JaxBandster

You are losing 1.5 lbs per week. Lap Banders can expect to lose between 1 and 2 lbs per week so you are right on track! If you continue to lose at that rate, then by the end of this year you will have lost 72 more pounds!!!!!! That's a total of 83!!!!!!!!!!! Slow and steady wins the race. This is not a fast journey but if you do it right and don't get impatient can be a successful one. Keep up the great work!!!!!

Everyone If you aren't already, eat Protein and veggies, stay away from starchy veggies, fruit, sugar, and other carbs. No grits, bread, potatoes, oatmeal, Cereal etc. If you do this, you WILL lose. If all you are eating are things that go down easy, you will not lose. Read your labels. Not all Protein drinks are created equal, some are loaded with carbs. Keep your carb intake to around 30 gms a day. Then, exercise!!! Start off slow. Maybe 15 minutes then increase the next week to 30. Losing weight is a simple formula. Calories in - calories burned. The band will help restrict your intake but you have to make the right food decisions in order to make it work for you. Go to FitDay.com or other food journaling sites and record EVERYTHING! Keep track of your nutrition and caloric intake. Make sure you take your Vitamins. You can do it!

I haven't had mine yet. One week and one day away!!!:frown: I am definitely going to have to recruit my DH and daughter for lifting stuff. Thanks for all the info! It helps me to know what to expect!

Oh man, I hope it isn't that long! I really don't have to lift my bike, just push it over with my legs. I guess I will just have to play it by ear. I'm going to be cutting it pretty close to Bike Week. On March 4th I'm doing a MDA ride in Daytona with Karen Davidson and 500 other women, it should be a really cool ride! Then I have to go get my HOG pin. Then we are supposed to go on a ride with the Tampa HOG group to New Orleans later in the week. I'm hesitant to make reservations at the hotels along the way though as I'm afraid I won't be able to make the ride. :frown: I'm sorry to hear that the weather has been crappy for you all. Spring is right around the corner though!!!!!!! I hear you about spending money. We have to take my husband's bike in for a regular service this week. He is also wanting to switch out his running boards for forward controls like mine and get detachable luggage racks and saddle bags and stuff. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ I think I'm pretty much done with mine for now.

See but this is exactly what I need. I don't want a doctor that puts in the band and says "okay you're on your own!" I need someone to hold me accountable and to track my progress, to cheer me on and to let me know when I'm screwing up (not that I plan to screw up). I'm actually doing pretty well now that I have gotten through the carb withdrawal phase. I am barely hungry at all. Lately I haven't been eating Breakfast, been having a Protein shake for lunch and then having meat and veggies for dinner. Now to work on that exercise part!!!

This is great (and oh so true!) Talk about your toxic relationships! Nice job!

Well that sucks! One of my main forms of exercise right now is taking my Rottweiler for a bike ride. Needless to say she can pull pretty hard. I am going to have to watch that. I was already concerned about her jumping up on the bed and stuff (she is extremely protective of me). Fortunately my husband is unemployed right now and is home all the time so he will be able to handle a lot of the errands. I will just have to make sure I give the house a good going over before surgery day. Three months huh? I'm wondering how it will affect me when I'm riding my motorcycle. I lean forward quite a bit when I ride (drag bars and forward foot controls). Hopefully it won't hinder me too much. That would really tick me off! I was glad to know they were going to fix it because I have been on medication for GERD now for years!!!! Maybe it will be worth it. I can only hope!

From what I have read this is EXTREMELY common! I don't know why it happens but I can't even begin to count the people on this list that have posted about it. Don't worry, it will start to come off after you start getting fills.

Welcome to the forum Mick! I've seen you over on OH and have always been really impressed with your journey and your posts. You are definitely an inspiration for those of us about to take our journey. Make sure you check out all the various SIG's and sub groups. Believe me, you will spend a LOT of time on here reading. I know I do!

Is this new? The bikers now have their own SIG?????? SWEET!!!!!!!!!! Now if we would just USE it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :Dancing_chief: Going out today to run some errands. It is 68 degrees and I'm taking full advantage of it!!!!!!! :rolleyes2: Nine days until my band date ya'll. Down 15 lbs and going strong. What's up with you guys? Anyone getting a chance to ride at all???

I am having to have mine repaired during my surgery as well. The doctor explained to me that the way they suture it affects tendons that are hooked to both the diaphragm and the shoulder muscles (or something like that) hence why the pain in the left shoulder. Has the pain been real bad? I've been trying to figure out what to expect. Thanks?

