Question:
Can gastric bypass patients take diet pills such as adapex or phentramine?
2 years post op and need to know if gastic bypass patients are able to take diet pills such as adipex, meridia or phentramine? Are they safe to stomach? or are they like anti-inflamitories and can cause bleeding? — jann91 (posted on January 3, 2010)
January 3, 2010
I'm sorry to ask as we should be supportive more than anything else on this
message board... But why would you take them? I'm going to assume that you
are asking because you have not asked any medical professionals. Unless you
have been directed to do so by a physician, you should not take them. It
sounds as though you need to speak with a physician soon. Sorry thats the
best advice I can give, and it's the same advice I would give if you were
my friend or family member.
— medic3992
January 3, 2010
That is a guestion for your DR. But I was told that we were not to take
them. Why would you need to take them anyways?
— tootsie52
January 3, 2010
At the five year mark, when I had been regaining weight, my surgeon
prescribed BONTRIL (phen/fen without the bad fen). It worked very well for
me.
— Rebecca T.
January 3, 2010
I had a gastric bypass in 2001, and after gaining some wt back in 2007, I
took phentermine to help me get back on track. Good luck!
— lpopejoy
January 3, 2010
My advice is to talk to your surgeon. They are the best ones to talk to and
ask all your questions. 2nd will be the nutritionist. 3rd the nurse in the
WL surgeon's office. They are the best team to seek advice and help from.
Make them your to-go- team. Good luck.
— SPIRIT2002
January 4, 2010
I have to agree with the other posters... ask your doctor. These type meds
require a prescription anyhow so you should definatly seek the help of a
medically trained professional. I would suggest the 5 day pouch test before
trying diet pills to help. I havent tried it personally, but hear alot of
good feedback here about it! Best of luck.
— callen3640
January 4, 2010
I was never able to take diet pills before WLS because of the side effects.
I tried so so-called healthy herbal products that made me hyper.
Why would you want to take diet pills? I'm 18 months out so I'm no expert
on long time success, but I know a couple people that had RNY up to 9 years
ago and they are maintaining their weight loss. They do it by following
the food plan laid out in the beginning.
Since I don't know how much weight you've gained or why, I can only assume
you are taking in more calories than you are spending. Are you eating too
many bad carbs?
Try going back to what you did to lose the weight in the first place.
Follow a high protein/low carb diet and see if you can take off the excess
weight.
OH is a great place to go for inspiration. Bariactriceating.com is also a
good place for support.
— JB1114
January 4, 2010
Asking any questions regarding taking appetite supressants after having a
WLS will most likely give you negative posts because it's assumed that
because you have had WLS you shouldn't or wouldn't want to take them. There
are other reasons besides appetite that some of these stimulants are
perscribed. ADD is one of them. Phentermine didn't help me loose weight
before surgery. Since RNY 7 1/2 years ago I have had a problem with
attention span, memory, fatigue (Adult ADD type symptoms)not due to the
surgery but probally life stress and 3 kids. I started using Adderall 2
years ago and it got me through nursing school. I remain on it for the ADD
but it does not help me budge from bieng 180, but I don't gain either. The
only thing I can recommend is finding a Dr. who understands the
pysiological changes in digestion and metabolism of these meds after WLS.
The dosages need to be considered and Extended Release tablets don't work
right. I take 20mg 3 times a day. It kicks in within 10 minutes but it
wears off in about 4 hours unlike people with normal digestive tracks.
Theses medicines also eat up alot of your vitamins so increasing vitamin
intake is important. Taking them for 6-8 weeks to get back on track would
be a acceptable reason to take them but depending on staying on them to
keep your weight down is not realistic. As far as your pouch - it goes
straight through to your intestines. Finding a doctor that is willing to
perscribe them is hard because there is the belief you shouldn't need them
because you had WLS. People abuse them and sell them setting a negative
attitude about perscribing them. Don't get discouraged by the negative
posts if you think its something you want to try talk to your doctor and
find a different one if they refuse to even consider it. It is patient
circumstance specific.
— Rgreathouse95
January 4, 2010
Bontril is a better choice than the others you named because it doesn't
make you feel terrible and jittery etc, however, I would be very scared to
take any sort of diet meds after having the GB surgery. I tend to baby my
pouch and afraid that one of those could cause some serious damage, not to
mention the other side effects they have even for someone who hasn't had
surgery. Maybe try the 5 day pouch test to get back on track? Otherwise,
speak to the surgeon and get suggestions or advice.
— eyeflirt4fun
January 5, 2010
Thank you to the people that gave me a supportive, positive answer. I
appreciate the feedback!
— jann91
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