AJW2

I could be wrong, but it sounds like the doctor does not want to leave Jason on the drug permanently. It sounds like he's just using the drug as a tool to help him lose 100 pounds before his surgery, and then the surgery will be the next tool to help him in his weight loss journey. I took Phentermine for 30 years - yes, that long, since the 70s, and I was dependant on it. When you go off of it, you will gain back what you lost if you haven't permanently changed your eating habits. It's highly effective for short-term use, but only short-term, because after that you have to take it just to get out of bed in the morning - you know, like uppers, that's the effect of the drug, to suppress the appetite and promote a feeling of well-being. I take it once in a great while when I know I have to be up and busy for the whole day without a break. But I'll never become dependant on it again.:thumbdown:

Hi Jason, That's wonderful, but like I said it changes the metabolism so it WORKS great. The problem is when you go to get off of it, so when that time comes for you be sure to WEAN off of it, do not quit cold turkey or it won't be pleasant. You'll feel sluggish and after about 3 days off (if doing cold turkey) your appetite will come back with a vengeance. So start taking the dosage down leading up to the day you're supposed to be off and that way you won't go through any withdrawal symptoms.

Yes, at first you feel great! Like it's a miracle drug, then your body gets used to it and things change. Make the most of it while you can.

You will have to repeat blood work no earlier than 7 days pre-op. That's SOP.

I don't think it makes any difference. I was on Phentermine for YEARS and was addicted to it. It happens if you stay on it for a long time. I had to get off the drug because I couldn't get it anymore. Anyway, if your doc only put you on it for 30 days, I'm sure you're fine. The drug changes your metabolism over time. Don't be surprised when you quit it if you don't feel a little dragged out for a few days, that's what happens. Doubt that this will delay anything surgery-wise.:ihih:

/ Thanks guys, I knew you could 'splain it to me.:scared2:

I've just had the consult and am gearing up for pre-op tests (scared but dealing with the fear as it comes up). I've been reading all the posts, but wanted to ask about the reference to SWELLING after getting a fill? Why is there swelling; what causes it? How painful is the needle poke for the fill and how (besides fluoroscopic exam) does the doc know where the port is? Can YOU feel it? Thanks for your explanations.:scared2:

I'm petrified about having an upper GI endoscopic exam. Is this purely an insurance company requirement? Does anyone know if you self-pay if you can forgo this exam? I don't want to do it; in fact, it's a deal-killer as far as I can see. For those of you who had it, would you describe the experience. They "say" you'll be asleep, but my husband had a colonoscopy that they told him the same thing; he not only wasn't asleep, he watched the procedure on the monitor until it started to HURT and told them. Their response was yeah, it can hurt in the tight turns! That's kept me from having a colonoscopy, period. The upper GI scenario sounds like it'd have the same outcome. Yeah, you'll be asleep (wink, wink) until they've got you in there and it's too late to escape. I'm really freaked out this. I've had a nuclear stress test and Echo cardiogram and that was no biggie, but wouldn't want to repeat it. Can anyone comment on using ins. vs. self-pay, test-wise? Thanks very much. I'm seeing doctor today for 1st consult. Nervous.:smile2:

I had the consult with the surgeon yesterday, 5/13/09. We discussed the upper GI endoscopy - not the barium swallow - and I told him my concerns. I also told him that I don't trust doctors to tell you the truth; that elephant was staring at me so I had to bring it up. He said because of my age (60 but I swear to God, look 45), he would insist on the scoping procedure. He also started talking colonoscopy, but I guess I had that "bolt" look in my eyes cause he said he would not insist on that as a prerequisite for surgery. I had full cardio workup last August, so he won't ask for another one of those UNLESS I don't get the surgery before August. He did say that doctors will/do talk down to their patients and tell them "oh, this is nothing, this won't hurt, etc." so he understands where I'm coming from. He said if you want to be out-out as in general anesthesia, they can do that too. I feel better about things now and I do want to pursue the surgery. The thing is my husband and I are at the tail end of a whole house renovation which is almost done, then we'll move in and then we have to sell a house, so putting surgery in the middle of these two major things didn't sound like a great idea, but hey, what-the-hell-ever.

That's a good one, the 2 for 1 special at the gastro's office. Too funny, well it'd be funny if somebody else would be getting it. Yeah, those guys love to scope away. You're a more brave woman than I. IDK what happened to my husband b/c he had IV and medication for colonoscopy but had no affect. He even asked them, "Aren't you going to put me to sleep?" and the answer was "No." I said WHY did they start an IV then?? I like the part where he covered your eyes. Probably best to do that so you don't even see it coming.

/ Thank you Cathy and Suse! You've helped me relax about this.:smile2:

OK, I feel better now hearing that they really do put you out. As I say I go for the consult today so I'll find out for sure. However, when one of the surgeon's assistants called me she said this was a required test. They don't know my medical history, nor did she ask, so there was no mention of GERD, heartburn, etc. All the tests are done at the hospital which is Cedars-Sinai in West Los Angeles, which is a rather over-whelming place all on its own. Thanks for telling me your experience that you were put OUT. Maybe someone else will chime in with how their scoping procedure went so I can feel more confident. Is a 6-month medically supervised diet mandatory as well? No one has told me this. Just wondering what all hoops I'd have to jump through.

Deal-killer because the whole thing freaks me out. Not the pain, I don't think there'd be any real pain, there'd be real FEAR about having a camera put down your throat. I get freaked out having blood tests; needles are not my thing. IVs, that's another fear situation. They can't put an IV in my arm, it has to go in my hand and that hurts. I insist on Lidocaine before IV insertion and then it's pain free. IF they can assure me that I'd be OUT BEFORE tube/camera insertion, then OK, fear would be alleviated. But I don't trust doctors/technicians to do what they say. As I said my husband had an IV started for his colonoscopy and whatever they gave him (or didn't give him) had no affect on him. He was wide-awake and watching until it hurt. That's what I mean about they tell you one thing and do something else, but you don't know that's going to happen until you're on the table and they're ready to start, kwim?:smile2: