jacqueinTexas

I was banded 4/16/03. Weighed 240+. I got down to 150. Once I got down to 150 which I wanted to be 138 doc said I could introduce starches again. Well that was like giving a burglar keys to the bank. I have yoyoed between 165 and 185. I had a leak Jan 06 in the tubing. He went in and repaired that. I had him give me a fill during surgery. I cannot remember how much it was but not much at all. I have had restriction on and off since then. I have been battling reflux for a while. About 3 weeks ago it really got bad. I ate dinner at my moms which I ate about 5 bites. I violently PBed to the point of extreme stomach pain. Since then I wake at night coughing from the acid. I take prilosec in the morning and drink zegrid at night. I can not eat much. Really bad in the morning, and at night. After reading your post I think I need to get into the doc and see what is going on. Like you though I have not gone by the rules. The absolute worst thing I did was start drinking carbonated drinks though they are diet it was still the worst thing I ever did. All you newbies don't listen to them tell you it will not effect the band. It does stretch the pouch as I had this in the past also. Also I don't want people to think this is a bad thing. I would do it again if in the same situation. The band is an awesome tool. It is a tool not a miracle. Once banded people should get counseling as we over eat for other reasons. I went from over eating to obsessing on shopping. That's not a good one either lol. One other thing any older bandsters have numerous kidney infections? Anyhow please let me know how this turns out for you. thanks, Jacque

My first week post op: The surgery went well, but I was in recovery forever due to no room available. Stayed over night and went home the next day to my 9 month old, 4 yr old, and 6 yr old. So I was busy real quick. I had gas pains and YES!! walking does help with the gas pains. The faster you get up and move the faster you feel better. Strangest thing during first week: the growling after I had ate. The bottom stomach would be growling even though I had ate. Strange. The head hunger was the worst. I never realized how much food is advertised till I couldn't have it. When I had my surgery is 4/03 Burger King came out with that ChEEEEZZZ BURRRRGERRRR commericial, and my kids loved it and walked around saying that. I would've killed to eat one. One thing I found that helped with the head hunger was crunching on Sonic ice. It was liquid but I still got to chew. I guess it tricked my mind into thinking I was eating sommething. Also a good way to get in your Water. I would stop by Sonic and get a Route 44 ice water (43cents) and drinl it all and refill the cup at the water faucet at work. Made it easy to get it all in. Good luck to everyone having surgery!!

Starting weight & Height 247lbs 5'4" Surgery on 4/16/03 Current weight 7/7/04 150.5 Starting out at 247lbs, size 22,5'4". I had lap band surgery on 4/16/2003. The surgery went great. I was out three days later staining the cedar on my house. On 5/22/03 I had a fill 1.2 cc which gave me some restriction. I was down 17lbs at the fill. It really didn't hurt to get the fill I think drawing blood is worse than a fill.I have been walking on my tred mill at least 3 nights a week(something I never did before). I try to get in at least 60 gm of protein everyday. I eat a carb solution protein bar as soon as I get up to get my body in lose mode. My friend and I have just started walking the track. I can really tell a difference between the track and the tred mill. Walking the track seems to get more muscles moving. I just feel so much better after having this surgery. I think I have more energy. As of 6/16/2003 I'm down 29lbs and size 18. 29lbs in two months who'd thought this could happen!!! I would recommend this surgery to anyone. If your interested in this surgery and need some answers from someone going through it just email me I'd be glad to help out. Also, I called dr Spivak's today because after 8 yrs of my cycle lasting 3 days. This one lasted 7 days and still spotting. They told me that the weight loss really effects your hormones along with everything else she told me make sure we use extra protection because you become more fertile with weight loss. I already took care of that after the 3rd baby. 6/30/03 Well I have been really busy with real estate and my children. So I haven't been exercising as much as I'd like. Though I eat protein first I been eating out alot. I'm now 215 lbs, and I can wear some XL clothing. That's -32lbs. I know that's 3 lbs in two weeks. I really need to so down and think what I'm putting into this golden stomach. Even with the slow loss I feel great. I found a wonderful drink Fruit2o. It comes in many flavors. I have tried the strawberry very good. Made with splenda, it has no calores, no carbs, no fat, no protein, and 5 grams of sodium. Although expensive it's worth it to be able to drink something besides water that isn't loaded in sugar or sodium.Feel free to email me if you have any questions. 7/07/03 down to 213, getting closer to that 200 mark. I have decided that getting on the scale to measure my progress is just not doing it for me. Even with the 34lbs off I can't really tell a difference. So I went to Foleys the other day and bought some clothes on clearance that I can wear but their tight. I will use this to measure my progress. I also decided that the size 12 shorts I have from about 8 years ago(iloved these just couldn't part with this pair)is my goal by one year post op. Today I got sick to my stomach after taking my meds without eating. I started to throw up but it was just dry heaving, which was good since that kept the acid in the bottom stomach. Really weird experience. Well must go I will update again. 