Phentermine and lap band surgery

[MommyX1 0]

I was hoping for a little advice from some of my peers:)

I have a BMI of 43.4

My doctor has put me on phentermine for the second time last month. the first time I lost 30 lbs which brought me to a BMI of 38. I was very excited but quickly regained the weight (later discovered I had hypothyroidism, which is why we are giving it a second go)

anyway, after much thought and research I've decided that I want to get lapband and I think I could get it financed, but I know it wont be for about 6 more months since I just started a new job, and I am trying to decide which is smarter:

to quit the phentermine trial and not let my BMI get below 40 so the chances of insurance approving me are better that way

or to do the diet and lose some weight in the possiblity that I could lose the weight without the surgery?

I just know that odds are I will regain the weight and I had to do that to myself ya know? But I know also that for approval you need a medically supervised diet for 6 months so in theory this could be my diet?

thoughts? advice? similar experiences?

also btw I have no comorbidities other than high cholesterol, and its only 8 points too high.

Edited June 22, 2010 by mommyX1

[khunt719 2]

I was on Phentermine before I started my 6 months supervised diet. It helped me lose weight whenever I was on it but then when I would stop I would gain all the weight back on. The doctor would only allow me to be on it for so many months and then take me off because it is addictive. Now I take Adderall for OCD which suppresses the appetite and I lost 30 lbs in 3 months taking it but then I had to gain it back to get approved for surgery. I went with the surgery because I didn't want to fight with the doctor to prescribe me the Phentermine and knew I couldn't lose the weight without some help. Gaining the 30 lbs back and having the surgery was so worth it. After I got approved I've lost a total of 45 lbs. I feel surgery was a life saver. I had no other medical conditions (other than being overweight) to get the WLS so having my BMI at 43 was all the help I had. Hope this helps....good luck on your journey.

[2beskinny 4]

I too went many rounds with Phentermine (and Phen-Fen back in the day - boy that stuff was great!). I have not had my surgery yet, so I can only think positive that I am making the right choice, but Phenterimine is a temporary fix. It works great, then the weight comes back with a vengence. I think having the lapband will be like having a permanent appetite suppressant installed - one that will not be as unhealthy as diet pills! I even tried to talk my surgeon into putting me on phentermine during the pre-op stage to get a jumpstart on the weight loss and to take the edge of the liquid diet stage. He plainly said, "you don't need phentermine, you need the band. I don't want to see you have a heart attack because of the medicine when right now you are a healthy candidate for the band." Really made me think :smile2: So I guess I will white knuckle through the liquid stage like everyone else I also think it's about finally learning lifestyle changes, but it will be easier with the band than on your own. Good luck to you!

[LeighaMason 19]

Its ironic that I saw this today. As of this morning I weigh 139. The last time I weighed 139 was 13 years ago after taking phentermine for 6 months. The day I saw 139 I quit taking it and rapidly regained the weight. I have never met anyone, or for that matter even heard of anyone, who lost weight on diet pills and kept it off.

Not only the regain, but my body then at 27 was not anything like it is now even at 40. Right now, after having my band for 8 months or so, its not just that I weigh 139 but I am getting lean, as in very little fat. When I was on the pills I was lighter but still fat. Does that make sense? I just had a smaller pot belly instead of a big one, now its almost gone.

My opinion is there is better medically supervised diets for you. Good luck with what you decide.

[MommyX1 0]

Thanks guys for the replies! Phentermine does seem like a miracle drug while you are taking it and I agree, the best part about it is the energy. It makes me feel like a 'NORMAL' person that I can go to work and then come home and cook dinner and play with my child and wash dishes without falling down on the couch like a sack of potatoes lol. I even exersized and dieted last time with the meds and I still regained but I guess I was hoping maybe I could just blame it on the hypothyroidism. I think I am going to talk to my doctor about the surgery... I'm actually really scared to bring it up, I dont know why.