iradi8fortheusa

Hello, I am sorry I have been MIA, but between some financial problems, work problems, and trying to workout at the gym I have been wearing very thin.

So I decided to hire a trainer. When I interviewed my trainer she was very nice, has more certifications that I even knew existed in sports medicine and rehabilitation, young, pretty, and very supportive. She was also very familiar with gastric surgeries and espeically the lap band. So in all of my wisdom not having worked out in years I have hired her for the next three months. Well the first two session were good, she was firm but somewhat forgiving. Now she is like a five foot tall termainator that I am scared too death of! I think I would perfer Marine boot camp! She loves to switch things up, promises me we are only going to do 10 reps, then when I get to 10 she spouts as only a drill instructor can "give me 5 more", and if I even so much as groan then it is "now its 10 more". When I am on cardio, she loves to push buttons, there are times I think I am going so fast I must be powering the whole gym! When it is time to work the AB's she tries to fold me up like a piece of oragami. By the end of each workout I feel like I need "the paddles". When I am totaly finished she smiles at me, and becomes that sweet little trianer I hired and tells me "good job, but I was easy on you today, next time I am going to have to beat the shit out of you"! GULP! What did I do? Now on the positive side, I can now run on the tread mill for an hour, do the eliptical for about an hour, and the cross trainer for fourty five minutes. I am starting to tone up, and I think my keg has collapsed. The down side to all of this is that I am losing size in my stomach, legs, face and neck, but I am holding steady on weight. I guess I will show up for my next training session, but if I totally disappear beware of the 5'0" trainer from hell, do not let her appearnce fool you!

Biker

If you had no fear, then I would say you have a problem. Fear of the unknown is a normal human response, and anyone who ever tells you they have never been afraid is just plain telling a lie. I am a big guy, and a biker and I was going out of my mind with nerves. Just read my blog. You will do fine I am sure. I had my little bastard put on 02/05/2009 and I have lost 46 pounds, and I have never felt better, and I am sure you will have the same results.

Biker

I was asked a question by a colege a couple of days ago that really had me thinking. I think the question and my answer will help some of you pre-op type people.

The question was; " After everything you have gone through over the past year with pre and post surgery tests and requirments would you do it all over again; especially now that you see how some simple diet modificatin and some exercsie would have given you the same results?"

Now I really thought about that question for some time, and in fact it weighed on my mind. And after some very deep thoughts I came up with the following points;

1. I have tried diet and exercising for many years and I have failed misiberally each time. I would actually gain any lost weight back plus an extra 10 or 20 pounds just to add insult to injury. The reasons were many, but mostly it came down to lack of will power.

2. My health was starting to fail quite rapidly, and the worse it got, the less I could do to exercise, and the more I ate.

3. My Wife was suffering becuase other than work I did not want to leave the house becuase of my weight. I was both too overweight to do anything, and I was embarrased. So I ate more to pass the time.

4. I was never full, when I am hungry I am a very tough person to be around becuase I get very cranky. I am embarrassed to even think about how much food I have consumed in one sitting.

5. This entrie battle was nothing new, I have been battling my weight for more that 20 years.

So after thinking about the five things above, and how I feel now. Now I have been losing weight at a pretty good pace, I have more energy than I know what to do with, my back and knees do not hurt at all anymore, I am going out of the house, wearing new clothes and getting unsolicited complements on my apperance on a daily basis. Yes it was a long road to Lap Band surgery, and taking time off from work for the never ending line of pre-op tests was a pain in the ass, having to loose 10% of my original body weight was a struggle, the meetings, the skinny miny dieticians tell me things I already knew, and all of the other BS that came along for the ride was all a huge PAIN IN THE ASS; however based on the way I feel now, the drastic improvement in my health after just a couple of weeks, and my over apperance have improved more than I would have hoped for. I am not hungry at all, and I no longer have to take most of my medicine. So the answer to the question for me is...........

I WOULD DO IT ALL AGAIN IN A HEART BEAT!!!

Biker

Well I am 5 weeks post-op and I have lost 46 pounds on the "official" scale. The surgeon could not be happier with my progress, and I have to say, me neither. So I have not been having that nice full feeling in about a week and a half so in the office today I jumped onto the table and said "filler up". It was not bad at all, I did not feel a thing. I now have 4cc's total in a 10cc band. (4cc total in a 10cc band.........sounds like a 70's rock band) I had to do the old drink test to make sure "LB" (little bastard) did not throw the drink back at me. Well it did not; so the Surgeon patted me on my back and said "see you in six weeks" So I am back on two days of liquids....ahhhhh the good ole days.

