Question:
Has anyone had recent success with Meridia as a post op? I am looking at the

posibility of using this medication to assist me in losing weight. I have not lost weight in about five months despite exercise and eating correctly. I have researched the risks but would like to know if other long-term post ops have had success with Meridia. My PCP wants to be as helpful to me as possible but not change my very healthy status.    — Ann B. (posted on February 12, 2005)

February 12, 2005
Ann, it would be helpful if you updated your profile so we could see what your bmi is right now so we can see how far you have come in your journey and to see how far you need to go to the end of it. With that being said, how much more weight do you want/need to loose? Think of this - you may not have any more weight too loose in as far as having fat still on your body. You might just have excess skin on you. That is what happened to me. I had another 20# that I wanted to loose and the plastic surgeon said that the rest of my weight is in skin not fat. The other question that I want to ask is why do you want to rely on a drug when you already own the best tool that you can have, your pouch?
   — ChristineB

February 12, 2005
Christine, My profile is updated and I keep it current. My BMI was 71.1 when I started so the number you see know is not a mistake. I can see why you might have thought it was a pre-op number since it is so high. I am just still fat.
   — Ann B.

February 13, 2005
I don't think anyone has had long term success with Meridia. Since you are still MO you may want to talk to your doctor about a revision. For example..if you are a proximal you may want to consider going to disal. Just a thought.. Also, you might try shaking up your diet by doing nothing but protein shakes and your vitamins for a few days. That sometimes helps get the weight loss going again. Good luck!
   — SJP

February 13, 2005
Hi, I am pre-op, but felt i could help you out with your question. my doctor put me on meridia 2 years ago as part of the 6 month program. It worked well for me, between thanksgiving and christmas i lost 17lbs. that was the first month, the 2nd month i lost 14lbs and the 3rd month i lost 12lbs. butthe doctor didn't want me to use it long term so then took me off of it. i did ok for a few months after that, i lost 12 more lbs. but after that i started gaining again. that's why i want the surgery and my doc agreed that i could keep losing as long as i'm taking the pills but it's after that's a problem. so, now i'm on phentermine until surgery to keep me at the goal weight for before surgery. i don't lose as much with the phentermine(2-6lbs per month) but it keeps me on track. i liked the meridia better, i felt more satisfied and people were amazed that i could eat so little and leave so much on my plate. i think to get you back on track and losing it would be good short term. but like my doctor said you can't be on these pills for the rest of your life. Good Luck. Michelle
   — Michelle H.

February 13, 2005
Hi Ann. I personally would not recommend a revision as an another poster responded. I have seen many people that have major complications, and or death due to revisions. I'm all for doing what you feel you need to, to lose the weight. Some will bash you for even considering "diet" pills, but we all have different bodies, and different metabolisms. If your doctor thinks you would be ok, and you suffer no major side effects from it, I say go for it!! Good luck to you :)
   — Carey N.

February 13, 2005
I tried merida before i had wls and it didnt do anything for me, but thats not to say it wont help you. just give it a try and see what happens
   — Deanna Wise

February 15, 2005
Ann i just wanted to send you a big hug of encouragement; I too am at a plateau for the last 4 months and it IS so very frustrating. I dont know anything about meridia, other than the bathroom issues people have had when on it....You have been one of my favorite people on this site and have inspired me and your outlook is so wonderful; hang in there, we care about you and you will get thru this plateau without wasting $ on meridia!! Donna
   — missdjv