2KpUpwithAvery

Just wanted to update, I have been to Juarez Mexico and have been banded (July 30th) I'm in pain from the travel, but doing good. Hungry but I know better, besides the hunger pains go away and I'm not about to eat anything but my Clear liquids this week. I won't harm my new situation in any way if at all possible. I am going to really learn to love Soup broths :-) Anyways, I wanted to know if anyone can recommend a spot to pick up a nice update (on my progress) like so many of you have on the bottom of your posts? I thank you all for your continued support and posts...

Woodseywoman Wow.. I'm heading there next Wednesday, Juarez Mexico with Dr. Rod! Amazing, can you offer me any advice? Anything you'd do different? Anything you wish you had taken, but didn't? Was it hard to find your ride from the airport in El Paso, assuming of course you flew? Hope to hear from you, I'm ready but to hear from someone who literally was JUST THERE would boost my spirits. Anything you'd like to share would be super! Thanks!

These are the types of posts that worry me, the kind where "I'm not losing any weight, help" I know were all different, I can only hope for the best and I'm glad you started this thread cause i'll be watchin and reading. Set to be banded on July 30th.

We can all tell you what to do do but you know what? I'd what my big ass back into that Dr's office and tell him that as his patient you didn't appreciate that. I'm gonna be frank, that guy is obviously an Ahole who thinks his stuff don't stink and that "you people" will just sit and take it. It not any different than getting bad service from Wal Mart or a restaurant. Let him know how you feel, then tell him your doing it anyways and that HE should really be the one doing his homework. After one year many have said they thought they'd lose more, and on average you do lose less than those that go with gastric bypass... But years down the line you will be much better off. MAN stories like this tick me off... He's prolly some lil Indian dude with a beamer huh? :-) Jerk!!!!!

Dkearby :-) I wish you well man, I'll tell you what.. and I hope you got this from my post.. I Only meant you could try to lose the weight first as a POSITIVE man :-) I'll toss this out there, if YOU feel this is the answer then by all means give it a try. You are correct, I can attest to putting on weight RAPIDLY so get a grip on all this and take control before you are over the top like some of us others who have posted. In no way did I personally mean that was the answer, I think only you know what is best for you and if that means a lapband so be it. Never question a fat man, that is the number one rule... Some of the posts even sound "matter of factly".... like they know you and your whole situation! Strange. Cause they don't! You hang in, and keep in touch. I agree you could be at 300 lbs in months and then what? Exactly.... Get this taken care of via the lapband, it'll give you what you give back and I think you'll give back just find with food off your mind!

Cobrien... I agree with two of the posts, number one you do what YOU have to do to make it happen. I'm not going to lecture you like some about how this is a tool.... You should know that if youve come this far :-) I will say I highly recommend a GREAT BIG meal of like a 12" subway sub and TONS of water.. all you can drink right before your office visit. You easily put on 6-8=10 lbs.. trust me :-) If ur farther... wow... You'd probably NOT be caught cause it isn't like Dr's pat youdown :-) But I'm not so sure about it... I will say in closing, if i were you and had to do it and it was the only way... i'd be on my way to wal mart for some new ankle weights :-)

Laurinda... Not Cracker Barrell, this guy can cook for himself :-) Although I've had it at cracker barrell, mine is better sans the butter they use their as well. Keep on keeping on Everyone!

FROGGI... Excellent job on the initial weight loss. Takes quite the edge off seeing the pounds drop off... Three more months, I wish YOU luck as well... I plan on posting progress here just like the others.... I hope to do very well :-)

You sound like me in my "earlier days" I am 5'11" and would first recommend a healthy diet and workout regimen. I ONLY say that cause your not far off from where you need to be, and if you have no insurance your option if considering the Lap Band is "self pay" That means you pick up the tab completely. Only you know yourself, and more importantly how your mind works. If your mind/life won't allow a healthier lifestyle you should consider the self pay. Remember though, the lap band should be coupled with a healthy lifestyle to be 100% effective. Good luck man!

A great Protein option for those of you looking, re-discovered it today. Cajun Fish! Any kind, great flavor little to not fat ZerO carbs and sugar and Wow! Does it pack a punch for something we are actually able to eat!! Gotta run...

Keep me posted! I want to hear how us "bigger" guys are doing :-) Lots of people on here, not many 400 lbs or better? Your right man, same goes for me... WE HAVE TO DO IT!

Nikole! Sounds like were on the same diet, and though your right having meals is better than being on an all liquid diet its STILL a diet. My way of coping with it? EAT MORE OF WHAT YOU ARE ALLOWED TO EAT! I'll be outright and honest, my dr. has told me that even the smallest amount of sugar will throw the body out of ketosis and ultimately not allow your liver to shrink properly for surgery. Will you be turned away, I personally at my size have been told that is possible, but I do know the liver size is key to this surgery so try real hard to stay on the wagon. I'm new, and don't know everthing obviously but i decided to chime in cause your pre op diet sounds like mine. HIgh Protein low carb and two pieces of fresh fruit a day. NO SUGAR is a mandate of mine.... No more Cookies, eat a second steak :-) I don't have a sweet tooth, I have a food tooth! I know enough to realize we are all NOT on these pre op diets to necessarily lose weight, more to prepare out bodies for surgery. Eat the steak! lol

BANDOF GOLD Thanks for the well wishes, it is a journey :-) I'm hoping to come across another that is as big as me :-) Guess I waited longer than most at 495 lbs.... Thanks for the support, great job yourself. You guys are all my inspiration now. I love to see success...

Lol Thanks, very nice of you to take such a stance. You know what I told them? Send me your email addres, I'll give you before/after and then after and after after pics.. I'll cover the whole time frame.. no secrets here. IT was an amazing time of my life, and as tough as it was I got my daughter out of it so while I'd adjust, nothing could change :-) Thanks!

