Sorry to intrude in the men's room, but this is the best place I knew to ask my question. I am just starting the process to get banded, and my husband has a lot of questions about possibly having the band himself. He works in industrial maintenance where he has to bend, squat, lift, crawl.... Basically, he has a pretty phsically demanding job. He is worried that the band might be incompatible with his type of work as he is sometimes in awkward positions. I admit I peeked in the thread about what you fellas do, but I don't understand a lot of the job titles. I did see a firefighter, I think, and that MUST be physically demanding. I wondered if any of you have physically demanding jobs that could offer some advice or words of wisdom.

Thanks in advance!

The conventional wisdom is that for the first 4 - 6 weeks you should lift nothing heavier than 10 pounds. After that, the surgical site is healed, and you can do whatever you want.

Yup. What Fenton said. The only vulnerable time is while the band is "healing" into place. After that, he should be ok lifting, twisting, whatever...

Thanks, guys! Plain, you were the exact same height and weight as my husband is now. (He went to the Dr. today, so that is his exact official weight.) It will be interesting to see your progress. Do good, I'll be watching.:wink2:

thanks aivey, you too! I hope your husband gets on board with the band as well. Good luck!

i work as a maintaince pipe fitter , i took off 5 weeks doctor said no lifting for 4weeks , i have not had any problems . if he has any questions feel free to ask. before banding i was about 440 lbs 6'-2"

I do the same and it has not been a problem for me either.

Sorry I can't answer your questions b/c I'm not banded yet. However, I wanted to let you know that my wife and I are both getting the band. Currently we are waiting for approval. We finished all the pre-op tests and we are hoping to hear soon. I wonder how many other married couples or even friends that went through the surgery together.

I came here to see your answers, as my best friend is a guy, he said I cheated when I got the band, because he felt I wasn't trying to lose the weight before.

Well, the fact that I am down 50+ since surgery has changed his tune. In the time I have lost the 50 he has gained it, and at 398, 6'4" he is starting to feel the stress on his legs and feet.

He is flirting with the idea of the band, but he is a man's man type of guy, big meals, out with the guys, etc so is waffling. He can't cut down on what he is eating.

How do I get him to see that you guys were able to do it and be successful? Because while he is now applauding my success thus far, he can't imagine eating the small portions I do now and eating healthy.

he can't imagine eating the small portions I do now and eating healthy.

Well, that's the thing....There is a world of difference between those two things. The band (as you well know) will help him to shrink his portions. Eating healthy, however...that's something he has to choose to do. Even with the band, we still have to make the right choices.

I still eat a lot. just not at one time. I eat at least six times a day. the difference is what I eat and the fact that I now exercise. I've lost 107 since Jan 4th. I enjoy life more and more everyday.

He is flirting with the idea of the band, but he is a man's man type of guy, big meals, out with the guys, etc so is waffling. He can't cut down on what he is eating.

The band will help with portions. He just needs to define for himself what a man's man is. Someone that's 4 spins on the scale and can't walk really doesn't fit my definition, but everyone is different.

How do I get him to see that you guys were able to do it and be successful? Because while he is now applauding my success thus far, he can't imagine eating the small portions I do now and eating healthy.

Have him read the forums. It is hard to imagine that such small portions will make you feel full, but it does happen.

Honestly, the only way it's going to happen is if he wants to change. He's got to want to change and have faith in the program. He needs to want this for himself.

I'm a police officer and can get into some interesting situations. I was given 4 wks off from duty to recover properly. My surgeon told me I could start to lift light weights after 2 wks, but no abs for the full 4 wks.

Plain and I have had great success with this band.

As for the "mans man" thing, tell him not to worry. I go out with the guys all the time after softball and to watch football. People understand.