JustCallMeKelly

Hey VBirdebirde, I was banded 12/26/07 by Dr. Cywes and have lost about 83 lbs. to date. I've had 4 fills and one unfill so far and have my next appt. June 3rd to see what comes next. I live in Orange Park (Oakleaf Plantation). LMK if you ever want to meet for a support group get together. Would love to start one up. TTYS. Well wishes on this continuing journey. Peace. KKG

Hello all, just wanted to introduce myself cos' I just found this thread and am loving it. I was 366 at my highest, lost about 10 lbs presurgery, was banded on 12/26/07 and have since lost 83 lbs. with 4 fills and one partial unfill. Am very happy with my success so far but in the past couple weeks have started to lose my focus and drive...I'm thinking it's cos' life isn't so hard anymore, even though I still weigh 283 lots of things are easier to do so I'm not constantly being reminded of why I started this journey. Any advice or tips to get back on track with the exercise and eating habits would be much appreciated cos' I'm starting to get scared that I'm falling into a really bad pattern of behavior. Thanks in advance and congrats to all you Super Big Losers! Love and peace to all. KKG

Hey there fellow Jax Bandsters...sorry I've been MIA for a while...been having to deal with some sicknesses in the family and haven't had alot of computer time. But I just came out to see how everyone is doing and say hi! I had to have an UNfill today. I had my 4th fill last Tues. w/Dr.C and it didn't go well...he was in a huge hurry and didn't really give me time to keep sipping to make sure all the water was going down and so he left the room after saying all done...so I took another sip of water picked up my things and walked to the desk to make next appt. well by that point my mouth had filled with major slime that I couldn't barely talk to tell the RN that I think I was too full...so she took me in the room and started to prep the stuff but I couldn't lay down cos' the water was running back up into my mouth so I had to sit up and spit it out in the sink and she ran to get the Dr. he came in and found the port (I have a hard one to find apparently cos' everytime I have to remind him where it is) and said "oh sorry I thought you were an old pro at this...didn't realize you were still a rookie" so I said, well it is only my 4th fill! Then he told the RN to take some out and only do a .05 cc fill...so she did and we tested it and it seemed to be okay...she was surprised that such a small difference was making the water stay. Anyway, we also discovered when she took me in the room to reinstall the needle that I was soaked in blood from Dr. C's injection...which I guess is common but it sure freaked me out to see all that blood. She was very glad that I hadn't left like that. Anyway, after doing the usual 2 days of liquids I tried to eat something for lunch on Thurs. and it got stuck really bad...for like 40 minutes I was sliming, then all of the sudden I gagged like I was gonna vomit but instead of vomit up came FOAM! A ton of it...it was so weird...I had to catch it in my hands (cupped together) while I ran for the closest sink...and it just kept coming. I don't know if this has happened to any of you but it was really freaky and a little scary. But then I just thought it might have been cos' I drank diet soda 15 minutes b/4 eating. So I didn't drink anymore soda that day and just had a shake for dinner that night. The next few days I noticed that I was only able to eat a very very very small amount of food and was starting to feel a bit strange...almost like I had an eating disorder...so today I called to talk to the rn and she said come on it and we will unfill you a bit cos' you are obviously too tight. I didn't call them sooner cos' I just figured it was due to the swelling from the unusual trauma that I experienced the day of the fill and thought it I just wanted a few days it would all be good...but a week later it was still just not right. BUT NOW...I feel like I'm too wide open! I'm hungry hungry hungry and don't know if it's in my head or for real!!! Well I'm just gonna try and hang in there and see how the next week and 1/2 goes cos' I have my next appt. June 3rd and may be able to get a little more fill (she ended up taking about 1 cc out today). So that's my story right now! But the good news is I'm down a total of 83 lbs...and was able to lose 7 lbs. since last Tuesday's appt. (not in a good way...but I'll take it when I can get it). Hope you all are doing well on your journeys' and I hope to get to meet some of you soon. Much love, KKG

