Update

A lot has happened in my life since I first started this thread, but briefly this is how my weight-loss 'quest' progressed:

1. I abandoned the notion of using an appettite suppressant.
2. I just stuck to the convential wisdom of:
A. Portion control(eating less).
B.Exercise(30 to 60 minutes/day)
3. Regarding the quality of eating(you are what you eat), I avoided:
A. Fat
B. Suger
C. salt
...not completely, but I made it a habit to consciously evaluate everything I considered eating.

I have lost 50 lb.s since March 2012.