male only For Just Us Guys

[Manatee 3]

Had my barium-assisted fill today. Went from 3 cc to 4.8. Definitely a tighter restriction, and I could actually feel it this time.

If I were to do this over again, I would have had the first fill done this way. The sensations are simply too unusual on that first fill to know if you're telling the doc the right info.

[Brewa2000 1]

Good luck to Bud and Bill! I hope all went well. Keep us posted...

[cherokeewolf18 0]

GOOD LUCK BILL !!!!!

Thanks Well I'm home finally not to bad the only part that is sore is where the port is that is really sore. I will keep you all updated thanks Bill

[Stevendheeter 0]

Hello Everyone! I am looking into this band thing. I have been reading some of the posts and I have a few questions. The reason why I am asking here is because I want real answers not a medical jargoned answer my docs give of all the risks if I don't do it. Not to mention I am scared and don't know of anywhere else to go to hear from people that have "been there". So here it goes....

Why Mexico?

Do you really lose your hair and if so does it grow back?

What is a "fill"?

What are the first few days like after the procedure?

What does the aftercare consist of?

Did you notice negative psycological effects?

Do you miss having a big stature?

Sorry if these are ridiculous questions......

Thank you,

Steve

[Big Wave Dave 0]

<p>Aloha Steve</p> <p>There is no stupid questions here. I just got my band on the 11th. of July and I'll share with you how it has been for me. I'm a 50 years old, I work in a office so there maybe some thing that are different than your situation. </p> <p>1. Why Mexico? So people that are selfpay go there because its cheaper.</p> <p>2. Yes, you have to keep your Protein levels up and take a Multi-Vitamin. But I've heard that the hair will grew back if it falls out once you get the Vitamin thing under control.</p> <p>3. A fill is where your doctor will add Fluid to your band via a port that is placed under the skin. The fluid is saline (check the spelling on that one)</p> <p>4. Had mine done on Wed. afternoon and felt OK, went home on Thursday and was doing OK, no pain meds other than OTC liquid Tylenol, the gas pains were the worst part. Felt like someone had stuck a air hose up my butt and filled my stomach cavity up with air. Hey wait a minute that is exactly what they did except the did it in front and they used Nitrogen. by Saturday went to the mall with the wife and watched a movie. and back to work on Monday after going to the gym for 35 minutes on the tread mill </p> <p>5. No much after care just do what you feel like, but remember if it hurts stop. Keep drinking the Water and getting your protein.</p> <p>6. No Psycological effects here, I've always been a nut case.</p> <p>7. Not yet, but I think I might because being big has become me, its who I am. thus the name Big Wave Dave. I kind of like being the big guy in the room, I am 6-2 tall and weighed 398 Lbs. Curently 364 Lbs. with a large bone structure. But had to do it for my health. My dear sweet wife will miss my size more than me, she said she like the feeling of comfort that my size gives her. She is only 5 ft. she said that when we go out she just feels safe, who will ever understand the mind of women. </p> <p> </p> <p>So my friend I hope this will answer some of your questions if have any more just give us a shout and will try and answer them the best we can.</p> <p>Aloha and God Bless</p> <p>BWD</p>

[bigshow81 0]

Hello Everyone! I am looking into this band thing. I have been reading some of the posts and I have a few questions. The reason why I am asking here is because I want real answers not a medical jargoned answer my docs give of all the risks if I don't do it. Not to mention I am scared and don't know of anywhere else to go to hear from people that have "been there". So here it goes....

Why Mexico?

Do you really lose your hair and if so does it grow back?

What is a "fill"?

What are the first few days like after the procedure?

What does the aftercare consist of?

Did you notice negative psycological effects?

Do you miss having a big stature?

Sorry if these are ridiculous questions......

Thank you,

Steve

to me there is no stupid question but alot of the questions you are asking can be found by the search, but i will answer what i can

1. i didn't go to mexico so can't really answer, i think cause it is cheaper than in the states. But i wouldn't because of " it's Mexico"

2. don't know about that one i shave my head anyways.

3. A fill is when the doc FILLS the band with solution in order to restrict the eating more.

4. it varies between everyone, but i was just sore and did not want to move much. most docs put you on a clear liquid diet during this time o it is a little difficult for the first week or so, lookup Bandster-hell week.

5. not much for aftercare just don't lift much and watch what you eat your doc will tell you what to eat.

