Doctor Assisted Weight Loss

[Kreeb]

Has anyone done the doctor assisted weightloss program that includes appetite suppresants, B-12 shots, vitamins, and modified eating plan? I think it starts out with you eating only lean protein for a week or two and then slowly adding foods back into your diet.

 

I have heard of several people that have lost 20, 50, 90 lbs. by doing this. If anyone has done this, how difficult is this to follow? Did you keep the weight off after the program is completed? How expensive is it?

[Cruise Miriam]

Hi, Kreeb... my dearly departed ex tried a program with the aid of a bariatric specialist. This was at least four or five years ago. As I remember, yes, he was put on a very high protein diet to begin, a dieuretic, vitamins, minerals, fish oil, and an appetite supressant. The problem was, he didn't

watch his portions and cheated a lot. He finally gave up becasue it "wasn't working." He didn't follow doctor's orders.

 

I started following the high protein, no carb diet when he started. I was not under a doctor's direction for it, but my doctor knew about it and encouraged it. I was already on vitamin supplements. It has worked very well for me. I've lost 96 lbs. and kept it off for three years now. It's now my WOE. I don't even think about it.

 

Maybe someone else will chime in with a better success story than I have shared.

[kalamari]

Miriam, this is really sad. I've done psych evals for insurance companies for patients of bariatric specialists. All I can say is that for anybody considering it, it MUST be a very last option. We actually have a doctor here in Miami who is from Colombia, he comes here weekly to do dozens of consults and patients fly to Colombia for various bariatric procedures. To me it is amazing to see what people have done to go to great lengths to be thin, at the risk of their health. When I've done evaluations I've actually recommended to the physician that the person NOT have the evaluation because of the very reasons you described, i.e, that I didn't believe the person had the psychological stamina to do what would be required of them after.

 

I've said it time and time again, and it sounds terribly psychological, but the issue is not food. It's all impulse control related. No matter what diet you are on, you are the only one who can either choose to put the food in your mouth or choose to push yourself away from the table. Even a small change daily can make a huge difference. I was at a medical presentation today and they discussed how one bowl of oatmeal a day and fish oil supplements can make a huge difference in lowering cholesterol. It was based on a study of 5000. Most people, if they get ahold of their impulse control, can even make simple changes.

 

 

 

Hi, Kreeb... my dearly departed ex tried a program with the aid of a bariatric specialist. This was at least four or five years ago. As I remember, yes, he was put on a very high protein diet to begin, a dieuretic, vitamins, minerals, fish oil, and an appetite supressant. The problem was, he didn't

watch his portions and cheated a lot. He finally gave up becasue it "wasn't working." He didn't follow doctor's orders.

 

I started following the high protein, no carb diet when he started. I was not under a doctor's direction for it, but my doctor knew about it and encouraged it. I was already on vitamin supplements. It has worked very well for me. I've lost 96 lbs. and kept it off for three years now. It's now my WOE. I don't even think about it.

 

Maybe someone else will chime in with a better success story than I have shared.

[PastCrewMember]

Hi,

 

I am from Canada and I lost 45 lbs on a assisted program which Doctor Bernstein... Basicly it's a multi vitamin once a day, some potassium and b-12/b-6 shots three times a weeks. Also, you get a list of foods you can eat... You get like 2 protein portions (ex. 100 g plain chicken) 2 X 230 g veggies, 2 X fruits (some are not allowed) and 2 portions of breads... Like I said, there are some restrictions like no carrots (hi sugar...) basicly you are not allowed any sugar, fat, flour (no pasta, rice, potatoes...) you also have to drink LOTS of water... The diet may vary depending on your personnal goals and the evaluations done by the doctor... It's not only a diet, it's a way of changing your habits... if you want more details let me know and I can give you the website.

 

Good luck!

[Kreeb]

I started a doctor assisted weight loss program with Suncoast Total Healthcare last week. The program consists of a daily multivitamin, calcium pyruvate, an appetite suppressant (taken only as needed), and a weekly B-12 injection. The first week or two you follow a no carb diet plan eating only very lean protein and drinking water and no calorie beverages. The first week I lost 11.5 pounds. My friend that is doing this with me lost 8 pounds. When you move on to stage two, you add in low glycemic vegetables and lean protein. Stage three adds a piece of low glycemic fruit always combined with a protein such as low fat yogurt or cottage cheese once a day. Stage four adds low glycemic carbs such as brown rice, sweet potatoes, etc. Maintenance for this program is basically following the South Beach way of eating.

 

As far as exercising, they recommend at least walking 4 days a week for 30 minutes then gradually adding in resistance exercises.

 

When you start the program, they do a total body scan that measures body fat and bone density, an EKG, blood pressure, and blood test. You meet with a doctor and a nutritionist.

 

I know a few people that have done this program and have had success reaching their goal weight and maintaining it because you learn the correct food to eats, the proper portions, and that exercise has to be a part of your life.

[Kreeb]

Just an update.....after being on this program for four weeks, I have lost 19.5 lbs. It's wonderful not to be controlled by food cravings anymore.

 

I'll be cruising in less than 3 weeks, and am determined to stick to this way of eating. I'll also be packing my exercise clothes and actually using them this time.