kgloverii

Hi all, I have been taking Adderall for a couple years now for ADD. Over the past few months, I have been trying to take it more regularly, and have noticed that the day after I take it, my band is a LOT tighter. This is even when I pump fluids like crazy when I take it. I know Adderall dehydrates me, but it seems like no matter what I do, I cannot stay ahead of the med. Anyway, I am considering going to a psych to have them switch my meds to something else... even though I LOVE my Adderall. Does anyone else take ADD meds and have any odd side effects like I've described? Whether you do or don't if you feel comfortable, can you tell me what you take? Thanks.

I self-paid for my band and it has been a great tool for my weight loss. But, if you had the band and lost it, I don't think many doctors out there are advising a replacement of a new band. re-slippage rates for those who are rebanded are ridiculously high. And the sleeve is another option, but there are not a lot of doctors who are doing them in the US with good self pay prices and stats, which means traveling abroad. And some people like that idea, and some not so much. And the credit markets are VERY tight right now, so people who got financed a year ago, with very good credit are having a hard time getting financing now, even with stellar credit. OR, the terms they are offered are less than stellar. My husband and I have said if I ever lose my band, I will immediately revise to something else, but in today's credit market, its not as easy as it used to be.

Just weighing in here... Here are my statistics: The band got me skinny. I didn't know about the sleeve. I have a sleeve-fund set up for **when** my band goes south. I will ride my band till the wheels fall off. I never know if/when I will be able to eat on a day to day basis. IF I can eat. I CAN EAT, if I can't, I can't. It is a PITA. My band is my best friend and my worst enemy. I encourage everyone do to the research into a sleeve.

keep drinking that broth today!!! along with a little motrin, you will be better in no time!

motrin, in small amts will help with the inflammation, but tylenol will not. again, we are talking pediatric doses, to be on the safe side.

it might have been heathero... she was the one that clued me in on this tip and my doc DID give it the thumbs up...

Just wanted to jump in here... When i get irritated, I take the liquid motrin dose for an 11 year old, every 4 -6 hours for a 24 hr period. I DO NOT TEST MY BAND and ONLY drink HOT HOT HOT chicken broth. I give my band a full 48 hours of rest, first 24 hours only consuming chicken broth. 2nd day, start my day with chicken broth and move on to SOFTIES like yogurt, etc. NO REAL FOOD. The reasons for the chicken broth are various: a) it is a clear liquid :smile2: I can drink it HOT and like it and C) it is high sodium. High sodium is good for help in retaining water which will help maintain and build water levels in the body until the irritation is gone. I am a 'expert' in this irritated stoma thing cause my band is easily irritated. I usually go through this routine once every couple weeks. It is annoying, but I have always had a sensitive stomach. This routine works like a charm.

The band dims my appetite. As some of the previous posters have said, it makes it so that food doesn't rule your life. If you get to the right spot, you don't wake up thinking of what you're going to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You're not consumed with the next meal. And that new brain-wiring helps you when making your food choices. You are not 'so hungry you've gotta eat' and just fill up on pasta cause you're famished. You have the ability to make better choices. I know I do. It is a whole new world out there with my band. And as an FYI, I am almost 2 years out, so I am quite realistic. The 'love affair is over.'

I am doing GREAT, RM!! Are you ready for this... A girlfriend of mine had some pants to return in a size 2 cause they were a wee bit big. Well, since I'm wearing a 4/6 comfortably now, I asked her to let me try them... They FIT. They weren't the right cut, and emphasized my muscular calves and ankles, so I didn't want them, but the point is... I got a size TWO on me. A fluke... but nonetheless... unbelievable! I never wore a two, EVER. I went right from 'big girls' to misses size 8 as a kid, and only went up... The summer is GREAT for eating. Living on almonds, fresh fruits and veggies (I eat tomato and mozzarella salad daily, with FULL FAT dressing!!)... Loving blueberry season. I had a period of random tightness, and my doc was in China, so he told me to go to the ER. I found an AWESOME urgent care doc that used to be a trauma surgeon who was familiar with the ports cause of cancer patients. I called her, she told me to come right in, and gave me a small unfill of .3 ccs, and charged me $50. That woman is a saint, and I am all better now. I am a little looser than my 'sweet spot' but it allows me to eat lots of FRESH stuff, which is GREAT. And I haven't put on a pound... even eating my Haagen Dazs! :smile2: How are you??????

