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I have a strong opinion on this. I started taking Phentermine in 1996 or so. My doctor prescribed 37.5 pills two times a day, one at 8am and one at 3pm. I was about 40 pounds overweight. I was basically high all the time. It made me want to drink alcohol to level me out. He’d refill my script when I weighed as little as 115 pounds ( I am 5 foot tall so I was hardly overweight at 115). Back in the 90’s-early 2000s I Could get it on the Internet easily so as they lost effectiveness I would buy it and take it from online vendors. An a point was taking four+ 37.5 mg a day. Besides the fact that I felt like I was basically on crack, a couple of other things. They give you dry mouth and bad breath. For me the dry mouth led to gum recession. They also cause me back pain, heart palpitations, etc. Phentermine makes me high and then irritable and then completely made me want to isolate myself from other people. But for me, being “hot” was always worth these risks. I was taking pills and counting calories at 97 pounds! Around 2002, my now ex-husband got into them and took like 6 in one 24 hour period and had to be admitted to the ICU for 3 days. His pulse was racing at 200 for almost 2 straight days. These days I don’t think any doctor their merit would write a prescription for two of those a day. It set me up for 20 years of weight loss and gain. I just stopped taking them in 2016. I literally took them off and on all those years. Not to that extreme of course. I put on about 30-40 pounds and for the last 10 years would take 1/2 to 1a day them to maintain that weight. Anyway, That’s what led me to the surgery decision and ultimately to this forum. I will never live that way again. That’s an extreme example (and an example of drug abuse/misuse) but that’s my truth. It’s a quick fix for a lot of people myself included. I’m sure there are some people that take them successfully but I was not one of those people. Hope I didn’t scare you; just wanted to share my story.

Don’t know if any of you guys are going through this but, I had surgery 1/23/2019 at first I still couldn’t believe it that I was actually going through it, I was excited and very happy and extremely motivated.... today marks 10 days I have no motivation, I have doubts, feeling like this isn’t going to work.... Iam just on clear liquids but eating every other hour even if it’s just Broth, Popsicles,Water, feeling like Iam going explode stomach growling I feel like Iam a big blimp and this is a joke have no idea why my positive thoughts turned so negative, and very depressed

It’s been 10 days since surgery and I have hardly no pain I would say 2 out of 10 and it’s just my right side, but finally started sleeping on that side, Monday I get my staples remove, anxious for them to come off

500-700 calories seems very low. I’m 5 1/2 months post sleeve and eating about 900 cals/day (ranges from 700-1100), at least 70 g of protein. Still losing about 10-13 lbs/month.

I’m 3.5 months post op and doing great so far. I never set foot in a gym before surgery, but I’m working on adopting fitness into my every day life now. My goal for 2019 is to do 300 exercise sessions which works out to 6 days a week. For January I did 32 workouts! I have lofty ambitions of 2 sessions/day but I give myself the grace I need if I don’t make it to the gym one day or only do one exercise session. I’m starting to see some muscle develop and I definitely feel more energetic and in a better mood, so that’s great. I aim for 2 workouts/day on the following schedule: Monday: Gym - Strength, Barre Class Tuesday: Swim, Yoga Wednesday: Gym - Strength, Zumba class, stretch yoga Thursday: Swim, Ballet Friday: Gym - Strength, Yoga Saturday: Swim Sunday: Yoga I’m taking it slow, most of my exercise is low impact. I was in a car accident last year and still recovering from my injuries. I am lucky enough that insurance is covering for my 3 gym sessions a week to be with a personal trainer and covering my gym membership to take all these classes.  Eventually, I want to get into running (I’ve always been terrible at it but everyone that really sticks with it eventually loves it), and also more intense cardio like jump rope, and core classes.  

Hello there! My selfie from work :) I guess my favorite part is my lips although my lipstick is not on the spot in this one :p I studied industrial chemistry in Scotland, but I am working in tourism for the past almost 10 years. I lived in a farm at some point of my life, I love animals and I have adopted two cats at home. For my body type, I am a huge belly and it is the last part of my body I am losing weight from... it feels way too slow but I know I will make it at the end ! Day two of no junk food Will follow with some exercises in the following days !

I’m due to have my surgery on 5th Feb. Excited about the future but nervous. Surgeon changed Thursday so get to meet him on 4th...not great but I’m ready to get this done. Been on liquid diet for 12 days and already lost 10 lbs so onwards and upwards. Good to know there’s others out there going through this at the same time.