Very well said Karen. KKG

Yes, and they mean it too! At my appt. that was before the pre-op appt. I had gained 6 lbs. and Jody let me have it and told me that Dr. C would cancel my surgery if I didn't lose it before he saw me 9 days later, so I hunkered down and dropped about 9 lbs. in 9 days and was able to "hold my head high" when I met with him. Just try to be really good, as much as possible, because not only could it jepordize your surgery but it's good training for after the surgery. Good luck and let us know how it goes. KKG

You are very welcome, glad I could help a little w/the info. Yes, the carb thing isn't easy, but it's definitely worth it when those pounds start melting off. It takes getting used to but once you get the hang of it, it really is quite simple. I did Atkins back about 6 yrs. ago and lost 106 lbs. in 11 months, but then my father died and it sent me running back to my old addictions and comforts of Carbs and 5 yrs. later I'd gained it all back plus 66 more, which is what led me to the band. I know that I can live with a low carb diet, as long as I allow myself an indulge every once in a while, but the band is what keeps me in check when I do indulge and that is why I LOVE it. Also, my hubby was not keen on me having surgery cos' he hates anything medical but he knew I needed this tool to succeed long term and to get healthy and live longer for our children so he got on board. Now he eats healthier himself and trys to be good as well. And now that my food issues are coming under control it allows me to set good examples for my son. Also, remember that you are the one that brings the food into the house (assuming you do the shopping) so they will eat what you provide and what you cook, just remember that when you are preparing your meals, if they don't like what you make then let them make their own ;-0 see how long that lasts!!! Anyway, I wish you great luck and well being on this journey and remember that we are all here for you. Be well. KKG

Anavrin, I would say No to drinking the shakes that far in advance except that maybe you want to get a little used to them (they are pretty good). Dr. B or Dr. C will put you on the pre-op diet when they meet with you, but with that said, definitely check with them to be sure that you are following their instructions perfectly cos' if not then it could jepordize your surgery! They do not f&*k around when it comes to shrinking your liver, so make sure you take it VERY serious. When I got my surgery, the lady in the bed next to mine in the pre-OR waiting area was asked by the nurse whether she had eaten anything in the past 24 hours and she proceeding to tell her about the x-mas dinner she had the night before (I was banded on 12/26) and even though she only consumed a very small amount of food, after the nurse went to let the surgeon know, they came back in to tell her they could NOT do her surgery (this was not Dr. C it was some other doctor). She just started crying and saying no, please, I only ate a tiny bit of food, but it didn't matter they cancelled it anyway. So just be aware of how important their instructions really are and stick to it and all will go smoothly. Take care and good luck. Keep us posted as well. KKG

Katie and Tina, congratulations to you both on getting banded and welcome to the club "officially" I'm so happy for you both and can't wait to hear all about your journey. Katie, sorry to hear about Dr. C not being so nice, but he did almost the same thing to me and my dh on the day of surgery (not about the liver but just his general abruptness and slightly rude attitude), my DH was like what is wrong with this guy and I just said, ignore it cos' he's the best in Jax area and for that I will put up with his attitude. Also, I know he takes the seriousiness of the liver problem very very personal and when he thinks someone doesn't he gets extremely upset, so even though YOU know you didn't do anything wrong, he sees your liver size and thinks otherwise. Just be glad he went through with the surgery cos' he told me in no uncertain terms pre surgery that if he felt I hadn't stuck to the diet and did what he told me to do he would have no problems aborting the surgery even after he'd cut me open. So thank goodness for that! I cannot make the mtgs. at Dr. C's office cos' I don't have anyone to watch my son but I would love for us all to get together and meet sometime soon, anyone want to get together just lmk I'm totally open for options. Also, one final note, at my last appt. I told Dr. C I felt I didn't need a fill cos' I had done so well in the past month, losing 19 lbs., but boy was I wrong and now I'm paying for it. I've been completely lax these past few weeks and having lost but just a few lbs. so now I"m dying for my next fill and of course had to wait like 3 weeks for an appt. cos' he always so booked up. Anyway, just a word to the wise to be absolutely sure when offered a fill whether you want one or not. Peace and love to all. Be well. KKG PS. Just fyi...I posted 4 month progress pics on the Before and After pics thread if anyone wants to see them.

