

day two post opp the nurse kept asking me to try and pee. i'd go to the bathroom and stand there for 10 minutes with that plastic thing ready to pee in it.. but no go. although the weird thing was it felt like i was peeing. lol. the nurse was a little concerned and brought out some kinds of machine and turned it on and took another piece and kept moving it around my bladder. she was calling out numbers that were a reference to how much liquid was in my bladder. i'd look in the plastic thing and there would be a couple of drops in it. then night of of day 1 post opp, i got up and went in there and was able to get out about 400cc of pee. felt like a million bucks.…

Okay, fellas, this is probably gonna sound like a dumb thread, but here goes anyway. Now that a lot of us guys have lost some weight, are any of the rest of you getting looks your way that you didn't when you weighed more, or getting comments to you about looking nice after losing weight? I'm married, and there's only one woman for me of course, but it's kind of nice.

May 19th im getting banded....its been a lil battle with insurance only had to appeal once but i finally got approved....so i guess now that the time is nearing....any advice from you pros lol....i do have one question....any suggestions on like the protein shakes like which brand did you find tasting better and easier to deal with....anything i can add to make it just taste that much better....

are any of you able to eat 1600-1900 caloires in a day. when i work out i burn about 800. eating 1200 a day and burning 800 is not a good formula for me. in the past, during successful attempts at losing weight, i've had to be around 2K in calories and burning about 500-700 on gym days (4 x's a week). i'm concerend with not being able to put down close to 1800-2000 cal's. your thoughts?

Hi guys, I was banded on Friday afternoon by Dr. Eric Pinnar in Reston, VA. He was great. I had been considering the surgery for some time, but felt that I didn't have the time to devote to it. Anyway, I had a window that opened up suddenly (between two jobs) and decided to take the plunge and get the surgery done. Dr. Pinnar's fantastic staff took me through the whole process (including insurance approval) in about 2 weeks from first consult to surgery. My BMI was 36.7, so I was a candidate for the surgery based mainly on my "co-morbidities." (Who invented that phrase?) I am really looking forward to reducing/eliminating meds for Type II diabetes, high blood pr…

It's a bit of a side issue this, but I found myself wondering today 'If I no longer drink beer... what do I drink?' Obviously I know that there are a range of non-carbonated alcoholic beverages available, but I have to find the one that fits right as a manly beer replacement. For example, we all have afternoons where we meet the guys in a packed bar to watch an important sports game. That's really not the time to be asking for a look at the wine list. The hardcore manly drinks - say scotch - are probably a bit much mid-afternoon. But chuck a mixer in with a spirit and it immediately becomes a little camp: JD and Coke, Gin and Tonic, Vodka and Orange. Guiness is pr…

I was banded May 1. I have a nasty bruise at the port area about the size of a tennis ball. Has anyone else had this?

Hey everyone, I'm new to this group. I have just completed all my pre-op hoops nad am awaiting insurance approval. I have been severely overweight all my life and am sick of it. I just turned 30, and I am getting married in November and have been contemplating this for a while. I am a Probation officer on the state level and specialize in warrant service/fugitives and want to be in better shap for my health and to do my job better. I don't really mind not being able to eat (which I expect to be the case after surgery) the only reservation I have at this point is going out with the guys and not being able to have a couple you know? Tell me what its like please?

I am taking Terazosin (twice a day in capsule form) in order to be able to urinate freely. I have not been banded yet. Two questions: 1) will I be able to take my meds in capsule form from Day One on? 2) will they be absorbed into my bloodstream as usual? If not, I'll end up in the Emergency Room..... Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

My old shorts where looking like clown pants. I went to the old big mans section but alas I could find nothing that fit...IT WAS ALL TO BIG....so I went to a normal mens wear store and was able to get a pair of shorts. I havent been able to shop in a normies shop in over 10 years!!!! I feel awesome (still fat but awesome).

So I'm at the gym for lunch, doing my 'light day' workout. As usual at the gym, I'm just into myself, but I do notice that there's an obviously new lady there with one of the trainers. I'm happy to see this, as more clients mean they need less of -my- money, Anyway, part of my routine is a weighted back extension, 4 sets @ 15 reps carrying a 45 lb plate in my arms. It's really no big deal, and I like the stretch it produces in the back of the legs. So I'm running through my routine, already past those, when the newbie gets introduced to the machine. It's a little frightening at first, as you're levered out into space. She freaked a bit, and then did several unwei…

One of the goals I wanted to hit was to have a flat belly. I'm working on it, but just can't seem to get rid of the last of the love handles and beer belly. Is it realistic to expect to hit that goal at the age of 40? Should I just do as Peyton says and buy bigger shirts?

Hello everyone i'm new to this posting thing, but excited to be here. I received my approval letter yesterday and scheduled my surgery date today.I am to be banded on april 28th. I had hoped for something sooner,but i have waited this long so six more weeks will fly by. I have been browsing this forum for a couple of months now and am very encouraged by all of your successes. I hope to be sharing my own in the near future. For now i will continue my Quest to defeat the "DONUT KING" and his army of cheeseburgers, but soon with a new weapon on my side. Thanks and congatulations on your losses.

I was just wondering how you get in the exercise and how the band is working for you with being on the road all time?

I wasn't aware of the Men's Room way down here at the bottom of the forums. So, hello all! I've just received insurance approval this week, and hope to schedule my surgery before the end of May. I'm going to go read up on some of your stories for inspiration. -Brian

I'm having a real hard time sticking to the rule of no drinking before, during or 2 hrs after eating. I have always been one to drink alot during my meals. I am a diabetic who suffers thru dry mouth and drink fluids constantly. Has anyone else had trouble like this? I have just started introducing various food back into my diet (per Dr's guidelines) and feel a great urge to drink as I eat.

