Anyone on a VLCD?

Hello!  I am new to this forum, and so glad I found it!  I had a lap band inserted back in 2007, and didn't do well with it at all.  I had it removed in 2009. 

I am on a medically supervised VLCD drinking 4 New Direction Weight Control System shakes per day.  I have been on the program for nearly one month. 

I would love to show and have support from anyone else going through this journey.

Thank you!
~Toni

Hi Toni, welcome to the non-op board.  This board has been kind of slow because of the holidays but hopefully it will be picking up soon. 

If you don't mind me asking, what is a VLCD drink?  Since you've been using them for a month, how goes the weight loss?  Sounds very interesting!

Mary

Hi Mary!

My Very Low Calorie Drink is by New Direction, and each drink has only 200 calories, but it's perfect nutrition.  I am not hungry with only 800 calories/day.  Plus I am drinking 3 liters of water/day.

The weight loss is rapid.  So far, I've lost just over 4 pounds each week.  I am SO THANKFUL, because not having any (solid) food over the holidays was a real challenge.

I'm hoping there are other people on this diet, so I can hear about their journey.

Nice to "meet" you, Mary!
~Toni

Oh, thanks for clarifying that.  3 liters of water a day???  Geeze, I reckon I may have to stop moaning and groaning about the eighty ounces I try to chug down a day.

I was on a similar medical plan back in the late eighties and lost a lot of weight, but once I got off of the plan, I gained it all back because I went back to my old eating patterns.  The thing I would recommend is to find a plan that you will be able to stick with as soon as you come off of the fast.  The difference between the plan you are on and an eating plan that you can use for maintenance is that you are not 'living' through the plan as you get smaller so you'll need to take extra precautions.  You don't want to end up like me and Oprah!!! 

If there is anything that all of us here have in common, no matter where we are in our journeys, our bodies will 'always' be demanding it's fat back so we have to be extra vigilant in maintenance. 

Nice to 'meet' you, too!

Mary

Mary,

What I love about my program is even though this is "mindless" weight loss, with no exercise, I am thinking ahead to when I end the liquid portion and move onto solid food (many months away) and get amazing support from Psychologists and Doctors/Nurses through the hospital. 

They pointed me toward obesityhelp.com and I'm enjoying the suggested reading, The Rules of "Normal" Eating.  Great book!

I too don't want to be like Oprah at goal weight, pulling along my weight lost in a wagon one minute, then gain it all back and then some.  Been there, don't like doing that!

Hugs,

Hey there, Toni. Are you on the VLCD as a pre requ. to having surgery? I was on it too but mine was 2 shakes and a small dinner that consisted of 4oz meat and 1 cup of non starchy vegs. I was told its only safe to be on it for like 6 or 7 months.

Hi Mama,

No, I'm not having surgery.  Just on a medically supervised VLCD.  I'll be on liquid (shakes) only for at least 5 more mos.  Then I will make small transitions to solid foods. 

Cheers!
~Toni

Hi! I have been on that program since 10/15/09 and have lost 41 pounds. I had been doing well until 2 wk. ago, stress/emotional eating, but I am committed again. It really works! I am 4 pounds away from 200. I have been looking for some kind of forum to talk to other people about the program and for additional support.

I have been on OH since before the holidays... initially I wanted to have WLS but my husband was against and it would be self-pay.  My husband wanted me to try Nutrisystem since it was about the ONLY diet I had not tried.  Well... I have been on it one month this Saturday and have lost 13 pounds.  I LOVE IT! 

Sounds to me like the VLCD works great but I would be nervous about what could happen when you start back eating solids again. 

Hello guys. I have been on New Direction program since the day after thanksgiving. I have not cheated at all!! Very hard but worth it. I started at 336lbs 5'10 tall male large frame. I weighed last week in at 299 feel great and hoping for great success. No surgery was my choice. Is that good weight loss?