Biker

I have not stopped drinking coffee or tea, and I am still losing weight, and I have not had any problems thus far. I have been doing everything else just as the doctor ordered, but a biker without his coffee is a confrontation waiting to happen. I have read the pros and cons, but I do not smoke, I gave up beer (for now anyway), I gave up fried foods, potatoes ( my old motto was if it did not have a potatoe, it was just a snack), but as for coffee.....coffee=happy,calm,easy going biker.

Well, I am sorry if anyone missed my whining, but I am back, and 40 pounds lighter. I have been swamped at work, and my Wife and I have been getting hammered with family issues, home issues, and of course money issues so I really have not been my jolly self. ( I wonder if jolly leaves with the big belly?) I am doing pretty good, all of my clothes look terrible on me now, I am down from a size 52-54 to a 38-42. It is amazing how fast I am shrinking.

I have had a few battle with my band, and the band has won every time. I have to remember to chew, chew, chew, and slow way down. By the time I was feeling full, my band had already put my stomach in reverse. (the little bastard) That is what I am calling my band now or LB for short. The only thing that I can not control is that when I lay on my left side, i can feel my band, and it is uncomfortable. That is the only time I feel it though. Well I am back and full of something, I go for my first fill on Friday. I will let everyone know how I do.

Biker

Well I have not blogged in awhile because I really am doing fine. I went to Pennsylvania over the weekend to visit my brothers and that went well. Everyone has noticed I am losing weight, but to my relief not much fuss was made about it. I did have my first stuck feeling though on Friday. I either ate too fast, or too much. Either way it felt like my chest was going to burst open. I will not make that mistake again. God I hate learning curves. I am still losing weight steadily, but not as fast. I can fit into some of my old clothes already which is my own personal victory. I am do for a visit to my Surgeons for my first fill on 03/13/2009, and I do need it. My only real problem is my PCP is now trying to control the show, and is demanding that I see her before every Surgeons appointment so she can decide if I need a fill or not. Well sucks to be her because with my insurance I can see who I want, where I want and when I want. My PCP wanted nothing to do with me when she kept blaming all of my ailments and injuries on my weight, so she can find another way to collect a $15.00 copay from some other poor schmuck. Can you believe she actually has her Nurse calling me weekly now. Her Nurse said that the Doctor feels that she is the reason I did this. WHAT! No where on my list for getting my band does it mention for my PCP! Talking about ego. I am actually in the process of interviewing new PCP's and I think I may have found one. Well that is were I am now.

Biker

I do not know if it is me, the weight loss or something else but I am just dripping with energy, and have been for about a week now. I can not sleep for more than four hours and then I just spring right back. I will use today as an example.

03:30 Woke up and did my daily routine

04:15 left for work

05:00 started work

16:30 left work

17:30-20:30 did all of dishes and every piece of laundry I could find in the house.

21:00 -2200 went outside and plowed snow and shoveled front deck.

22:45 Blogging and wide awake!

Now keep in mind I only had a protein shake for breakfast, one for lunch, and for dinner I had some salmon mashed up with some light mayo and ricotta cheese. It is not that I am unhappy with my energy, it is just I have not felt this way for about 20 years. I am even drawing up plans to redo my kitchen with new cabinets and counter tops. Please let me know if anyone else has had these experiences after having been banded.

hmmmmmmmmmmm............. I wonder if my wife is slipping something into my protein powder.........

Biker

Yes they know, most of them do not understand it though. Most people seem to lump banding and bypass into the same procedure. The most commonly asked qestion is "so is that thing permament?"

Biker

Well today was my first day back to work. As expected my desk was doing its Mount St. Helen's impersonation buy being extremely tall with work, and ready to blow! My voice mail's message stated that I was out of the office till today, yet it was full to capacity with people asking me urgent questions. ( My voice mail message sounded like it was in English to me) My e-mail had my out of office assistant on, yet I had 237 emails. ( I type in English too) My secretary even scheduled me for two meetings, and one of them was on the day of my surgery? The gene pool in my department could use a real good chlorination. Then I had my employees running in and out of my office like small children on a play ground with a lot of this; while you were gone this person was mean to me, and while you were gone this person was talking about me, and my favorite I do not think so and so took a shower today. PEOPLE! Believe it or not my department is full of licensed professional people, yet to me the are my children and my office seems to be their playground. I think I am going to have to start giving time outs!

