Las Vegas, Nevada & Orlando Florida, Get The Mini-Gastric Bypass for Life!!
-
Benjamin Smith
- 34, Male
- Norfolk, VA
- United States
- Share
- Blog Posts (31)
- Discussions (16)
- Photos (9)
- Photo Albums
Benjamin Smith's Discussions
Lap band Bypass
Replied Jun 15
Want to know more? Visit www.mini-ben.com
Gifts Received
Benjamin Smith has not received any gifts yet
Latest Activity
Happy Anniversary buddy! I know you are frustrated with this year long plateau and I hope you have a "Flo" experience and start losing again real soon!!!! Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Ben, I feel the SAME way you do about a body lift/breast lift/tummy tuck...It FREAKS ME OUT...I didn't have too many huge concerns about the MGB, but especially if you watch the body lift videos on youtube...YUCK! Gives me the hibbideejibidees! So...
Hi Ben, I was doing all my research and applying for surgery as I was following the progress of both you and your wife. I am actually surprised I did not have you added as a friend already. I know I have been a very rapid loser, but things are fin...
Yeah, your before pictures, your body appears as though you were close to the same shape and size I was other than me being 6'1". So I have been watching you to kind of get an idea of how I might shrink as I go further along this jouney. I was 331...
Keisha... definitely not just extra skin. lol While I can wear a 36-38" pant, my abdomen at its widest point is still 46 inches. Some of it is in my chest as well. Essentially, I am in a large shirt on my chest and shoulders, but an extra large in...
I'm excited for you for all the health success you have had. What an amazing thing...I see myself being like you in the fuuture, and not being very involved in here, because I already am having a hard time...feeling like I had the surgery, only tw...
Hi everyone! I've been well out of the loop on here for awhile, which I believe is completely typical of most people who have this surgery. We end up not having weight issues anymore, and find other things to occupy our time. The MGB is not your l...
Profile Information
- Hometown:
- Norfolk, VA
- First Name:
- Benjamin
- About Me:
- Born in Nebraska, corn-fed in Colorado for the first 19 years of my life, joined the Air Force and stationed in Virginia at Langley AFB. I met my wife there, moved her to RAF Lakenheath in England, and enjoyed a fun job loading bombs on F-15s. After I got out in 2000, we moved back to Norfolk, VA, settled down, and began packing on the pounds. I guess I'm good at that... pushed myself up to 300 lbs, and hovering within 20 lbs of it the last 3 years. Finally, health issues were cropping up quickly, and I have to do something immediately. I had surgery with Dr. Peraglie on May 22nd, 2008. My high weight in my lifetime was 305-308, with a surgery day weight of 290. My goal is 180 lbs.
If you're pre-op and interested in a contact letter, please email me your details and questions to mini.ben@mac.com and I'll do my best to respond quickly. Please be prepared to share some time with me online or on the phone chatting about MGB, as I don't give out my letter to just anyone asking... I believe the contact phase is an important part of the MGB process, and believe it's in your best interests to have detailed conversations about your expectations pre and post op so that you have your own success story to tell to the people you're a contact for down the road. :-)
- Email:
- mini.ben@mac.com
Benjamin Smith's Photos
Benjamin Smith's Blog
18 month update
Hi everyone! I've been well out of the loop on here for awhile, which I believe is completely typical of most people who have this surgery. We end up not having weight issues anymore, and find other things to occupy our time. The MGB is not your life really, you know?
Anyhow, how are things in my world you wonder... what's it like 18 months after surgery? Umm.... pretty good I suppose. "You don't sound too excited Ben!" "Anymore, I'm not really... here's what I can tell you:
My weight has been… Continue
Anyhow, how are things in my world you wonder... what's it like 18 months after surgery? Umm.... pretty good I suppose. "You don't sound too excited Ben!" "Anymore, I'm not really... here's what I can tell you:
My weight has been… Continue
Posted on November 23, 2009 at 7:56am — 7 Comments
One year appointment was a bust...
Mostly because it didn't happen!! While on vacation in Orlando with my family I got a call that my Dad was suffering a 2nd heart attack. I hopped on a plane the next morning and I'm now in Colorado for a short while to help sort things out here.
The good news is it wasn't a 2nd heart attack, it was nasty symptoms from the first that presented that way, sooo... no further damage to the heart.
My Dad is only 56, he's 5'10" and has been about 160-170 lbs his whole life really... he eats better th… Continue
The good news is it wasn't a 2nd heart attack, it was nasty symptoms from the first that presented that way, sooo... no further damage to the heart.
My Dad is only 56, he's 5'10" and has been about 160-170 lbs his whole life really... he eats better th… Continue
Posted on June 1, 2009 at 7:15am — 6 Comments
Power 90... the first 30 days done.
Well, just an update from Ben-land. I was just counting off the days and realized I hit my first 30 days of doing Power 90! Yay me! :-) The hardest part so far has been starting back up on Mondays after my off day on Sundays. But, I've been good about dressing out for my workout, going downstairs and pushing play on the DVD player.
Here are the differences in measurements from Day one to today
Day one Day 30
16.5" Neck 15.75
46.5" Waist at Belly button 42.5
46.5" Chest 45"
44" Hips 44"
13.5"… Continue
Here are the differences in measurements from Day one to today
Day one Day 30
16.5" Neck 15.75
46.5" Waist at Belly button 42.5
46.5" Chest 45"
44" Hips 44"
13.5"… Continue
Posted on May 19, 2009 at 12:14pm — 10 Comments
Who's having surgery between May 23rd-30th with Dr. P?
