I haven't been on this site in years. I have had my band for 7 years and have not had a fill in years. I have been doing really good up until a year and a half ago. Long story short, my boss thought i was ADD (I am not) and made me start taking Adderall. I went from 140 to 128. I am 5'7". I kept taking that drug to keep my job despite the fact that people said I looked really bad. However, I have changed jobs now and no longer take that medication. Yeah! But now I am gaining too much weight back. I am scared. I weighed 152 this morning. My brain is on overload due to lots going on in my life and I need help with my diet. Please can anyone give me advice? I have no health insurance now so I can't afford to go back to see my doctor.....I would love to hear from you!

Well, I know you're going to hate to hear it, but I would recommend scraping together enough to see your Dr, it could very well be that you need a fill since you haven't been in years. Is it possible to find another Dr, or ask your original Dr what self-pay visit pricing would be? Some are very reasonable- mine charges insurance $100 per fill appointment.

On a side note, sounds like your former boss was something else. Congrats on a new job!

Have you tried starting over? I've read stories where people "reset" their band by going through the phases again and some have said it worked for them.

To simplify things for myself I'm doing the special K diet using their Protein plus Cereal. 10g of protein, 14g of Carbs and 100 calories per 3/4 cup of cereal. This is my first day trying it and the cereal is very filling once you add milk. It keeps me full for 3-4 hours.

I agree with NWgirl. I know it's not the answer you're wanting, but you need to get into your doctor. If you haven't had a fill in years I'd be willing to bet you could use one.

I can't believe your former boss, that's horrible!! If nothing else, I'm so glad you have a new job and are no longer with that idiot!

Your right, I don't want to hear that...LOL!! I guess I can try to go back to protein shakes and see how if that works and eat more vegitables.

I started a new medication just over a month ago and edema could be a side effect. I have noticed some swelling in my feet. I am taking Gabapentin 300 mg for RLS. I didn't have any health problems prior to my band except RLS (restless leg syndrome) and unfortunately it didn't go away.

How can anyone force you to take medication?!

I am not really over eating and really don't think I need a fill. I think starting over would be a good start for now. I can't do cereal with milk. It's that whole liquid/solid combination that won't go down.

Plus it is so dang hot here in Texas I really don't get out and exercise much but that will change tonight.

I really appreciate the feedback from everyone! Keep it coming! I promise not to be a stranger around here anymore and will upload some photos tonight.

JJ&E,

sometimes you do what you have to do to keep a job. I was taking 60 mg. a day. I ate every 2-3 days, and slept about an hour a night. My roommate didn't know that he put me on this. She thought I was doing Coke or Speed. I finally told her and my boyfriend what was going on before I lost them both. They were furious! They still think I should sue him. One friend told me I am not the same person I used to be. She said he "broke me". BTW, my former boss is a dermatologist. LOL!!

If you want to try starting over without a fill, you might want to try this:

http://5daypouchtest.com/plan/theplan.html

It's the 5 day pouch test. You start at liquids and over five days go through the food phases until you're back at solids again. Not only can this help shrink your stomach if you've over eaten, but for many it's a good jump start to losing and get their brains back into the bandster mentality.

Btw, I was on Gabapentin for a number of years. I'm curious why you're on that for RLS? It's usually only used to treat seizures or neuropathy. Could you possibly switch to a drug with less side effects? Just a thought.

60mgs of Adderral is INSANE!!! And it's ridiculous that any boss could require you to take meds!!

Regardless... Congrats to you for saying enough is enough and getting back to basics. My son gained weight when he stopped Adderral and he was 10. Your body just needs to figure out it's new normal and doing the 5 day plan may be exactly what your body needs and as mentioned above... what you need to get yourself back on track. Stress and change is no doubt hurting you as well.

BTW... my son was upped to 60mg of Adderall once and he was a fricking psycho and never slept til he fell over in exhaustion!! I fired the psych pretty quickly. There are definitely other meds in the class that MIGHT work and some are not even as restrictive with refills and scripts. When Adderall was no longer working we switched to Vyvanse and it was a good fit b/c it is similar.

MIs,

I work for a neurologist and it works great. I am on the lowest dose of Gabapentin. It keeps my legs calm and it does help me sleep at night. I am gonna do the 5 day pouch test. Thank you so much!

Rhonda,

Yes, I turned psycho too. But I am not ADD. The doctor didn't like my bubbly attitude. I was the office manager and it was ok before I helped him open a new practice. But then he changed his tune and wanted more of a B*@%+. He thought this would help. NOT! LOL! I didn't tell anyone about it until my friends sat me down for an "intervention". I was that bad. Anyway, that is the past. I am moving on. right?

Wow! That is such an abuse of the doctors privileges. Sounds like a serious case of G-D complex.

I am glad you are in a better situation!!

And give yourself a chance... you'll be chasing a toddler around before you know it!!

Oh no...I am too old to have kids. Never had them. I have eight animals that i chase around!!

This does not sound right. I am ADD, and took aderall prior to surgery (worried about it now as it is ER). It is an EXTREMELY difficult drug to get prescribed. You would have to been psychologically evaluated and diagnose which is rare as an adult. Unless your boss was getting it illegally for you. You should report him. And 60mg a day, haha. This doesn't add up.

I think maybe a good therapist would be a better start.

JJ&E,

sometimes you do what you have to do to keep a job. I was taking 60 mg. a day. I ate every 2-3 days, and slept about an hour a night. My roommate didn't know that he put me on this. She thought I was doing Coke or Speed. I finally told her and my boyfriend what was going on before I lost them both. They were furious! They still think I should sue him. One friend told me I am not the same person I used to be. She said he "broke me". BTW, my former boss is a dermatologist. LOL!!

Diet aside, given the nasty and no doubt traumatic experience you've now escaped from, is there something you can do for yourself in terms of meditation, yoga or a holiday to reward yourself? I've often found taking the time to look after myself puts me in a better frame of mind and then the exercise and eating healthy habits tend to come much easier