Question:
Does anybody know what combination is used with Prozc for weight loss?

My family doctor suggested I try this BEFORE WLS. He said it is a great option. He said something about prozac WITH another drug combination. When I explained that I am more concerned with weight regain and that I want to break this 25-year cycle of weight loss, weight gain, he said that this combo is very good and he recommends it before surgery. Are there any long term statistics? HELP :-)    — Cindy S. (posted on February 3, 2003)

February 3, 2003
I am not sure what the answer is to your question, but I don't think this drug combination is going to be anywhere near as successful as weight loss surgery. Especially not long term! IF it were, we would have all tried it before something as drastic as surgery. I suppose it doesn't hurt to try, but I really believe that once you are more than 100 pounds overweight, it is going to be tough to do it without the help of surgery. And can you get addicted to Prozac? I am not sure, just wondering! Good Luck! (open RNY 7/23/02 -113 lbs)
   — Shawnie S.

February 3, 2003
To answer Shawnie's ? below...no, you can't get addicted to Prozac. Prozac is in the SSRI class of anti-depressants, although it was ORIGINALLY used for weight loss (how's that for surprising?!) I haven't heard of a protocol where the docs use Prozac in combination with another drug (these days) for weight loss. I think though, because Prozac's primary use is no longer for weight loss (used primarily as an anti-depressant), that that kind of tells me (my opinion) that it most likely was not that effective as a weight loss drug. In the long run, weight loss surgery has been shown to be the best, long-term effective treatment for morbid obesity. I think you are on the right track in recognizing that you want to break that 25-year cycle of gain/lose/gain even more. I don't really see the harm in trying this protocol BEFORE surgery, although not everyone can tolerate Prozac (I couldn't...it gave me an aggressive attitude, unlike my normal personality). But I certainly wouldn't go on months of this protocol if your doctor is really trying to steer you away from surgery instead. Make sure you find out what his agenda really is. I think your ? "are there any long term statistics?" is something you should direct to your doctor first, so you'll know what you're getting yourself into. My PCP had me do yet another diet...a 10-week Weight Management program...before she'd send my file over to Kaiser's Approval Committee. I lost a BIG SEVEN lbs. during the 10 weeks. Yes, I learned a lot about nutrition, but I considered it just another hoop to jump through. I knew I wouldn't lose any great amount of weight, but basically did it FOR my PCP, so that she'd have just a bit more info to send over that the 10-week program was not greatly successful. Good luck, and hugs from Joy
   — [Deactivated Member]

February 3, 2003
This was well BEFORE the mitral heart valve issue: I used Prozac with ONE (the legal one!) of the Phen-Phen drugs, perhaps this is what he will suggest? It did not work as well as the Phen-Phen combination together (but you cannot get that now!) and I was very successful on the Prozac & Phen-Phen at the same time- but the Doc said it was too much of the same drug- so we dropped a "Phen". Then I did just the Prozac & one Phen, and it was useless. Then all hell broke loose concerning Phen-Phen and I dropped all my Phens.... but stayed on Prozac. I do take liquid Prozac now, due to my RNY surgery... and I have quit it for one reason or another (and resumed for one reason or another) and have never expirienced withdrawal symptoms. I have felt it wear off, and found myself depressed, but I have no withdrawal symptoms. I have been taking it for about 5 + years.
   — Karen R.

February 3, 2003
About 5 years ago, when phen-fen was big, I used phentermine (the one still on the market) with Zoloft, another SSRI. Any SSRI could take the place of fenfluramine (the one off the market), so it would work with prozac, too. I was taken off the combination after 3 months, because my supervising doctor told me that phentermine causes a threat of pulminary problems, and should not be taken for any longer than 3 months at a time. I lost 60 pounds on the combination (in three months, with excercising), but gained it all back within months of stopping. That broke my heart.<br> Beth open rny 1/15/03/ -14 pounds.
   — Beth S.

February 3, 2003
I was on Phen/Fen for a while and lost well over 100 pounds. When Fenfluramine was taken off the market, my DR put me on Prozac and Phentermine. I was not successful with the Prozac/Phentermine combo. Gained all my weight back. =(
   — Debbie M.

February 4, 2003
I was on Phentermine for about 3 years. Worked like a charm at first, because it's just like a legal speed. Then, my body got used to it, and it didn't work as good as it once did. I'd stay on the Prozac and hold off taking diet pills until you know what your body is capable of with the surgery alone.
   — jengrz