Doc put me on 800 calories a day

beastmode2718

I would see a nutritionist. Cdc.gov says as a rule women should not eat less than 1200 calories a day. That's the center for desiese control and prevention. I ate 1200 to loose weight and it's barely any food at all so I can't even imagine how you would do that without starving or having dizzy spells so yeah for sure get a second opinion

Yi5hedr3

For that much weight loss in a short time, yes, 800 about right. Be sure to take vitamins!!!

Lorleee

Your doctor should have referred you to a Dietitian (not a Nutritionist, a Registered Dietitian). I would seek one out, pronto, and get yourself on a healthy plan.

michelle7673

I agree with the recommendation that you start on 1200 (high in lean protein and vegetables) plus a good basic multivitamin while you consult further with your doctor. The difference between 800 and 1200 is less than a pound a week and that's with 100% tight logging compliance at the 800 level. You'll be losing several pounds a week either way. And if you adjust to 800 after consulting with the doc great -- it won't be as much of an adjustment from there. Good luck! The people on this site are a great source of info and support, so I would encourage you to use this as a resource.

Verdenal

tabi_berry wrote: »

Okay. I know I really need to lose weight so that I can have back surgery. But, does 800 calories a day seem healthy? I need to loose about 150lbs. I pretty much have a sedentary life due to deteriorating disk and bulging disk in my back.

If the diet is nutritionally balanced, yes, it is healthy. I assume the doctor gave you a low calorie maximum because you need to lose a lot of weight fairly quickly. Consult a nutritionist if you need help in putting together a meal plan.

Verdenal

Francl27 wrote: »

RodaRose wrote: »

I know someone who had weight loss surgery. She was put on 800 calories a day for a certain number of weeks and told to get lots of protein.

I know someone who had to have heart surgery. He was put on a 800 calorie diet as well but only for 2 months. Needless to say, he gained it all back plus more after.

Not "needless to say". He made choices that put all the weight back on.

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld

Has the Dr put you on an ADCAL or similar? I have a degenerative bone condition that mainly effects my spine due to blood flow. It just seems mad to me that they would get you to restrict so low when your bones need the help.

I was told to take Vit D, Calcium and reduce caffeine and increase exercise and start running. These are to help with the bone mineral density.
What was your Dextra scan results like? Beware just taking a multi vit as most are very low in calcium. Ask questions OP, ask why 800 and what it should be made up from. Good luck x

sympha01

There is, quite frankly, a difference between healthy dieting to lose weight for good, versus losing weight really fast because you are either impatient (most people) OR because of a medical emergency.

Doctors are generally NOT particularly knowledgeable about healthy, sustainable weight loss. They are not required to receive much training on weightloss or nutrition for their degree or to maintain their medical credentials. However, the what little training on the subject they are actually required to have is usually on the subject of fast very low calorie diet (VLCD) "emergency" plans to prepare patients for surgery. While 800 calories per day is way too low for healthy, normal, permanent weightloss, your doctor may have chosen this plan specifically in order to prepare you quickly for surgery. (On the other hand, the doctor may have recommended this diet out of ignorance. It happens. Given that it's the only kind of weight loss many doctors are trained on, it's understandably "prescribed" in far too many situations.)

Always be prepared to ask your doctor lots of questions about why they give you the recommendations they do, and what your alternatives are. Be clear about the timeline. Does the surgery need to happen soon for medical reasons? Do you have so much weight to lose before surgery is safe that the doctor thinks that you will give up and not achieve the goal (and thus, NEVER qualify for the surgery) unless weight loss proceeds at a really unhealthy fast speed? Ask for a referral to a qualified nutritionist or dietician to achieve the goals that you both agree on in a timeframe that you both agree on.

JillStepanik

I'm a Registered Dietitian and 800 calories is too low. Shoot for 1200 and up your activity to whatever you are comfortable with. Unless you are in the hospital being supervised for malnution or failure to thrive, you should not consume that few calories.

Sadly most doctors only take 1 nutrition course in their whole educational career. Very frustrating!