The heaviest I have ever been was 305 pounds.  I was in a horrific motor vehicle accident that caused me to be immobile for 7 ½ months and all I did was eat and eat.  After seeing Dr. Cywes at Jacksonville Weight Loss, I knew that the Lap-Band® was for me.

On November 13, 2008 I had the surgery done by Dr. Cywes.  Since the surgery, I have lost over 160 pounds in less than two years.  As of today I am 144 pounds.  I run 4 to 5 miles 3 times a week and cycle 15 miles 3 times a week.  I eat healthy and do not eat when I am stressed anymore.  My children love the fact that I am able to play and do more activities with them.

If I had to do it all over again, I definitely would.

Thank you Dr. Cywes and the staff at Jacksonville Weight Loss.

Thank the lord I had no health problems at all. I was all around a healthy person. But my BIGGEST problem was being overweight. I wanted to do something about my weight. I was ready to be able to do things with my kids. I wanted to go outside and run and play with them. I didn’t want to sit on the couch and watch them from my window and tell myself “Tracey, what are you doing?” I was ready to change my life and to be here to see my kids grow, have fun with them and to be the mom that they want me to be.

On the day of my surgery, August 11, 2005, I weighed in at 419. And oh my gosh I was scared but ready for a whole new life change. I did exactly what Dr. Cywes told me to do and I was really surprised how the weight started to come off! After a while I went back and cried to him telling him thank you very much for what you have done to help me. Dr. Cywes said “All I did was give you the tool, you did it all on your own.”

I am so happy I lost my weight I am now down to 225 lbs. and have maintained my weight. My kids tell me “Mommy you’re so beautiful now. Please don’t get big again. We like you now because you play with us and do more things instead of sitting on the couch watching from the window in the living room.” That touched my heart so much, that I just cried. I would tell everyone about the Lap-Band and have sent several people to Dr. Cywes. And they have had great success just like me. Dr. Cywes and the office staff is full of wonderful people who are always there for you when you need them.

There is a certain vulnerability when talking about the struggles of being overweight. Not everyone has walked a day in your shoes, but most can understand and sympathize where you have come from.

Life before the surgery was a struggle. I was teased in school, I felt the uncomfortable stares and snickers when eating at a restaurant, and would even stare at my feet when I walked to avoid the looks from people that I walked by. To me, I always saw judgment on their faces.
It was not only my Mom who urged me to go to a seminar and seriously look into the Lap-Band surgery (she wanted me to get my life back); but also the day I was leaving work for the day and was so winded walking to my car that I knew I needed to do something to change how I lived. I was slowly killing myself and didn’t realize what I was doing.

I met Dr. Cywes at Memorial Hospital for his Lap-Band seminar in May 2007. I listened to every detail and knew that this was what I needed. I knew I couldn’t do it on my own and I had hope that he could help. Since that day, I never looked back. I had surgery February 28, 2008 and had no problems with the surgery or the recovery. The first year was a struggle for me. I lost my Mom three months before my surgery. It was difficult for me to deal with her death, and also get acclimated to life with the Band, and I rebelled against it. Once I got myself on track with my life and regained my focus on losing weight, I couldn’t believe how fast I lost the weight! The Band has completely changed my life! To date, I have lost 145 pounds! I still have more to lose, but I am almost to my goal weight and couldn’t be happier!

With the help of Dr. Cywes and his staff, I have realized that the old me hid behind food as a shield. Now, I find more productive ways to deal with life’s stresses. I am much more confident and happy. I have no problems with physical activities. I actually enjoy having my picture taken (whereas before I ran from a camera). I love to go shopping, there is no greater feeling than trying on clothes and you have to go the next size down! I would encourage anyone who has thought about having the surgery to go to a seminar. It will change your life and give you hope!

On May 25^th 2008 – I gave myself a reality check; I felt unhealthy, unhappy and frankly unrecognizable – and realized I must have missed a step in my own personal well being and it was time I took control of my life, finally! I decided to clean house – internally – started by getting rid of my excuses, then my fears and finally stuck to a diet plan which gave me small results. I took the next step and went to my physician who informed me that I would not make it to the holidays at the rate I was going – how’s that for a wake up!! She then referred me to Dr Cywes; it was November 17, 2008 that I received the Lap-Band paired with a gym membership; there was no turning back from here. I worked hard, got into a routine of healthy eating and exercise and I GOT RESULTS!!! Talk about motivation, YAY ME!! I knew that I would lose weight, just not so quickly. Meeting Dr. Cywes and having the band has introduced me to healthier eating, an energetic lifestyle, and has truly changed my life!  I no longer take medication; I am no longer at risk for diabetes and SHOPPING IS FUN AGAIN!!!

