RLittman

7 months ago I had a BMI of 38.5 and knew that if I gained 10 pounds I would hit the magic 40 and insurance would cover. While I had light apnea, high cholesterol, was pre-diabetic, and had a host of back problems, my co-morbidities were not enough for insurance to cover at my BMI. Remember with a sleep study, they have to find severe sleep apnea for insurance to kick in, and even that may not be enough because some insurers want a couple of severe medical issues. My internist was against it and would not provide a letter of approval so I had to pay another doctor (out of network of course, so there was a larger co-pay) to provide me with the letter of consent. We took out a loan and on August 2 I was banded. Best thing I ever did because it gave me my life back. 48 pounds less and I feel great. My internist just got back my first set of blood tests results since my surgery and he was thrilled with all my numbers - NORMAL!!! He then admitted that I was right to have it done and that he should not have withheld his approval. Living so close to Mexico I have met folks who have had it done there - some who had no problems and some with major problems, actually not much different than the ones here in Houston. If you have the means go for it and do research the doctor and facility ahead of time.

Happy 2B Me, My fills have only been lasting anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks. Thereafter I have maintained weight but not lost. Sometimes I go right in for another fill because I am motivated to keep losing, other times like at the holidays, I wanted a little more room to enjoy eating a little larger portions but still maintain my weight. My 2nd fill in October only lasted 3 weeks because my stomach shrunk. I went from 1.6cc to 2.0cc. Likewise, my 3rd fill in early January only lasted 3 weeks because the fat shrunk around my stomach so this past week I got my 4th fill. I went from 2.0 to 2.5. It has nothing to do with a weakness but with success - I'm losing weight and fat so the band is not as effective at the lower fills. I asked the tech," Will I reach 4ccs and then the band won't work?" She told me not likely, but that they can actually go more than 4cc if the doctor approves. So what you are experiencing is normal! Originally Posted by Happy2BMe Hi all, I haven't been posting either, it's embarrassing when you aren't losing as quickly as others. I have been having problems with restriction. I do have restriction, but every time I get a fill, the restriction goes away within 3-4 weeks. And about 2 weeks prior to my cycle, I crave chocolate like crazy. Not just chocolate, either. I crave food like crazy - it seems like it's worse than pre-band. I am kind of at my wit's end

StephM Our lifestyle and the band is a subject we have to revisit constantly because it changes and that turn affects our thinking about our diets. I had my 3rd fill in early January and lost 8 pounds by the end of the month. But then late last month and early this month, I began PBing like crazy. I thought I was eating too fast or making the wrong food choices. I tried every combination of food and ways of eating but I could only eat a few bites and then would have to wait 30 minutes before I could eat more. I finally figured out that I was overfilled, but I decided to hang in there with it to see if it would help me lose weight faster despite not really being able to eat. I didn't lose weight faster and was scared every time I sat down to eat that I would rush off to PB after only 2-3 small bites. My weight did not budge for 3 weeks. I thought I hit a wall but then over the last 3 weeks the fill eased and I was able to eat more comfortably and lose weight. That is the sweet spot I know. Unfortunately after losing 4-5 pounds, either the fill has lessened or my stomach has shrunk again because my hunger has increased and I have to go in for another fill. I could use this time to maintain weight as I have in the past but I have decided to go for a fill because I am very motiviated to lose right now and I always lose 4-5 pounds right after a fill. I try to tell myself that I am in this for the long haul. I am so glad to be over the half way mark and to see such great results, but I do still have a long way to go. I cannot settle for a size 14. Hang in there, keep moving, watch your food choices, and enjoy the progress you've made.

I ate 3 chocolates yesterday. It's was Valentine's Day for goodness sakes! Being banded did not mean we are forever forbidden from eating certain foods, we just have to be careful about it. I actually have eaten a spoonful or two of rice and had a few sips of Coke here and there and have been okay, but if I eat or drink more I know it will hurt. Meanwhile, the scale is finally moving again. I have lost 4 pounds this month!!!

I have not lost a pound since last month but a size 14 jacket and pants that barely fit last month fit just fine today. My working with weights is reshaping by body and as long as that is happening I'm happy.