7/9/03 down to 212,although a little slow it's coming off. I feel so good. So glad I had this surgery. I will work on exercising more over the next 2 weeks since my children will be out of town. Maybe I can get a routine going again. My goal is to lose in the stomach area and the cheeks/second chin area.Must go now. 7/17/03 Well I have been having problems with drinking while eating. I have always drank while eating. Before banding I drank Dr Pepper. Like 4 glasses with every meal. Well since banding it has been water or sugar free drinks. I ran it accross the houstonareabandsters. And they gave me a few tips. Such as is it really worth drinking everytime I eat? I can't I just give up 30 minutes 3 times a day. I never really thought of it that way. So now I drink a glass of water before eating and wait 30 minutes to drink again. I have lost 3 lbs since 7/14/03. Now down to 209lbs. That period thing can really srcew up your system. I stayed at 212 for over a week. I will try and update soon. 7/21/03 We went camping this weekend. I forgot to put sunscreen on my back and I now have blisters all over my back and it hurts to haveanything against it. Pain Pain Pain!!! Today is my baby's 1st birthday. My time sure does fly. It's amazing how fast they grow. Even though we went camping I did good. I ate protein first and drank lots of water. I'm now down to 208, that's 39 lbs gone forever. My mom who had the gastric bypass is down 70 lbs since March 27,2003. She is losing faster but she can not eat alot of things. She is happy with her surgery, and I'm happy with mine. It just goes to show one surgery does not fit all. My mini goal is to be 207 by Saturday the 26th that's my girl's birthday party. I will be down 40 lbs. 7/26/03 Well today is the day. I surpassed my goal of 207 by today. I'm now at 203.5!!!!!! I went for a fill on Thursday the 24th He filled me to 2.0cc. Well I thougt I was going to burst. I know I turned 3 shades of green after drinking that water. He then took it all out. He said my 1.4cc had shrank to 1.0cc. So he then filled me to 1.5cc. All that filling and unfilling has my stomach swollen. I have not been able to keep any food down. But I'm feeling a little better today. Hopefully I'll be back to eating a little soon. I decided to try eating mushy only till it starts following better. I decided to set a new goal under 197 by the 16th. The 16th will be 4 months and 197 will be 50lbs. 50lbs in 4 months that averages 12.5 lbs per month. I tell ya 44 lbs is more than I have ever lost on any diet I've ever done. 7/29/03 Still swollen from that fill. If I could just stop trying to eat solid food, and go back to liquids for a day or two it would get better. I think I have pb'ed every time I have ate since Thursday. But I can't complain I'm down to 200.5 lbs. Wow, I'm almost under 200!!!! Everyone has npticed I get so many good comments. I know weight shouldn't matter but I feel better about myself. I feel confident about me and my Real Estate Career. I just feel happy all the time now. Where as before I felt tired and sad all the time. I would recommend this surgery to anyone!!!! 8/4/03 I made it!!!! 198.5. -47.5 lbs. Going for that unfill tomorrow. 9/16/03 How bad am I. I haven't posted in over a MONTH!!! But wow check out the difference. I'm down to 189 thats -58lbs. Now I'll update on how I am. Well I did go for the unfill. What a blessing that was. I have not had to get another fill either. I have learned to be better about what I eat. This band thing sure is an awesome tool. I have figured out that I'm an emotional eater. I have noticed even when I'm excitied I eat more. I never noticed before since I could eat as much as I could stuff in my mouth. But now I try to eat and get full fast. So happy or sad I eat LOL!!!!! I'm so glad my weight loss is going so well. I just wish my Real Estate career was going good. I hope that picks up soon. I will try to post soon. 11/10/03 I have been so busy I haven't had time to post. I am now at 178.5. I have been yo-yoing for about 2 weeks. Halloween was not good for me. I did bad, but not nearly as bad as I did last year before the band. I am a sucker for chocolate!! I have been eating more lately. I think the fluid in the band has evaporated. So I have an appointment to get a fill next Wednesday. I will try and post after the fill. Feel free to email me if you want to ask any questions on anything with the band. My goodness I never realized how bad that photo is. I look terrible. I sent them an update photo but it's still not current. It is from July 2003 at which point I was aroung 213. I can still see that double chin, that has now gone away. Hey exciting news the size 12 shorts I wanted to fit in by one year post op well I can get them on and button them. All though they don't look that good on. Getting them on is all that matters. But right now I feel good in the 14's. There is only 2 things that I miss they are my hair and my size C bra. I have had a lot of hiar loss though it is coming back. But my bra has gone from a C to a B. So now I invest in the padded push up bra. I think this bothers my husband more than me LOL. 12/21/03 Ewe!! It's been a while since I updated. I did get that fill. And I was right the liquid in the band had evaporated.She brought me back up the 1.5cc. I still seem to be eating lot though. I keep yoyoing between 172-175. I have been so busy and stressed that I eat whatever I see. And all the Christmas candy is not helping. At least I'm not gaining. ANyways our house caught on fire last Thursday the 11th. We got out safe and they were able to save our house. It's going to take 2 months to fix it, and it's costing the insurance $40,000. The fire only damaged one wall, but with smoke they have to go in and clean everything repaint and recarpet. So with this going on we are staying at my mom's. The 5 of us are going from a 2000sqft home to two bedrooms in my moms house OUCH!!! Stress Stress Stress!!I will update again soon. Merry CHristmas to everyone!!! 