I've been spending a lot of time in Rants & Raves since I joined LBT, partly because it's fun, but also because for the most part it's very GLBT friendly. Unless I haven't looked in the right place, I don't think there's a support thread for us, so I decided to start one!

A little about me. I'm Eddie & I'm a 42-year-old Gay man. I have a partner of just over nine years (henceforth referred to as DH), a 17-year-old son and 16-year-old daughter. DH and I are stupid. Don't believe me, just ask our kids. DH has hypothyroidism and had not been able to lose any weight after his thyroid "went nuts" several years ago. I've just been overweight all my life. He was banded on 2/21/07 and I'm getting mine next Wednesday (5/16). I can't wait!

Anyway, I would love to hear from all the GLBT folks out there. Hopefully this can be a place for us to freely discuss our unique issues and get support we may not be able to get elsewhere.

hey everbody! I just got banded on 2/18 and I feel great other than some back pain from the air and the port site is a little uncomfortable. Other than that I couldn't be any happier or excited! I hope you are all doing well!

Katie, Glad to hear you did well. Hope all is smooth sailing for you from here on out. There has not been much action on this thread. Hope everyone is doing well. I am iced in so I check the boards often. Annie

Hey Everyone,

Been busy but I pop in here from time to time. I hope everyone is doing well!

Juli~How was Vegas? How is school? We are getting ready for the big move in April/May...and are very excited! Been swamped here w/ work...looking forward to summer!

xoxoxoxo

Pamela,

Hey girl! You've got to be excited out of your skin to have S move in. She has to be happy to be retiring. Does she have plans for a sencond career or wait and see? Don't you work enough for her and a few other people?

I'm excited for summer too just because I'm tired of the COLD! What kind of vacations do you have planned? Going anywhere queer? A and I are doing fantastically well.

XO

Hello Everyone,

It does seem like everyone is only popping in from time to time, which I am guilty of too. Since my big loss I have been doing okay. I am getting out and walking. My goal is to walk at least three times a week. I usually walk 3 miles at a time. Lately, I have only been able to get out twice a week. I guess every little bit counts. My short term goal is still the same (to reach 250 lbs). When I reach that goal I am going to buy an annual pass to Busch Gardens. I think I need a little excitement in my life because I feel dead (probably because I am covering two jobs right now). I hope things change. I will keep checking in to see how everyone is doing. Best wishes to all of ya’ll on your journey.

Hi everyone, guess we're not popping in enough! I just got sent a message to register!!:smile: and I wasn't allowed to continue till I did it. but all I had to do was sign in , which is something I have always been able to bypass by simply using the link when I am notified of a new post. BUT there haven't really been many new posts! So where is everyone?:wink: missin the family:crying:. Hope all is well with everyone, have we all a new favorite thread??

I don't know that there's a new favorite thread.

We are just not as easily seen as we used to be, like all the other special interest groups.

I'm well. Just had my year anniversary. Posted before and after pics on that forum.

Hope everyone is well!

It is hard to believe that it was six months ago this week and next week that my wife and I were banded. Time sure has gone by fast. Combined we have lost over 70 lbs. We have had three fills each. I have a total of 5.2 cc in my band and I think she has 4cc. She has lost over 32 pounds and I have lost 45 since my high of 250 in June of 2007.

We went for are 6 month check-up with the surgeon and he feels that we are doing really well. He also feels that we are almost or right at the sweet spot. He could have done an adjustment next week but we both felt that it might make us to tight and would have to come back for an unfill. He did leave it open that if we felt that we needed a fill that we could call him and go in and have it done. He also said that we are on track with loosing 1-3 lbs a week and that by September which will be one year that we should be down another 30- 40 lbs. With summer coming on and able to get out and do more exercise etc. I really feel that we will make it.

