budinindy

Ah yes...skin. Unfortunately for me...as being someone who has had a weight problem his entire life and has more stretchmarks around his stomach than lines on a road atlas...I have...and will have...some sagging skin...esp.around my stomach area. Will I opt for plastic surgery? Don't know. I've decided that once I reach my goal weight and am at a level of body toning I am comfortable with...once there I will wait a year and then decide whether or not I want to consider surgery.

Chris...I've been following your progress for a while. You are one of the guys who inspired me and made me realize that I could do this. So for that...let me say thank you. Yeah...I don't know that I've ever felt this good. In my pic I took today...I'm wearing 34" waist jeans. I have not done that literally since 8th grade. Today was a shock to me...b/c it was the first time since my surgery that I've seen a picture of myself pre-surgery (a friend sent it to me to show me how far I've come). It has only helped me to firm up my resolve and reach my final goals...32" waist jeans and between 165 and 175...whatever weight gets me to the pants size. It's been a good year. :-)

Let me try to attach this pre-surgery picture. If it does not attach...then I have some others at home that I will attach next week when I'm back. A couple of add'l thoughts. First...please...I do not want to discourage anyone! The one thing I have learned is that each person is different and loses weight differently. Whether someone has lost 5 lbs...or 50lbs...or 150lbs...each pound lost is a victory. I understand that my weight loss is the exception rather than the rule....and that as a guy...I will tend to lose weight quicker. With that said...I thought it was important to post to let everyone know that Lap Band can and does work...as I encountered a lot of reisitance from friends co-workers that the Lap Band would not work very well...and even my surgeon was concerned that RNY might be a better choice. But I knew in my heart that Lap Band would work for me...if I was honest with myself and tried. So...that's what I've done. I've exercised my tail off (currently 6 days a week on the treadmill...50 min at a time @ 4mph) and followed the dietary plan I was given. I have worked to protect and not stretch out my pouch...and made I would say 99% healthy food choices and portion sizes...with an occasional small portion of fried potatoes. :-) So there is no secret. I just am focused and remind myself that if I was at a point in my life that WLS was my only option...that I gave up the right to make excuses for not exercising or eating something I'm not supposed to eat. I so hope that I have not caused anyone to be disappointed with their lap band journey. That would be the last thing I would ever want to do. I just was hoping to show someone who was questioning whether or not the Lap Band would work (just like I did months ago)...that the band can work...and maybe be a bit of an inspiration to them...like so many on this forum were to me. Take care and have a good day. Bud Before.bmp

Hello to All, I just wanted to take a moment and share my milestone. Today is exactly 16 weeks since I had my surgery and I am down 100.8lbs. It hasn't been easy...nor hard...just a concentrated focus of making the right choices and doing what I'm supposed to do. I'm close to my goal on the scale...so I'm starting the transition to a more focused effort on toning up. This has been an amazing ride...and I just want to say to anyone who is considering Lap Band...you can have success despite what others might say. RNY is not the only WLS game in town. If you understand that it takes a little commitment and effort...you can be successful with Lap Band. I'm going to try and attach a picture...hopefully you'll be able to see my progress. I'm wearing the belt I wore when I had surgery...and I'm holding it at the hole I used to use. I wish everyone well. Take care and have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Bud in Indy

I had to laugh at this post...b/c yesterday my wife and I had this same conversation...about getting a new belt and I'm saying "No...it's perfectly fine." Granted...it's cracked and tattered...but it always puts me in a good mood when I put it on and sinch it up. So...yeah...I'll eventually get a new one...but not for a while. :-) Take care. Bud

Good Afternoon Everyone, Well I haven't had anything to say...so I've just been lurking the last few weeks...but today...a little good news. I had my 6 weeks follow up with my surgeon and the dietician....and I'm down 55 lbs from my weight the morning of my surgery. The Dr. was pleased...did not give me a fill but told me if hunger becomes an issue before my next follow up (in a month) to call and come in for one. The dietician was blown away. She could not believe a lap band patient could lose that amount of weight in such a short time. (She made comments like, "Wiat...this scale can't be right." and "There is just something wrong here. This just does not happen with the lap band." Both were quite proud of my progress...as am I. In my surgery center...I'm the exception..as 99% of the patients and RNY. So I guess that's why they were so surprised. whatever the reason...I'm just happy the band is working for me. That's all I got for now. Hope all of you are doing well. Take care and have a great day. Bud in Indy

Hey Guys...I need to chime in here too. I had my surgery 11 days ago...and for the last 3-4 days...I have been having sleep issues too. I comfortably sleep w/a CPAP. My issue is, frankly, I feel like my brain will not shut off and some of the evenings have felt jittery. I can feel I need to fall asleep...but my body just does not turn off. I've been doing everything exactly as my Dr. instructed...and the only new med I'm on is Lexapro. Could that be doing it? I've never been on an antidepressant before. As always....your insights are appreciated. Take care, Bud