Hey there Cindy, well I have to say that I've been having a few "off" weeks here lately and have not been very good....but I will give you an excerpt from my food journal from a week when I' was being a good girl...here it is: Sunday 4/20/08 Breakfast – NONE lunch – Ate at Wendy’s: Sante Fe chicken salad ate the chicken and cukes w/dressing: Total Carbs = 6 grams dinner – Ate at Home: Lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, chick peas sunflower seeds, Caesar dressing: Total Carbs = 6 grams Exercise: Treadmill 167/52.2 / 6.4/1.60 / 44:00 / 3.5 – 1.5 / 2.0 – 2.5 Feelings: Okay day; wishing I hadn’t screwed up so badly yesterday but making it right today! Monday 4/21/08 Breakfast – NONE Lunch – Ate at Home: Low carb Tuna recipe: 2/3 cup of tuna w/8 butter crisps: Total Carbs = 11 grams Dinner – Ate at Home: Low carb Tuna recipe: 2/3 cup of tuna w/8 butter crisps: Total Carbs = 11 grams Exercise: NONE…too tired from cleaning and making beds and laundry! Feelings: Good day, back on track w/eating…very tired from taking care of sickie and sleeping in guest bedroom! Tuesday 4/22/08 Breakfast – NONE Lunch – Ate at Subway: Chicken breast salad w/cheese, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, black olives, jalapeños, o/v, s/p, and ranch dressing (ate only ½): Total Carbs = 11 grams Dinner – Ate at Home: Low carb Tuna recipe: 1 ½ cups of tuna w/12 butter crisps: Total Carbs = 18 grams Exercise: Stat Bike: cals 710/ fat 221 / time 60:09 / miles 14.15 / speed 13 – 16 Feelings: Good day, not too hungry, back on track!!! Felt more in control of cravings today! Started period too. Wednesday 4/23/08 Breakfast – NONE Lunch – Ate at Chik-fil-a: SW Chrgrld Chik Salad (took out carrots & cabbage) (ate entire salad): Total Carbs = 10 grams Dinner – NONE: made the decision to drink a Venti Breve Latte from Starbucks w/splenda: Total Carbs = 25 grams Exercise: No formal - Walked around Target for 1 hour Feelings: Good day except that I decided to drink my dinner and went over carb allowance, but it was a thought out decision so I’m not going to berate myself about it. Surprisingly I did not get hungry for the rest of the night! Thursday 4/24/08 Breakfast – NONE Lunch – Ate at Mc D’s: Sante Fe Chicken Salad – ate chicken breast w/ranch dressing: Total Carbs = 9 grams Dinner – Ate at Home: cup of tuna and 5 crisps: Total Carbs = 10 grams Exercise: Stat Bike: cals 360 / fat 112 / time 30:03 / miles 7.17 / speed 13 – 15 / played at park for 45 minutes with Hunter – basketball; running, walking and standing while dribbling Feelings: Pretty good day, high energy! Felt great after playing at the park w/Hunter; doesn’t hurt to be on my feet for longer periods now. Friday 4/25/08 Breakfast – NONE Lunch – Ate at Chili’s: Marguerita Grilled Chicken Breast w/steamed broccoli, melted butter and ranch for dipping (ate about 1/2 of breast w/ranch) Total Carbs = 7 grams Dinner – Ate at Home: cup of tuna and 5 crisps: Total Carbs = 10 grams Exercise: Treadmill: 154/48.2 / 6.1/1.54 / 41:15 / 3.5-1.5 / 2.1 Feelings: Pretty good day, high energy! Felt great after playing at the park w/Hunter; doesn’t hurt to be on my feet for longer periods now. Saturday 4/26/08 Breakfast – NONE Lunch – Ate at Home: Rotisserie Chicken – ate from the breast meat dipped in horseradish sauce and sliced tomatoes on side: Total Carbs = 2 grams Dinner – Ate at Home: Slices of Roast Beef from deli dipped in horseradish sauce and sliced tomatoes on the side: Total Carbs = 2 grams Exercise: No formal – Walked around Wal-mart for about 1 hour Feelings: Okay day, felt very tired and kinda achy all day. Sunday 4/27/08 Breakfast – NONE Lunch – Ate at Home: Slices of Roast Beef from deli dipped in horseradish sauce and sliced tomatoes on the side: Total Carbs = 2 grams Dinner – Ate at Outback: Seared Ahi Tuna appetizer and side house salad w/ranch dressing: Total Carbs = 12 grams Exercise: Stat Bike: cals 725 / fat 226 / time 60:40 / miles 14.47 / speed 13 – 15 Feelings: Good day, never very energetic, tired; late night no sleep. Tried on size 26/28 clothes and they all fit! Yea! Hope this helps w/your decision to eat low carb. And like I said, even though your body stops craving carbs, your mind is still your WORST enemy on this journey and as I've proven to myself this past week, I have NOT gained control over this beast! Be well. KKG

