BethL

I had my surgery on 8/18/09 and am down 30lbs. I've been stuck at this 30 lbs for 5 weeks now. Any suggestions on how to get it moving again?

I can't say enough good things about Dr. Baptista. Dr. B is in practice with Dr. Cwyes that I love as well. I met with both of them and then decided to have my surgery done by Dr. B. just because I thought our personalities were more similar. Dr. B. is very caring and gentle. If your really looking for someone to kick you in your ass then go with Dr. Cwyes but I knew for me and this journey that I would respond better to the more gentle approach. Don't get me wrong Dr. B. will lay down the law when he needs to but even when I screw up I don't worry about an appointment with him. I fell off the band wagon over the holiday's with family in town and he said ok...let's get your head back in the game. I have lost 28lbs in 5 months and although that doesn't seem like much I started this process needing to loose 65-70. So I'm almost half way there! Good luck in your process!

What kind of foods would make your band slip or make the pouch expand? My doctor said that I could eat anything I had eaten previously.

I read it this morning on your blog and loved it. And re-read it here. Somedays I have to keep reminding myself that I have a great life...and although the weight is coming off very slowly it's coming off and I shouldn't get so wrapped up in it!

It was not on my list of approved mushie foods. I didn't eat sushi until after i was on regular food. I do eat sushi I just have to take it really slow. I prefer to get rolls that don't have rice with them. my fav sushi place does a roll made with cucumber.

This happens to me after each fill. My doctor said it was from swelling. Some people swell after each fill and the length of time it takes to reduce the swelling varies. I'm usually this way for about 10 days after each fill.

You look great. What did you do to get there? Diet, exercise???

Yes when I've been sick I am extremely tight. I usually do a day or two of liquids and then mushies.

You are a true inspiration. I think before you do anything drastic like cutting your hair off...go to a great wig shop and try on all the styles you like and see what works best for you. This way you can try different styles and colors and it's loads of fun. Take a camera in case you want a second opinion.

Great pictures of the zoo. I live in Jacksonville and we take our children there every other weekend. I've noticed a huge difference in the two months i've been banded.

I'm right there with you. I had my surgery on August 10, 2009 and I've lost 22 lbs so far. My typical day is a slimfast for breakfast, tuna or chicken salad for lunch and fish (sometimes with a veggie) for dinner. I run 20 min M, W & F and walk 2 miles Tu & Thurs. My doctor said not to sweat it. Loosing slowly is still loosing. My trainer said it takes about 6 constant weeks of exercise for your body to really kick in. Once that happens the weight should come off quicker. I'm with you crying...sometimes when I'm running the tears start coming as I'm thinking really...all this and only 20 lbs. But slow and steady will still get us to goal just not as quick as we would like. Keep up the faith.

Carlos welcome!!! It's really nice to see how supportive you are! I have been banded about 3 months and I think my advice to you would be...be very gentle with him as he goes through this journey. I was very skinny when I met my husband and then got sick and because of the medicine gained 70 lbs in 8 weeks. Then I had two children and couldn't loose that 70 lbs. My husband has never understood this because he has never had an issue with weight. Since being banded I have lost 22 lbs but I don't see it. Other people are asking have i lost weight but even my husband can't see the difference. I'm assuming it's because we're around each other all the time. What I appreciate most about my husband is he doesn't play the food police with me. The band isn't a solution just part of the journey. And there are days (and sometimes multiple days in a row) where I fall off the wagon and say screw it I'm eating whatever I want. The first time this happened and my husband said "are you supposed to be eating that" I got so pissed and ran into the kitchen and started eating more. This is a life journey and he's going to have good days and bad. Just be there and encourage him through both. The best advice I can give him I got from this site. This journey should be taken 1 meal at a time. When I started out it was easy to say oh well i blew it at lunch so I'll just eat whatever and start over tomorrow. But the better approach which I take now is...ok I didn't do great at this meal so I'll work on the next one. Hope things go well for the two of you!

i had my surgery one day before you and i've lost 19 lbs. So don't feel alone. My doctor said it's not how quickly you loose it's that your loosing. I started jogging/walking two weeks ago and the trainer said it would be about 6 weeks before i really started seeing the results from the exercise.

You guys have really inspired me. I just started the c25k this week. I've been walking 2 miles every day but decided on M, W and Fri I'd do the c25k program and then walk 2 miles on my off days. Monday was my first attempt at running...I can't even remember running as a kid. I made it through the 1st day but was sore on my walk today. I also ordered some new Brooks Adrenaline which will be here for my Friday run. I'm walking a 5k on November 7th and hope to run my first one Dec 5th.

My surgery was covered through my insurance so I'm not sure what the charges are when you are self pay. I had my surgery on 8/12 and I've lost 18 lbs so far (averaging 2lbs a week). It's not as much as a lot of people on the site but considering I only have 70lbs to loose I'm happy with the progress. If you have any questions you can send me a private message. You can also search the site for Jacksonville Florida and there are a couple of threads where people talk about their docs.

I haven't heard of them. But I'm in Jacksonville and was banded by Dr. Baptista (Dr. Cwyes partner) and I love this group! They are very supportive.

For my mushie stage my nutritionist suggested refried beans with some cheese.

I like vegetarian refried beans with cheese, salsa and sometimes sour cream. The refried beans are great for protein.

I was banded 6 weeks ago and I have the SILS. My doctor did the incision inside my belly button. You literally cannot see the incision unless i tug at my belly button. My husband was so amazed because it's barely noticeable. I also had the 5 incisions last year when I had my gallbladder out. Although, the scars are very small. I don't like the 5 incisions.

I was banded almost 6 weeks ago and for the last two weeks I've felt like there was a cotton ball stuck in my throat. It's not difficult to swallow it's really just annoying. Has anyone else had this or know what it is?

what are you doing to loose weight. are you on a special diet?

I was banded 2 weeks ago by Dr. Baptista at Memorial hospital in Jacksonville. Sorry I don't have any experience with Dr. Chappano.

Who's doing your surgery? I'm being banded on 8/18 by Dr. Baptista.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience. I haven't been banded yet but I've found the site very helpful on getting answers to questions. If you send me your questions I could try and answer with the knowledge i've gained on the site.

well I can't speak for anyone but myself but I wasn't offended. It was like reading a blog that I would have written for myself. I am in that final stage. We will be submitting my paperwork for insurance approval next week and I find myself sabotoging anything that has to do with the surgery. Good luck on your journey.