Now as for the trader part. I went to the canteen today to buy a half pint of milk for my protein shake, and there they were; dozens of pairs of eyes just staring at me as if I just defected to the other side. These eyes belonged to the people I used to stand in line with waiting for my double cheese burgers with fries, my sausage egg and cheese sandwich, my grilled roast beef sandwich, and my favorite my bacon double cheese double burger. They just stared as if I was trespassing on their dietary battle field. " How dare you waltz in here and just grab a simple half pint of milk and run back to your office!" I guess it is true I have defected to the other side, the side of healthy eating, weight loss, and dare I say the word "fitness". I have to bring my own milk tomorrow, for I heard grumblings of a firing squad with french fries!

Biker

Thank you

Biker

I had the original "Lab Band" I do not know how many CC's though.

Biker

So far so good, just a Popsicle, and a Activa yogurt. I am heading into the home stretch!

Do not beat yourself up too bad. You did have a non-scale victory, so you were just celebrating! Everyone gets to celebrate from time to time. You are working hard at the gym (victory), you are getting smaller clothes (victory), and you have guys checking out your butt ( major victory ). So you were just exercising your God given right to have a minor celebration.

Biker

Ladies and Gentleman,

Boning is my sound right now. I am absolutely bouncing off the walls with energy. I feel like I am on speed or something. I can not sit still, my body is just like " come on lets go do something" constantly. I also noticed I am not waking up with my nemesis Mr. Severe back pain! I really have not noticed any back pain. I FEEL GREAT! Today will be my real test though. Today is the Daytona 500, and NASCAR is one of only two sports I am interested in. ( the other is PBR ) For me the Daytona 500 is the Superbowl, World series, and Stanley cup all rolled into one. The problem is during these races I grazed constantly, I was like a puppy....mmm popcorn, oh look chips and dip mmmm. oh look hot dogs mmmmm, oh look nuts mmmm, oh look cheese and crackers mmmm..... I think you get the point. Ladies and Gentleman today will be my first " food sober" Daytona 500. I feel that I am prepared, and acutally I am worried that with all the energy I have I may not be able to sit through the race. Well I am still on my weight loss high, and I weighed myself this morning and I am down another 2 pounds on the unoffical scale. So can I ride the weight loss high and be food sober for the whole race? Stay tuned.........

Eagle,

You do not owe anything to anyone else but yourself. You had the surgery, you live with the band, no on else does that for you. Slow weight loss is permanent weight loss. I would speak with your surgeon about your concerns, maybe you just need a fill, or maybe some classes with a dietitian to help with your diet. Remember live for yourself not the people around you.

Biker

Larry,

My whole journey lasted about 8 months up until my surgery date. I started the whole process at 345 pounds. I had to lose the 45 pounds before surgery for my insurance company and to get myself healthy enough for the surgery. I is a long journey, I had to go for the following testing;

1. Upper GI

2. Abdominal Ultrasound

3. Cardiac Stress Test

4. Psychiatric Testing

5. Lots of Blood Work

6. Regular Dietitian Visits

7. Physical Sign-off from my PCP

A sleep study is also required by my Surgeon, but that requirement was waived for me since I already use a Bi-pap. At this point I will tell you it is definitely worth it. I think the 8 months was a good amount of time because it gives you time to start on your new road to wellness, plus it makes sure you are healthy enough to take this on.

Biker

Well I just returned from my first post-op surgeons appointment and the official scale says ( drum role please) 277 pounds! My official weight loss since my surgery on 02/05/2009 is 24.3 pounds. I am in the surgeons top 5 weight losers post-op. Yes that's right I am a loser, and I am dam proud of it! Now that I have my protein drink straightened out I am feeling better than ever. My surgeon wants me to continue on my liquid diet till next Wednesday, then hello mushies. I did speak with him about the comments the Nurses were making about his patients, and he was very, very upset. My surgeon does not know why discrimination against obese people is tolerated even amongst the hospital staff and that it is considered acceptable. He admitted that this is not the first time he has heard about the Nurses bashing his patients, and he assured me he was going hunting for Nurse ass this afternoon. Well enough about that nonsense, I could not be happeir right now, and I am even proud of myself. ( something I have not felt in a long, long time) I am in this for the long haul and I have even scouted out a gym for myself yesterday. Well I will keep you posted

Biker

Larry, I am feeling a lot better. My whole problem was being caused by the Unjury protein powder I was using. I have been off that stuff for 24 hours now and I barely feel the band now. My gas problems have all but gone away. I am not sorry I have had the band done, I have lost 25lbs on my first week. I know that this much of a loss is not normal, but it has happened. Larry please feel free to follow my blog and you will be able to see how it goes for me another man. I have my first surgical follow up tomorrow and I will let eveyone know how it goes. I know how you feel, I had the same feeling right up to my surgery day. But to answer your question; yes I am gald I have gotten my band. You see I realize my weight was killing me very slowly, and I had to do something.

