BPM

I had a different lap surgery one time that apparently required me to be fully nude on the operating table. It did involve my artery in my upper thigh but that I think could have been overcome. It was embarrassing to say the least. During lapband surgery you are semi clothed at least right?

Getting surgery....weighing Mexico vs. US and looking for info from those who were self pay in the states. What's it cost and what was your experience? SCObesity center in Lexington seems like the best choice for me due to location but I have not found their costs yet. Who has something to offer?

If you knew then what you know now...would you do it again or would you go another route such as the switch or a bypass? Would you just suck it up and diet or was the band the perfect option for you?

I have an instance of blood clotting in my past. My left leg was completely blocked and badly. How would this affect my surgery? I also had a Vena filter put into my main artery to cut up any larger clots. This was all about 3 years ago. Of course I know I need to speak to my doctor about it but I am sure I am sure that with a site this large someone has experienced this issue.

Only if you are looking to be offended. I meant no harm and I don't have to justify my opinion with any links to anything. Common sense is common sense. A person at 3% bodyfat is going to look MUCH more muscular than the same person at 9% bodyfat. That's not rocket science....it's 10th grade anatomy and physiology. Again...good luck.

I wasn't meaning to insult them or anyone but facts are facts. It's a well known fact that you will look MUCH more muscular than you are...when you are very lean. If you take the same person and compare their physique at 9% bodyfat and then compare them at 3% bodyfat then they will "look" dramatically different for the same musculature. I didn't mean to imply that the female competitors were not muscular because clearly they are however many are under the impression that they look like that all the time and have the "he-man" look that you referred to. They do not. If you see a female or male bodybuilder out of season....they look much more "normal" than when they are cut to the bone. Nothing more...nothing less. No reason to get excited.

I hope you don't misinterpret my comments as negative..they weren't meant that way. Most of the female fitness competitors look more muscular than they really are. They lean out to the point that being ripped they look musclebound but then when they get the bodyfat to a more normal range they look "normal" again. Kudos to you for giving it a go. Good luck.

It is very, very difficult to build muscle in a caloric deprivation state....regardless of what the supplement companies claim. If you are well muscled and need to peel off the layers of fat you will be ok...but trying to lose fat and build muscle are contradictory actions in your body. You may already know that most bodybuilders have a bulking stage followed by a cutting stage. They eat like no other while bulking and training heavy to build muscle and then go into a calorie deficit and up the cardio and try to maintain the hard earned muscle. It's difficult. Good luck.

^5 I started in a XXXL dress shirt for work....and that was sometimes snug depending on the cut and I must confess I owned a few XXXXLs for those tough days. :peep: I ordered two XL dress shirts last week to be "prepared" for when I would be able to wear them. They came in....they fit. I dig it. :heh:

Semantics. Fine...if the timing isn't right then don't tell them until it is. Better?

I am not banded or single...but my opinion is that if discussing your band makes you uncomfortable then don't do it. Nobody needs to know in my opinion.....I am not sure I understand what challenge you are talking about but that's my .02.

I have been cycling and have added a membership at the Y to pump Iron...but I try to find activities that I truly enjoy to get my exercise like the biking. Anyways....we have some great places to kayak and I think it would be an amazing upper body workout to balance my cycling and then the gym would cure whatever I might miss. Anyone do it?

Yes............

:nervous Ya know I keep whining about my weight loss slowing down....but when I review my spreadsheet I am averaging roughly 3-4 lbs a week....which is great! I've hit a few plateaus lately but they are short lived....I just need to keep my focus on a longer period of time rather than day to day. I keep saying I will only weigh once a week but every morning I cannot help myself. Ah well...230 by X-Mas was my original goal in the Twoterville thread...I still have a shot at it but I have to make sure I whip myself good at the gym. Anyways...thanks all. :clap2: for all of us.

I agree....Outstanding job on 100lbs...that has to feel pretty damn good. I am sneaking up on the 70 mark and that makes me pretty proud of myself...especially when I grab something that weighs 50 or 60 lbs.....and then realize I've lost at least that much off my body. Cool stuff.....X-Mas here I come. 230 or bust.

Some people suck...congrats on not being one of them. :nervous

I am a male stripper. In training.

It would be a shame that a magnificent companion like that would have been put to sleep. I wonder how she got there? Very nice job.

Do you exercise?

Ya know the pill might cause weight gain...IF you overeat because of it....but if the facts are as presented....caloric intake of 1000 calories per day and rigorous exercise then that pill will not make you gain any weight other than maybe a couple lbs of water weight. The regular weight should still come off easily.

How about instead of telling us how many calories you eat...tell us exactly what you eat and at what time. Exactly what you do for exercise and at what intensity? Maybe that would help us..help you. Jerry Maguire flashback. :nervous

I suck...I have the most to go....I set a very aggressive goal though. PS...it's ladies and gentlemen. :nervous

Determined cookie. Unfortunately I think the next challenge might prove a little tougher as my weight loss seems to have slowed. I might have my expectations set too high but its too darn cold to ride my bike regularly so we joined the Y instead but I can't seem to get into that as much as the riding.

267 this morning. -21 lbs.....weight loss has slowed with the season...I need to start hitting the gym harder to replace my cycling miles. :nervous

Checking in at 268 this morning. My rate of weight loss slowed a bit for a while and I hit a nasty plateau for about 2 weeks but I seemed to have broken through it and am losing again. If I am going to make 230...I need to step it up.