Appetite Suppressant Post WLS

Hello.  I have a question.  I am 4 years post-op RNY and have had a weight gain and seemingly problems with my appetite and control...I look at the WLSCenter website frequently and in the bi-monthly newsletters there was a time it was stated that it is okay to need an appetite suppressant as time goes on - I would like to try Meridia but am afraid my physician won't go for it.  Who can I go to to get this prescribed for me to get me over this hump and aside from a prescription suppressant are there REALLY any out there that DO and CAN work to suppress the appetite?  I would really like to hear back from a nutritionist on this and see what your feeling is.  Thank you so much for your time.  I really appreciate it.

Hi.. I have not had surgery but have tried Meridia and it didn't heko at all.  I am currently on phentermine and I like it.  I have also heard good things about Rudusyn. 

I thought that Alli that came out is the OTC name of Meridia.

Alli is the OTC form of Xenical. It's a fat blocker. Doesn't work on appitite at all.

I have found that Meridia i****or-miss. Some do well on it, others find it does nothing to help. I try not to use it in my clients. I prefer the drug Xenical (OTC called Alli). However, my clients usually HATE this drug. It's the one that causes diarrhea. It's a fat blocker. I like it because I find it helps clients get back on track with their eating habits. If they slide into old habits (high fat food, junk food, fast food) - this drug give them a consequence to their poor eating choices. I find that my clients get back on track faster with this drug -- mainly because they want me to take them off of it. :) In any event - avoiding your physician is not the answer. If you physician is the prescriber of all your other meds, or is the main doctor you go to --- you need to keep him/her informed of all your medical decisions and questions. Lying or keeping information from your doctor will only hurt you in the long run. Instead, make the appointment with him/her. Discuss your feelings and your need for assistance to help you get back on track. Meridia may not be the answer, but that is for you & your doctor to decide. If he/she doesn't go for it, you can even negotiate with him/her by saying something like, "Let me try it for 30 days -- I'll come back to your office for re-evaluation in 30 days and we can discuss it further -- 30 days will let me know if this will help me or not, and give you a chance to evaluate my body's reaction to it." That way, he or she is not obligated to give you a 1 year prescription & you're just trying it out --- if it works, I think he or she would have a hard time not giving you a re-fill. Make sense?

Sara - thank you for the info and feedback which is appreciated and you are correct in what you have said.  I am still basically searching and haven't decided on any one thing yet but appreciate your taking the time to email me...the idea of how Alli works is interesting as I would not have put it into that "context" ie:  how you use it...to me, it would be "ah, a waste" but when you say how you use it/prescripe Xenical it makes sense...thanks for the info!

I had RNY also about  3.5 years ago and have gained - Starting weight was 295# - lost to 145# in about 18 months and have gained up to 186#. I have lost 11# in the last 2 weeks and have been taking Leptopril. THE ONLY diet pill I have ever taken that works - and works well!!!! I found it on the internet at 50% off of Wal-mart price - but bought it about 4 months ago and can't remember what site it was. Just losing this 11# and getting back to exercising has made me feel GREAT (again)!!! Good Luck on finding the "right" appetite suppressant. The Leptopril actually makes me feel like I did when I would eat too much at the beginning after my WLS - FULL AND YUCKY (enough to NOT TAKE ANOTHER BITE and eating a small amount at a time!)

Hi Cathy - thanks for the info - looked it up at Wallies and saw that it is pretty high with caffeine - did it give you a boost to help you want to exercise as well as truly cut your appetite?  Any side effects you've had from it out of the norm?  I'm taking anti-depressants and anti-anxiety so just curious...thanks for posting...it was something I had not heard of before.

Hi Cathy - one other thought I had for you as I read the reviews on Leptropril - it states to take two tablets with one glass of water before your two main meals every day - being RNY patients, when do you take yours (ie:  before you eat your lunch and dinner)?  I have trouble eating/drinking too much after a main meal (probably should cut down portion size, you think?) so was wondering how you incorporate it into your food/meal plans....thanks again!

Well, I work nights and have a different schedule than most people. I get up at 4pm and drink (sip) on a glass of water and take the 2 pills. I drink my protein drink on the way to work between 5:45 and 6:45. I eat about 8-9pm (protein of course) and then I take 2 more pills about 2-3a.m. and eat a protein bar at 4a.m. I always feel full and do not want to eat much more than this on the 4 nights I work - the other 3 days - well, it varies. I don't know if this helped you or not. I do feel like the Leptropril should NOT be taken close to bedtime - because it seems to give me energy and would keep me awake. I feel like I did when I first had my WLS!! I am so glad!!!!