1/02/04 Well we made it to a new year!!! I'm now at 173.5. Still in that yo yo, but I have been eating so much junk during the holiday. Oh really GOOD News. I went shopping after Christmas for clothes. I went to Khol's. I bought a size 12 in Levi's!!!! And a size 10 in Sonoma jeans!!!! That is so exciting I think the last time a wore a 10 was junior high. Although I know in the back of my mind they are making clothes bigger. I remember being 175 and a little more fit and still wearing a 14. But it still feels good to wear those 10's. On to my house they haven't started on the repairs yet and he informed me it would be 45 days from the day they start repairs. that really sucks!!! Well must go show a house today, but I will post soon. Jacque 4/16/03 5'4" 247/173.5/150 23lbs to goal 1/15/04 Well feeling pretty good today. I'm having a good month in Real Estate. One closing this week and four next week. So glad I stuck it out. It takes so long to good in realestate. I think I have a weeks worth of clothing and the rest is in the cleaners. By the time I get them back(when they finish my house) I won't be able to wear any of them.LOL that's a good thing think I'll just plan a yard sale. Well as far as weight loss I have lost 2 more pounds. I finally got under the 172 mark. Must go now I'm at work Bye!! Jacque 4/16/03 5'4" 247/171.5/150 21.5 lbs to go 1/17/04 Boy it sure is hard going through PMS and not eating alot. I seem to be nibbling alot. But I'm still losing. I think I need another fill though. I think I'll call on Monday. Jacque 4/16/03 5'4" 247/170/150 down 77lbs 20lbs to go !!! 1/18/04 I just had to post again today. I broke the 170 mark. I just hope I stay under it. Jacque 4/16/03 5'4" 247/169/150 down 78lbs 19lbs to go!!!! 1/26/04 Well we are still waiting to get back in our House. I'm hoping by Valentine's Day we'll be back in there. I just talked to the company doing the work and the claim has now jumped from $40,000 to $69,000. But that includes dry cleaning, removal of everything cleaning the a/c and replacement of the items we lost. Now I see why insurance is so much. The companies charge an arm and a leg to repair your home. Anyways on to better news I'm now down one more pound. I guess the closer you get to your goal the harder it is to lose. I really don't have alot of restriction so I think I'll call today and see if I can get in for a fill. Jacque 4/16/03 5'4" 247/168/150 18 lbs to go!!! 2/4/04 Well no good news. My husbands Grandmother passed away last Thursday and we just got back from Ohio today. I gained 1.5 lbs That's what I get for packing all that junk food for the trip. Still have not gone for that fill. Jacque 5'4" 247/169.5/150 2/13/04 I was sick yesterday. But I'm happy today!! I got on the scale and I'm at 165.5 YEAH!!! i know why I lost though. I finally broke down and called Dr Spivak for a fill. I have an appointment on March 4th. I had been kinda stuck in a yo-yo. Making that call put my body in losing mode again LOL!! Jacque 247/165.5/150 15.5 lbs to go (down 81.5 lbs) 2/21/04 I'm at 164.5 but I keep yoyoing between 164.5 and 166.5. We still have not moved back in to our house. It seems like forever. But they said maybe next week.I hope so I think I would be doing better if I could relieve a little stress.My house is a major stress right now. Although I wear a 10/12 pants, I still see my self as fat. Why is that? I feel better. I see the pant sizes getting smaller but in my mind I'm still fat. I keep catching myself saying if I could just lose a little in the tummy area and tigh/butt area. But honestly will I ever really be satisfied? I guess that's just how the human mind works! Jacque 247/164.5/150 14.5 lbs to go 3/7/04 Well we made it back in our house. It feels so good to be home. I finally went for that much needed fill. I have not been able to go over a 1.5cc. This time she brought me up to 2cc, and I feel great just enough restriction. That is so weird last time they tried 2cc I thought I was going to burst. Dr. Spivak came in and said I looked like I didn't need to be there.lol. Jacque 247/160/150 10 lbs to go!!!! 3/27/04 Down to 158.5 Yeah!!!! Everything seems to be going good. My bandiversary is coming up April 16,2004, and I only have 8.5 lbs to go !!!! Jacque 5'4" 247/158.5/150 3/31/04 Well I'm back up to 160.5 gRRRRR!!!! i really need to slow down and look at what I'm putting in my mouth. Chocolate has really been a sore spot for me lately. 