VLCD

I'm getting ready to embark on a Very Low Calorie Diet at the end of this month.  Has anyone done this?  Have you been successful?  I'm wondering if there are other sources for the food other than the little store at my doctor's office. I'm of course worried about the cost and if I can be successful at this.   I'm looking for any advice or support out there.  Thanks all!

Hi!
I'm intrigued.it VLCD the name of a diet plan....like Nutrisystem or Jenny Craig, or WW?? Or is it just a low calorie diet as in you plan to eat very little food/calories?

I hope you will be sure to take in enough calories so your body does not go into starvation mode and start storing everything you eat.  I had to increase the amount of food I was eating when I started on my weight loss plan....of course I increased with fruits and veg mainly but still I found out I couldn't lose weight because I was not eating enough good food!

Tell me more about VLCD.....
Best wishes on your weight loss journey

Ruth

Chrissy:

I did a very low calorie diet, it was a physician supervised liquid diet plan.  You can order shakes and bars at Bariatric Advantage.  I'm not sure how they add up compared to your doc's prices.

I did really well on the plan, losing about 97 lbs.  I kept the majority of it off for a couple of years, but it started creeping back and now I'm back where I started.

I think the biggest thing you need to do once you lose the weight, is go to their maintenance/support groups.  Usually these programs have them.  I went off and on, but didn't really commit myself, so I believe that might have been part of the problem with the regain.  You really have to keep working at it, it's not like you lose the weight and you can go back to your old habits.

Good luck!!!

Take care,
Terri

Ruth - The VLCD that I'm going to try is a medically supervised program at a place near me called Grand Health Partners.  The first phase is 15 weeks with an 800 - 900 calorie/day intake using high protein food supplements including protein shakes, cereal, oatmeal, pre-packaged meals, soups and protein bars.  During this phase, I also go to weekly classes, meeting with a dietitian, behaviorist and an exercise physiologist.  They also require lab work to be done periodically and visits with their bariatric doctor.  

Then I go into phase two which is where they slowly introduce me back to "regular" foods for five weeks.  The weekly classes continue.  After that, I can be eligible for free lifetime membership where I can continue to come to classes for support and accountability.

I'm excited to get started on this, but also nervous.  There will be plenty of temptation and I have to stick to my daily menu.  I'm sure the first 2 - 3 weeks will be the toughest.  The plan isn't cheap either, but my insurance thankfully covers a lot of it.

Thanks for your interest and hopefully I do well on this. 

Hi!
Thanks for explaining it to me.
Sounds to me like they are taking a similar approach to the way someone who has WLS eats afterward. 
You are right, the first couple of weeks are the toughest but remember you will have temptations after that but if you stay focused and determined you can do it.
I was so determined to do it "this time" that whenever I was tempted to have something I knew I shouldn't I would tell myself it just wouldn't be worth it.  I also felt so proud with every day that passed that I did not want to let myself down.  This is the first time in my life I made myself my own priority.

Best wishes on your journey.  Please keep us posted on how you are doing and if you ever get tempted post it here so we can help you get through it.
TTFN
Ruth

PS- after I lost most of my weight (was about 10 lbs from goal) I re-joined WW so I could learn how to do maintenance.  I've lost 100+ lbs twice before but never learned how to maintain it so I figured that it couldn't hurt to join....  :-)

Hey Terri!  I'm excited to hear someone else has tried this and WOW - 97 lbs. lost?!  That's definitely encouraging. 

The most I have lost on any other diet plan (and I've tried many) was 30 lbs. with Weigh****chers.  I've of course gained it back and have since tried WW again without success.

To be honest, I was interested in WLS and my insurance didn't approve me for it.  They instead approved me for this medical WL program.  So, I figure if I'm successful at it, then great!  Surgery avoided.  Hopefully I can bring the mind and the body together this time and keep the weight off. 

Question for you:  Did you have any gallbladder problems?  I heard that it might be common with VLCD's.

Chrissy:

No, I didn't have gallbladder problems, but the doctors did tell us before hand that it was a possibility. 

Your program sounds pretty comprehensive and if you continue with the support, I'm sure you'll do great!!! 

I can tell you, though, the first two weeks I was a wreck.  So be prepared.  I was totally emotional, frustrated, angry, sad, HUNGRY, etc.  But once your body gets used to the low calories, your mind comes on board and it actually is pretty easy.  You don't have to make any decisions about what to eat, you just have your prescribed shake or soup or whatever. 

Good luck and let me know if you have any questions or just want to chat, I'll be here for you.

Take care,
Terri

Hi Chrissy!

I am on a VLCD through a hospital.  It is medically supervised, and I drink 4 shakes a day (by New Direction), each having 200 calories.  I have blood drawn once/month and attend educational classes led by a hospital dietician and a psychologist every week.  I am learning so much, and feel confident that I can keep my weight off.  *This time for good!* 

Prior to this VLCD, I tried every diet and even had a lap band (since removed).  I think the only way to lose weight and keep it off is with support.

It is expensive.  My insurance doesn't cover it.  Food, labs and support are $800/mo.

I started losing 4 pounds/week, but it has slowed to 2 pounds/week.  Though frustrating, I'm totally committed.  I have been on this diet for nearly 3 months.

Good luck to you!

I did the Medifast shakes years ago - sounds like a similar program. The other people in the program couldn't stop eating regular food with their shakes and dropped out leaving just DH and I. It's critical when you start to not eat anything off plan or it will just prolong the pain of getting into the rhythm of the diet. I lost 100 pounds in 6 months and kept it off for two years - but slowly my eating habits kicked back in and I gain that and about 100 more. I can never do this again, it's just too hard and I found I prefer what I'm doing now which is much healthier - only eating whole foods, nothing refined.

Do make certain that they check your BP and draw blood regularly to check for any problems. I didn't have any gall bladder problems.

Skylar

Chrissy...I am just curious!  Why do you have to wait until the end of the month to start your VLCD?  Are you anxious to start?  I remember back in December that I couldn't wait to start, but had to be "accepted" first (paperwork, bloodwork, EKG, etc...)

You will love this diet and change in your life!