We are both very please so far with the loss in weight, and wish to thank every one for all your support, advice and friendship. Without I doubt we would be here today. I will say that the last 9 months have gone real fast and we have seen a lot of changes in our lives in regards to health and other issues. It has been a real learning experience. People have asked if it has been easy? I would have to tell them no it has not. I tell them that what you have to do is to take baby steps (or one step at a time). It is something that will no happen overnight. It takes a lot of work to change lifestyles and eating habits. It is something that does not happen overnight. One of the biggest issues I have dealt with is when going out and eating with other people is trying to eat real slowly while they are eating real fast. I will say that it has caused me to slim a lot and to have a few bp’s. I have also had issues with some types of foods. I eat most foods and not have a problem. I have had some issues with shredded pork, real thin potatoes. I have also notice that when eating sandwiches I do not eat hardly any of the bread. The head hunger is still there. My body is still trying to adjust to the fact that Iam eating less. My stomach still says I am hungry even though I am full. I really wish there was a way you can control this.

We have both notices changes in are bodies, we are down in clothes sizes, are bodies are a lot thinner and we have also noticed that we get colder easier than before. We are able to do a lot more things and spend longer times on them. For myself I have seen changes in my sleep apnea. I have gone from a setting of 12 down to a setting of 7. I am going from the machine to a herbest dental retainer to wear at night while sleeping. Iam only getting about 2 hours a night with the mask on. The doctor feels that this will work a lot better for me, since some people have problems. We have both gone to a new doctor who is band friendly and understands the issues that we are dealing with. I saw him on Monday as well and he said the blood pressure and all the blood test were good expect for my uric acid (gout) which is still high. Were not sure if the gout will go away or not at this time. My wife has had her meds changed and is slowly getting off of insulin and her other meds as well.

I know this is long but it has been a while since I have posted and I also wanted the new people that are coming in and getting ready for this procedure to understand that it does take work, it is not going to happen overnight and that the rewards are great. This has been one of the best things that we have done and would do it again.

Chris

Hello Everyone.

I got banded on the 27th of feb. am I am just beginning this. I hope to get to know everyone and talk to you guys frequently, but this area seems kind of bare.

We used to be way more chatty! I guess it comes and goes...

Hope everyone is well.

Hi Chris, you two are doing great! keep up the good work.

Sorry, Steady, too bad you were'nt around here in the past, we used to be a real social group. seems the family has moved away from home. Maybe they will join us on the hollidays. good luck to you. Juli I'm sure will always be here for you , she's our rock!

Thanks Cheri and juli. I wish I would have been here too, I have read a lot of this thread, not all of it of course, and you all seem so close. I am super excited to be here regardless of how many people check in or don't check in. Nice to meet you both.

Im from Louisiana.

Welcome everyone

Hey Julie you are looking awesome girl, Keep up the good work.

I have not been checking in like I normally do, just been busy and nothing had been going on here.

I did have to have two cc removed from my band was way to tight again, I went under my goal weight by 10 lbs I was looking really bad, Sandy was really worried about me, so to the doc's we went and he removed the two I was just going to have one but he wanted to take the two, I said that I would be back if I was getting over my goal weight. It has been a month and I have stayed right on target.

We have been doing Water aerobics so that has been helping. We are getting ready for a Spring break taking a week off going to Zion National park. I am so excited, we leave Friday.

Ok well I have board you all long enough, Have a great week.

hi everyone... just got banded on 3/3 and am glad there's an lgbt group here. i pop into this thread from time to time, but rarely write in. am doing pretty well considering i'm two weeks in. managed to play tennis (doubles) on sunday and monday nights. damn, after shuffling about in my apartment during the first week, it was fun to finally hit a ball!

the hunger pangs are beginning again, but i think most if it is just head hunger. a rethink is clearly needed and so is a fill! my first one is scheduled for a week and a half. am looking forward to it and to eventually eating real food.

is anyone in the nyc area? would be great to hear from some local bandsters.

Well howdy new people.

Hungry, I want to think there's a fella from NYC on here but I can't remember for sure and of course I'm too lazy to go back and check. Hopefully he will reveal himself shortly!

Thanks dez, I'm doing the best I can, I feel great.