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Qnexa is a combination of two existing drugs, phentermine and topiramate. In July, an advisory committee to the FDA voted against approval of the product, so Thursday’s denial was not a surprise. However, in an investors’ conference call Friday, officials for Vivus said they are “encouraged” they can satisfy the agency’s concerns.

The FDA has asked the company to provide additional data about whether the medication can cause birth defects and to quantify what the risk of birth defects might be. The agency has also requested data on whether the slight increase in heart rate that is linked to the drug  increases the risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke.

The desire to find the magic weight loss pill is a huge demand. Pharmaceutical companies rush to market the latest and greatest. Dr. O’Toole advises patients that even with proper diet and a stable weight. It is possible to have fat deposits in areas that are virtually impossible to get rid of. This is a perfect scenario for liposuction. Liposuction is the number one performed plastic surgery procedure in the United States. Dr. O’Toole is fortunate to have different options to offer patients who are considering liposuction. Dr. O’Toole takes into consideration the look the patient desires, their health, and lifestyle, and then makes a recommendation that suits the patient best.