phentermine

I took it but was shocked when the doctor ordered an EKG before my last surgery. It can do things to your heart and if your EKG comes out showing issues they will not put you under.  Just be careful, also it made me break out like crazy!

Honestly it will probably help you lose the 30 pounds BUT....... there are definitely cardiac issues possible with taking it for any length of time.  PLUS, if you can modify your eating and lose the 30 pounds that way, you will be getting in GREAT practice for real life after WLS.  Wishing you the very best!

I don't know enough about it to offer guidance, but I can say that I felt lucky that my doctor told me to lose weight, but did not give me a poundage goal.  The promise of WLS helped me make good decisions and take off 10-15 pounds.  The more I lost prior to surgery meant I was that much closer to my goal. 

I hope something helps you get to the point where you are healthy enough for surgery.

I'm just taking it to lose the 30lbs hoping to get approved for gastric bypass when my paper work gets submitted

Phentarmine is a reasonably good short term fix.  It's speed, and it'll suppress your appetite.  Most docs won't keep you on it for more than 90 days at a time.

the bariatric surgeon advised this?  if not you might wanna clear it with the bariatric surgeon 

I was on Phentermine back in 2000 and it worked really well for me..I lost over 50lbs...unfortunately I had to stop taking it & had some health stuff (not related to Phentermine at all) which prevented me from going to the gym 5X a week....I gained every pound back plus 20lbs more....I went back to my Dr last fall & asked for it again because I was successful on it...but due to my anxiety medication that I now take - I can't take phentermine.....which is why I'm having VSG. 

I tried Belviq too and Qsymia (combo of phentermine & topomax) a couple of years before WLS.  I lost a little more with Qsymia but had to stop because of horrible constipation.  

I don't see anything wrong with taking it short term if your doc is ok with it.  It might help patients stick to their pre-op diet, but it definitely doesn't work long term.  I lost a lot of weight on it, and then even on the drug I started gaining weight again after a while.  I probably built up a tolerance to it. 

Having the sleeve has changed my life thinking. It's not an easy-out way to lose weight and required/requires many changes on my part.  I'm really new to all of this, but losing weight a couple of months prior to my surgery helped me prepare for post surgery.  If you can, it may be wiser to just get your thought processes and food choices under better control prior to surgery.  Losing 30 lbs. just to get approved by using a medication for appetite control seems odd.  You can do this.  You do not need any stinkin' meds, just better choices to lay the ground work for the VSG tool.  

Just my thoughts from someone who is VERY new to this journey.  

Jo