Medifast - Ellis Bariatric Center

Countdown!    I will be on Medifast for 6 weeks - is it true one lean meat and green veggies one meal a day?   Were you able to stick with it the whole time or did you have your moments?   I am almost certain i will have a moment or two.    I am mentally trying to get myself ready for this!  I want the surgery soooo badly as does everyone else.    Please any help will be appreciated.

Hi Michelle,

Just wanted to drop in and say Hello.  I never did medifast.  From what I have read, others have done just fine.  I do believe I read they did have "moments" but jumped right back on.  Congrats on your decision!  I know it saved me from a downward spiraling depression!

xo

HI Michelle... I too am on Medifast. I started on December 8th and will continue until my surger on the 25th of this month. It's not bad. I will be honest with you. The first 2 weeks are H--LL.. I was freezing cold, tired and miserable. Talk to Anne and Chris. They are a huge help. Between December 8th and the 26th (so about 2.5 weeks) I lost 16.4 lbs. It does work, and they use it for a reason.. So stick to it... It can only help you..  GOOD LUCK and keep us posted.. Lisa

6 weeks? Dang I'm jealous - I had to do it for 12 weeks!!!!  But I made it through & survived!!! Yes, you do get one meal at dinner time - lean protein & veggies!! It was tough in the beginning - mix it up as much as can for dinner so you don't feel like you're in a rut!! Have a salad too - even a small one - it'll make it feel like you're eating more!!! Use lots of herbs & spices too!!! I won't lie, I did "cheat" on occasion but I still lost the 44lbs Dr Clarke wanted me to lose!! Also, I added extracts to my shakes for a change too. I could only drink the chocolate ones (I gagged at the mere smell of the vanilla) & I really liked raspberry extract added to it!! Go easy at first though... some are pretty strong!!!! I also found that if the shake didn't stay ice cold it was difficult for me to drink... just something to keep in mind!!! Good luck!! It will be so worth it in the end!!! Cece

Are you starting the Medifast as part of a required weightloss prior to being approved for surgery. Just wondering I have my very first appointment at Albany Med tomorrow and wonder if I should start on the Medifast after that since they require the loss of 10%.

No , it is my understand that the group in Albany requires 10% weight loss, losing it anyway you choose.   For my group, the medifast is required.

Welcome and looking forward to talking more - we will be great in 2008!!!!

Yeah, this is definitely an Ellis Hospital requirement... no ifs, ands or buts about it!!!  Cece

May be in part an Ellis thing but, I can tell you also that my insurance company required me to lose 5 % of my body prior to surgery and I didn't have mine at Ellis...though I did start there last March then moved to a surgeon in Utica area. First surgeon I started with also wanted the Medifast and 10% lose. (that has nothing to do with why I switched surgeons).  So...it may be an insurance thing (I had MVP).

Most insurance companies do require some sort of weightloss prior to approval (I have MVP also) but Medifast is definitely Ellis' diet of choice!! I guess if we can make it through that then we can make it through this!!! Cece

Medifast is not bad.... and yes, Dr Clarke will require you to loose a minimum of 10% before surgery.. But.. Lean & green is only for week 1.. After that is Medifast, decaf coffee (or) tea & a little broth only. I've been on medifast since the 8th of December... and it's not bad. After a while, it grows on you.

It's important to remember why they use the Medifast.. Not only to loose the 10% but to 1) dry you out. Our bodies consist of mostly water. 2 dry pieces of skin will heal quicker and easier than 2 soggy wet peices.. 2) to shrink your abdominal organs. Your liver, your spleen all shrink as you loose weight. I want Dr. Clarke to have as much working room as possible when he's in my abdomin and finally 3) This prepares you for life after surgery..

I guess only we as individuals  can decide how badly we want the surgery. I would dring Medifast for a year if I knew my surgery was at the end of that year.