Very well said TurtleWind and I agree 100% that journaling truly helps now and in the long run as well. Inspirational words! Thanks. KKG

JGunter, sounds like you are doing great! Don't sell yourself short cos' you've made incredible progress in your journey so far! I'm in a similar situation as you, I started at 366 pre-op (12/25/07) and am down to 293 and am feeling Great!!! My surgeon requires us to do an extremely low low carb diet for maximum results, which believe it or not, really helps cut out most of your physical cravings for sugars and carbs (once your body gets used to not having them it forgets about them all together) but then there is still the head cravings to deal with, which I don't think ever truly go away, but I've found the best way to deal with them is to stop and look at my progress and success so far and really think about whether I want to jepordize the momentum I've got going right now...sometimes I do give in and tell myself that it is a treat for doing so well, but then I get right back on track and contiunue moving forward on this journey's path we are all on. I think that every once in a while you need to give yourself a reward, not necessarily food, but something that you really really want and treat yourself to it. I hope this helps some...keep on keeping on! And remember to remember that you are doing fabulous already! Much love, KKG

Sounds like you guys are doing pretty good despite the eating of Carbs...what's your secret? Do you work out alot? Eat very low quantity? Etc. Please advise. Thanks. KKG

Where did all our Jax people go??? Probably like me and always forget to check this thread when on site. Oh well, hope everyone is doing great. I'm having some ups and downs this month...not losing very much; only 6 lbs. down since last month and feeling very much like I need another fill. Scheduled for two weeks from now. Peace and love to all. Would love to hear from some of my fellow Jax Bandsters!!! KKG

Thanks Sue for the kudos, it is much appreciated! And hey don't sell yourself too short cos' 70 lbs. is nothing to scoff at in 5 months time. Besides they way I look at it is if I go a month and lose ANYTHING at all then it's a major plus cos' they way I was headed before I would GAIN every month so at least I'm not gaining right! I was really good last month cos' I had like 5 days where I went off the reservation totally so then I battoned down the hatches for the rest of the time and did extreme LOW CARB, where most days I would keep it under 15 grams, which is why I was able to lose so much. I'm sure this month will not be as good. I too have not had a fill in about 5 weeks, but am starting to think I should have last appt. cos' I'm noticing now that it's taking more and more to fill me and I'm not staying full as long, AND I'm starting to want the "bad" things (aka carbs). I'm contemplating whether to call this week and set something up for next week. We'll see what the rest of the week brings. If it gets any worse then I definitely will before I go crazy! Again, thanks for the kind words and the same to you my friend. Keep on truckin! Much love. KKG