Words could never express how much I appreciate the continued support, and motivation that I receive from Dr Cywes and his staff. Thank you for giving me the jump start to the rest of my life!

Everyone at Jacksonville Weight Loss were very helpful and knowledgeable in my weight loss journey. My weight was about 275 pounds when I first went to Jacksonville Weight loss in the spring of 2007. I had my surgery on July 20^th 2007 and lost nearly 90 pounds within about 9 months. I am maintaining my weight in the mid 180’s and no longer have high blood pressure or severe sleep apnea. I do still have mild sleep apnea, but that will probably never go away. I go to the gym 3 days a week, walk and occasional run. I feel better now than I can ever remember.

All of these factors were taking a toll on my physical and mental health. My weight had skyrocketed to an all time high of 260 pounds after having my second child. My husband was also morbidly obese. We both struggled with day-to-day living activities.

I then met Dr. Cywes while at work. I talked with him about the adjustable gastric band. I can honestly say I was scared at first but he educated me on how the gastric band has minimal risk factors involved. I did a lot of research and made a consultation appointment. I had my adjustable gastric band on June 7, 2007. A year after my surgery I had lost 128 pounds. I went from a size 24 to a size 6!

I can honestly say that now I will live to see our children, grandchildren and maybe even great-grandchildren. It was a serious personal decision and with that decision came a lot of hard work I feel that Dr. Cywes and the Jacksonville Weight Loss Center team have saved my life, my marriage, and my future. I am looking forward to the future with my husband and children and being able to enjoy all of the things that we had been restricted from before.

Let me start by explaining how I reached 275 pounds. Over a six month period, I lost both my brother and husband of 30 years. A few months later, I lost my mother. I went into a deep depression and gained more and more weight. Soon, I couldn’t walk very far and had trouble breathing because of all of the weight I had gained.

It wasn’t long before I had a heart attack. The doctors had to put three stints into my heart and later conducted open heart surgery to perform six bypasses. And yet, despite my health problems, I continued to gain weight. For the next four years, I was unable to walk and depended upon a wheelchair just to get around.

The straw that broke the camel’s back came when I began wearing a CPAP Mask in order to breathe at night when sleeping. When my grandchildren came to my house to spend the night, they cried when I put the mask on. I knew I had to do something.

I talked to my sister who had gone through the Lap-Band procedure. I could see how it changed her life and I wanted to do the same thing. I decided to go see her doctor, Dr. Cywes, about the Lap-Band.

Within two months of my procedure, I was out of the wheelchair. Within six months, I was going back to work. At 60 years old, I am now down to 139 lbs and wearing a size 8-10. This is far from the size 3X that I use to wear.

Like Dr. Cywes told me, I either had to lose weight or lose my life. I wanted my life back and I wanted out of the wheelchair. I learned how to eat right and how to exercise regularly. I also learned that the Lap-Band alone is not the answer. You have to follow the doctor’s instructions. And most of all, you have to want to lose the weight.

On April 7, 2005, while working I was feeling fatigue and had radiating pain in the back of my neck that would not go away. I went to the Fire Station near by to have my blood pressure taking and to my surprise it was 182/90. I’ve never suffered from hypertension, but they assured me that I needed to be seen right away. So, I went to the ER. Besides suffering from severe acid reflux, I had lower back pain, pain in my neck, insomnia, a heart murmur and depression. I could then add hypertension, which makes me a very good candidate for this surgery. My BMI was over 44.

In my 16 years of this obesity battle, I have had memberships with Gold’s Gym, Powerhouse, and YMCA. I have tried Herbal Life, Weight Watchers, and A Perfect You dietary programs. I have taken prescriptions Meridia and Adipex. I have taken over-the-counter drugs like Trim-Spa, Apple-Cider, Relcor, Green-Tea, Slim-fast, and Grapefruit Diet. I have tried all of this with some success, but no long-term achievement.

I had my surgery May 27, 2006. Here I am 2 years later and 130 pounds lighter. I’ve never felt better in my life. I love my new life style. I love sharing my experience with anyone that I come in contact with. The Lap-Band has been one the best choices I’ve made in my life. I feel without it, I wouldn’t have a life. I can’t stress my appreciation to Dr. Cywes and staff.

Now thanks to God and the Lap-Band, I wear a size 14-16. I no longer have to shop at those “xtra plus” stores. My health has been restored. I am no longer a borderline diabetic, or have high cholesterol, or wear a patch for high blood pressure.

The Lap-Band has changed my life. I am happy to be the woman that I am today!