6. again that would vary, me hell no it is a great confidence booster when you see the pounds come off.

7. I have lost down to my goal weight about 5 years prior to being banded, I regained it in 2 years. The feelingof not being big anymore for a guy does feel diffrent but i well worth it.

best advice i can give you is to see your doc and my hospital has seminars. they are very informational and can answer most questions for you.

[Chris_NJ 9]

Why Mexico?

Cheaper for the surgery if you don't have insurance coverage.

Do you really lose your hair and if so does it grow back?

I have not. I hear some have a thinning out problem but it does grow back. Just make sure to get enough Protein and usually you will not have this problem.

What is a "fill"?

When you get the shot to increase tightness of the band.

What are the first few days like after the procedure?

Not to bad actually. Usually better after a couple days of rest. Most pain you get is from gas. Just walk a asap and it helps.

What does the aftercare consist of?

Usually the first year you should see your DR once a month for fills and check ups.

Did you notice negative psycological effects?

If happiness and not needing any of my meds anymore is negative. Then hell yes LOL

Do you miss having a big stature?

Never ! But I am still pretty big.

Sorry if these are ridiculous questions......

Not in the least bit ridiculous. We all had the same questions at one time.

anything else just ask !

Chris

[Chris_NJ 9]

LMAO we all answered a minute after each other.

[bigsexy 0]

Hey guys - been gone for awhile - realizing that i have no idea where the month of may went. I am not near the goal yet for exercise but i still continue to lose weight. I am a bit concerned that i am starting to break down muscle though so I really need to get my ass into the gym. Hope all is doing well.

Steven - the answers to your questions are there - but if you are like i was there will be many more to come. Feel free to ask. One aside to your question. I played golf 1 week after surgery, probably a couple days early but i was fine. I only had the gas pain (from the gas they bloat your abdomen with during surgery) for the first day. Walking takes it away rather quickly. I had surgery on a wednesday and worked friday. (desk job)

Good luck

[Big Wave Dave 0]

Aloha Steve

I've being thinking about one of your questions.

Do you miss having a big stature?

let me tell what I was thinking, my DSW is getting her band on the 29th. of Aug. and I think I'm going to miss her size, she is 5-1 and about 230 Lbs. She is the Love of my life and the most beautifull and sexy women I know, I've always told her that God only made a few perfect women and the rest he made skinny. I mean I'll Love her no matter what size she is, and I know that this is the best thing for her health. I'm just going to miss having a lot to hold to and watching the jiggle. Just wanted to vent and let someone know how I'am feeling about this.

Aloha and take care

BWD

[Gaffer 1]

I have been thinking about the change in the "Big Guy" stature thing all day.

For me it is not so much the change in being the "big guy", but rather the things that people expect from you as the big guy. While I have been losing weight there have been times when we have been in a restaurant, and the server cant believe that I only ate what I did. This is even more odd when I ask for a to go container.

It is like they expect me to eat the whole meal, and then a desert & 3-4 beers, kinda like I did before the band.

For me it took alot of adjustment to get my head around that I am not going to be able to, or need to order the biggest meal on the menu. For a long time I was still in that "what can I order to get the most food" or Buffet mode as I think to think of it.

Also, I have found it is nice to NOT be the biggest guy in the place, especially when you go into normal size clothing store. I no longer get that "What the hell is he doing here cause nothing here will fit him" vibe.

Andrew

[bigshow81 0]

gaffer what does your menu look like for a typical day. are you DiETING. or just eating what u did just less of it.

[Stevendheeter 0]

Thank you BWD! I really appreciate your thoughtful answers. I am 6'5" and 405. I have always had a defensive lineman's size and have enjoyed it. Getting my mind around being smaller is getting to me. I have no problem facing the pain that will entail, it is the loss of identity that wigs me out, if that makes sense. but I remember a quote, not the movie or actor, just the quote. "I want to be known as the just 'the funny guy'. Not the big funny guy."

Anyway, Thanks again Dave. You definately have the gift of encouragement.

Steve

[Stevendheeter 0]

Andrew! Dude! I thought I was the only one! "

what can I order to get the most food or Buffet mode as I think to think of it."

I also never thought of the clothes store thing though. That is another reason I need to put on my list as to the 'WHY' to do this. Being able to wear something other than BIG DOG clothes...SWEET!

Thanks for your candor! I really appreciate it

Steve

[budinindy 0]

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