When Can You Resume Phentermine After Surgery?

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new medication or supplement regimen.

After surgery, it’s recommended to avoid phentermine and other appetite suppressants for a period of time to prioritize healing and avoid side effects like increased heart rate and blood pressure. For example, after bariatric surgery, it’s advised to wait until weight stabilizes, while for less invasive surgeries like cosmetic procedures, a 6-8 week wait may suffice.

Losing weight can be a challenging journey, especially after undergoing surgery. While you may be eager to accelerate your weight loss, it’s crucial to be patient and allow your body to properly heal before restarting medications like phentermine.

Why Phentermine Use is Restricted After Surgery

After surgery, it’s recommended to avoid phentermine and other appetite suppressants for a period of time. There are a few key reasons behind this recommendation:

• Risk of side effects: Common side effects of phentermine include increased heart rate and blood pressure. This can be risky during recovery when the body is already under stress.
• Healing takes priority: In the initial recovery period after surgery, the focus should be on healing and avoiding anything that could impair proper wound healing and recovery. Appetite suppressants could potentially interfere with this process.
• Nutrition is crucial: Proper nutrition supports healing after surgery. Appetite suppression could inhibit the ability to meet nutritional needs while recovering.
• Interactions: Phentermine can interact with anesthesia medications used during surgery as well as pain medications prescribed for recovery. It’s best to allow these medications to fully clear your system before taking phentermine again.

When Can You Resume Phentermine After Specific Surgeries?

The timeline for restarting phentermine depends largely on the type of surgery performed. Here are general recommendations for some common surgeries:

After Bariatric Surgery

Patients should wait until weight stabilizes after surgery before starting weight loss medication, to allow the body to adjust and maximize safety and effectiveness.

For procedures like gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and gastric banding, most experts recommend avoiding phentermine for at least 6 weeks post-surgery. Some even advise waiting 3-6 months before restarting the medication ( 1 ).

This waiting time also enables you to establish new dietary habits critical for bariatric surgery success.

After Cosmetic Surgery

For less invasive procedures like breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, or rhinoplasty, you may be able to resume phentermine 6-8 weeks after surgery, provided healing is on track ( 2 ).

However, it’s best to get clearance from your plastic surgeon first, as they can best assess your individual recovery process. They may recommend a longer break from phentermine, depending on the extent of your procedure.

After Orthopedic Surgery

With bone and joint surgeries like hip or knee replacement, fracture repair, or spinal fusion, you’ll want to refrain from phentermine for at least 1 month post-op.

For major joint reconstruction, recovery can take 3 months or longer. It’s best to allow complete healing of bone and soft tissues before adding in appetite suppressants.

Signs You Can Restart Phentermine

While the above timelines provide a general guide, the best indication that you’re ready to resume phentermine is how your recovery is progressing.

Here are some signs your body has healed enough to handle appetite suppressants again:

• Incisions are fully closed and free of infection
• You are off prescription pain medications
• You are ambulating and performing activities of daily living
• The swelling has substantially subsided
• You are tolerating a post-surgery diet without difficulties
• You have seen your surgeon for follow-up, and they approve restarting the medication

Essentially, you want your acute surgical recovery to be complete before adding stimulants like phentermine back into the mix.

Seeking Approval From Your Doctors

Before taking phentermine after any surgery, it’s imperative to discuss it with both your surgeon and primary care provider. They can review your medical history and recovery progress to determine your appropriate timeline.

Don’t resume phentermine without the green light from your surgical team and other managing doctors. Taking this stimulant too soon could impair healing or interact with other medications.

Other Considerations with Phentermine After Surgery

As you prepare to restart phentermine use, keep these additional tips in mind:

• Start back at the lowest effective dose, then gradually increase as tolerated.
• Monitor for potential interactions with any new medications prescribed after surgery.
• Stay well hydrated, eat nutritious meals, and avoid extreme exercise – phentermine can amplify these stresses on the body.
• If you experience worrisome cardiac side effects like a racing heart, palpitations, or chest pain, notify your doctor immediately.

How About Phentermine Before Surgery?

When using phentermine before plastic or reconstructive surgery, it’s important to stop the medication at least 4 days prior due to its potential to cause complications like refractory hypotension during anesthesia ( 3 ).

Patients must inform their healthcare providers about their phentermine use, allowing anesthesiologists to prepare for and manage any related risks. Monitoring of blood pressure and body temperature is essential during surgery, and direct-acting vasopressors may be needed to manage phentermine-induced hypotension effectively.

A Safer, Healthier Approach

While phentermine can boost short-term weight loss, its use long-term remains controversial due to side effects and potential for abuse. For a safer approach, consider switching to PhenQ – an all-natural dietary supplement designed to curb hunger.

With no harsh stimulants or drugs, PhenQ offers appetite control without the crashes, jitters, sleep disruption, or cardiovascular risks of phentermine.

After surgery and beyond, PhenQ can help you continue losing excess weight sustainably and holistically. Just remember to get your doctor’s clearance before beginning any new supplement routine post-operatively.