5/25/04 It's been a while since I've been on here. 4/16/04 was a year since banding. I feel great as far as the weight I have lost. But I'm disappointed in myself. I have been eating to many sweets. I keep going up and down from 157 to 160.5. I really need to get a hold of this sweet problem. I think it's the stress though. The last month I have been thinking of changing Real Estate offices, and it's been a very stressful time. But I finally jumped in with both feet and did it. I just hope it was the right career move for me. Jacque 247/160.5/150 6/17/04 Well I settled in to my new office. The people here are great!! It's so family like. With all the weight loss, career move, finances straightened out, and going to Jamacia in July. You would think that I would be happy. But I just don't feel happy. I'm so up thight(as my husband would say), and I feel angry most of the time. I think I'm going through some kind of depression. So I scheduled an appointment with a doctor to see just what is wrong with me. 247/157/150 6/29/04 I wet to the doctor and he prescribed EffexorXR. It seems to be helping. I've been kinda tired, but I think that is my body getting use to the meds. I also went for a fill yesterday. My fill went from 2.0cc to 1.8cc so this time he brought me up to 2.3cc but that was too much and they brought it back down to 2.2cc. You would think .1cc would make that much of a difference. We are leaving for Ocho Rois Jamacia on the 24th of July. So I'm shooting for 150 that just 4 lbs. I hope I can make it. This may sound crazy. I've been looking for a bathing suit (4hours at the mall) but I can't find one I like. Even though I've lost 93lbs I still see my self as fat. My inner thighs, hips and belly just look aweful in every suit I try on. I wish I could be content with my body. Jacque 247/154/150 07/03/04 Well I went shopping for a bathing suit again. I found one at Palais Royal. It is called a Tanki it's 2 piece but the top goes down to the bottoms, and it has a skirt but it's slit on one side. It looks okay I guess. I was sick the other day with a stomach virus. Felt aweful but it helped in weight loss. I'm now 1/2 pound from my goal for vacation, and 3.5 pounds from 100lb loss. Jacque 247/150.5/150 07/07/04 Wonderful Holiday. We went to Lake Livingston and watched fireworks from the boat on the lake. I went tubbing and I wore my new bathing suit and I felt very comfortable in it. No weight loss though that BBQ is hard to pass up lol!! 247/150.5/147 07/15/04 No weight loss to speak again. Went to Kohl's over the weekend and they are having their 1/2 off Clearance sale I just about got all my school shopping done. YEAH!!! I also bought me 2 dresses for vacation size 9/10. Never thought I'd be that size. 07/29/04 Well we just got back from Jamiaca last night. It was wonderful!! I did things I would have never done before. I went scuba diving, we went down 30ft in the water. I went snorkeling. I wore a bathing suit with no cover up, and I felt comfortable. I also ate everything in site. It was an all enclusive resort. They had food and bars everywhere. Just too much temptation to resist. So I gained but not bad just 2.5 lbs. 247/153/147 10/27/04 I am so bad. It has been 3 months since an update. Here it goes. I thought I needed a fill so I made an appointment. They said I need a esophgram. So I went THursday Oct 14th. I had not had any problems I just thought I was eating to much an need a fill. Well the esophgram concluded that my band was too tight causing the pouch to stretch. So instead of a fill I received an unfill. They said that the pouch would reduce in size after the unfill. Anyhow on to the embrassing moment. As I was talking to Rachel at the desk I started feeling light headed. I told her (or so I thought I was telling her) I need to sit down. Next thing I knew Dr Spivak and Dr Hewitt were standing over me. I completely passed out. THis was the second time in two months. Dr Spivak said it sounds as though I have a low sugar level when fasting. He told me I need to make sure I eat every morning. Other news. Over the weekend of the 16th I was having pains in my kidney's. I didn't think much of it. I just started drinking cranberry juice thinking that would help. By Monday the 18th I was running a fever, having body aches, headaches, chills, cold sweats, and joint pain. I went to my PCP on Tuesday. They said I had a really bad kidney infection. She sent me home with levaquin 500mg. On Wednesday afternoon I took my fever and it was up to 103.7 I took tyenoel and it went down to 103.0. I could feel my blood pressure was up and it felt like my head was about to burst. I was so scared. As soon as my husband walked in the door I left him with the children and went to the ER. They took me in quickly and gave me motrin. Which brought the fever down to 102. After blood tests, urine samples, even a pap smear they were not sure what was going on. They knew there was a bad infection. They had no idea what it was. SO they admitted me for 24hr observation. After 3 days in the hospital they still had no idea what kind of infection. So I called my PCP who sent off the urine sample for a culture. She then faxed the hospital doctor the results. It was an Ecoli infection in the kidney. They were not treating it with the right meds. Once they started the right meds my fever was gone within 24hrs. That was so scary. I never thought at 27 yr old I would be in the hospital for 5 days due to an infection. Not only that they have no idea where I could have gotten it from. It feels good to be home but by body is still not normal. I'm so weak. I could sleep at the drop of a hat. My strength is gone. It's hard to get back to the normal life I have. Anyhow I'm still stuck in this yo-yo 150-155lbs. 4/16/05 2 years out. Update for october thru April. Well with my band loser I gained. I have been yo yoing in the 160's for a while now. I did go back in and get a fill, and again I passed out. Do not know why. I have been so stressed and busy that I have not been eating well. Along with no time to exercise equals no weight loss. I'm currently @ 165lbs. Not bad I guess. I still would like to get down to 147lbs that would be a 100lb weight loss. 5'4" 247/165/147 banded 4/16/03