Well I went to my appt. last Tuesday w/Cywes and ended up having to wait 1 1/2 hours to see him.... arrrrgggg!!! Anyway, it turned out to be well worth it cos' I had lost 19 lbs. in the 3 weeks since seeing him last and he was THRILLED with my progress... his actual words were "PFG, do you know what that means" me: "NO" cywes: "PFG, think about it" me: "Oh, pretty f&*king good, I got it, thanks".... now for those of you who know Cywes then you will see how weird that was cos' I totally did NOT expect that reaction from him cos' he seems so straight laced! Anyway, it was great to get so many compliments from him and from Jodi as well (his assistant that weighed me in). I left there on cloud nine! He asked me if I needed a fill and I said No, which he was fine with, but now I'm starting to regret it cos' I'm noticing that I'm hungrier faster and am eating more and more (of the right foods but still). I have so much more to go (120 lbs) but am thrilled with the success I've had so far. Hope you all are doing great as well. Keep on trucking. KKG

Congrats LoisinStA on your recent banding. Hope you are feeling well and getting lots of rest. Just take it easy and try to take it one day at a time and before you know it you'll be past the liquids and onto solids but in the meantime just try to look at it as a great way to jumpstart your weight loss! Good luck to you. Be well. KKG

I'm here too, I always forget to check this thread whenever I come to the site so I'm very glad for the reminder emails that it sends me. Karen, just curious what you meant by loss of hair? I've never heard of this and certainly haven't experienced it myself, if anything my hair seems much healthier and is growing too much since I've improved my eating habits and take in so much more protein than when I was eating all carbs (afterall hair is mostly protein). Anyway, I would say not to worry about that of all things cos' if it is happening to people after getting banded then it must be to a very few. Trust me after being banded you will have too many other things to think about Good luck with your approval process...I too had to do the 6 month wait; it was hell to wait but it was good also cos' it gave me alot of time to learn and prepare...use your time wisely. Be well. KKG

Katie, I love the Atkins shakes, I drink the vanilla (althought Karen's suggestions sound great will have to try that), Strawberry (my least fav), and two different Chocolate ones (both good)...these are great instead of breakfast which I've found I don't need or want or if you are out running around and know that lunch will be difficult you just grab one on the go. Very convenient and good that I haven't bothered to try anything else. I'm sure one day I'll get sick of them and will venture into others like the powder mixes etc. but for now they do me good. And just fyi I've been able to drink one whole in 15 minutes from the time I was allowed through all 3 fills I've had so the volume has not been an issue for me at all. Hope this helps. Take care. KKG

Congrats on your restriction Susan! I know you must be thrilled! I sent you a post on Facebook but wasn't sure if you got it. Your updated pics show how skinny your face has gotten! Keep up the great work! Be well. KKG

Thanks Karen and Sue for all that great advice to my posts...you gals are AWESOME!!! I haven't been to the site in a bit, since posting those cries for help, so thanks for responding so quickly! I've actually been doing alot better and have learned how to manage the "getting stuck" issue as well as the falling back to my old habits, your advice really helped. I go tomorrow for my 4th fill but not sure if I'll really need one cos' I'm doing pretty good right now. I've lost more weight and have broken the 300 mark - this morning I was at 298 - so I'm really happy cos' this was my first goal. Now I want to lose another 50 and then try to get pregnant cos' that is my 1st main goal! Oh also had a great NSV last week - got to get off my hbp meds and my cholesterol meds as well! So I'm super excited about all this, can't wait to share it with Cywes tomorrow! Anyway, hope we can all get together soon cos' I'd love to meet this awesome support group! Much love and success to all! KKG

