Glucerna for weight loss?

Hello Everyone, I am currently trying to lose 30 pounds pre-op, so that my surgery can be scheduled. I was approved once for surgery, but failed to lose the required pre-op weight, so my approval window closed. I had to reapply with my insurance for approval, and I have been soundly warned this time that if I do not lose this thirty pounds in time, they will NEVER approve me again. I do not understand why they got nasty about it, but it is OHIP which provincial health coverage, so they can do whatever they want, it seems. Because I was unsuccessful last time, my family is trying to come up with ideas to help me all the time. Currently my partner is pushing me to use Glucerna as a meal replacement at least once a day. I have no problem with doing that, but I just don't know if it would help with weight loss at all as it is high in carbs. The carbs are slow acting, but they are still there and would could against my overall carbs for the day. She seems to have the idea that Glucerna would be something like Optifast, but I don't think it is. She bought the Glucerna on her way home from work yesterday, and now keeps looking at me every time I eat actual food as if she thinks I should be using the Glucerna instead. I have had trouble with low sugars since going on the diet that the Nut from the hospital suggested, so it is a bit of a trick for me not to allow my sugars to get so low that I end up needing to eat again once I have used up my 1200 calories for the day. This sure is hard, LOL. Do any of you have any words of wisdom about Glucerna as a weight loss tool? As well, I could use some help with knowing how to keep my sugars at a good level while on a low calorie, low carb diet. Thanks for any help at all. Take gentle care. - Shelley C.

Hi Shelley, I'm sorry to hear that your insurance approval was denied, and how terrible you are being treated by the insurance process the 2nd attempt. I don't understand these insurance companies, its about health and obesity is a disease!!! If you could lose 30 lbs that easily, why would you or any of "us" need the surgery. Oooh they get me so mad. Please don't stress over the 30 lbs, try and get some more exercise, and chose healthier foods. Its a vicious cycle for family members to "watch" you eat, etc...and it makes it that much harder to lose weight. Do it for yourself only. Being diabetic, I have tried the Glucerna snack bars, but didn't care for them. However, I think they are great for diabetics to use in place of a high carb snack. Their products have the good carbs. Why not try the meal replacement once a day, and a snack or two, and see what happens. Or use the shakes for meal replacements and eat fruits and veggies with it. I wish you all the best........good luck, and my fingers are crossed that you get the approval soon! Take care, Wendy 278/188/150

You may want to talk with your doctor about adjusting your insulin levels. When you eat less you may need less insulin. Best of luck to you, I know this won't be easy.

When I went on my pre-op diet, my physician changed my diabetic meds and cut them way down so I wouldn't have any low sugar problems. I'd check with the doctor's office and see what they say.