Hi SunnyCorner & Allybee, Also, I’m not sure you will see this post but I just came across yours and had to reply. I also had a gastric-band/lap band fitted about a year and a half ago and I’ve lost about 1 stone (14lbs) in total. It has not been an easy journey. I believe in my situation I perhaps did not have a lot of weight to lose but have been trying over the past 10 years since having my children to lose 4 stone and could not seem to get past 7lbs each try. I am not very tall, 5ft 4” and was once a quite petite frame but over the years I had steadily started to gain weight bringing my weight st my heaviest to 14stone 6lbs. I decided to have a gastric band after trying several diets. I and those around me said I don’t eat a huge amount but my problem is lack of exercise and my love of carbs....potatoes, bread etc I went to see the surgeon to have the band fitted for advice and he said I was on the borderline of what they would accept to undergo the surgery (but of course as I was paying for it privately they are hardly likely to say no.....) And yes, he insisted the surgery was only a tool! After the surgery, I also took a while to completely recover and followed all dietary advice to a tee....soups, protein shakes (I found got stuck as they are quite thick)....watery soups and yogurt for the agreed time. It took for me about 6 visits to get my last band adjustment where the nurse filled my band to 6.5 mls to notice a difference. I’m not sure how they go about it in America but at my clinic in London they ask you to wait for half an hour after and have a drink (from the complimentary coffee/tea machine to make sure you can tolerate liquids before sending you home. In one occasion whereby my band was given a ml and a half, I could drink a coffee and swallow after the adjustment but when I tried something more substantial later that day nearly choked on my own saliva....I had to sleep upright that night because I could hardly swallow my own saliva I had to go back 2 days later to have the fluid removed.....I have not enjoyed the experience at all, it’s been more difficult than I anticipated at each stage and believe me, I knew it was going to be hard work but after paying £5000 I was determined for it to work. Now after a year and a half, I’ve just given up, my after care package is ongoing until July but I’ve just given up, i don’t look forward to eating anything anymore and enjoy my coffees more frequently. Eating meals has turned into an uncomfortable chore. I don’t/can’t eat breakfast, sometimes lunch gets missed too and I substitute with a latte to feel full. Food just gets stuck and I spend half an hour to an hour over the sink releasing all the saliva that has built up and I just can’t swallow, our evening meal with the kids is usually me stythere at the dinner table after they’ve all left because it gets stuck and I have to wait even thouyive chewed it for several minutes.....I’ve given up eating bread, any kind, al dente pasta because it’s too painful, most meats, things like shepherds pie and spaghetti bolognese are ok, salad leaves get stuck, it’s very difficult! So yes, I wish I hadn’t had it done. I know it works for a great many people, I must be the 1 in 10 it didn’t work for, so now I spent £5000 and can’t enjoy a meal anymore!

I’m going to be self pay in FL. I found 3 surgeons in FL that were more “affordable”. Dr Radecke, Dr Shillingford and Dr Wizman. These are all around 10-11,000 for sleeves. 2 of those Dr do you surgery at bariatric centers of excellence. Other Florida Drs quoted me around 15,000-17,000 for sleeve. I will be cash pay up front. I am very concerned about self-pay complications though. I have United Health for insurance but Dr office told me my plan doesn’t cover bariatric AND I’m low BMI. I also have disc degeneration issues and following weight loss I also want to get a breast reduction. I have numerous herniated disc’s and a broken vertebrae. I think you are just going to have to google and call around like I did to find surgeons in your area. It was time-consuming but I wanted to make sure I knew all of my options.

I was sleeved 1/15/19. Lost 20lbs pre-op and as of this week lost 20lbs as noted during 1st post appt this week Wed. I jst started purees and i am losing motivation to execise which I am not proud of. Even though this week was a polar vortex of -40 degree wind chill, I still could hv exercised in my home, but I did not.[emoji20] I had been having some pain in my right calf muscle and had an ultrasound, which thankfully was not a blood clot, but some sort of mass that could not be identified. I am scheduled to have another ultrasound (musclerskeletal) of the soft tissue next week and I am afraid that if i go to the gym, it wld make whatever is going on worse. The thing is, I was only using the stationery bike and walking on the treadmill and now i feel that i cant do that until I find out whats going on, but I also dont want to wait. I need help..please. Any ideas??