Just jumping in here... You CAN lose weight without completely giving up the 'bad food.' However, you have to make a point to choose healthy foods for you, and eat in moderation. My band gives me the opportunity to have a healthy relationship with food. I eat food, any food I want, in small amounts. My food choices since the band have changed though. I choose more whole, less processed foods. This includes more fruits and veggies, and less white crap. I eat HIGHER FAT food now, too. I do not subscribe to the low fat, low sugar mentality. That stuff is toxic to your system. I eat REAL food. When I choose ice cream, I eat Haagen Dazs. I eat nuts everyday. This goes against what Americans have been taught about food, but let's all face it. low fat, high carb is not working. we're getting fatter. Getting back to basics and eating closer to nature is where health comes in. And I do that. I just don't eat a whole jungle anymore. :smile2:

I wanted to post this on my one year bandiversary... Today is the day! When I went in for surgery, I weighed 235, with a BMI of 41.0. I was embarrassed that I was 31 years old, and morbidly obese. I didn't suffer major health problems, except for sore knees, god-awful snoring that showed slight sleep apnea, and I was always tired. I had two little girls, ages 2 and 4, who I wanted to have a healthy active lifestyle with. I knew that in my current state, that was not going to happen. As a woman married to a man who could eat ANYTHING and stay underweight, I was frustrated and jealous. I didn't seem fair... The most discouraging part was the constant feeling of hunger. I was not someone who was addicted to food; I did not grab the bon bons when I was depressed. I was ALWAYS hungry. That feeling never stopped, even after I stuffed myself full after Thanksgiving dinner. I tried the diets, and lost weight, but it always came back, because that hunger was always talking to me. My husband and I talked about all kinds of options: diets, exercise, and surgery. He threw the Lap-Band idea out to me thinking I would reject it, and go on a diet and prove I didn't need a device. But instead, I embraced it. I was so tired of the roller coasters, the hunger, the tiredness. So, I did my research. I knew the likelihood of getting approved for a band with my weight and lack of health problems was extremely slim, so we decided to check out options in Mexico. I did my research. I did not choose someone with the lowest price. I wanted someone with experience, low rates of complications, and someone with the reputation of success. I settled on a few different surgeons as options, and made some calls. I felt comfortable with Dr. Ortiz's staff, and booked my procedure... to happen in 3 weeks. It became a crazy mind-shift. I immediately had to go on the pre-op diet of 2 shakes and a Lean Cuisine. But, I knew I HAD to do it, so I didn't suffer. I just 'bucked up' and accepted it. I flew to Mexico and met a woman named Julie down there, who was being banded the same day. We because fast buddies, and it was comforting to me to know I had a friend down there (my husband was at home taking care of the girls) who also was a nurse! We were both impressed with the facilities and the staff. I have 'hard veins' that are impossible to get an IV into. Each time I need bloodwork, it is a nightmare, and it is impossible to donate blood. They had a hard time to get blood, and trying to get an IV in, was hopeless. Numerous nurses poked and prodded, and nothing. I almost called for Julie, just so I had somebody there to hold my hand. But, Dr. Ortiz came in a visited with me, explaining that IV anesthesia was preferred but not the only option, and that I was going to meet with the anesthesiologist and discuss my options. He made me feel at ease and I was instantly calm. The anesthesiologist explained to me some different options and told me he wanted to do the anesthesia via IV, but would put me under with some gas so they could find an appropriate vein without all of the poking and prodding. I agreed, and soon I was on my way down to the OR. Recovery was a blur, pain was minimal. Julie, her friend Lynn, and I went to a beach in Tijuana for a bit to walk around and just get moving, and it was fun to take it slow, but get out for a bit. After I got home, I took motrin for about 3 days and was fine afterwards. I followed the post-op diet to the tee. It was not easy, but I also knew in order to have success, and to protect my investment, that is what I needed to do. Weight loss was slow, but steady. Julie and I kept in touch, and we started at the same height and weight before surgery. We've remained neck and neck in our weight loss, always cheering each other on, and giving feedback and help as necessary. Julie has been one of the best gifts I've received out of this whole journey. Most people don't get to experience a change from start to finish with a friend, someone who knows exactly what you're going through, with someone who can be so supportive. We're going to Las Vegas next month to Celebrate our bandiversary and I can't wait to see the new Julie! I work in retail part time, a job where I am on my feet the whole time, running back and forth. The exercise I get from my job is great, low-impact, and I can't 'convince myself I don't have time for it.' I also have made a conscious attempt at keeping the time I spent on the computer 'on the couch' limited. My family and I have become more and more active as the weight has dropped. Before my surgery, I lined up my aftercare surgeon who would do my fills. I chose someone who would follow Inamed/Allergan's guidelines when doing fills, as well as listen to me. Dr. Pleatman followed the specific guidelines for my VG band but also asked me if I agreed with those guidelines or wanted to 'tweak' that recommendation. He is honest with me in what expectations I should have with the band. He did not 'coddle' me and he did not allow me to have false expectations. At my last fill appt, he quite clearly told me, “You're getting down to the end.” His end and my end may be different. I will never EVER be complacent, and I am still losing... but he has kept me grounded. The band is NOT a perfect fix. It is NOT an easy fix. YOU MUST WORK THE BAND. You MUST be conscious about what you eat and the exercise you get. You must have a dialogue and consistent follow-up with your doctor. YOU MUST REMAIN POSITIVE. You will plateau. Over and over. You'll go up and down. BUT, you must remind yourself that as long as you keep doing the right things, you will have success. On my one year bandiversary, I weigh in at 164. I have lost 71 pounds. My BMI is now 28.6. I went from being morbidly obese, to the middle of the overweight category. I have gone from a size 18/20 to a 10. My shoe size has gone from a 9 to a 7 ½. My goal weight is 143, so I hope to lose another 25 pounds in the next 12-18 months. BUT, I am realistic. If I stop losing weight and am doing the right things, then I know I am at a good final weight. There are no disappointments with my band, because I'm so much healthier in the new shape I am in. _____________________________________________________ Updated on Jan 22, 2009. At exactly 15 months post-op, I am now a size 6, and am weighing in at 142. I have exceeded my weight goal, and am elated with my band.

