Ask Our Doctors – Dr. Griffin & Dr. Furry
Question:
How does your weight loss program work?
Answer:
Our program supports a balance of carbs and proteins. We do not eliminate any one food group. We teach our
patients to eat from their own kitchens, to be able to go out and order a meal in restaurants and prepare a lunch take to work/school. There are no pre-package meals to buy or long term contracts to sign. This is about MAKING LIFESTYLE CHANGESTODAY TO LIVE BETTER TOMORROW!!
We do utilize appetite suppressants for those who qualify; these are FDA APPROVED prescription medications that will expedite your weight loss.
Question:
Does my insurance cover any of the weight loss program’s cost?
Answer:
Insurance is not used in this program. However many Insurance providers will reimburse the patient for our services.
Question:
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
Answer:
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- agitation
- glaucoma
- heart disease
- high blood pressure
- history of substance abuse
- lung disease called Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH)
- thyroid disease
- an unusual or allergic reaction to phentermine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
Question:
What will my first appointment consist of?
Answer:
Just as no 2 people are the same – neither will all appointments be – however – Generally most will go as follows:
-
-
- Weight and Body Fat Analysi.s
- Blood Pressure.
- Lab Work – If you have had lab work completed with in the last 3 months you may bring those results along with you to your appointment. Only any needed labs that are missing will be drawn.
- Evaluation of your Health History and Medication.
- Exam completed by a Physician, Nurse Practioner or Physician Assistant.
- Based on their findings,you may be prescribed an appetite suppressant.
-
Consultation with our Registered Dietitian
- You will receive detailed instructions on diet content reccomendations on exercise. We have everything you need to make the difference!
Phentermine
Before taking phentermine
Do not use phentermine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. Serious, life threatening side effects can occur if you use phentermine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Taking phentermine together with other diet medications such as fenfluramine (Phen-Fen) or dexfenfluramine (Redux) can cause a rare fatal lung disorder called pulmonary hypertension. Do not take tbis medicine with any other diet medications without your doctor’s advice.
You should not take phentermine if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
- coronary artery disease (hardening of the arteries);
- heart disease;
- severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
- overactive thyroid;
- glaucoma;
- if you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse;
- if you are allergic to other diet pills, amphetamines, stimulants, or cold medications.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a phentermine dose adjustment or special tests:
- high blood pressure;
- diabetes; or
- a thyroid disorder.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether phentermine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. Phentermine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while taking phentermine. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 16 years old.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of phentermine can be fatal.
Overdose symptoms may include confusion, hallucinations, panic, feeling hostile or aggressive, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, irregular heartbeat, rapid breathing, overactive reflexes, confusion, seizure (convulsions), feeling light-headed, or fainting.
What should I avoid while taking phentermine?
Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of this medicine. Phentermine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. This medicine is usually taken 30 minutes before or 1 to 2 hours after breakfast. Avoid taking this medicine in the evening as it may interfere with sleep. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.