KROSMON Actually, my name is STEVE :-) Avery would be my soon to be 4 year old daughter, I'm in this in part to be a better dad and to be able to kpupwithavery :-) So good you are hear and meeting people, myself I think its wonderful you havent given up. People have NO clue what it A. Like to be overweight B. What it takes to lose it... I don't wanna say people are ignorant, but .... well??? Some are... Unfortunately for "customers of size" (thats what I'm called on Southwest Airline.com) there are some people out there that do a good job of being the "fat lazy" people everyone love to stereo type us against.. You keep on keeping on! Don't stop, we're ALL here for ya so keep on posting :-)

Yes maam.. Sad mad glad ticked excited.. bored, busy..... depressed happy! Its all been celebrated by EATING! Definetly a disorder, it just took me goin through all this to realize it could kill me. Up until about the last few months I've been suprisingly mobile, now the pains are increasing and my blood pressure has shot up as well.... I experienced some crazy swelling in my legs, dr. visit.. and here I am. I'm a self pay, and thought to myself? Pay off all my debts or have this surgery. What does paying off your debts get you I thought? Peace of mind, and a happy feeling so I'd probably just go out to EAT! The circle stops here, I'm giving it everything i have... Kind words, I thank you and hope to hear again about how well your doing :-)

Laurinda... Yes, I'm a regular here. My ex wife, whom I honestly have a great relationship with asked me the other day how long it would take to lose the weight? I told her honestly, no idea, I've read of so many different experiences with people and their results with the lap band. I do know this, I plan on helping this along once I stop experiencing the back pain. I love to work out, love to sweat.. I just want it all back and hope to help the lapband along with an ultra healthy lifestyle once I'm banded... I will update update update, just like we all should... I hope to be an inspiration to someone else. P.S. There are many out there who have somehow sent me private messages stating they don't believe me and my story? Why would I lie, I'm a 500 lb guy looking to change his life, my story is as true as my 4 year old daughter (as of Friday :-) is the light of this mans life. Ya know I was actually involved in a screening process for the Oprah Winfrey show (on weight loss of course) when I had lost about the 1st 100 lbs in May of 2001. I guess at -100 lbs I wasnt impressive enough. The show aired about 8 weeks later, and to my FREAKING amazement the guy they had on had lost 212 on his own (about 50 less than I would have accomplished by that December) and OPRAH BOUGHT THE MAN A PORSCHE BOXSTER. I still smile, and then cry when i see that episode of Oprah. I smile/cry because the man lost the weight, not because I felt there was a chance that could've been me in that car. I don't operate like that, weight loss stories at this point in my battle make me cry. Having lost what I did and meeting my beautiful wife it changed my perspective on life. There is no taste like the taste for the good life....

gettinthin.. Yah, I'm with ya on the dating thing :-) I'm one sexy dude for a big (lol.. trust me I'm not conceited) and and suprisingly the opportunities are there... nevertheless I'm not ready for that challenge, challenge of getting my life back together while juggling a relationship. Great comment, it hit home and it certainly doesn't suprise me others have been down this road. Me losing that crazy amount of weight on my own became an obsession, it came off so fast cuz i was working out everyday. Life hits hard, I guess its just how you deal with it :-) Thanks for the post, amen!

Appreciate the kind words, it sure does come on fast especially if you are in denial.... Nobody understands a person with a weight problem like a person with a weight problem. It is nice to hear from you, I'm scheduled on July 30th and am actually being banded in Mexico. Super nervous.. but that is to be expected... Thanks so much for the post, I'm just getting used to all this :-)

Lap Dancer.. Thank You. YOur correct, the reason I'm here is I finally stopped and told myself "I have a problem" Its time to fix it.. You go from overweight to where I am at right now. Its an addiction in some eyes, and I was filling a huge void to say the least. Grandest of days to you as well!

Wow, this forum is loaded with support. I can tell already I'm in the right spot. Amazing, to an outsider. For myself, I've let down a lot of people who followed me through the previous Journey. Interesting enough when I lost the weight the first time I watched the Subway guy Jared on Oprah Winfrey the day I started in Jan 01. It was NOT him preaching about what he ate that did it it was the timeframe which he accomplished his weightloss Oddly enough it was roughly 11 months. I though, wow, I can change my life in 11 months and it was on. Now I've let myself go and didn't care for much of the battle. I kept telling myself I could "do it again"... My life has changed, my body has changed.. I'm not the same person I was in 01.. Thanks for the kind words, I wish you luck as well sir... I'm hoping my overall knowledge of both fitness and nutrition will ultimately allow me to get through this and help me on my way. It certainly cannot hurt...

I appreciate the QUICK kind words... Looking forward to more stability.

Hello everyone, name is Steve and my surgery date is fast approaching. I'm learning things by the seat of my pants after having switched gears from a U.S. surgery to a Mexico based surgery. Pre Op diets all seem to be different. Advice seems to all be different. I am anxious, and a tad bit nervous.... I'm a 34 year old who is recently divorced from my wife (and daughter). Yah, the daughter was the big loss. Since my separation and subsequent divorce I've gain.. you ready..... 245 lbs! Yah, I basically doubled in size battling depression and separation anxiety disorder while I adjust to life without my daughter in my life everyday. In the past I managed to lose 260 lbs on my own, working out and eating healthy. That occurred from Jan 01 to December 01.. Thats right, 11.5 months and it was all gone! The weight was off... Then, I met the girl of my dreams.. Got married, had my daughter Avery and settled into a nice lil life... for a while.. then it happened... Divorce.. eating problems, and I went off the deep end gaining about 10-12 lbs a month for two years and hear I am now... This is a must, I tasted the good life.. and want it back..