I was banded by Dr. Spivak on August 2, 2006 and have since lost 50% of my goal weight. Dr. Spivak is a doll, a gentle soul who really cares about his patients and that is also reflected in his office staff. I have referred two other patients to him and they have not been disappointed either. Robin

I think February is actually off to a positive start for you. Change is hard but good. You did the band because we have one life and it is worth living well and good. If the person in your life is not part of the good new life you are creating for yourself, and counseling is not the answer, then move on. It will be hard but as you have already proven to yourself you have the ability to work through the tough stuff. Women everywhere have walked your path and survived. I just had a friend go through the same thing, and now when I see her with a guy who ADORES her, her smile says it all! Your smile will come soon. Robin quote=StephM;384375]Well guys, February is NOT off to a good start for me. I told my hubby Friday evening I wanted a divorce. In October I found that he had been looking at ads on an adult ad website and had actually sent a picture of himself (or parts of himself) nude. I have tried for months to "get over it", but I have decided I CAN'T be married to someone I don't trust. I did think about trying counseling, but I remembered back to marriage counseling, and all he did there was sit and look at a wall. We have only been married for two and a half years, and only have four cats (no children - thank God). We are still on speaking terms and living in the same house for now, so hopefully this won't turn into one of those nasty divorces. Things around the house actually seem a little less tense right now, but maybe it's just me since I finally got everything off my chest. I am scheduled for a fill tomorrow, but am a little nervous as my band has tightened tremendously since telling him on Friday. I can only eat a few bites and half the time they come back up. I am still going in for a fill, but a very small one I think. The liquid diet will probably help with all the irritation anyways. Please keep me in your prays, as I will need a lot of support over the next few months. You guys are the best! Love ya all, StephM

I wanted to lose 6 pounds for January and I actually lost 8! And after 3 weeks of the scales not moving I finally lost a pound today! Yeah! My February goal is to lose another 6 pounds which would put me at 180 pounds with only 35 pounds to go. The great news is that two aquaintances of mine are looking into being banded by Dr. Spivak and I am so excited for them!

I was told the same thing by my doctor. He asked if I would be satisfied with possibly only losing 50% of my goal weight by the end of the first year. I said yes because I would have been happy losing anything. As luck would have it, I lost 50% of my goal weight within 6 months and I am thrilled to be down 42 pounds. My blood pressure and all blood work is now normal whereas just last August my HDL and LDL and triglicerides were all high and I was pre-diabetic. I can now exercise normally and am down to size 14-16 clothing. You can cheat with the band because human nature is human nature. I do not intend to stop eating, just to eat proportionally less. I still want to eat things that taste good but the band stops me from eating too much so that I don't regain the weight I have lost. I use it to both to lose weight and maintain. Last night I had a piece of chocolate because I was hungry and I wanted a sweet, but I did not eat 1/2 a box which I could have done before because my appetite was so much larger. The band is a tool not a solution and you will still have to change your lifestyle and eating habits to make it work. Your doctor is giving you a reality check that is in your best interest to hear, i.e., that the band will not work for you unless you work with the band. I have a friend for whom the band was not helpful because she wanted to eat whatever she wanted to eat whenever she wanted to eat it. Unfortunately, the band got in the way of her lifestyle. I decided to change my lifestyle and let the band help me lose weight. It was the best thing I ever did.

You are doing great! I am so glad it finally kicked in. I have decided to back off exercise a little back to see if the scales will move some more. We will definitely get together soon. Robin

You were banded the day before me and have lost 31 pounds more than me in the same time period. You have almost 50% of your weight - you are doing fine. I have hit several plateaus but the inches keep coming off even when the scale is not moving. I hear you that you want the numbers to move - I do, too. But hang in there because you are doing great!!!

Libra - 64 pounds!!!! I am so jealous. That is just terrific. You must feel like a million dollars. It is so cool to be 6 months out from surgery and see these kinds of results. We should all give ourselves a big pat on the back. We know this band comes with alot of hard work and we have all really done a great job at working with this new tool in our lives. I have so many people asking questions now they have seen the success that comes with this and watched how the weight has not fallen off on its own. They have seen how I still have to manage how and what I eat and exercise to keep this going. But I will tell you I have met alot of naysayers and folks for whom they believed the band failed them. I have been able socialize, to eat with friends and family and still enjoy my food, but I do have to be very mindful of my intake. I have been able to eat almost everything except breads, rice and some fruits. The best part though is being able to buy size 14s and 16s and to be able to cross my legs, especially under the table! Oh the little pleasures!!

I have lost very little since about a week or so after my last fill. I lost 6 pounds immediately then stopped. This seems to happen after every fill. But I also know that I am not ready for another fill because the restriction is still very much there, and my intake has not increased. In other words I still cannot down a hamburger or eat fast or eat alot! Could you be gaining muscle? I have really jumped up my exercise program and have included more weight training. As a result I have noticed that some exercises are easier now than when I started 3 weeks ago. Since the initial weight loss after the fill I have only lost another pound but I have definitely lost inches. Clothes are fitting looser everywhere so I still feel okay about it. Also I wanted to gain muscle because I needed some tone and to increase overall strength and stamina. Look at your intake versus your exercise. If you can eat more or are more hungrier, then you probably need a fill. If you are the same but your exercise has increased you are probably gaining muscle. Adjust your exercise for more repetition less weights. Robin

I am a little frustrated with my scale right now because it just ain't moving. I think I am putting on alot of muscle by working out with weights everyday. I know I am losing inches because my clother fit looser, but I want to see the numbers change. Everyone over the last few weeks is commenting on how different I look. These last 10 pounds really made the difference. I am almost at my halfway point and just want to get to the 170s so bad it hurts. Even my gp who was not in favor of this, gushed over how great I look. Ha Ha!!