Newbie here! My surgery date is 2/19. I'm a bit nervous, but excited to be on this weight loss journey to better health. #michigan Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T337A using BariatricPal mobile app

Yes... I’ve had it since I was 10 or so. It’s one of those things that I don’t tell people about because it’s too hard to explain and makes me sound either crazy or like a total bitch or both. It’s hard. It effects relationships. It makes it hard to be out in public. A specialist about 10 years ago recommended and fitted me for this thing that looks like a hearing aid but is actually a small white noise maker. It helped but eventually broke and was too costly to replace. So now my life is surrounded by fans ... as in white noise fans, not adoring fans. In a pinch (like in public near a gum chewer that I can’t escape) I slip in ear plugs. It’s horrible to live with and I pray for relief . So far there has been no miracle healing, but I find ways to cope. Triggers can lead to a serious fight or flight respond - anxiety and repulsion that are unbearable until you can get away from the source. You learn to get creative in avoiding triggers or at least masking them as much as possible. Yes it’s neurological in nature, but there are some audiologists that help people that suffer with this. Good luck and I’m sorry to hear so many people have this.

Stalled right now. Still want to lose 3-10 pounds!

Surgery: July 10, 2018  Still losing February 1st starting weight: 183 lbs Goal: lose 10 lbs this month

Finally received my date 3/19/19 time is getting close

I had my final pre op appointment on Wednesday. Surgery is just 4 days away! The night before surgery I have to drink 30oz of either apple or grape juice or regular Gatorade. I have to do another 15 oz over 10 minutes 2-3 hours before surgery. This is to help the body regulate blood sugar better and not have highs and lows while the body is dealing with the surgical trauma. I also got a bottle of chlorhexadine to bathe with the night before and morning of surgery. Cuz you know, infection is no bueno! I already have my vitamins in my big ole dispenser. I have my liquids for after surgery. I think I’m ready.

I just wanted to let anyone out there know if you are even thinking about counseling or therapy DO IT!!! If you have done it and it didnt feel comfortable it's okay try a different counselor or therapist. Don't give up. Its can be like finding the right pair of jeans. You have to find the right brand and size. The counselor/therapist just needs to have the right insight and personality for you. I will happily share my story. I couldn't see my weight loss and I've lost over 10 pant sizes!!! In counseling I have learned I look in the mirror and don't see my physical self. I see my mental self. Now I'm working on my difficulties and learned to look at my physical self. I see my weight loss!!! I feel more positive about everything!!! I have learned a lot about myself and how to cope. I am becoming a more happy, optimistic person. My weight will no longer be my escape route or defense mechanism!!! Again please go to counceling even if you have the slightest feeling or doubt in yourself in this WLS journey. We weren't born with a BMI of 30+. There are reasons and sometimes talking it out is EYE OPENING!!! Remember: You mental health is just as important as you physical health. Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

Me: 2008 ish vs 2019

Let’s do a 10 year before and after challenge. I got the idea from instagram. Let’s see how awesome everyone looks!

Hi, I have been looking for the January 2019 group, finally found it. I had my surgery on 1/27/2019. My Highest weight was 253, I think my surgery weight was 248 a week after surgery I was 235. Now, a week later I am still 235 and the scale is not moving. I feeling frustrated about that. How can I be consuming so little and the scale does not move? I've heard about stall's but I was hoping they wouldn't happen to me...j/k

HW: 234 Surgery date: 12/10/18 - 224 Feb. 1st - 190.2 Challenge: Plank and Jumprope and no junk food. Only fear is valentines which I love the HUGE chocolate covered strawberries. I would like to lose about 10 pounds this month. My selfie:

I am 10 weeks out of RNY surgery, I am down 44 pounds. I am taking in about 60 grams of protien a day, and 64oz of water. How many calories is every on at this point? I have been calculating mine and I am always between 500-600 calories. Is this too little? Too much?

Look for 2019 March sleepers there are 3 others right now when I pulled them up. okay?

📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣 🖤🖤WELCOME EVERYONE TO THE FEBRUARY 2019 CHALLENGE🖤🖤 📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣

I've been away from these forums for a few weeks as we're packing and getting ready to move in 3 weeks. Anyway...my surgery is scheduled for Wednesday March 27, 2019. Is there a March group up and running?? Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app