thesundancekid

My name is Jamieson Jones. I found bariatric pal through googling weight loss methods after my mother told me that she was interested in the lap band procedure. I share a typical weight loss story as many. I have tried almost every diet imaginable, and have been on some variation of the Atkins diet for 11 years - seriously. I have exercised, lifted weight, ran miles, etc. to no avail. I have an undeniable sweet tooth and I have been an emotional eater my whole life. My parents were both overweight.

In 2008, my mom began to research the lap band surgery and other weight loss surgeries. Quickly things escalated, and she was on the fast track to being approved for surgery and she was "banded" in mid '08 by Dr. Baptista in Jacksonville, FL (can't remember his last name). I followed in August 2008. At my heaviest weight I was 343 lbs. Throughout the course of the having the lap band, I was never able to eclipse ~270 lbs, but showed some progress. My father also opted for the surgery after seeing my mother and my success. Long story short, my parents both dealt with issues with the band like pain when bending, eating certain items, etc. Fortunately, never experienced those pains. After about 2 years with the band with only one fill, I was able to cheat the band. I ate whatever I like (sometimes with difficulty) from bread to pasta, to all you can eat sushi. Getting it past the band was trouble, and I would drink heavily to force food down. Meanwhile, my mothers issues began to worsen.

Fast forward to 2013 and she was dealing with acute pains in her abdomen, indigestion, and many other gastro problems. - The band was defective and had eroded leaking stomach fluids into her body and causing these pains. Upon researching Dr. Baptista, my mother discovered that he has been sued for thousands and thousands in malpractice for installing defective and discontinued lap band devices. He is still practicing. Beware. He had a partner in Dr. Cywes, who has always been a stand up guy. He decided to move to West Palm Beach, FL in order to distance himself from Dr. Baptista and flush any perceptions that he was shady.

My mother was able to complete her lap band to sleeve revision early last year and has lost over 70 lbs and still going with no problems. My father had his band to sleeve revision on 3/8/13 and has lost 168 lbs and is in the best shape since his days in the military.

Now it's my turn.

I had my band to sleeve surgery on 2/10, three short days after my birthday at 307 lbs. and have already lost ~13 lbs in one week. It has been scary. This is the best decision that I have ever made.