You are hitting your stride! I live in Memorial, on the west side of Houston - near Sam Houston Tollway (Beltway 8) and Gessner. I think Jessica lives near West U. I think we will need to do it on the weekends because some folks work. Maybe lunch? But I have to get to 50 pounds first. I have 7 pounds to go!

Lady Di, Faybie, ClaritySeeker(Jessica) : We should get together after we have all hit the 50 pound mark. Some of you are already there, and for some like me, it is just around the corner. I think that will give us some real inspiration to keep losing. Go for it ladies!!!

Jessica, You are doing so well and over the half way mark! I totally understand the bra thing. I have dropped from a 42DD to a 38DD. I'm wearing a 14-16 top (misses, not woman's) and it is so awesome. I have been getting lots of comments about how I look in the last few weeks. Somehow these last 5 pounds made a difference in my appearance. My exercise routine has really kicked in, too. I am able to do so much more now that I weigh less and my knee has healed. I think the key for me is definitely going in for a fill when it is time and not delaying. My third fill is working out well. I have lost 8 pounds since 1/3. We should arrange to meet when we reach a certain goal. How about we meet when we both reach our 50th pound mark? I am about 7 pounds away. Let me know. Robin

I use to go on an empty stomach for a fill, but the last one took place in the afternoon so I just ate my regular lunch and there was no problem.

I have not yet seen a jump in weight loss but it has helped firm my muscles, and made me feel stronger. If I use too high of weights I build mass too quickly and then the scales actually increase. So I keep to low weights, high repetitions. It cannot do any harm. Keep moving is my motto! Robin

Faybie, you and I have similar stats although you were banded about 4 weeks after me. I am right there with you - 190 with a goal of 145. I just got my third fill and boy did it hit the spot. I have lost 4 pounds since last week and I am just 5 pounds short of my half way mark. I had heard a rumor that Dr. Spivak will pay for your 2nd year fills if you lose 50% of your weight in the first year. Do you know if this is true?

Jo Anne Have you ever tried Wellbutrin XL? It is supposed to help depress appetite. I was on it for 1 1/2 years and it caused me to lose 40 pounds because it had an effect on my appetite. Unfortunately, it wore off and I slowly regained the weight.

I seem to have a problem with editing my signature to include the picture of the ticker from tickerfactory.com. Is anyone else experiencing this? I noticed that website is now asking for a password and pin.

Okay, I went in for my third fill. I was only down .2 but my stomach had shrunk which is why the band was not as effective. I was previously 1.7, lost.2, and now I am filled 2.0. You know the routine - soft foods for 48 hours. I had a wonderful surprise in the waiting area- LadyDi was there! It is so neat to connect in person with other bandsters. I also met a lady who had lost over 90 pounds in 16 months, and was there for another fill so she could keep losing. She had maybe another 30 pounds to go. She too thought that using the band to maintain and lose slowly was a good way to go. My goals for this year are as follows: Lose 6 pounds in January. Lose the remaining weight by my anniversary date. Exercise 4 times a week. (I signed up for a flamenco dancing class!!) Robin

We just got back from California and had the time of our life. We stayed at La Costa outside San Diego. The weather was great so we walked everywhere - La Jolla, Coronado Island and 10 hours at Disneyland - the lines were unbelievable 75 minute wait for Space Mountain. I danced the night away on New Years' Eve. I could not have done this 6 months ago. I am so thrilled with my 38 pound loss that I am ready to take off the rest. I go in tomorrow for my third fill. My current restriction allowed me to eat but not over indulge so my weight stayed the same while on vacation. I loved wearing my new size 16 clothes but I am ready to move on. Let's go August bandsters - good luck and good health in 2007.

I had heard some of this too, but the minute I revealed the secret everyone was excited for me and wanted to know all about the procedure and what I could and couldn't eat. It was almost as if they all breathed a sigh of relief that I had started on a new path. I felt great this year. I am down about 35 pounds and am currently stuck at 194-195. I can't seem to get below that so it is time for another fill. Everyone is seeing the difference and I can see it too. Now I just have to get the other half of it off. Good luck in the new year to all the August bandsters!!!