Question:
WLS and 'Appetite Supressants'- Any post ops use them?

Are there any post ops out there who have taken any of the following appetite suppressants? I have a couple of friends (and sad to say they may be members of this website) who have informed me that they are losing "boatloads of weight" since their WLS due to Bontril, Adipex, Fastin, and some others. I checked the following and according to the ASBP (American Society of Bariatric Physicians) and ASBS (American Society of Bariatric Surgeons) there is the POSSIBILITY that some docs will use a combination of surgery AND, as what's listed "pharmacotherapy" as treatment. I mentioned I had been on these long BEFORE I even thought about WLS. Why have the WLS?? Seems redundant to me...    — yourdivaness (posted on March 19, 2003)

March 19, 2003
I would like to respond to your post, even though I'm not a post op. I have experience with about 3 years of using the generic brand of Adipex (Phentermene). This portion of Phen-Fen is still prescribed. Although this drug helped me lose 70 pounds, side effects after I stopped taking it are awful. I have a lot harder time focusing now, and my memory isn't as good anymore. I really started noticing it during the second year, so I stopped taking it. It's been a year since I stopped taking it, but my memory/focus hasn't come back yet. (I'm only 27, so hopefully old age isn't creeping in yet). Of course like all other diet medication, I lost weight, but gained as soon as I went off the med. From personal experience, I don't recommend this drug to my family or friends. The permanent side effects don't balance with temporary weightloss. JMHO!
   — Kimberly S.

March 19, 2003
I work for docs who see patients with pulmonary hypertension due to "diet drugs." It does not just have to be the combination of Phen-Fen, it could be caused by any of the numerous diet drugs now on the market. Seeing the pain and suffering these patient's suffer, as well as the medications that they have to be on, I would never touch another diet drug. I have also taken diet drugs in the past to lose weight, only to gain it all back and more once I stopped them. I agree, why have WLS just to have to take diet drugs too.
   — WY T.