Jacksonville, Florida

[JaxBandster 11]

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!!!

hey Karen,

I have had a fill everytime I went ,like every 4 weeks is what I choose. I go Friday which if he gives it to me will be my 5th. I think you have to be loosing well and show u are with the program. At least 1 or 2 lbs. a week. He has 0 tolerance for no weight loss. He is tough as you know. He wants you out of your old ways and in with the new. I myself have not had any problems with him filling me. I know someone that didn't get it. Because of no weight loss. So he knows whats up with you. Stay on the carb thing and move at least 15 minutes a day. It works , and he wrks with you....

[Busy296 1]

Update : I had an appointment yesterday. It had been 3 weeks since my last visit. I lost 7 1/2 lbs. I got another fill, which makes my 5th. No problem in that dept. He asked my opintion. I thought I needed somewhat of a fill, which he did. Time is getting short for you Karen, I am excited for you !!! Where is Lola ??? Haven't seen her in a while . I think I am getting a my tread mill today. I am getting a used one. I am getting one for $ 250.00. Those things are not cheap. So I decided to get a used one. I need something for the exersise. I have not been doing to well in that dept. So I need to pick up the pace.I can loose all the weight I want, but I need to tone and tighten myself up. Well Karen I think it's just you and me on here lately. Take care . Keep me posted on yourself !!! If anyone else is there , hello.... I'll go back for an appointment in 4 weeks this time. I think 3 weeks for me is too soon. I have to be close to being pretty full.

[*susan* 1,709]

Hi Everyone! I have been away from the forum for a while, and was so excited to see a Jacksonville thread! I am from Jacksonville, Mandarin area. Dr. Herrera did my surgery at St. Vincent's. He is absolutely wonderful.

I have had some problems, so even though I was banded in April of 2006, I have not lost a lot of weight. But, I am trying to get back on track and have always found that coming back to LBT is great for the support and advice I need. And, when possible, I love giving and offering support as well. So, maybe as an "older" bandster, I can offer you guys some insight and advice, and you guys can help me regain the excitement and promise of having this wonderful tool and get my booty back in gear.

I look forward to talking to all of you!

[JaxBandster 11]

Hi Everyone! I have been away from the forum for a while, and was so excited to see a Jacksonville thread! I am from Jacksonville, Mandarin area. Dr. Herrera did my surgery at St. Vincent's. He is absolutely wonderful.

I have had some problems, so even though I was banded in April of 2006, I have not lost a lot of weight. But, I am trying to get back on track and have always found that coming back to LBT is great for the support and advice I need. And, when possible, I love giving and offering support as well. So, maybe as an "older" bandster, I can offer you guys some insight and advice, and you guys can help me regain the excitement and promise of having this wonderful tool and get my booty back in gear.

I look forward to talking to all of you!

Hi Susan!!!

Welcome to the group! We are trying to get active here! I know there are a bunch of us Jacksonville people, we just have to get them here and get them talking and sharing! I'm sorry to hear that you've had some complications (nothing serious I hope). But hopefully you can get back on the losers bench with us helping you along and vice versa. My surgery is Thursday so I need all the help I can get!

Talk to you soon!

[petergriffin 0]

Had my surgery today and was released today. Everything went smooth. Hospital kind of screwed me a little and kept me in the recovery room like 2 hours longer than I should have and it hurt my back but it should be ok in a day or two. No pain thus far. After waking up from the anesthesia, I was pretty much awake all day, only getting slightly tired a few hours later but not going to sleep.

Good luck all Jax people getting banded. I was very impressed by the staff at Jax Memorial as well. RN's were very good.

[JaxBandster 11]

Hey Peter!

I wrote you also over on the February Bandster list but wanted to reply here as well. Glad to hear that everything went smoothly for you. I will be on Thursday and we can start comparing and contrasting our journey!

I'm going to be at the Jax Beach Surgery Center. Hopefully they are as good as the staff at Memorial!

See you on the other side!

[JaxBandster 11]

Surgery Center just called. I need to be there at 5:45 a.m. and my surgery is scheduled for 7:00 a.m. Holy crap! This time tomorrow I will be banded!!!!

I've done everything I'm supposed to do. I have everything I need. I have people praying for a successful surgery. It's all in God's (and the surgeon's) hands now.

Right now my gut feels like it might feel when getting on a roller coaster ride that hasn't started yet. You are sitting in your seat, strapped in and waiting for the ride to start moving.

I hope this is worth it. I hope I'm successful. I hope I don't regret it. I hope a year from now I can look back and say it was the best thing I ever did for myself like I hear so many others say.

Here I go!

[petergriffin 0]

GL Karen! You'll do fine.