Starting weight & Height 247lbs 5'4" Surgery on 4/16/03 Current weight 7/7/04 150.5 Starting out at 247lbs, size 22,5'4". I had lap band surgery on 4/16/2003. The surgery went great. I was out three days later staining the cedar on my house. On 5/22/03 I had a fill 1.2 cc which gave me some restriction. I was down 17lbs at the fill. It really didn't hurt to get the fill I think drawing blood is worse than a fill.I have been walking on my tred mill at least 3 nights a week(something I never did before). I try to get in at least 60 gm of protein everyday. I eat a carb solution protein bar as soon as I get up to get my body in lose mode. My friend and I have just started walking the track. I can really tell a difference between the track and the tred mill. Walking the track seems to get more muscles moving. I just feel so much better after having this surgery. I think I have more energy. As of 6/16/2003 I'm down 29lbs and size 18. 29lbs in two months who'd thought this could happen!!! I would recommend this surgery to anyone. If your interested in this surgery and need some answers from someone going through it just email me I'd be glad to help out. Also, I called dr Spivak's today because after 8 yrs of my cycle lasting 3 days. This one lasted 7 days and still spotting. They told me that the weight loss really effects your hormones along with everything else she told me make sure we use extra protection because you become more fertile with weight loss. I already took care of that after the 3rd baby. 6/30/03 Well I have been really busy with real estate and my children. So I haven't been exercising as much as I'd like. Though I eat protein first I been eating out alot. I'm now 215 lbs, and I can wear some XL clothing. That's -32lbs. I know that's 3 lbs in two weeks. I really need to so down and think what I'm putting into this golden stomach. Even with the slow loss I feel great. I found a wonderful drink Fruit2o. It comes in many flavors. I have tried the strawberry very good. Made with splenda, it has no calores, no carbs, no fat, no protein, and 5 grams of sodium. Although expensive it's worth it to be able to drink something besides water that isn't loaded in sugar or sodium.Feel free to email me if you have any questions. 7/07/03 down to 213, getting closer to that 200 mark. I have decided that getting on the scale to measure my progress is just not doing it for me. Even with the 34lbs off I can't really tell a difference. So I went to Foleys the other day and bought some clothes on clearance that I can wear but their tight. I will use this to measure my progress. I also decided that the size 12 shorts I have from about 8 years ago(iloved these just couldn't part with this pair)is my goal by one year post op. Today I got sick to my stomach after taking my meds without eating. I started to throw up but it was just dry heaving, which was good since that kept the acid in the bottom stomach. Really weird experience. Well must go I will update again. 7/9/03 down to 212,although a little slow it's coming off. I feel so good. So glad I had this surgery. I will work on exercising more over the next 2 weeks since my children will be out of town. Maybe I can get a routine going again. My goal is to lose in the stomach area and the cheeks/second chin area.Must go now. 7/17/03 Well I have been having problems with drinking while eating. I have always drank while eating. Before banding I drank Dr Pepper. Like 4 glasses with every meal. Well since banding it has been water or sugar free drinks. I ran it accross the houstonareabandsters. And they gave me a few tips. Such as is it really worth drinking everytime I eat? I can't I just give up 30 minutes 3 times a day. I never really thought of it that way. So now I drink a glass of water before eating and wait 30 minutes to drink again. I have lost 3 lbs since 7/14/03. Now down to 209lbs. That period thing can really srcew up your system. I stayed at 212 for over a week. I will try and update soon. 7/21/03 We went camping this weekend. I forgot to put sunscreen on my back and I now have blisters all over my back and it hurts to haveanything against it. Pain Pain Pain!!! Today is my baby's 1st birthday. My time sure does fly. It's amazing how fast they grow. Even though we went camping I did good. I ate protein first and drank lots of water. I'm now down to 208, that's 39 lbs gone forever. My mom who had the gastric bypass is down 70 lbs since March 27,2003. She is losing faster but she can not eat alot of things. She is happy with her surgery, and I'm happy with mine. It just goes to show one surgery does not fit all. My mini goal is to be 207 by Saturday the 26th that's my girl's birthday party. I will be down 40 lbs. 7/26/03 Well today is the day. I surpassed my goal of 207 by today. I'm now at 203.5!!!!!! I went for a fill on Thursday the 24th He filled me to 2.0cc. Well I thougt I was going to burst. I know I turned 3 shades of green after drinking that water. He then took it all out. He said my 1.4cc had shrank to 1.0cc. So he then filled me to 1.5cc. All that filling and unfilling has my stomach swollen. I have not been able to keep any food down. But I'm feeling a little better today. Hopefully I'll be back to eating a little soon. I decided to try eating mushy only till it starts following better. I decided to set a new goal under 197 by the 16th. The 16th will be 4 months and 197 will be 50lbs. 50lbs in 4 months that averages 12.5 lbs per month. I tell ya 44 lbs is more than I have ever lost on any diet I've ever done. 7/29/03 Still swollen from that fill. If I could just stop trying to eat solid food, and go back to liquids for a day or two it would get better. I think I have pb'ed every time I have ate since Thursday. But I can't complain I'm down to 200.5 lbs. Wow, I'm almost under 200!!!! Everyone has npticed I get so many good comments. I know weight shouldn't matter but I feel better about myself. I feel confident about me and my Real Estate Career. I just feel happy all the time now. Where as before I felt tired and sad all the time. I would recommend this surgery to anyone!!!! 