Jeannie, Yes... I wish I would have had the sleeve. The band is outdated, compared to the sleeve. But, when I had surgery, the sleeve was not well-known. I will ride my band till the wheels fall off, and it has been very good for me, but I'll bet the sleeve would be a bit better. Easier maintenance long term. But you must do your homework and find someone VERY reputable to do your surgery. Price is NOT the name of the game on this. Do your research. Wasabubblebutt has a good guide on where to start.

Hydration is a big factor, as Restless said. But, fluctuations DO happen, for no reason sometimes. PMS is a big factor, I know every TOM I have major tightness. On those days, breakfast is a can of chicken broth HOT. The salt pulls the water in, and I can usually eat better those days. But, sometimes not... that band has a mind of its own sometimes.... :rolleyes2:

I agree with itschoice 100%. It is probably time for a fill. Use that tool as much as you can. If you're counting everything, you're transferring one obsession for another.

If you have good rapport with your doctor and they are willing to manage your aftercare and advise you if you have issues, then it seems reasonable to go to your doc. Especially if it is less hassle to go to him and/or cheaper. Make sure he has Allergan/ Johnson & Johnson fill guidelines, so they are not too aggressive, or not aggressive enough. Fills are pretty straightforward. I went to a local walk-in urgent care to have an emergency unfill done because my doc was out of town. I'd called ahead and talked to the doctor and she'd dealt with Mediports all of the time and I had complete faith in her. I wouldn't hesitate to use her again if I needed to. My follow-up doc keeps my records and will always give me the 'fill juice' when I need it because my perspective is this: eventually my band is going to go south and I am going to need him to help me with some sort of revision/etc. I need him on my side. So, I'll pay the price so he can be my advocate in the ER. Its your call. I do not think you should stick with a group of doctors just because they did your surgery if there are more convenient options for you.

You might want to try Fill Centers USA. There is a location in Deland, which is not terribly far from you. You can also go to Lap-Band's website and find some local surgeons and call around and ask... Lastly, you might call your mexican surgeon. I called mine before my surgery and they made some local recommendations. I had my aftercare lined up before I even went for my surgery. Make sure you ask whomever you call for all pricing details, because some doctors want a 1st time consult fee, etc. Fill prices vary widely by provider. It is not too early to be wanting a fill. I got my first fill at my 4 week mark, exactly. It didn't take a lot of the cravings away, but I counted calories diligently until I got to my sweet spot so my weight loss continued until I got to that point. Good luck on your band journey.