Are there any truck driver that has had Lap-Band System done?

I havent had the lap band done but I would like to offer personal experience that you might find useful.

I am a new driver, only held my CDL for a couple months now. People told me park further from the truck stop and all that good advise. But I have actually lost weight. I have dropped almost 2 full pant sizes. For me it wasnt a matter of exercise as much as looking at my spending.

I ate most of my meals on the truck. Frozen food type dinners (Hormel usually) smaller portions. You will also find that you want to eat smaller portions because you will stop les often for restroom breaks. They are pretty filling but dont leave me feeling like I over induldged. As a result I lost some weight. I eat heavy foods and in larger portions at home. Walking further helps yes. But you will find that you want to be off the truck some anyway. So you will naturally walk some. maximize that, but just watch what you eat and you just might be suprised.

If the lap band is best for you certainly go for it, but I dont think you will have any issues out there. Knowing we are overweight we tend to be a little more cautious. So in my opinion you should be ok.

Whatever you decide good luck to ya!

 

I'm sorry, but I'm not totally familiar with what that is --- and I'm not sure it's all that important that I do (understand).
But I'm thinking starting out driving a Big truck is gonna be challenging enough on it's own merit. Especially if "shortly" means in the next few months.

Are there possibilities of complication(s)?

It seems a more radical choice considering DidntITellU's do-it-yourself approach. I think I'd give that a try first, and not complicate the Big truck driving learning process any more than absolutely necessary.

Is this a choice you can make later?

Side note:

When I mentioned that I lost weight when driving a Big truck, I disn't mean to imply that I was over weight or needed to lost weight. Coulda gone either way. I lost maybe 15 pounds of pudge.

The way I drove OTR allowed me up to two weeks off after 6 to 9 weeks out. I liked that.
But I noticed I'd gain those pounds back in that time frame, 10 to 12 days, usually.

Then I started cutting down on my home intake because I wasn't sure gaining and losing was good to do.

Although, Rip Griffens truck stops had/have some darned good fudge.
Easy 10 to 1 ratio there.
One pound of fudge.
Ten EXTRA pounds gained.

Oh well, I can always lump the next load.
Motorcycles.
But! They roll --- you say,............
How HARD can THAT be?

Double decked and packed full. Usually takes a fork lift to get 'em down, sometimes on a rickety pallet.
HANG ON!
Other wise, or Unwise, as the case may be, there's always the ramps.
They clamp together to make them wider, or split to unload automobiles.
We haul them too, ratcheted down with great care and checked OFTEN.

However, looking down from the top deck while seated on a brand new motorcycle, at the angle of descent, they aren't convincingly wide enough.
HANG ON!

The last one loaded on top is the first to be unloaded and it's right on the tail.
Check the brakes?
Turn 'er around and GOoooooo -----> Down.
Hopefully, not out.

The lower level was easier.
We only HOPED for a dock.
Didn't get that often enough.

My point, there's exercise to be had out there that SOME folks PAY money for at health clubs..
Hail!
When I hired with a company, I was informed that I was not a lumper.
Lumpers, when needed, are provided and/or paid for.

Butcha know what?

Well, here's an example...............

I delivered a load of picture frames, maybe 15 pallets and a light load, to a major warehouse in up state New York.
It's beautiful up there.

Got to the dock ok, after a short wait that some might call an "extend wait", I proceeded to the dock to arrange the unload.

"It'll be awhile, driver.
We're short on lumpers tonight."

NUTZ!
I was thinkin' I'd make it back to that cozy LITTLE truck stop I passed coming in. The one that will probably fill up early.
Oh well!

I joked with the informant, How 'bout I throw the load? (Trucker term, meaning unload)

"Can if you WANT to, driver.
All the same to me.
If you want me to, I'll go grab you a pallet jack.
You can have that whole load off, and on your way in 30 minutes.
And it'd sure help me.
Otherwise you gotcha a hour, maybe two hour wait just to get started unloading."

That would be fine, sir!
I take de job!

Well, that warehouse guy was mistaken. And it was ALL HIS fault.
If he hadn't bought me a cup of coffee, I WOULD have pallet-jacked that entire load onto the dock in 30 minutes. It took me 45 minutes. And I collected $75 for "lumping".
Imagine that!

Made it to the LITTLE truck stop in time to find a Big truck just flipping on his headlights prior to pulling out.
Tricky back-in though.
I handled the back-in fine, ---- but I was late for the dinner special.
Meatloaf or pork chops.
NUTZ!

So I had pasta.
But I digress,................................

Good luck to you.

 

I'm a little familiar with it, I think the biggest problem you would have is when it needs to be filled or unfilled, getting back to you doctor to have this done could be tough and sometimes you need to do it immediately and if your 2500 miles from your doctor that's not gonna happen. Probaly better off with the Gastic bypass with this job, then you'll need several months healing with either one before bouncing around in a truck.
Good Luck

 

Google Lap-Band System.

A nurse friend of mine described it as a new procedure that can getcha back to work quickly. And It can be adjusted.

Gastric Bypass would be more extensive and require more time before returning to work.

 

Good Heavens

Vienna Sausage and chili ! ! !

Cold pork and beans with Horseradish ! ! ! !

And YOU think yer gonna KISS me with that mouth......LOL

Ok I'll give ya the Pork 'n Beans, from a can even but HORSERADISH ? ?


I know both procedures and considering the line of work you're going into I would strongly suggest you have the Lap Band and not the Gastric Bypass. The Lap Band is least evasive of both procedures and would easier for you to maintain your health on the road compared to the fallout from a Bypass.

Ya might wanna hop on down the forum and ask the nurse in the Health Dept also.

Good Luck to you.

 

I agree with you and Aftershock, the Lap band is less invasive but getting the fills the first year would be tough for an OTR Driver, I could see it working if he's running local but just don't see anway over the road.

 

I forget to eat 95% of the time once I am behind the wheel, then I pull over, and suddenly when I think about eating, I get all shaky. lol
Not healthy I know.
Doc told me to keep some crackers nearby, And I do so love Wheat Thins.
But they are hard on my teeth, so I have to chew really slow.
Keeps the fiber up, and keeps the munchie sensation away, and keeps my blood sugar in check.