Hey Bruce...I hope all is well. Today has been exactly one week since I had my surgery. Things have gone better for me than I would have ever expected. No real pain to speak of...just some general discomfort. Following the eating and exercise plan has not been an issue for me either. I don't know if that's because of the band...my mind set...or both. Whatever it is...I'll take it as a blessing. My pre-surgical weight was 288# the morning of...and my weight at discharge was 295#. I had my first follow-up appt. with my surgeon...and I'm down to 277#! So...not only did I lose the 7# of Fluid from the surgery...I have a net weight loss of 12#! Not too bad for 6 days. My next appt is 9/7...so I'll have a one month milestone to post then. Take care and have a great day. Bud

Hey everyone...just wanted to drop a note and let you know I'm home...with my band installed...and so far...it's been a fairly painless process. I have had minimal discomfort...no real pain to speak of...and not a lot of gas/bloating problems...and no nausea. If it weren't for the occasional twing I feel at a couple of the incision sites...I would never have known I had surgery. I just hope if continues to go well. The only diappointment was I did not get the AP band. My surgeon had ordered it...but for some reason...it did not arrive. This of course she did not find out until 40 or so minutes into the surgery...and boy...was my surgeon PO'd!!! They checked with another nearby hospital...but they did not have one either. So she had to talk w/my wife and have her make an executive decision...go with what they have...or close me up and try it again later in the year. My wife said go...and so they did. (Had I been in my wife's situation I would have made the same choice.) When I asked my surgeon what band I got...she said something about "10" but I do not know if she said the 10cm...or 10cc ( I was still a little cloudy). I'll make whatever I have work...but just curious is anyone had thought or insights on which might have been used. (I have an appt on the 30th...so I'll find out for sure then which ons she used.) But...I'm feeling great...only taking a minimum dose of pain meds...and just trying to take it easy...and learn how my stomach is going to work now. I've walked about 8 total miles since my surgery...which allowed my not to have to give myself Lovenox injections...as long as I keep up the movement to prevent blood clots. I'm focused and very happy so far. Anyway...enough rambling. Take care everyone and have a great evening. Bud

Hey all...just a quick note...about 12 hours from now I should be coming out of surgery and starting my new life. Many of you have inspired me with your success...my goal is to do the same for others. Take care and I'll drop a note in a few days. All the best. Bud

AZPete....I just wanted to say Thanks!! I go into surgery in 11 hours from now...and just thought I'd jump on the forum one last time...and man..am I ever glad I did!! As I sit here...I am not nervous..but comfortable and ready for the next stage of my life. My motivation is a little different than yours. Beyond the health and extended quality of life...in the back of my mind...I want to be the lap band patient that is an inspiration to others. At the hospital where I am having my procedure...it's 99.99% RNY...only a handful with the Lap Band. I want to be an example...a mentor if you will...that this will work...and it's a viable option for those who are willing to make a few changes and reap the benefits of an extended lifetime. Thank you again...your story just reinforces the fact that I am making the right choice for me. Continued success and good health. Bud

LapBandit...first and foremost...WOW!!! Congrats on your success so far!!! Your work is paying you dividends that will last a lifetime...and an extended lifetime at that! I am having my surgery a week from today...and am inspired by your success. I will be swinging by the pick up a copy of Eating for Life...but I have a question for you. On the EFL website...it seemed to indicate eating several small meals throughout the day...rather than just three...but in my nutrition class..they said three meals per day should be it to avoid over-eating. How do you plan your meals? After I ger the book...I will likely have more questions about adapting the concepts to a "bandster lifestyle". May I pick your brain at a later date? Thanks for the time and insights. Take care and have a great day. Bud

Big Wave Dave...what a great name! The AP stands for Advanced Platform band. It's the newest band out there. It a wider band...has 360 degrees of inflation...and a different perforated design. All of of that together is to help with issues of slippage, erosion and blockages. I read this article about it...seems to be performing well: Bariatric Times » Article Archive » The LAP-BAND AP™ System: The Platform Advances Hopefully the hype is true! I'll keep you all abreast of my progress. Thanks for chiming in. Talk to you later. Bud

Hey Guys...just wanted to drop a line and let you know I confirmed w/my surgeon that I would be getting the AP. Whew! Didn't even know about the AP a week ago...and now I'm just happy knowing I'm getting it. Now...as my surgery date is a week from tomorrow...the butterflies have kicked in!! Unfortunately I'm focusing on the stuff I won't be able to have again rather than focusing on all the stuff I'll be able to do and the extension of my life. I imagine that is normal...but it's funny...been at this for over a year and today is the first day I've really felt any nerves. But...when it comes to something unpleasant...I get worked up until right beforehand...then accept it...and say, "Ok...let's get it over with!" and move on. But I imagine the next week is going to be a little restless.... Anyway..just wanted to chime in and keep this room active. Have a good one. Bud

Thanks to everyone who chimed in on the AP band. If my surgeon has it available...that what I'd like to go with. Just seems like the right move. On a side note...I have to say several of you have inspired me even more...with the amount of weight you have lost in just 4-6 months. My surgery is the 24th...so 5 months to Christmas. I figure a goal of 50# by Christmas is a good, achieveable one with some work...and a goal of 75# would be a nice stretch goal. With effort and following the dietary guidlines 90-95%....I think (based on my previous weight loss history) that those numbers can be met. I'll keep you abreast of my progress. Thanks again for everything. Have a good one. Bud