techsasgirl

At my appointment today, I only lost 4 pounds after two weeks on a calorie restricted liquid diet. My doctor filled me, and is starting me on phentermine. I have never taken this. Does it work? Is anyone else taking medication to help with band success?

I am in urgent need of a mentor/support buddy. I am several years post op. I was getting comfortable with my size about 18 months after surgery. I really don't know what happened after that. I know that I got super busy with work. I got laid off. I have a gazillion responsibilities with the kids. I have four children, one about to start college, one sophomore, one 8th grader, and one in elementary. I became a PTA president ( dumb, I know ). I did TONS of volunteer work until I started my new job. Somewhere in the span of these past 6 years, I have been a faithful wife of a deputy who has had four episodes of unstable angina, and has undergone 4 PTCAs and has had 7 stents placed. That was a bit distracting. Long story short, life happened. I know that life happens to everyone, but I let myself forget that I'm a lap-band patient. Sure, I was used to everyone commenting on how little I ate, but I could usually explain all that away. I ate what I wanted when I wanted, and I didn't bat an eye. I really didn't notice any difference in my life. But I had a reality check recently when I couldn't fit into one of my old scrub tops. What the hell??? I realized that for the last 5 months, I really have packed on some weight. I hadn't weighed myself in over a year. Since I got down to 175, I was pretty satisfied, so I just stopped doing it. I went in to work and weighed myself, and I found that my new weight is 202! I thought about things. I've been having severe reflux, to the point of waking up choking on my own vomit (essentially). I gained 27 pounds in 5 months. I was just a hot mess. Clearly, I know better. So I FINALLY went in and saw by surgeon. He remarked how proud he was because he hadn't seen me since 2008, but I was at the same weight as I was in 2008. I had to explain to him that I had gotten down to 175, and had a recent issue with weight gain. I realized, as I drove home yesterday, that I really did fool myself into thinking my relationship with food had changed. And really, it has in some ways, but I guess not in a good way. I developed a passion for the culinary arts about two years after surgery, and have become quite the food snob. I make my own EVERYTHING from scratch. I use fresh ingredients. I use (GASP!) butter, half and half, and real, honest-to-goodness eggs. I know! I drink great wine. I know! I'm a crazy lady. I thought that since my portions were so small, it wasn't a big deal for me to enjoy good food. Clearly, 27 pounds later, I was wrong. My relationship with food is just as unhealthy as ever. I just eat better food. My doctor said that the reflux and tenderness around my port was due to the weight gain. He unfilled me and placed me on a liquid diet for 2 weeks. I haven't even made it one full week, and I've eaten 3 meals. They were not unhealthy at all ( for example: grilled tilapia and steamed veggies when we went out for the boss' birthday yesterday), but I had ZERO self control. Why didn't I stick with Water? Because I suck at this! I WANT to be healthy. I WANT to be sexy. I WANT to feel comfortable in my own skin. But I have come to realize that I SUCK at self control. I would love to lean on my husband for support, but 1) he doesn't understand this struggle, and 2) he's hardly ever home. Seriously. I feel like (and get confused with being) a single mom the majority of the time. So please, is there anyone out there who gets me? I need your help. I need to share email addresses, etc. I need help from someone. I have been a good girl today. I've only had coffee with Splenda and ff non-dairy creamer, 1 Atkins shake, and chicken broth. I'm good right now. But who knows about tomorrow?

LOOK!!!! I finally figured it out!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!! Nothing is showing up for me. Just an image of an image.

I am doing GREAT! I don't know if I've lost any significant weight yet, but I'm not having terrible side effects. I am a little tachycardic, but I haven't had any palpitations or chest discomfort. I have noticed a dry mouth, but it just helps me drink more water, which I have never been good at. Seriously, though.... what am I doing wrong with this ticker thing?!?!? lol I can't get mine to show anything other than a string of numbers, letters, and symbols.

No. See. I don't get a ticker! I made one, but it won't show. Just all those letters!!!

Kim K, did this work?

Hang in there. You're stronger than you know. You CANNOT say EF it! That's how you got to the point that you needed surgery in the first place. You are worth the effort. I got a new mantra from someone else on this forum. She said "a compliant bandster is a successful bandster". I am an old band patient, and I got off track. Guess what happened? I put on weight. I lost focus. Do NOT take your eyes off the prize. I have a picture of a sleeveless Ralph Lauren dress I am wearing in July sitting on my desk at work, taped to my refrigerator, and tucked in my dash board. I WILL wear this, strike that, ROCK this dress when I go to Philadelphia in July. What do you want to do? Why do you want to lose weight and get healthy? Can you take a picture of it and put it in your high risk areas? BTW, my trick to not being hungry during the liquid phase was to gulp my Protein drink down fast. I don't really know why it worked, but one day I was in a hurry to get back to clinic and I noticed that after "slamming" my shake, I wasn't hungry two hours later like usual. I am curious about the last thing you said: Why can't you put yourself in an extreme calorie deficit? As long as you're getting the correct nutrition, your body gets what it needs, regardless of the calories spent during a work out, right? I may be misunderstanding you, or there may be some sort of exercise rule that I'm not aware of. Oh, lol, and I have NEVER worked out hard enough to burn more than I take in! lol Anyway, if you really can't do that workout, can you modify it? Good luck!!!

I am doing fine! I haven't really seen any significant weight loss yet, but I'm not having any terrible side effects. I am a little tachycardic, but no palpitations. I feel hyper-aware of things at times. I told my husband my spidy-senses were tingling because we had the windows open and I could hear the neighbor's air conditioner turning on and off! lol I've got a dry mouth. So I'm drinking more water, which I have never been good about doing, so that's good. All in all, I'm pleased with it, but the proof's in the pudding. If I don't see significant weight loss in a month, I probably won't continue it. Good luck with your return to phentermine!

I'm definitely aware of the risks associated with phentermine. I was more curious about its efficacy. I know some people who take it, and I'm surprised to see that they don't lose weight when they tell me they take it daily. I was also wondering if other band patients have been prescribed stimulants to help them out. I was surprised when he brought it up today. I'm going to take it. I have to get thinner by July. I have a sleeveless dress that I WILL wear when I go eat at Chef Morimoto's restaurant in Philadelphia! lol How the heck do yall get those tickers to show on your posts?!?!?!?

Compliant bandsters are successful bandsters. I like that!

You guys are awesome for pointing out some positives I didn't see. Thank you. Can any of you tell me what helps you stick with it?