Law enforcement thread

[Bigmike840]

That sounds good, I am heavy into weight lifting myself, I was a personal trainer before my cop'n days. I work for Carver County Sheriff. I am looking forward to getting back into the gym. Do you feel hungry like you did before the band. I am on a 2 day pre-op clear liquid diet and its killing me, but I know it is worth it. Can I PM from this site?

[big32]

I'am FLEO on the east coast. Just got my Date I just thought I'd say Hay.

[Pizzaman]

Originally Posted by big32

I'am FLEO on the east coast.

I am too. Good luck with your surgery.

For me, it has gone well. I took 2 weeks off and have gone easy for another 2 weeks. Now I'm pretty much doing what I did pre-surgery except I'm about 25 pounds lighter and counting.

I haven't started weightlifting again yet (I'll do that once I'm 6 weeks out - another week or so) but for cardio I've progressed from fast walking to a slow jog.

[Ceradad]

Originally Posted by Bigmike840

That sounds good, I am heavy into weight lifting myself, I was a personal trainer before my cop'n days. I work for Carver County Sheriff. I am looking forward to getting back into the gym. Do you feel hungry like you did before the band. I am on a 2 day pre-op clear liquid diet and its killing me, but I know it is worth it. Can I PM from this site?

If you are with Carver, then you know two of our former officers that just started for you. Good guys. I'll discuss them on PM's. Also, I live in Shakopee, so not too far from you.

As for being hungry, not so much. I have yet to be adjusted, though I think I am going to ask for one this month at my monthly check up. For the most part, I eat about 1 1/2 cups of food each meal 3 x's a day. Very limited snacking. I'm ususally good for about 4-5 hrs.

You're lucky, I had to do 10 days of liquids leading up to surgery date. I got pretty dizzy during that time. Of course, some would say there was no difference.

As for PM's, click on my name on the left hand side. Then, go down to "Send Private Message to...." Talk to you later.

[pilate74]

It is good to see all of the LEO guys posting. The EMS/Firefighters are also welcome to post in the LEO threads. These guys are public servants as well. Around here they get shot at as much as the law dogs do(Laredo,Texas).

[Ceradad]

Originally Posted by pilate74

It is good to see all of the LEO guys posting. The EMS/Firefighters are also welcome to post in the LEO threads. These guys are public servants as well. Around here they get shot at as much as the law dogs do(Laredo,Texas).

Couldn't agree with you more. We're all in this together and need to support each other.

[Bigmike840]

Hey All,
1 day post-op and every thing went great. I think we all need to thank our support staff at home. My wife and two daughters were awesome. My wife has had double duties the last two days. She has been great. I feel guilty that she has to do so much. She is always asking if I need anything, never once complaining. Thanks BABE. So I am doing great, a little uncomfortable with the gas and pressure but I will manage. I am getting up to walk around as much as I can. I am on liquids and puréed food. Its going OK. I am getting good liquids in. I wanted to say thanks again for all the support. It feels very empowering reading all the comments and support. I will surly return the favor all I can.

Thanks Mike

[CarlaG]

How do you feel about dispatchers in this thread? I'm surprised I haven't read any posts from dispatchers. We are the most sedentary member of the law enforcement family and usually the heaviest. I'm going through the process now and hope to have my surgery in early March. Have you all discussed your decision with your co-workers? What has been there response>

[Ceradad]

Mike, got your PM. Sent one back. Good to hear all is going good. Support at home is the greatest resource you can have when going through this. Especially the first couple of weeks. My DW was great. She was scared as h#ll when I had the surgery, but knew it was best for me and our family.

Carla, anyone associated with law enforcement are welcome. To answer your question, when I first started the process I didn't tell too many. Only because I didn't want to have it fall through and everyone asking questions as to what happened. When I got my surgery date, I alot of people. Mainly because I figured I was going to be losing weight/size. Also, I was, and am not, ashamed of the surgery. It has been a God send for me. Yes, I put in more time in the gym than anybody else in my dept., but it is because I use the Lap Band and the scars as a reminder of what I had become. I almost like to look in the mirror now. And, I tell my better friends and the most supportive people of all of my victories, both scale and non scale varieties.

