benfree

hi there! i, too, was a 400+ person. my highest weight was 410 lbs, but post-op, I was at 399. After about 3 months since the op, I'm now at 360 lbs. I think that's relatively slow given my weight, but i'm not stressing. hey, i'm 50 lbs lighter! what's to feel bad about, right? i talked to my doc before getting the lapband, and i really liked it as opposed to GB. i think for us bigger than normal people, we need to lose weight faster so as not to be overtaken by health complications -- that's why they recommend the GB. but, there are so many other the issues arising from GB, that i'd rather take time. as for the excess skin, yeah. i'm a guy, but i'm fretting over it too. my doc pretty much expects that i'll have to do a corrective procedure for my skin once i hit my target weight range (below 30 BMI, up to 24 BMI). i have met one of his patients who is exactly my size before, maybe bigger. he was really buffed out now though, weighing at around 210lbs at 6'1 (same as me). he does a lot of weight training, and he only has a small bit of skin in his midsection due to all the exercises he's been doing. so, yes, there is hope. moderate weight loss + better muscle toning, i think. i'm glad to find people who are in my weight range. :thumbup: we can do it!

Thanks guys, great tips. I'm just a little worried because I have a little cough since my Op. The upper portion of my abdomen has a dull pain there (ignorable really), hopefully that's nothing. Cheers!

I too am concerned about this. I've heard that using stuff like Cocoa Butter on your tummy and other parts that could sag will help tighten the skin. I think pregnant women use that so there aren't any stretch marks post-pregnancy. I also know of Nivea producing a lotion with coq10 that tightens skin. I don't know if I'll need that, apart from a regular exercise regimen. Any thoughts?

Hey guys! I'm officially banded last 06/26/09 and it's been 4 days of renewed hope in having great health! Anyway, I've been hearing a lot about band slippages, etc. Are there occurrences/activities we should avoid to prevent things like that to happen? Hiccupping? Coughing? Abdominal crunches? I really want this to be a life-long thing and I want to know if you guys know of any activities I should avoid now? Thanks!:tongue2: