TamaraS

I am three weeks out and have been doing great except the last few days I have a pain to the right side (about 4 inches) from my belly button. Has anyone else had this issue? Or something similiar? the pain appears when I move, twist, stretch. if I stay really still it will go away or it will be very dull.

How many calories are you eating? Specificly after you start soft foods in the first 3 - 6 months. I am having difficulty finding the right amount of calories to lose weight. btw I am aware of calorie counting and Water + protien intake, those are not issues. I also am not eating carbs - no veggies or fruit but might have minimal carbs coming from non fat sour cream, cottage cheese and other low fat cheeses. I dont get how I am not dropping weight like crazy... So again can you please help me out and give me an idea of where your calories are at, what phase you are in and if you are currently losing weight at that number. Thanks SO much!

My personal biggest issue before surgery with phentermine is that I gained my weight back plus some when I stopped taking it. With the sleeve and the amount of food I consume now, this wont be an issue. I chose the sleeve specifically to decrease my hunger hormones which had been out of control since early childhood. Having a decrease in my hunger was such a huge selling point for me. I was incredibly disappointed when my hunger remained the same, all that changed was the amount I ate. MY QUESTION IS THIS: Anyone who has taken Phentermine after weight loss surgery; What has been your experience? Short RANT ahead of time! Phentermine is the "Chemical Sleeve" so to speak. It takes away your hunger and in addition, ups the metabolism to give you energy. I understand that some people have bad side effects on phentermine, that is the case with any prescription drug. People don't stop taking psych meds because other people have had issues with them, so I am not sure why so many people are against it. I also understand that over 20 years ago there was a deadly combination phen phen but that isn't the case now. People die getting weight loss surgery, does that mean we should condemn it? If phentermine causes issues for you personally stay away from it but why discourage other people from using it as a tool if it works for them? If we honestly look at the situation it is way more drastic to go out and have surgery to lose weight than take a prescribed weight loss pill!! The downside of phentermine is obviously the weight is hard to keep off unless you make life style changes (just like with the sleeve!).

I have had a rough time making the numbers I wanted after surgery. During the all liquids phase I did excellent with my weightloss but it slowed drasticly after I started foods again. I had trouble making it to 64 ounces of water and meeting the protien recomendations. a little overa week ago I was desperate when I gained 4 lbs in my fourth month so I decided to consume 120+ ounces of water and go over my daily recomended protein requirments. I lost 11lbs this week!!! I was really affraid I wouldn't lose any more weight but my hope is renewed =) Just wanted to share and encourage anyone who isn't drinking enough water or getting enough protein!

Any one have success with calorie cycling? Id love to hear your experience with it.

I haven't been on here in way too long. I guess a lot of it has to do with shame and guilt with not changing my eating habits over the last year & 8months and drinking WAY too much alcohol after my surgery. My food demons are still very present unfortunately. Surgery weight was 335 & current weight is 220. surgery date was september 27th 2012. I logged in here to ask two questions: 1. In the last 4 days I have lost 9 pounds. the last two days I have had terrible "runs". I cant remember if rapid weight loss caused this? Anyone know? 2. My surgeon strongly discouraged me against the sleeve because all the patient's he had performed the sleeve on, didn't reach their goals. He said I will lose around One Hundred pounds and there it usually ends. He firmly recommended I get the RNY/Gastric Bypass. I started out thinking I wouldn't be one of his statistics but that wasn't the case... On an interesting side note my surgeon continued to do the vertical sleeve for a little over 6 months after I had surgery but then discontinued it and now only performs duodenal switch and RNY. Recently I started on phentermine to get back on track and start over with this never ending food addiction. In addition I made an appointment with a therapist and scheduled an appointment with a hypnotherapist also. Cant hurt right? Back to my point though. Have the majority of you only lost 80 to 120 pounds and still have OVER 30 pounds till you reach the ideal weight on the weight chart?

I see you have lost a lot of weight with your sleeve. Are you wanting to take the phentermine for more weight loss or just to clamp down on hunger? The only thing I would worry about is becoming mal-nourished with adding the phentermine. (That and the usual side effects like blood pressure.) I am surprised your hunger remained the same. I thought the sleeve is supposed to remove the gherlin production so no way could it remain the same. Don't get upset with my next question - just throwing it out there for consideration in case you haven't thought about it. Have you considered it might be emotional hunger? That you are not really physically hungry but emotionally? I am still 60 pounds from goal and unfortunately haven't lost much after the year mark. I became a grazer so I take the phentermine to keep that in check. When I don't feel like Im starving I am making much better food choices! Ive lost 9 pounds in four days after beginning the phentermine. Not upset at all! I appreciate your response I definitely struggle with stress eating if my stress level gets to high. I've made an appointment with a therapist (and a hypnotherapist) to get this in check. I wondered a lot if the hunger was not "real" but I get weird side effects like edgy-ness, slightly shaky, fatigue weakness if I'm not eating every few hours. I also thought that the sleeve cut at the hunger hormone but it just isn't true for everyone. Hunger must not just be effected by Ghrelin.

I hear ya girl! I have found the phentermine to be incredibly helpful in getting back to making the right food choices and having the energy to exercise. Talk with your Dr. and see if its right for you!

I can go up 10 pounds without much effort but Im thankful when I get back on track it comes off fairly fast. I have a question, when did everyone start gaining weight? It seemed that with me it was right in between the year and year& a half mark.

I can Sympathize. I hadn't lost barely any weight after a year and I go through spurts where it seems like I eat my way through the day :/ I started phentermine 4 days ago and lost 9lbs already. I needed a re-start to get my mind and tummy back on track! Keep the faith

Even after a Year & 8 months out, if I eat too fast or too much I get that same sensation. Just experiment with different foods, speed of eating and definitely make sure to space out your liquids from meals. That's the worst feeling!

Maybe your body is adjusting? I lost 16 pounds the first week and did well for the first few months. After 6 month mark I noticed it slowed and after a year weight loss was non-existent. If your not getting enough fluids your weight wont come off very fast. Good luck!

definitely. Get some fiber asap. Constipation over 3 days becomes super toxic for your body.

When I decided to get the sleeve my surgeon tried to talk me out of it because all his sleeved patients would lose around a 100 pounds. I didn't believe him but it does seem like a pretty large majority of sleevers have this issue. I have 60 more to lose (1 year 8 months out *cringe*) Ill just harder at changing food choices! Good Luck

That's wonderful RJ, Conrats!

Any of ya start out at 300 or more pounds but only lost around 100lbs? I'm incredibly curious if my surgeon 's generalization of Sleevers was correct :/ start weight 335 current 220 need to lose 60lbs surgery date was Septemeber 27th 2012

I sure will!

Good for you!! And I'm so jelous about the not getting hungry, I'm super hungry every few hours!

Great to hear your doing good and the numbers arn't the important part, how we feel is the real reward here! NSV's are the best!!!

How is it going Avasmommy? Did your weightloss pick up again?

Mpositive, did you end up getting the sleeve???

Great Job!!! I hope you have a speedy recovery with your surgery tomorrow!

Great job on the 100 pound loss!! I just hit 80 this morning, super happy with my weightloss this far. Cant wait to get the next 75 pounds off!

I wouldnt either! Life is worth living now This has been the most powerful experience outside of having my son. Congrats on your weightloss!!

How are you doing September sleevers???