VLCD & exercise please advise urgent!!

wittyusername

Hi everyone

I am currently talking to a lady in another weightloss group who is following a VLCD of 500cals a day but she is doing 2hrs of swimming every day too!!!

Im trying to tell her that this is very dangerous as she is probably burning off more calories than she is consuming but could do with a little help from somebody who knows what they are talking about

She is waiting for gallstone surgery & says her surgeon is aware of what she is doing & is fine with it?? she has only been doing it for 3wks & lost 20lbs in the first 2wks but STS this week & is wondering why...

can someone please help me to explain to her that this isn't a good idea? what might happen to her if she continues to do as she is?

im very worried about her & any advice would be very much appreciated

Thanks in advance

XXXMinnieXXX

Beats dying on the operation table. If her surgeon is aware and ok with it then she is doing nothing wrong. Surgery is very dangerous overweight. I could have died had I not lost 50lb pre surgery this year.

Joannie30

Has her GP specifically put her on this diet? or is it something she has decided to do of her own accord?
In any case, none of us are qualified to give you any advice on VLCD's. It really is a matter for her GP.

If i were you, i would just keep trying to get her to see her doctor. It's all you can do.

Good luck.
Jx

orangesmartie

Her surgeon is aware of whats happening. It is not unusual for very radical and restrictive diets to be recommended prior to surgery (particularly bariatric surgery) and it lessens the risk factors somewhat.

As long as your friend is receiving regular check ups and following the advice of the professionals, I don't think you have much to worry about.

JillyCornwall

whilst long term this would be considered dangerous, as this lady is due to undergo the type of surgery she is, it is not unusual for Specialists to insist on a very rerstricted diet & severe weight loss..as there might be more potential danger to her life if she has the surgery whilst overweight than from the severity of a VLCD with exercise.
If she was suffering from this diet she would not be able to swim for 2hrs, so I'm afraid in this case perhaps you should leave her health to her medical professionals because you may be although well meaning not actually helping her!

EvgeniZyntx

It's possible that she got the gallstones from rapid weight loss...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2130663/Losing-weight-quickly-gave-gallstones.html

Suggest you discuss goals and fitness over weight loss.

Edit:link

BPhysical

Hey,

Very Low calorie diets are commonly used in medical settings based on the fact that they do work. That's not to say they are healthy, they arent't, but in general the measure of "health" of the procedure is relative to where the person starts...

For someone who is carrying a large amount of excess bodyweight the issue is not so much a lack of calories or energy (the body has plenty to use) but the lack of nutrients recieved from such a small amount of food... it will be difficult to recieve a wide enough variety of vitamins and minerals etc that the body needs for supporting all its processes...

What is likely to happen is that the body will be forced into using fat and muscle as energy and this will lead to the weight loss... although the swimming may be gruelling with low energy intake it may help to maintain some muscle which is good.

As a Personal Trainer I wouldn't advocate this approach but sometimes needs must, she must listen to her body and report anything unusual to her GP or consultant... it wont be pleasant for her but I'd imagine it will work if consistent... I'd suggest she discusses vitamin and mineral supplementation with her GP too

hope that helps in some way

Nathan

wittyusername

Thanks everyone

I was just concerned about her but it seems I was wrong

Thanks Nathan your reply was especially helpful

castadiva

I'm very much with the 'this is a matter for her medical team' group, but perhaps you could ask her if the doctors are aware that she is undertaking such sustained physical effort as well as the VLCD. Sometimes patients do things that seem logical (lots of exercise to help weight-loss) with the best of intentions, but without consulting their medical team. These apparently 'common sense' actions are not always helpful in a medical situation, and doctors need full disclosure to do the best job they can for their patients!

kskroch

I was on a medically supervised VLCD. I was monitored weekly by a Dr/Nurse and Dietitian, blood work and shrink every 4 weeks.

I wouldn't try this 'at home', there are risks - you do it when you really don't have any other good options. In my case it was chronic pain and they wouldn't operate on my hip until I lost 40 at least pounds. I was not able to exercise, in fact I was barely able to walk.

but should be ok if you are monitored. you need to tell them everything that is going on with you.

Biggest issues for me: Constipation, extreme weakness/fatigue, brain-fog/memory issues.

I'd be glad to talk with anyone who was on VLCD.