I love my lap band. I am down 50 lbs. from my all time high. I hit 245 today. My Doctor weighed me underwater a couple of years ago and told me to get to this weight. He explained that all of the BMI charts are out of date and due to me being very muscular, I will never be 180 lbs. I need to drop another 20 to get a really flat belly. So I a shooting for 225 by the middle of next month. I really havent changed my diet or quit any of my bad habits. I just do everthing with much more moderation and control. For example, I drink half as much beer as I used to. I eat half as many hamburgers as I used to and so on. Soda, candy and Donuts I quit consuming completely. I think I…

I'm almost 4 weeks out from banding now. I'll have a clearer idea when I weigh in tomorrow, but I'm anticipating that I'll be down around 15 or 16 pounds since surgery. I don't have absolute restriction, but I have some restriction, I think - I don't want to eat as much as I used to, I feel full on less than I normally eat, and I don't seem to be falling for my old bad habits. I've almost never felt hungry, and I've never experienced "bandster hell". There are some moments when I'm less than perfect - yesterday I got some tasty gyro meat on salad with pita from the cart in front of my office, and I ate more gyro than I should have, and more pita too. But until a month…

Hi All, I want to introduce myself. I was banded on 4/8/08 and am on my way. I am a bit sore although not as bad a I thought. My big problem would be the gas at this point. Comes and goes and I am currently on Pepcid, Gas X, heating pad, warm liquids and walking. I am hoping they subside in a few days. Anyhow, even before the placement this experiece has had a positive impact. My first weigh-in @ the Dr was 383 and the morning of surgury I was at 358. It feels so good to say I am down 25 pounds!!! Looking forward to great conversation in the future. Regards, Greg

Hey Guys, I know that typically we are not the sharing type but would anyone be willing to post some before and after pictures? I am scheduled for surgery on Dec 18th and I am trying to get the correct expectation. I know there is a picture before/after section and I have gone through the 100+ postings but most postings are ladies. We all have the same issues I'm sure. I would like to lose the belly and somehow lose the man boobs so I can wear a shirt without feeling uncomfortable.

I SWEAR I AM ABOUT TO PULL MY HAIR OUT....FIRST MY DOCTORS OFFICE MESSED UP ON MY FIRST REQUEST....THEY TRIED TO SEND IT AGAIN....BUT FOR TWO WEEKS MY UHC INSURANCE KEPT TELLING MY THE SECOND REQUEST WAS STILL PENDING STILL PENDING AND STILL PENDING....WELL TODAY THEY THAT CAUSE THE FIRST ONE WAS DENIED THAT THIS SECOND REQUEST WAS CANCELLED AND I HAVE TO START AND APPEAL....:blink:AND I WAS LIKE WHAT:scared2::cursing:FOR TWO WEEKS I BEEN CALLING AND YOU COULD HAVE TOLD ME TO START AN APPEAL BUT YOU NOW TELL ME TO START IT WHEN IT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE ALREADY!!!! SO THIS IS WHERE I NEED SOME HELP....IF ANYONE HAS HAD THE RUN-AROUND WITH UHC AND HAD TO DO AN APPEAL....CAN …

It has been 70 days since I had my band installation. Briefly, I have lost about 40 lbs and have another 40 to go. The Bad part: I still want to snack in the evening, popcorn, nuts, ice cream. When I have nothing to do it gets very difficult not to snack. When I do snack, I will eat a handfull of dry roasted peanuts and then feel guilty afterwards. Fills: I have had 3 fills now and have another one scheduled in two weeks. Although I am still in the yellow zone, if I eat slow I get full pretty quick. If I eat fast (not good) then I feel painfully stuffed. The Dr. says I am doing just fine and right on schedule. The good part: My pants do not slide down anymore. The…

I am curious about where all the Men are from that are having or had the Lap-Band. My name is Jeff I am from Louisiana. I live about 20 miles southeast of New Orleans.

Hello gentlemen, quick question. I was banded on March 1st with the new Realize Band from Johnson and Johnson. I was on the liquid diet for a few weeks and then went to pureed. My question is over the past few weeks, I have gotten the hiccups really bad after eating a couple of times. I think it is related to over eating and needing to learn portion control. I have not gotten sick yet but uncomfortable. Any thoughts? Also if you have any types on what I can eat on the soft food diet would be greatly appreciated. I have the list from the surgeon but tips from others who have been there is beneficial too. Thanks guys. I appreciate your input.

I have seen the lap band called a "belly cop" a "tool" and several other things. I prefer to think of my band as a "restrictor plate". I am looking forward to the races here in Texas, BUT I am not looking forward to the temptations of many many beers and good ol' concession stand food. I'll just have to cowboy up and meet the temptations head on. Missing the races is not an option.

Got home last night, had to spend an extra night in the hospital due to a small complication during surgery, Everything else went fine. :thumbdown: My doc wants me to wait six weeks to the first fill, a little disappointed about that but she must know best. I did loose 15 pounds in the last two weeks of pre-op diet, never thought I could do that. And now have to spend another three weeks on this wonderful liquid diet:thumbdown:. I really can't wait to at least start the soft foods part. Funny, the doc told me that when the band goes on for the first time there is very little restriction without the first fill, but I noticed that when eating the same liquid diet that I …