I would say that Atkins could be your best friend for preparing for the lapband, you can have extreme weight loss quickly (I usually lose anywhere from 12-16 lbs in the first 2 weeks whenever I would go on it) but it is a very extreme change in eating and you MUST adhere to it very stictly cos' if you cheat at ALL then you've defeated the purpose and will probably gain weight. It's all about changing your body's way of burning stored fat so if you get half way into it and cheat then you will turn all the food you've eaten into fat instead of burning stored fat (that of course is a very simple explanation of what it's doing). I am a huge fan of low carb dieting and it is what my surgeon recommends for all his patients and so far it's working for me, I've lost 60 lbs in 3 months. You will need to commit yourself to it for at least the first two weeks where you will keep your daily carb count to under 25 grams per diem (very hard but worth it if you can do it). You will go through withdrawal symptoms and feel like shit for atleast the first week, but if you can stay strong and get through it then you will be successful. Talk to your doctor and see what they recommend for you. South Beach Diet is also a very good healthy way to lose some fast weight as well. Check the books out at your local library and see what you think, but no not enter into Atkins lightly, get informed so that you maximize the loss. Good luck to you. Be well. KKG

Mark, not sure if my doctor does fills for Mexico bandsters, but his name is Dr. Cywes' and the number is: 904-399-2480 see if they can help you. Also, look back a few pages in this thread cos' I think someone already asked this question and someone else recommended their doctor. Good luck and congrats on the weight loss. When was your surgery??? KKG

Katie, I do know that if you throw up repeatedly and do not talk to your doctor about it then yes, your band could slip, my surgeon said it's happened to only 1 of his patients so far. I left him a message today to let him know about my episode yesterday and I'm waiting to hear back what he has to say about it. This is probably the worst part of having the band is just not knowing from day to day what it's going to except and what it's not. Sometimes eggs go down just fine and sometimes they don't other times tuna is easy then the next day it sticks...it can be frustrating but you just have to look at it as a trial and error and if one thing doesn't work out then you go on to the next. Everybody is different cos' if you read alot of the posts on this board you will see the WIDE range of food people are eating...i.e. some people lose weight counting calories, others count carbs (this is what Dr. Cywes' recommends), other don't watch anything and just eat less quantity...so you see it just all depends on what ends up working best for you. I know how you are feeling right now cos' I was there just 3 short months ago and I've already lost 60 lbs...the time is going to fly by so hold on and prepare for the journey you are about to embark on! Hope to get together soon. Be well. KKG

Sue, how did you know you were overfilled? What were the symptoms? Just curious. I'm doing better today, I'm back on track with the eating (no carbs) but I had a horrible experience this morning. Hubby made me scrambled eggs for breakfast, even though I haven't been eating bf for the most part, I took like two bites and it got horribly stuck... so I waited like 25 minutes for it to move and then thought it was safe to take a sip of DC but as soon as I did I start gagging and vomited alot!!! all the egg and alot of slime...very gross...this is the first time I've actually vomited. I've spit up before and had food stick alot, but this was scary cos' my whole body was convulsing and shaking afterwards. Has this happened to anyone before. Very weird that it happened after such a small amount of food. Anyway, I didn't eat for rest of day until dinner and then I tried to eat some very soft ahi-tuna and it all went down really well till the last bite and then it got stuck. I started to gag and thought I would vomit again but after a few deep breaths and walking around it finally moved down and I was able to swallow again. Very strange day and I wasn't sure if maybe it had anything to do with the way I've been eating these past 5 days??? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks. KKG

Sue, glad to hear you survived the weekend of social events...I know how hard that can be. I didn't fare as well this past week, I had my 17 yo niece visiting from VA and all she did was eat JUNK (aka CARBS) all week in my face and at first I did fine but then we went to the beach and I fell into a carb pit cos' she wanted to eat Italian Bistro, which I felt fine doing cos' I figured I'd just get a salad, but then she ended up ordering garlic bread and the smell did me in....and the rest is history!!! I don't want to get into specifics but I'll just say that now I'm into a bad eating rut and need a helping hand to pull myself out...anyone have some advice I'd appreciate it right about now, thanks. I feel so weak for falling into my bad habits after so many months of doing great!!! This addiction is just so strong. I will say that the Band has kept me from going "full hog" though, and even though I've definitely been putting it to the test these past few days it really does work on keeping you in check for the most part; unfortunately my head finds ways around it. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks for listening. KKG