[JustCallMeKelly 0]

Hey all you fellow Jax Bandsters...I live in Orange Park (Oakleaf Plantation to be exact) and would love love love to get together for a Jax Support Group. I'm also a patient of Dr. Cwyes but have yet to attend one of their support groups due to it being so far away (45 min drive each way) and it's on Thurs. which I could only do it on a Tues/Weds. I've had two fills so far and have found it difficult to figure out whyat to eat after each one, but I've lost a total of 40 lbs. so far from my highest so I'm very happy so far. I want to wish everyone a joyous journey and let you know I'm here for you if you need me! Please lmk if anyone forms a local support group cos' I'd love to be a part of it. Thanks and love to all. xoxox KKG

[*susan* 1,709]

Hey Everyone,

I see Karen hasn't posted since getting banded, I was just wondering how she is doing. Hopefully she will check in soon.

Kelly, what does your doctor suggest you do after getting a fill? Dr. Herrera requires us to be on liquids for 24 hours. After that, as long as I am careful, I am able to return to my normal diet.

[JustCallMeKelly 0]

Hey Susan, yes, I was wondering about Karen as well, I'm sure she's doing great by now! She's in my thoughts too.

Dr. Cywes' recommends a liquid diet for 48 hours after each fill and then 48 hours to go from soft/mushy foods and then slowly get back to solids. I've had two so far and don't think I'm close to the sweet spot yet. I don't really get hungry per se, but I can definitely eat too much when I find something that goes down well (i.e. chicken Breast salad from Subway w/all the fixins seems to go down well and I can still eat the entire thing). I'm making better choices now but at first it seemed like everything I tried was getting stuck, but then I realized it was cos' I wasn't chewing well enough and taking to big of bites. Every day is better and better as I experiment and find great choices. Thanks for the advice i appreciate it. BTW - can you tell me how to get my pic up in the left hand corner of my post, by my name like you have it? Thanks. Be well. KKG

[JaxBandster 11]

Crap Crap Crap Crap Crap!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just wrote out this really long reply and lost it!!!!! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Alright this one is going to be shorter!

Hi! Yes I am fine!!!! I can't believe I haven't written here since surgery! I'm so sorry!!! Everything was a breeze and I am healing well I think. Still just taking it easy and not pushing myself.

If you want all the details of my journey so far just click on the link in my signature and it will take you to my blog.

It is good to read about how Dr. Cywes does his fills as that will be my next big step. Does he require clear or full liquids for two days after the fill. Right now I'm hating clear liquids! I get to start Protein shakes tomorrow and I can't believe how much I am looking forward to them! Protein should help with my strength and the hunger which I am already starting to feel.

I have already lost 20lbs since my first appt one month ago, three of those since surgery on Thursday. It will be interesting to see how much I weigh this coming Thursday at my pre-op.

Anyone else need to check in? Once I get back on food I would love to arrange a get together with all of us! (Right now it's a little difficult to be around people eating). Hopefully in a few weeks or so?

I promise not to be so absent. I really thought I had checked in here but have been hanging out a lot on the February bandster support group and the Banded Bikers board LOLOLOL

Talk to everyone soon! Make sure to read my blog!

[ctaylor 0]

Hey everyone! My name is Christi and I am from Orange Park. I got banded on 2/4/08 by Dr. Chappano at St. Vincents. Its cool that someone started this thread for Jacksonville! I go to see my surgeon tomorrow so he can look at my incisions and go back to work on Wednesday. I am so excited to get out of the house. I have been feeling stir crazy since the surgery sitting around the house.

[ctaylor 0]

Oh yeah and if anybody wants to talk to me on myspace my thingy is MySpace.com - www.myspace.com/71504562. Have a good day people.

[JaxBandster 11]

Hey everyone! My name is Christi and I am from Orange Park. I got banded on 2/4/08 by Dr. Chappano at St. Vincents. Its cool that someone started this thread for Jacksonville! I go to see my surgeon tomorrow so he can look at my incisions and go back to work on Wednesday. I am so excited to get out of the house. I have been feeling stir crazy since the surgery sitting around the house.

Hi Christi!!

Welcome to the group! We sort of run in fits and starts around here so keep checking back from time to time. We will get it running good eventually!

I was banded on the 7th and I'm not stir crazy yet but I'm sure I will be soon. Still a little tender in the mid section and get periodic pain in the left shoulder/neck from my hiatal hernia repair, but I feel a little better each day. I will definitely be glad when I get back to normal.

Started on Protein shakes today which is definitely helping me to feel a little more human. It's nice to get some calories. Wish I could do cream Soups and other stuff like that but Dr. Cywes doesn't allow those :cursing:

What is your post-op diet like?

I am hoping that once I get back on real food I can arrange a get together for everyone here so we can meet each other face to face.

Looking forward to getting to know you better!