8/4/03 I made it!!!! 198.5. -47.5 lbs. Going for that unfill tomorrow. 9/16/03 How bad am I. I haven't posted in over a MONTH!!! But wow check out the difference. I'm down to 189 thats -58lbs. Now I'll update on how I am. Well I did go for the unfill. What a blessing that was. I have not had to get another fill either. I have learned to be better about what I eat. This band thing sure is an awesome tool. I have figured out that I'm an emotional eater. I have noticed even when I'm excitied I eat more. I never noticed before since I could eat as much as I could stuff in my mouth. But now I try to eat and get full fast. So happy or sad I eat LOL!!!!! I'm so glad my weight loss is going so well. I just wish my Real Estate career was going good. I hope that picks up soon. I will try to post soon. 11/10/03 I have been so busy I haven't had time to post. I am now at 178.5. I have been yo-yoing for about 2 weeks. Halloween was not good for me. I did bad, but not nearly as bad as I did last year before the band. I am a sucker for chocolate!! I have been eating more lately. I think the fluid in the band has evaporated. So I have an appointment to get a fill next Wednesday. I will try and post after the fill. Feel free to email me if you want to ask any questions on anything with the band. My goodness I never realized how bad that photo is. I look terrible. I sent them an update photo but it's still not current. It is from July 2003 at which point I was aroung 213. I can still see that double chin, that has now gone away. Hey exciting news the size 12 shorts I wanted to fit in by one year post op well I can get them on and button them. All though they don't look that good on. Getting them on is all that matters. But right now I feel good in the 14's. There is only 2 things that I miss they are my hair and my size C bra. I have had a lot of hiar loss though it is coming back. But my bra has gone from a C to a B. So now I invest in the padded push up bra. I think this bothers my husband more than me LOL. 12/21/03 Ewe!! It's been a while since I updated. I did get that fill. And I was right the liquid in the band had evaporated.She brought me back up the 1.5cc. I still seem to be eating lot though. I keep yoyoing between 172-175. I have been so busy and stressed that I eat whatever I see. And all the Christmas candy is not helping. At least I'm not gaining. ANyways our house caught on fire last Thursday the 11th. We got out safe and they were able to save our house. It's going to take 2 months to fix it, and it's costing the insurance $40,000. The fire only damaged one wall, but with smoke they have to go in and clean everything repaint and recarpet. So with this going on we are staying at my mom's. The 5 of us are going from a 2000sqft home to two bedrooms in my moms house OUCH!!! Stress Stress Stress!!I will update again soon. Merry CHristmas to everyone!!! 1/02/04 Well we made it to a new year!!! I'm now at 173.5. Still in that yo yo, but I have been eating so much junk during the holiday. Oh really GOOD News. I went shopping after Christmas for clothes. I went to Khol's. I bought a size 12 in Levi's!!!! And a size 10 in Sonoma jeans!!!! That is so exciting I think the last time a wore a 10 was junior high. Although I know in the back of my mind they are making clothes bigger. I remember being 175 and a little more fit and still wearing a 14. But it still feels good to wear those 10's. On to my house they haven't started on the repairs yet and he informed me it would be 45 days from the day they start repairs. that really sucks!!! Well must go show a house today, but I will post soon. Jacque 4/16/03 5'4" 247/173.5/150 23lbs to goal 1/15/04 Well feeling pretty good today. I'm having a good month in Real Estate. One closing this week and four next week. So glad I stuck it out. It takes so long to good in realestate. I think I have a weeks worth of clothing and the rest is in the cleaners. By the time I get them back(when they finish my house) I won't be able to wear any of them.LOL that's a good thing think I'll just plan a yard sale. Well as far as weight loss I have lost 2 more pounds. I finally got under the 172 mark. Must go now I'm at work Bye!! Jacque 4/16/03 5'4" 247/171.5/150 21.5 lbs to go 1/17/04 Boy it sure is hard going through PMS and not eating alot. I seem to be nibbling alot. But I'm still losing. I think I need another fill though. I think I'll call on Monday. Jacque 4/16/03 5'4" 247/170/150 down 77lbs 20lbs to go !!! 