My name is Richard Jaques, I am 53 years old. In October 2005, I weighed 545 lbs.

I saw an article in the newspaper for a seminar at Memorial Hospital. That was the day my life started to change.
Little history about me, I am a tugboat captain, I am married, I have had high blood pressure. Since I was 28 years old. I had diabetes, heart problems I could not get around, I did not want to get up, my joints hurt so bad I cried about the pain. I could not breathe while sleeping, I could not walk to my truck without stopping to catch my breath, and my life sucked.

I was at a point in my life where I had to decide to buy a coffin or make some changes in my life.
I went to the lap band seminar and heard the story of this system and meet Dr. Cywes, I did not believe all I heard. I made an appointment to see Dr. Cywes.

My insurance company Blue Cross Blue Shield refused to cover the surgery saying that the surgery was too new and had not been proven to be successful so I refinanced my home and on March 2, 2006, I had the surgery.
It took a lot of getting used to a new way of eating and of choosing foods and restaurants do not provide food of low or no carb portions.

My wife and I eat out anywhere we want but I must now look at foods that fit into my new way of eating, such as, salads, fish, crab, vegetables, well cooked that are easy to eat and are low carb. Portion control and getting your mind right is a full time job.

It is now November 1, 2006, and 170 pounds lost, I now weigh 375 pounds and I feel better.
I no longer have diabetes, my blood pressure medications are being cut down. I go to movies, I can now walk the malls, something I haven’t been able to do for 30 years. I bought an incumbent bike and a small weight machine that I work out on 2 or 3 times per week.

When at work, instead of sending someone else to do something, I do it myself.

I can now walk in my yard, I was able to go to the Eric Clapton concert, we parked two blocks away and I was able to walk to the show and the seats were comfortable. We exited out of the wrong door when the show was over and had to walk around the entire coliseum, we took the stairs down every floor and walked to my truck with no problem. The next morning, I went to the grocery store and walked up and down every aisle, something I have not been able to do in 7 years. I shopped smart, read labels and picked food that fit into my program.

At time of the operation, I wore a size 70 jeans, 10X shirts. I am down to size 54 jean and 4X shirts and for the first time in 35 years, I can buy clothes at a store and try new styles. I have found I like shopping for clothes. I still have 100 pounds to go to reach my goal weight ;of 275 pounds.

If you follow Dr. Cywes rules, you will loose your weight. It will show on the scales your every visit. There’s no lying about it, I write down everything I eat—Everything!

Dr. Cywes’ office staff helped me—Jody has been my complaint department. I bitch, moan and groan. She listens to it all. She tells me not always what I want to hear and I don’t say what they always want to hear. Dr Cywes has been great for my self being, he is everything you need in a, I guess in a friend doctor. He puts up with my insecurities and self doubts about myself.

I expected things to happen fast. It took 52 years to get that way and in 8 months I’m where I’ve never been able to be with any other type of diet or weight loss plan.

Dr. Cywes and the lap band and don’t forget me, have saved my life. My wife, my family and friends love the change. I have for the first time allowed myself to think of a future life, vacations and just a walk on the beach in comfort.
If you have any doubts about this, call me. I will tell you the hard facts and the end result.

There is so much more to this that I can tell you but the main thing is IT WORKS! Do what you are told and watch the weight go away and stay away.

Its a life style change for the rest of your life, with Dr. Cywes help and the lap band, life is getting better every day.