Hi Ruby!!! You and I are band buddies! I have been doing everything possible NOT to get sick before the 7th. Fortunately, I had already gone through the creeping crud illness a couple of months ago that had me coughing so hard I had to get codeine to stay quiet. It was terrible. I hope that you recover quickly so you are well for your surgery. Maybe the doctor can give you some antibiotics to make sure to ward off any infection? In the meantime, rest and drink plenty of liquids!!!

Hi Michelle I've never heard of anyone having to give themselves Heperin shots before surgery. Is this something specific to you or do all your doctor's patients have to do this? Glad I don't! I had to give myself shots for another medical issue for several years and fortunately I don't have to any more. It's no fun. I would probably be a poor diabetic. Do you have gallstones? Fortunately I have already had that surgery about ten years ago but I am going to have to a hiatal hernia repair during my band surgery. Such fun huh????? Good luck on your upcoming journey!

Hi Sue! Thanks for the reply! That sounds like a good process to me. I have read a lot where some surgeons will only give you like .5 cc's at a time and only every two months, etc. While I know that this will not be a quick process, I still want to be able to reach my sweet spot as quickly and safely as possible. It sounds like Dr. Cywes is fairly aggressive which is fine with me!

I you had hiatal hernia repair that will also contribute to the pain in your left shoulder.

Questions for Dr. Cywes patients. Can any of you tell me what his policy on fills is? Does he follow a set schedule for every patient or does he adjust each patient according to their needs, hunger level, weight loss, etc.? Just curious as to what to expect once I start getting fills. Thanks!

Wow, I really hope that isn't the case! If it is, are you able to get another type of band like an Allergan?

Hi leedor! I am a patient of Dr. Cywes as well and will also have a hiatal hernia repair along with my banding on Feb 7th. How was the pain for you? I have heard it will be a little more with the hiatal hernia. My initial goal is 100 lbs so we are similar in our weight loss goals. I am encouraged that you lost yours during the past year as that is my goal as well (by year end to be specific). The one thing I have noticed a lot on this forum is all the people eating so many carbs. Being a patient of Dr. Cywes I know that you are on the same high protein/low carb diet that I started two weeks ago for my pre-op diet and that I will continue until maintenance. I think that is a large reason for the success of his patients. I am really impressed with how it has affected my hunger. I am rarely hungry at all anymore and when I am it is not the ravenous hunger I used to get when I was stuffing myself with carbs. I am hoping this means that my early weeks with the band will be easier since I am not having to go through carb withdrawal at the same time. P.S. We have a small group over in the geographic support groups under Florida if you want to join us. There are several patients of Dr. Cywes there. Congrats on your successful journey!!!!

Hi Peter! I saw your pic on one of the other threads and sent you a Go Gators response! Glad to hear that things are going smoothly for you! My surgery is two days after yours so you get to go first and tell me how it is!!! :tt1: You are also the first DUDE on our fledgling Jax list. Congrats!!!!!! What kind of pre-op diet do they have you on? I have been on low carb for two weeks and have lost about 14 lbs (judging by my scale). I am hoping to lose at least 20 by the time my band-date comes around. It's only about ten more days so I should be able to make it. Which hospital does Dr. Webb use? I am going through Jax Weight Loss Center and Dr. Cywes and will be having mine done at the Same Day Surgery Center at the beaches. I wouldn't mind staying over night (I had outpatient surgery for my gallbladder and it was rough getting out of bed and walking) but it is also good to be able to get home and be in your own environment. We have an adjustable twin bed in one of our spare bedrooms so I am going to use that until I'm ready to lay flat and share a bed with the DH. Good luck sticking to your pre-op!

I'm here! Just been reading, reading, and more reading! And waiting for the 7th. I'm actually quite impressed with how NOT hungry I am. I guess there is something to this no carb thing. Right now I'm trying to focus on reading positive and informative posts as opposed to ones that are negative, i.e. I've been banded for months and have only lost X pounds. I figure that this is going to be my journey and it is up to me how successful it is going to be. I am pretty sure I know what it takes to be a success, I just have to do it. The lists help with information about how to deal with things and what to expect and that is what I am trying to focus on right now.

Okay now I have a sudden urge to watch V for Vendetta again! LOL I'm ready to be a Double V!

Nice cap Peter! Go Gators!!!!!! <chomp>

I have heard that Gas-X strips are very effective at reducing gas build up.

I have to find a new drink. I usually either get a white russian or rum runner. Too many carbs in both though. Can't do crown and 7 because of carbination. I don't care for wine but that may end up being my best choice.

Hi Tater I hear you on the emotions! I have felt a ton of them myself but feel I'm pretty ready to get this done and get on with my Bandster life. I'm actually starting to get tired of waiting but also apprehensive about surgery day as well! My surgery will be the day after yours so we are on the same time table! We will both be fine