1/18/04 I just had to post again today. I broke the 170 mark. I just hope I stay under it. Jacque 4/16/03 5'4" 247/169/150 down 78lbs 19lbs to go!!!! 1/26/04 Well we are still waiting to get back in our House. I'm hoping by Valentine's Day we'll be back in there. I just talked to the company doing the work and the claim has now jumped from $40,000 to $69,000. But that includes dry cleaning, removal of everything cleaning the a/c and replacement of the items we lost. Now I see why insurance is so much. The companies charge an arm and a leg to repair your home. Anyways on to better news I'm now down one more pound. I guess the closer you get to your goal the harder it is to lose. I really don't have alot of restriction so I think I'll call today and see if I can get in for a fill. Jacque 4/16/03 5'4" 247/168/150 18 lbs to go!!! 2/4/04 Well no good news. My husbands Grandmother passed away last Thursday and we just got back from Ohio today. I gained 1.5 lbs That's what I get for packing all that junk food for the trip. Still have not gone for that fill. Jacque 5'4" 247/169.5/150 2/13/04 I was sick yesterday. But I'm happy today!! I got on the scale and I'm at 165.5 YEAH!!! i know why I lost though. I finally broke down and called Dr Spivak for a fill. I have an appointment on March 4th. I had been kinda stuck in a yo-yo. Making that call put my body in losing mode again LOL!! Jacque 247/165.5/150 15.5 lbs to go (down 81.5 lbs) 2/21/04 I'm at 164.5 but I keep yoyoing between 164.5 and 166.5. We still have not moved back in to our house. It seems like forever. But they said maybe next week.I hope so I think I would be doing better if I could relieve a little stress.My house is a major stress right now. Although I wear a 10/12 pants, I still see my self as fat. Why is that? I feel better. I see the pant sizes getting smaller but in my mind I'm still fat. I keep catching myself saying if I could just lose a little in the tummy area and tigh/butt area. But honestly will I ever really be satisfied? I guess that's just how the human mind works! Jacque 247/164.5/150 14.5 lbs to go 3/7/04 Well we made it back in our house. It feels so good to be home. I finally went for that much needed fill. I have not been able to go over a 1.5cc. This time she brought me up to 2cc, and I feel great just enough restriction. That is so weird last time they tried 2cc I thought I was going to burst. Dr. Spivak came in and said I looked like I didn't need to be there.lol. Jacque 247/160/150 10 lbs to go!!!! 3/27/04 Down to 158.5 Yeah!!!! Everything seems to be going good. My bandiversary is coming up April 16,2004, and I only have 8.5 lbs to go !!!! Jacque 5'4" 247/158.5/150 3/31/04 Well I'm back up to 160.5 gRRRRR!!!! i really need to slow down and look at what I'm putting in my mouth. Chocolate has really been a sore spot for me lately. 5/25/04 It's been a while since I've been on here. 4/16/04 was a year since banding. I feel great as far as the weight I have lost. But I'm disappointed in myself. I have been eating to many sweets. I keep going up and down from 157 to 160.5. I really need to get a hold of this sweet problem. I think it's the stress though. The last month I have been thinking of changing Real Estate offices, and it's been a very stressful time. But I finally jumped in with both feet and did it. I just hope it was the right career move for me. Jacque 247/160.5/150 6/17/04 Well I settled in to my new office. The people here are great!! It's so family like. With all the weight loss, career move, finances straightened out, and going to Jamacia in July. You would think that I would be happy. But I just don't feel happy. I'm so up thight(as my husband would say), and I feel angry most of the time. I think I'm going through some kind of depression. So I scheduled an appointment with a doctor to see just what is wrong with me. 247/157/150 6/29/04 I wet to the doctor and he prescribed EffexorXR. It seems to be helping. I've been kinda tired, but I think that is my body getting use to the meds. I also went for a fill yesterday. My fill went from 2.0cc to 1.8cc so this time he brought me up to 2.3cc but that was too much and they brought it back down to 2.2cc. You would think .1cc would make that much of a difference. We are leaving for Ocho Rois Jamacia on the 24th of July. So I'm shooting for 150 that just 4 lbs. I hope I can make it. This may sound crazy. I've been looking for a bathing suit (4hours at the mall) but I can't find one I like. Even though I've lost 93lbs I still see my self as fat. My inner thighs, hips and belly just look aweful in every suit I try on. I wish I could be content with my body. Jacque 247/154/150 07/03/04 Well I went shopping for a bathing suit again. I found one at Palais Royal. It is called a Tanki it's 2 piece but the top goes down to the bottoms, and it has a skirt but it's slit on one side. It looks okay I guess. I was sick the other day with a stomach virus. Felt aweful but it helped in weight loss. I'm now 1/2 pound from my goal for vacation, and 3.5 pounds from 100lb loss. Jacque 247/150.5/150 07/07/04 Wonderful Holiday. We went to Lake Livingston and watched fireworks from the boat on the lake. I went tubbing and I wore my new bathing suit and I felt very comfortable in it. No weight loss though that BBQ is hard to pass up lol!! 247/150.5/147 07/15/04 No weight loss to speak again. Went to Kohl's over the weekend and they are having their 1/2 off Clearance sale I just about got all my school shopping done. YEAH!!! I also bought me 2 dresses for vacation size 9/10. Never thought I'd be that size. 07/29/04 Well we just got back from Jamiaca last night. It was wonderful!! I did things I would have never done before. I went scuba diving, we went down 30ft in the water. I went snorkeling. I wore a bathing suit with no cover up, and I felt comfortable. I also ate everything in site. It was an all enclusive resort. They had food and bars everywhere. Just too much temptation to resist. So I gained but not bad just 2.5 lbs. 247/153/147 10/27/04 I am so bad. It has been 3 months since an update. Here it goes. I thought I needed a fill so I made an appointment. They said I need a esophgram. So I went THursday Oct 14th. I had not had any problems I just thought I was eating to much an need a fill. Well the esophgram concluded that my band was too tight causing the pouch to stretch. So