Debbie and I will be in Orlando for a week for vacation with our kids, and we are taking a day to ourselves to come visit Dr. Peraglie for my one year follow up visit (Debbie will be 8 months out). I am hoping we can drop in on clinic so we can show and tell for the folks following behind us what they can expect for the following days, weeks, months to come as a post-op. I'm not sure if anyone is even scheduled honestly, but if you're lurking on here we hope we'll see you down there! (We'll take… Continue
Posted on May 15, 2009 at 12:42pm — 3 Comments
Quick update
Just an update for my records... still at my "normal weight" I've had for the past 6 months or so. I re-started Power 90 as a workout routine, and I'm loving every minute of that seriously. I'm taking my time and care to avoid injury so I can actually finish the whole thing. I try hard to push myself to success every day in doing the workout with some intensity as well. Been walking with Deb a few times a week, and I'm enjoying getting back into doing yardwork.
In efforts to streamline our vita… Continue
In efforts to streamline our vita… Continue
Posted on April 29, 2009 at 9:11am — 4 Comments
Comment Wall (56 comments)
- At 10:14am on September 21, 2009,
David Lippiatt said… - Benjamin, I really appreciate your frank and honest opinions and its great that your still involved. From what I've seen over the past few weeks of lurking that there are not as many men sending updates and I really want to here more about how guys are doing before I make the commitment. Weight wise I'm starting about the same as you floating between 295-305 at 6'1" and when I do decide to go forward with the procedure it would be with DrR as I'm in SoCal. I would like to add you as a friend and would like to talk.
Regards,
Dave
- At 8:32pm on September 4, 2009,
Georgia Washington said…
- I understand how you're feeling. I was hoping to get down more than I did, but I think I have to consider the amount of weight lost, compared to the weight I was hoping to become. I lost 170 pounds, and I weigh about 182, sometimes up as much as 185 ...It fluctuates. I was really hoping to be in the range between 150-160, being realistic. 140 would have been great. I think if I really tried, and went on a program or something, I would lose more. Unfortunately, I still have some of my old eating habits, and love to eat and love sweets. Of course, I eat less than before, and I do eat better, but I think I'm responsible for not losing more. Well, I hope you get to a weight that makes you happy and that you are content with. You look great, and I KNOW you must feel better. We'll have to chat later...I'd love to hear how you're progressing. How is your wife's loss? Is she happy?
- At 5:32pm on September 4, 2009,
Kelsha Wisniewski said…
- You look amazing. Just thought I'd tell you! I'm having my MGB the end of this month...:)
- At 4:43pm on September 4, 2009,
- You look good, Ben. What is your total loss at this point?
- At 10:10am on July 6, 2009,
Gina DiSanto said… - hey, hope you had a great 4th, diet wise i am dealing ok, i only dumped once, and i am getting used to know what i can eat and cant eat, right now tunafish is my fav and cherry water ice :)
- At 8:51pm on June 19, 2009,
DrR said…
- Done
- At 7:07am on May 25, 2009,
Trish said… - Hi Ben! First of all Happy Memorial Day! Thanks to you and all others that have and are serving our country!!!
I am impressed with this Power 90 program you are doing. You seem to have figured it out and are really making this work for you. Hope you and Deb had a great time in Florida - what did Dr P think about how great you are doing-mentally and physically? Keep it up - I can't wait to see the difference with the 90 day finale!
- At 11:22pm on May 21, 2009,
- Hey Benjamin,
Thanks. Yep, 2 years since my MGB. Nothing has really changed, though. I'm still bouncing around between 178-182 pounds. It does seem like I can eat more now, than ever. I wish it weren't the case, though. I don't eat a whole lot, just more than I used to be able to. But, all is good, and I'm still thrilled. I was hoping, at this point, to be involved in some type of exercise program, but I just don't seem to be able to get myself going right now. I could make excuses as to why I haven't, but they would be just that...Excuses.
Hey, you're going great. It's so good to be able to go into a regular store, isn't it??!! Has the scale moved any more for you?
- At 6:21am on May 20, 2009,
Barbara Ann Denisco said… - Wow, you look great. I hope to be looking better in a year. I have so many ailments, its not funny. How are you doing? Physically? When will you be there. I will have my surgery on the 28th, next Thursday.
- At 1:53am on April 26, 2009,
Julie Bangs said…
- Hello,
This is very exciting, and a little emotional knowing that I will have my life back soon (at least I hope). I am a Registered Nurse in a Surgical Intensive Care Unit. I have been obese most of my life (almost 38 years old) and I want to live again...learn how to surf, get my dive license, get my pilots license. I have such an adventurous spirit that it almost kills me knowing how my weight controls my life and ambitions currently. I am ready for this MGB journey and have read posts for countless hours, watched you tube testimonials all with the excitement knowing this may be me one day. Please, if you have the time to respond to my questions, and allow me add you to my contact list, I greatly appreciate it. I understand Dr. Rutledge is the greatest, however, I live on the East Coast (VA) and would probably rather go to Florida because my 8 year old daughter will be traveling with me and she could visit Disney World for the first time. My questions are as follows:
1. Which surgeon did you have?
2. How was your overall experience with this process?
3. How was your overall experience with the staff?
4. How soon did you get your date once the packet was submitted?
5. Was your primary care provider supportive with your decision? If not, did you have an difficulty with the referral?
6. Did you have much post-operative pain? If so, what relieved it?
7. Did you feel any of the hunger you experienced prior to surgery?
8. Did you feel a loss for food?
9. Did you experience depression? Did you have a history of depression prior to surgery?
10. How soon did you go back to work? Did your work require physical activity (pulling/pushing)?
11. Would you choose to have this procedure again? If not, why?
12. What suggestions or tips could you offer for those who will travel out of state?
13. Which hotels would you suggest?
14. Is there anything else you would like to add or comment on?
Sincerely,
Julie Bangs
About
Badge
© 2009 Created by DrR on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
