Question:
Diet pills one year after surgery?!?

I have a friend who has been a real blessing to me. He has encouraged me to get where I am today (I have a date for surgery). My friend is now one year post-op. He told me that he has gotten some prescription diet pills from his PCP. I was shocked. I thought I was going to be done with all the diet pills, etc. Is this normal? He said he still has an appetite -- okay, that's normal. But will I need diet pills one year post-op?    — Tammy B. (posted on October 31, 2001)

October 31, 2001
In my opinion you should absolutely NOT need diet pills one year post-op. You said he got them from his PCP. Am I correct in assuming he had gastric bypass one year ago? Why did his PCP give him diet pills? Is he still seeing his surgeon? What does his surgeon think about these pills? Why is he taking them? I suggest you ask all these questions. Good luck in your search.
   — [Anonymous]

October 31, 2001
Did his PCP know he had the bypass operation? ...just maybe your friend did not tell the doctor, but wants the pills as crutch "just in case." Or, perhaps your friend just likes the energy the diet pills give him? NO, I do not think you will need to take diet pills after bypass surgery. Something is not right ...taking diet pills after having bypass surgery is not a normal thing to do.
   — [Anonymous]

October 31, 2001
I've never heard of such a thing so early in the game. I wonder if your friend's pcp knows about the surgery. I'm nearly four years post-op and this subject came up once at one of our group meetings. We had a renowned wls surgeon as a guest speaker and he did say that for those patients who had done well; but, were finding it difficult to lose that last 20 or 30 pounds, he would prescribe medication for a limited period of time to help control appetite/cravings. He said that it works for select group of people. But, I think he was talking about people like myself...who several years after our wls, can't seem to lose the last few pounds to get to our personal goals. We just need a little extra push. I've thought of asking for some medication; but I'm going to try to make more efficient use of my pouch before I do so. But at 1 year....I can't see any doc prescribing diet pills for a wls patient.
   — [Anonymous]