I hope all goes well for you Carla. Keep us updated. We know you guys care for us and we return the favor.

[lapbander081004]

Been long time since I have posted on this site. Stoped in today and found this thread. Funny one of the last post asked about dispatcher...lol

I retired as a LEO in 2000 after 26 1/2 yrs. Spent most of my career on the high side of the scale and struggled to stay at the level I was at. Unfortunately they didn't have Lap Bands in this area while I was on the job.

After I retired I went to work in security at a casino here in Detroit. I really lost control of myself and ended up allowing my weight to reach 330#. I left the security job after a year and became a dispathcer/911 operator for a Public Safety Department. I really never regreted retiring but I was very excited to be back in Law Enforcement and not security. (not to be taken as a slam to anyone in security).

My son, who is a LEO and in very good health and condition got married in 2003 and after his wedding when I saw the videos and pictures I knew I had to get my weight down and under control or I'd never see any grandchildren.

I was looking at possible surgery on both my knees that were bucking under my weight and I had Sleep Apnea. When I was first tested for it it was found during the test that I woke up 477 times in an 8 hour sleep. Dr told me that I was just months away from not waking up if I hadn't been tested. I thank my DW for ratting me out to the Dr about my sleeping problems as she (which she may have regretted...lol) saved my life. But sleeping with a c-pap did not fix my weight problem.

I was turned onto the Lap Band by a church friend and he confided in me he had it done. So I looked into it and honestly being the baby I am about pain and needles I took the paperwork from the seminar I went to and tossed it into the rear seat of my car. One day a month later I was cleaning the car and found that I was just exhausted. AS I icked up the paperwork to shove in the garbage back I sat back and thought about it again. Made an appointment to see Dr and a month later I was on the table. I was very successful in the beginning and had lost a total of 85 pounds. Did well for a few years and then went on a slide.

Should mention that during the weight loss I started having trouble with my c-pap machine and when I was retested it was found the pressure was now to high and it had to be reduce. 6 months later I was off the machine. I still do not need the c-pap. The surgeries I was facing did not have to be done. But I did put 40 pounds back on. I am using Lent as a kickstart to get the 40 off and finish the remainder. I now have two beautiful grandchildren and a third due next month. Need the extra room on my lap.

Although I and I alone have been responsible for my failures in getting to my goal weight by now I still never have regretted having the surgery and truely believe I won't be here today without it.

I talk at seminars my Dr puts on and I am a co-leader of his Support Group he has for his patients.

Well I babbled long enough (now you know why I didn't write a lot of tickets...Talked them to death and they never wanted to be stopped by me again).

I wish one and all of my fellow LEO & Dispatchers the best with the band. It has been a Godsend for me and I'd go it again in a heart beat.

Greg

[CarlaG]

OMG Lapbander00810004...your multitasking comment just cracks me up. Did you tell people at work you were having the surgery? If so, what kind of reaction did you get? I did tell my boss I was going to be having surgery but didn't indicate what. I'm applying for a promotion and my husband thinks it might help if I tell them I am doing something to get my weight under control. What do you think about that? I think it could go either way knowing my boss. He believes you should do it on your own (even though he is somewhat overweight, has high blood pressure, is your typical Type A personality). We had another girl who had bypass done and when I lost 40 lbs by dieting he kept commenting on how I was doing it the right way, but now he has seen me gain 60 back.

It's really hard to decide which way to go. The Public Safety community is a tough call sometimes. You would think they would be very supportive, but they can also be very judgemental (which I'm sure they are abou the way I look now regardless).

Carla

[lapbander081004]

CarlaG

I think to "TELL OR NOT TO TELL" is the next big struggle with the surgery after the "TO HAVE OR NOT TO HAVE THE SURGERY" is answered. I tell everyone and I tell it loud...lol

People have to understand that Obiesity is a disease and not all of us can get the cure without some help. Once they do they would understand why we do what we have to.

