Hey Guys, I am new here and still in the beginning stages of this. Have my first appointment with the surgeon next week and I am a bit apprehensive albeit committed to getting it done. I weigh 360# and have struggled all my adult life with eating and my weight. At one time I was a competitive powerlifter, seems like a million years ago, but after many injuries I had to give it up. Never gave up the massive appetite though so here I am. Guess I am just looking for some encouragement from other guys who have gone thru this or are going thru it. I do have a former lover/friend who was one of the first in the country to get it done post FDA approval and she has been very supportive about my decision which helps. Well thats it for now, hope I havent ranted to mush and look forward to hearing from you

Well we'll see what happens here, my first appointment is in 2 days and we'll go from there!

Well I had my initial consult and got the laundry list of things to get done before I can get an actual surgery date. I will try to get them done as quickly as I can so I can get on with things.

BB62;

Havent heard from you. How did the surgery go? Everything doing as you expected. Inquiring minds want to know?

BigRick

My Surgery is scheduled for 4/14. I am confused about the what food and the amount I will be able to eat say one year out. Some say no brea, others says one slive of toasted wheat each day. I am also nevrous abou things getting stuck. I am wondering wheather I'll be afraid to eat and enjoy any food in the future.

elsid, of course you're going to be able to eat and enjoy food a year from now! It just might be a bit different from what you're used to now. The band, once it's filled, makes some foods hard to eat - many people have problems with steak, lobster, drier poultry like white meat chicken, some greens etc. But some people are able to eat lobster every day - it's different for every bandster, and the only way to find out what you can eat will be to try it.

My surgeon, Dr. Fielding, is a foodie. He's had his band for 7 years, and is still a foodie - in fact, he leads trips to restaurants to teach bandsters how to order and to eat.

Look on it as an adventure: you might not be able to eat all of the stuff you used to eat, but you're going to be able to eat plenty of food that you love; and you're even going to find new foods to be passionate about.

It's a new way of living, but you're going to be just fine!

Come back when you can and tell us how it went, OK? And we're here if you have any worries or complaints - we've all been through what you're going through, and we all help each other around here.

Smooth sailing tomorrow, and get back here and let us know what's up with you, OK?

My two cents for anyone feeling nervous. I am 7 weeks post op today, I have lost 48.4lbs spending my weekends walking and cycling. Not drinking much so no hangovers food bill is cheap. This is with out a doubt the best thing I have done in my life, ever.

Not drinking, Mickers?

Doesn't that mean they have to revoke your Australian passport???

Nice progress - I hope I can do as well as you.

My doc in NYC is Australian; he got his own band in Oz about 7 years ago.

I have done enough drinking in my life to ensure my Aussie status forever. Seriously I am drinking much (a couple of glasses one night a week) and I think I am finding that easy because I never decided to give up just get real. Previously I would put away a dozen cans of beer and 2 bottles of wine on a Saturday night and eat whatever I could get my hands on in the process.

Sounds like the belt is going to save your bank account as well as your health!

BB62;

Havent heard from you. How did the surgery go? Everything doing as you expected. Inquiring minds want to know?

BigRick

Sorry, Rick. I've been travelling and just got back.

Surgery went great! It was not painful (felt like I did a bunch of situps so my belly was sore. But nothing like I expected; so don't worry.

I did my first couple of weeks on liquids and now on mushy foods, but weiht loss is holding at abotu 23 pounds so far. I think my body is still trying to figure out whether I am feeding it or starving it, so it is kind of holding onto the weight right now. The doctor said not to worry; I am in the healing phase, not the weight loss phase yet. But I feel great, lots of energy, and look forward to the challenge of shedding 100-12o pounds. Hope all is well with you!

BB62;

Havent heard from you. How did the surgery go? Everything doing as you expected. Inquiring minds want to know?

BigRick

Sorry, Rick. I've been travelling and just got back.

Surgery went great! It was not painful (felt like I did a bunch of situps so my belly was sore. But nothing like I expected; so don't worry.

I did my first couple of weeks on liquids and now on mushy foods, but weiht loss is holding at abotu 23 pounds so far. I think my body is still trying to figure out whether I am feeding it or starving it, so it is kind of holding onto the weight right now. The doctor said not to worry; I am in the healing phase, not the weight loss phase yet. But I feel great, lots of energy, and look forward to the challenge of shedding 100-120 pounds. Hope all is well with you!

Glad to hear things are going well for you. And I think your right about your body being a bit confused right now but that will change for the better soon enough. I have one more group to attend and then I can get a date, looking forward to joining the ranks. Keep up the good work!

Just thought I would post an update, finished all the Insurance requirements as of Monday, now I am just waiting to get a date for the CUT! Really looking forward to the change it will bring in my life.

Just thought I would post an update, finished all the Insurance requirements as of Monday, now I am just waiting to get a date for the CUT! Really looking forward to the change it will bring in my life.

Looking forward to the positive change is what's keeping me from being a nervous freaking wreck.

My surgery is Monday (April 14). I weighed in at 335 - first time I've been on a scale (or in a doctor's office) in about three years.

I've carried this weight all my life and spent a damn long time pretending it wasn't a problem and that it didn't bother me. So, yeah, I'm nervous too. I don't like doctors, don't like being cut open (although I've had two back surgeries), etc. I like Doritos and pizza. I will miss them, but I'm thinking of friends who have moved overseas and will only visit once a year at most. It's not like they're dead.

Hang in there. I think nervous is normal.

-D

Nervous is normal, but illogical. Sure, any surgery is a big deal, particularly if you're heavy. But I was 446 pounds when I got cut - I DREAM of being 335! They do this surgery every day, lads, and it's safe and a life-saving procedure. Which is why those tight-fisted bastids at the Insurance Companies pay for it!

So you're both going to be fine for the surgery, and great after it! Congratulations...