I had the surgery a few years ago, with several complications. I finally have resolved the problems, by being unfilled for a number of months so my gastritis could heal and I would stop regurgitating everything I ate. I was really miserable, and couldn't believe I spent 2 years vomiting at least 2x a day!

The relief of not vomiting soon subsided, when I realized I gained about 40 points in these last few months. I went in for my first fill this week- with trepidation. I honestly wasn't sure if I was filled, if I would be able to do it. My eating has been "normal" meaning I can eat a whole plate at a restaurant or eat 3-4 regular meals a day. My doctor gave me Phentermine so that I can re-adjust. I had a lot of problems with "working around the band" even when I was filled. I was holding steady, but not losing when it was tight.

Has anyone else done the Rx along with the band? My doctor said they do it all the time. I honestly didn't even know people were given pills anymore! I was pretty shocked.

Needless to say, this is honestly the first time I have been filled since maybe my first two fills when I was actually able to stick to liquids for all three days. Before I would feel so hungry and end up eating soft foods (often bad ones like mashed potatoes) in order to feel satisfied.

I'm excited that tomorrow I can start solid foods again, and see how my band feels and my appetite is.

Any tips or suggestions? So far I feel really good, have good energy (but no insomnia) and have had almost NO desire to eat. I even made Halloween cupcakes and didn't even sample the frosting, and stayed away from all the chocolate at work this week.

Oh, and sadly, the ticker at the bottom is SO off! I only wish I was still 193! I weighed in at 243 at the doctor's office this week- so I have gained back almost all my weight.

A doctor around here gives phentermine and topamax combo. It seems to work. I keep going on those pills. I just started up on that combo again. The doctor at that clinic said it was fine that they have a few patients who had the band also. Im still craving food like crazy so that combo helps me not want to eat. I lost a lot with the pills but as soon as I stopped I gain again. I havent tried phentermine alone though.

I personally wouldn't do it. The thing with diet pills is, you will lose, however the minute you stop taking them you'll gain all the weight back and then some. It creates quite a havoc with your metabolism. Plus, if you take them long enough, your body becomes immune to the speed effect (yes, Phentermine is essentially legal speed) and either you need more (which is very dangerous) or have to simply stop taking it.

As far as Topomax, that drug is for seizures and/or headaches. It has some potentially VERY serious side effects, too. I would question the integrity of any doctor using it off label for weight loss.

To each their own and we all have to do what's best for us, however I've taken both drugs before and I personally wouldn't ever again. Just my opinion/experience.

I have used phentermine on several occasions and lost a significant amount of weight but my body became immune to it and I gained back everything once I stopped taking it, best of luck to you!

The combo I am taking is FDA approved - Qnexa. Quite a few doctors give out the combo. Its been around a little while. All meds you get will have a list of side effects but does not mean you will get any of them.

My opinion.I don't have any issues with using phentermine or the other qenexa.Only and only if the patient has had complete physical and has had no heart issues.Ive tried that phentermine once for thirty days.Man does that stuff put you on a fast trip if you're not careful on dosing yourself.Sped up my heart and I couldn't sleep for two days.Scared me into delirium...lol.A drug addict would've been proud to be that happy happy

Instead of drugs.... Why not do as you did before you got in The green zone the first time... Count calories and weigh your food. You know you will lose weight.

I was given phenterimine for over a year by my dr. Now I have found out after numerous medical issues it should have only been prescribed for no longer than 3 months.

I took it 4 years ago ( for weight loss of course). It was great, I had a lot of energy, I could clean my entire house in about 3 hours (I have a 2200 sqft home) do high cardio aerobics for hours and I lost lots and lots of weight. It was wonderful! Then about 9 months into it I started having ringing in my ears. Which has now turned in to neuropathy on my left side if my face. ( it is completely numb) my eye sight got really bad while I was on the drug but slowly got a bit better , not completely. I have chronic dry eyes because of all this and to this day have severe headaches. Yes I lost almost 90lbs with the drug. And I felt great!

If i knew then what i know now, I wish I had never taken it because if the medical issues

My new dr says these medical issues will be long term and were directly caused by phenterimine !

By the way.......I gained back 102lbs taking me above where I started!

Yes qnexa is great just expensive i thought my insur would cover it guess wrong

The havoc it wrecks on your metabolism isn't worth it for me. Plus, I want to lose weight and NOT be crazy mean to everyone. Ha!

I had great results with it but as soon as I stopped BAM. there it all was again.

The band LIFESTYLE is teaching me how to act and eat like a skinny person. I have to embrace the lifestyle not just have the band for success.

Yes qnexa is great just expensive i thought my insur would cover it guess wrong

Most insurances will not cover diet pills. I have worked in a pharmacy. I haven't tried Qnexa and since it is new there wont be a generic for a few years. I have only taken the phentermine in the morning and Topamax at night. I am able to get both prescriptions for little under $40.

By the way, for those who are interested. A lot of these meds that get rejected by insurance companies actually need a prior authorization, its just one additional call from your doctor's office. In many cases you can get an exception for that drug.

One of the reasons insurance companies won't cover a drug or treatment is because it doesn't work. Phentermine isn't covered by most companies and YES you usually gain back all the weight you lost and then some. The band IS covered by most companies so that should tell you something. You do what you think is right but it is not something I would do and yes I have taken phentermine before. If your band is on correctly it sits on the too part of the stomach where the saiety receptors are, giving you appetite control. That's the first thing I noticed when I got my band. Commit to the band, read all you can about it and forget the phentermine. Good luck to you !

I lost TONS of weight n I mean tons on phentermine. Like 70 lbs in 4mths easily.. Just the pill cuz it makes you not eat. I am not banded yet. Phentermine is the reason I'm getting banded because I got a taste of skinny with that prescription about 6 different times n guess what gained every bit back, every single time plus some. THE DAY the pill is out of my system I'm starved n you know how the story goes from there. Totally a miracle drug for say needing to fit into a wedding dress or something for really short term use to drop weight quick, but its not gonna change your life n keep it that way I promise you.. exactly why I turned to the lap Band option for a lifetime change, not just a solution to be temporarily skinny

Wow

I was thinking of doing the Phen as well, but the truth is if your band is adjusted properly(when you're actually losing weight) there is no need for it. I lost 40 lbs in about 5 month with 3 consecutive visits to my surgeon and keeping a close eye to the volume of food I was eating. The moment I notice I was able to eat more, I would call and schedule an adjustment. So far, so good. I was stuck for very long time and now back to losing, I'm so happy