At least to my face I have never received one negative comment and that may be due to the fact I am very open about it and they may not feel they can say negative stuff. I had the surgery after I retired but when I run into my former fellow officers they all mention my weight lose and they also know what I did to get my weight down. They have been extremely supportive. I also get calls from them asking me to talk to family members who are considering this alternative.

About your boss...If he ever make the remark that you should be able to do it on your own remember to mention to him if you could you sure as hell won't be going thru surgery. As easy of an operation and recovery this surgery was for me I would never have done it if I could have gotten my weight under control on my own.

I agree with the bypass person who says you are doing this the right way. I choose the Lap Band because it is the right way. Uses my system in the order God intended for it to be done. I have friends that have had the bypass and although I do keep in mind that they like me needed to do something. But the trade off with any system other the the Lap Band is not worth it to me. Why trade one medical problem for several other ones when the band is out there. Just MHO...lol

I agree with your comment "We are the most sedentary member of the law enforcement family". Its not easy but there are a few things I am able to do at work that help. On my breaks I walk around the building and on crappy days I walk the halls. MY desk is top of the line new tech... I can stand and it will raise up to me. Many times I stand while working and do lifts while standing. (raise up on my toes and down). I never ask anyone to get me something when I can go and get it myself. I work midnites so I follow a routine that I can maintain on my off days so I don't keep my body wondering why breakfast, lunch and dinner come at different times. If the day shift girl would retire like she can do....lol I could go to the day shift and that would help. Fortunately I like mids so I don't have trouble with them but eight years is enough...lol

Well rambling again. Bad habit I have. Comes for 16 years of working a traffic car and not having a partner. I tend to try and make up for all those lost conversations when ever I can.

Later

[CarlaG]

Greg,

I passed my psych eval today (little do they know) so my surgery has been scheduled for March 13th. I could have done it on the 28th of this month but I am on mids and the preparation would have cut into my sleeping time and I didn't want to go into the surgery already exhausted. My body doesn't like nights so I usually end up sick during the shift. We switch once a month between nights and days (12 hour shifts).

I think I have decided that I am going to take 10 days off so that when it is time for me to go back to work for a full shift I should have had one day on "mushies".

I did break down and tell some people at work today and so far everyone is very positive, but you are right, I'm sure they won't say anything negative (at least to my face).

We also have the moving consoles. I really do like that we can move around but I wish we had the cordless headsets. I'm hoping to be promoted to our center's training officer so that we give me much more opportunity to do more than sit and I will be on a normal work schedule. I have been working shift work for 15 years and I am over it. I ready for a real life. I would still be considered "alpha" personnel in an emergency, but would have holidays and weekends off otherwise.

I have to keep my thoughts positive that things are going my way. I think the decision to move forward with this surgery is the first step towards the new me and my new life.

I think I have decided that I will tell my boss what is going on. He either accepts me or he doesn't and I really don't care what he thinks of my decision. This can do nothing but improve my performance and attitude at work so it can only be a good thing.

Hope you have a good night. By the way, I told my coworkers about your multitasking comment. I still love it!!!

Carla

[Bigmike840]

Hey CarlaG congratulations on everything. You will do great. I am 5 days post-op. I think everybody in my department knew I was going in for banding. I never heard any negative remarks. I did get a couple of calls on the few days after surgery, which felt good. I return to full duty on Sun night. We also work 12's. I will be working 1800-0600. The only concern I have is energy. I get winded going up one flight of steps. Anyway good luck with everything keep us posted, and if you need anything feel free to ask!!!

mike

[Hitman1644]

Hello all,
I am a Detention Officer here in Florida. I am excited to see other law enforcement officers taking steps to better their lives. I am scheduled to get my band on March 3rd and I am looking forward to it. Nobody at work knows that I am going through this procedure so I don’t know how they will react. I not even told my kids yet. I guess I need to break the news to them soon. Well, I enjoy hearing all the different experiences everyone has had. I hope to add my own soon.[/font]