RLittman

I had lost 75 pounds from 06 to 08 and was 8 pounds from goal in late 08. The first 50 came off easily, the next 25 came off with strenuous exercise. I then had bronchitis in late 08 and required a cortisone shot which caused me to gain 10 pounds. I then began to develop hypothyroidism, and had another cortisone shot in late 2009 due to a knee problem which caused me to gain more weight. My thyroid worsened in 2010 which caused me to gain 5 pounds, and made it difficult to lose weight. I got a fill last summer and lost ten pounds but still have 30 to go. I am still glad I got the band because despite the shots and thyroid my weight is constant. Preband I could gain 5 pounds in a week and be out of a clothing size in less than a month.

He said it wasn't worth it because I would only lose 5 pounds or so. I replied that it would get the ball rolling. So I asked, am I done here? and he said yes, which so surprised me because we had a wonderful relationship. I went to a fill center, got a fill and lost ten pounds.

I stopped seeing Dr. Spivak in 2010 because for no reason he would no longer fill me (surgery 8/06) so I turned to Dr. Pears all at Longevity Centers on Richmond. I don't know why he returned to Israel since he had such a lucrative practice.

You sound like me. I lost 75 pounds between 8/06-5/08 years (banded 06) and after two cortisone shots and a knee surgery which stopped my exercise, I regained 30 pounds over 2 years. I was unfilled due to heartburn and slowly refilled to where I was before, but I am hungry when I shouldn't be unless I am emotional eating. I need to relose the thirty pounds and about 8 more to be at goal. I am happy I was banded because I would have regained all the weight in a matter of months but I can't seem to get restarted. Has the band lost it's magic??? It was so easy the first time - fill, lose weight, fill, lose weight. Help!

Two years after banding,I had bloating and pain for 2-3 days after overeeating or eating dense food like steak. Dr and Gastro dr did tests and determined I had scar tissue issues. It was chronic for about three months. I watched what I ate, took pain pulls until it stopped. Meanwhile I watch diet carefully and I massage stomach whenever i feel episode coming on in lieu of pain pills.

How is everyone doing now that we are four years out? I have regained thirty pounds over two years due to medical issues and am ready to lose. I was within 8 pounds of goal so I was very frustrated to regain the weight Went from a size 8/10 to size 14 but still glad I was banded in 2006. Love to hear from you all.

I was banded by Dr. Spivak in August 2006 and I think he is wonderful. I am 6 pounds from goal and love my new life and self. One suggestion you may not have read elsewhere. Try unjury which is a Protein supplement that can be added to cool and lukewarm liquids - juices, shakes, Soup, Jello, etc. You can find it at Unjury.com. I still use it to this day. I am so glad you all went with Dr. Spivak as his care is the best. Good luck. Robin

It has been awhile since I posted but I am 73 pounds down and only 9 pounds from surgical goal. Family and friends say I can stop and that I look good but I still want to lose 10-12 pounds. I am wearing a size 10 and exercise 3-5 times per week with jogging, lifting light weights and stair stepping. It is so wonderful to go clothes shopping because everything fits! I finally have a new wardrobe which I have worn for several months. Before I would wear something for maybe a month or 2 and then go up 10 pounds and never wear it again. How are all the August 2006 bandsters doing? Robin

I selected the initial goal of 149 because that was the top range of the BMI for my weight/height. Now that I am so close I think I will go for another 5-9 pounds. I can't believe I am wearing size 8 and 10. So many people have said I should stop, even my husband but I know I can look better. This is the first time I can get to that perfect weight and I am going for it. After maintaining at 184 for seven months, I started exercising regularly in September and since then have lost 26 pounds, 8 pounds since my last fill on 2/19 which was the tightest one so far and it really jumped started the weight loss for me. That and a big increase in exercise which I know do 4-5 times a week. Working with weights really helps carve off those inches. What do we do when we hit goal? Has anybody opted to loosen the band so they can eat more but maintain? Robin

I have lost 66 pounds and am only 15 pounds from my goal. I will probably try to lose another 5-10 pounds once I hit 149 but we will see. I actually have folks say I don't need to lose more but I can;t see where they are coming from. I feel great. Starting exercising 3-5 times a week last September so I have gained alot of muscle and trimmed alot of inches. The holidays were amazing as everyone was in shock to see me. But then I got sick right before New Years with flu and pnuemonia - lost 5 pounds but it stopped my exercising cold. I wasn't able to get back to the gym for two weeks. I visited a plastic surgeon about cosmetic surgery and it looks like I will have to have 3 different procedures - the first being a lower body lift, abdominoplasty and liposuction. Glad I still have more weight to lose before I have to make a decision about all this. How is everyone else doing? Robin

I am just east of you in Memorial off of Gessner and Memorial Dr.

Hey West Houston folks. I was banded 8-2-06 by Dr. Spivak who was wonderful. I am 65 pounds down with about 20 to go and I feel fantastic. Went from a sendentary lifestyle to exercising 3-5 times per week. Little to no hunger pains, little weight gain and easy to lose. Go for it!

i have 18 pounds to go!!!!

In August 2006 a thread (new line of discussion) was started (posted) by a group of bandsters who were banded in August 2006 - hence the title August Band Crew - "ABC" followed by the month we were in at the time. As each month past we started a new thread and ended the old. We are now up to a thread called ABC- December 2007 chat.