Biker

I am glad your date went well. As a guy I will tell you he does sound interested in you. Well also as I guy, I just have to ask, so what kind of car is it that you have? Sorry it is the testosterone in me asking.

Biker

What a difference a day, and a new protein drink makes. I woke up this morning feeling better than I have before the surgery. I am one week out, and with the Instant Breakfast my gas has decreased, the pulling feeling on my band has decreased significantly and I can now sit and stand up straight. That Unjury really did a number on me. This is something I will have to speak with my surgeon about tomorrow. My surgeon said he sees the same reaction I was having due to the Unjury quite often, "BUT" that is the stuff the dietitian his office uses recommends. I see a team that is not on the same page with their dietary plans. Well I have to admitt Tuesday night I was asking myself "what the hell did I do". I was really regreting my decsion. Today I feel much better, and I stepped on the scale and had a supprise; I now weigh 275 lbs. I do not know if losing 25 pounds in one week (Yes today is my one week aneversery) is normal, or due to my own personal war with my protein drink, but I am starting to like my band again.

Biker

I am glad you escaped the rubber band of death! Good luck at PT.

Biker

Wow, I had a terrible night yesterday. I almost went to the hospital. I drank my protein shake at about 17:30 hours, and this time I mixed it with lemonade instead of milk since I have been having so many problems with the Unjury mixed in milk I though my problems might have been with the milk. Well around 21:30 I got very, very nauseous and broke out into a sweat. At about 22:00 I vomited part of my shake, and I thought my band was going to pop! I went and laid in my recliner after still very nauseated. At about midnight I vomited again. I was feeling awful! I was extremely nauseated, and sweating profusely and as a bonus, my band felt like it was being pulled through my belly button! I went to bed, but had a poor nights sleep do to nausea and spastic actions in my intestines. I called my surgeon first thing in the morning. He told me has seen this with the Unjury before, the gas, nausea, and vomiting. He told me to stop the Unjury immediately and go get Carnation Instant Breakfast. He said the pulling feeling on my band was due to extreme gas pressure and that it would pass, and that he was sure the Unjury was causing my issue there too. Well I have had one Instant Breakfast, and started sipping my water, and I am starting to feel much better. I am still very sore from the vomiting, but I am sure that it will take awhile to pass. My wife thinks that the high content of Aspartimine in the Unjury is what was causing the issues. She looked up Aspartimine and it can cause alot of the problems I have been having. Before my band I did not eat anything that had Aspartimine in it. Before my band I ate very well, just too much of good food. I am a firm beliver in eating only local meats and vegtables and I have stuck with that. I have to admit I was ready to rip the damm band out last night, I have not felt like that in a long long time.

Biker

Wow, I had a terrible night last evening. I almost went to the hospital. I drank my protein shake at about 17:30 hours, and this time I mixed it with lemonade instead of milk since I have been having so many problems with the Unjury mixed in milk I though my problems might have be with the milk. Well around 21:30 I got very, very nauseous and broke out into a sweat. At about 22:00 I vomited part of my shake, and I thought my band was going to pop! I went and laid in my recliner after still very nauseated. At about midnight I vomited again. I was feeling awful! I was extremely nauseated, and sweating profusely and as a bonus, my band felt like it was being pulled through my belly button! I went to bed, but had a poor nights sleep do to nausea and spastic actions in my intestines. I called my surgeon first thing in the morning. He told me has se

Well I said I would post the good, the bad, and the ugly. Well here is the ugly.:thumbup: If my gas gets any worse I am going to have to put a 4 point seat belt on my toilet to keep me from shooting off of the bowel!:tt1: My gut sounds like a large boiling calderon constantly gurgle, gurgle, gurgle, and bubble, bubble, bubble. I have tried gas-ex and yogurt, and walking but the PSI in my gastrointestinal track continues to build! Did you ever see the movie Alien where the little baby alien pops out of the guys stomach? Well I am waiting, I think mine will be out anytime now. That is the only explanation I can come up with! I am seeing the surgeon on Friday, I might just be able to float there if I continue to inflate! Maybe I will wear a lap band t-shirt and become my own parade float. Well this is were I stand today.

Biker