instead of a fill I received an unfill. They said that the pouch would reduce in size after the unfill. Anyhow on to the embrassing moment. As I was talking to Rachel at the desk I started feeling light headed. I told her (or so I thought I was telling her) I need to sit down. Next thing I knew Dr Spivak and Dr Hewitt were standing over me. I completely passed out. THis was the second time in two months. Dr Spivak said it sounds as though I have a low sugar level when fasting. He told me I need to make sure I eat every morning. Other news. Over the weekend of the 16th I was having pains in my kidney's. I didn't think much of it. I just started drinking cranberry juice thinking that would help. By Monday the 18th I was running a fever, having body aches, headaches, chills, cold sweats, and joint pain. I went to my PCP on Tuesday. They said I had a really bad kidney infection. She sent me home with levaquin 500mg. On Wednesday afternoon I took my fever and it was up to 103.7 I took tyenoel and it went down to 103.0. I could feel my blood pressure was up and it felt like my head was about to burst. I was so scared. As soon as my husband walked in the door I left him with the children and went to the ER. They took me in quickly and gave me motrin. Which brought the fever down to 102. After blood tests, urine samples, even a pap smear they were not sure what was going on. They knew there was a bad infection. They had no idea what it was. SO they admitted me for 24hr observation. After 3 days in the hospital they still had no idea what kind of infection. So I called my PCP who sent off the urine sample for a culture. She then faxed the hospital doctor the results. It was an Ecoli infection in the kidney. They were not treating it with the right meds. Once they started the right meds my fever was gone within 24hrs. That was so scary. I never thought at 27 yr old I would be in the hospital for 5 days due to an infection. Not only that they have no idea where I could have gotten it from. It feels good to be home but by body is still not normal. I'm so weak. I could sleep at the drop of a hat. My strength is gone. It's hard to get back to the normal life I have. Anyhow I'm still stuck in this yo-yo 150-155lbs. 4/16/05 2 years out. Update for october thru April. Well with my band loser I gained. I have been yo yoing in the 160's for a while now. I did go back in and get a fill, and again I passed out. Do not know why. I have been so stressed and busy that I have not been eating well. Along with no time to exercise equals no weight loss. I'm currently @ 165lbs. Not bad I guess. I still would like to get down to 147lbs that would be a 100lb weight loss. 5'4" 247/165/147 banded 4/16/03

Banded 4/16/03 lost down to 10lbs from goal by July 05. Went threw a lot of Stress during the end of '05. Went in on 1/5/06 to get a fill after gaining 40lbs in no time. How I gained ate everything in site, quit weighing on scale, and ignored my clothes getting tighter and tighter. Plus I was taking Cymbalta:mad: !! On 1/5/06 the doc has changed his procedure and does all fills under fluro (which is a good thing). During the fill we found a leak in the tubing. Both the doc and I think it was from the tubing rubbing against the bottom left rib. This surely explains me being able to eat everything in site. On 1/13/06- surgery to repair tubing leak. During surgery doc adds 1cc to my band, and replaces my large port with the little one. Even with 1cc no restriction. So I called they coulldn't get me in till 3/9/06 a month away. So I stressed big time over the possibilty of another leak. On 3/9/06- Well no leak. Thank God!! But my pouch is stretched. GRRR!! Cross one bridge come to another. Also not so sure about this port. It was really painful when they stuck me this time. Never felt pain during a fill. When they pulled the needle out and covered with a bandaid it bled so bad it got on my shirt. Maybe she just hit something. On 3/16/06- So here I am ready to face the fat and start over. I have put it off and put it off, but no more. I will lose this again. My restart weight: 190lbs legs 28", arms 14.5" and belly 40". Man that is hard to look at!!:sick

Banded 4/16/03 lost down to 10lbs from goal by July 05. Went threw a lot of Stress during the end of '05. Went in on 1/5/06 to get a fill after gaining 40lbs in no time. How I gained ate everything in site, quit weighing on scale, and ignored my clothes getting tighter and tighter. Plus I was taking Cymbalta:mad: !! On 1/5/06 the doc has changed his procedure and does all fills under fluro (which is a good thing). During the fill we found a leak in the tubing. Both the doc and I think it was from the tubing rubbing against the bottom left rib. This surely explains me being able to eat everything in site. On 1/13/06- surgery to repair tubing leak. During surgery doc adds 1cc to my band, and replaces my large port with the little one. Even with 1cc no restriction. So I called they coulldn't get me in till 3/9/06 a month away. So I stressed big time over the possibilty of another leak. On 3/9/06- Well no leak. Thank God!! But my pouch is stretched. GRRR!! Cross one bridge come to another. Also not so sure about this port. It was really painful when they stuck me this time. Never felt pain during a fill. When they pulled the needle out and covered with a bandaid it bled so bad it got on my shirt. Maybe she just hit something. On 3/16/06- So here I am ready to face the fat and start over. I have put it off and put it off, but no more. I will lose this again. My restart weight: 190lbs legs 28", arms 14.5" and belly 40". Man that is hard to look at!!:sick