Question:
Can it be harmful to try other diets?

Hi, My sister had an RNY open and has lost 120lbs. in the past 10 mos. but lately she hasnt lost any for 1 mos. She is talking about trying the Hollywood Diet that is out. This is like a grapefruit juice I think. Do you think this is wise? Will it hurt her. She just wants to jump start her weight loss again and it says that you can lose 10 lbs. in 48 hours. Help!!    — [Anonymous] (posted on January 17, 2002)

January 16, 2002
I haven't had my surgery yet, but I have thought about the hollywood diet as well, I would check into it reall good before your sister trys it, I think it's mostly juice anyway, so I wouldn't think it would hurt,,, but it also might mess up her weight loss more then it is now , tell her to stat waling and tyr that first,,,
   — bikerchic

January 17, 2002
It sounds like she's experiencing a plateau.....we all go through it at her stage a month long plateau isn't unusual. She just has to "stay the course" and she'll start losing again. She should take a good look at what she's been eating....to many carbs will put the skids on weight loss. If I were in her place, I wouldn't go near the Hollywood Diet or any fad diet. To jump start, I'd stay away from all the simple carbs...bread, potatoes, etc. and even starchy vegetables like corn. I'd try a couple of weeks of protein, veggie and fruit along with lots and lots of water. I'm 4 years post-op and after having been at a stable weight for over two year, that's what I'm doing and I losing weight again.
   — [Anonymous]

January 17, 2002
I am 4 months post op & have experienced several plateaus like your sister is. I take Metabalife to jump-start my weight loss again. I don't give the pill credit for helping me loose weight (after all, it didn't work before my surgery), instead I give it credit for giving me more energy. It keeps me more active physically... I get busy cleaning house, doing laundry, playing with my son, etc., it keeps me busy so I'm not sitting around thinking about food. I have had this great surgery as a 'tool', and I don't want to mess up, the extra energy really helps.
   — [Anonymous]

January 17, 2002
No way would I try that. It is simply a drink, nothing remotely good for you or helpful long term. She would not be taking in many calories, so she may lose weight, but it will be muscle mass and will only slow her metabolism and hurt her long term. She needs to use her tool in the way that makes it work. More protein, less carbs, small portions, lots of water, but not with meals. It is hard to be patient when you have a plateau, but you get through them. The trick is to not panic and end up doing something that is self defeating. Things like the hollywood diet are what gave us our messed up metabolisms in the first place. Protein coupled with exercise is the way to make our bodies calorie burning machines.
   — blank first name B.