downtownjulibrown

Be careful with that PHENTERMINE!! Phentermine is the same drug that was the first ingredient in what they called PHEN/FEN years ago. Phentermine is still considered safe by the FDA even though the Fenfluramine is what caused problems and is no longer on the market. I started taking those RX only diet pills in 1992 weighing 287. I lost 75 lbs. As soon as I stopped taking them I gained it back up to 311. I have yo-yo'd on those pills for 17 years now. Last year got up to 320, took Adipex again. I lost 40 lbs, stopped and 4 months later I was back up to my current 320 again. MY lap band surgery date is 06-18-09. I can't tell you how many of those pills I've taken over the last 17 years or how many lbs I've lost & gained back each time. YOU WILL LOSE WEIGHT ON PHENTERMINE. YOU WILL GAIN IT BACK + MORE WHEN YOU STOP. I promise you this. I am a self pay lap band patient who is using my PHEN/FEN settlement from the drug maufacturing companies to pay for my surgery. It took me 7 years to get this money and I'm using it to fix what diet pills did to destroy my mind, body, emotional state. Those pills are a crutch , gave me a false sense of security and they are very addictive. I was never addicted physically, just emotionally dependant. It's easy to do because they are effective,but it's temporary and will not bring any permanent/sustained success. I have to do 3 weeks of OPTIFAST starting 05-28-09. I just found out today. For about 30 minutes I considered using Phentermine to get me through because my dr said I could. Then I stopped and thought. Hey, this is my chance to start over so I'm not going backwards. It's worth suffering through 3 weeks of 800 calories a day shakes to change my life and move forward & that's what I'm gonna do. I will not tell you not to take RX diet drugs to help you with the band. That's your choice. I can only tell you what could happen if you do from my own experience and wish you well. I will say if you've never done them---It's like having that very 1st drink/smoke. Something thats really great right now! Something you might really regret later. Good luck in your decision. I think if/when I get stuck after banding & can't lose weight I will definately try getting another fill before I resort to RX diet pills again. I hope this helps someone.

I am going through the same thing kinda of. I have been wanting this band ever since I gave birth to my son in Nov-06. I told everyone I was going to try and get it but then I found out my Ins.Policy had it blocked out. My sister got her band OCT-08 and has already lost 80 lbs. At 1st I was jealous because I wanted it before she did but I had to let it go and be happy for her because she's my sis & I love her. Not to mention that she is diabetic and I have no health issues even though I weigh 317. Anyways, I came up with the money to Self Pay & my 1st appt. with the surgeon is tomorrow. I will probably be banded within 2 weeks. My sis, husband, & mom know. I haven't told any of my friends because I'm afraid it will jinx me. I probably won't tell anyone else until I've lost quite a bit of weight because I don't want anyone elses input, envy or opinions. In my opinion -Keep it to yourself until you are ready to share. But it's good you have a couple of close allies to support you along with this forum. I just joined it today & that was one of the major reasons I did it. So I can have support & also share while keeping my secret. GOOD LUCK & GOD BLESS YOU!!!!:thumbup: