Is my doctor crazy?

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gr8xpectationz
gr8xpectationz Posts: 161 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Is anybody here on a medical weight loss plan that does NOT involve surgery?

I saw my bariatrician yesterday, and she wants me to drop from 1500 to 1300 calories a day, with between 80 and 100 grams each of carbs and protein. And no adding exercise calories. I weigh 270 pounds, and that seems extremely low... waaaay below my TDEE.

I'm not sure whether to be excited by the challenge, or horrified at such seemingly tight restrictions. Does this seem crazy? Or is it reasonable? Is it similar to what you're hearing from your doctor?
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Replies

  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
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    To me that seems low. I'm not on any medical assisted weight loss plan. Personally I would seek a second opinion. Unless there are health concerns where you can't exercise, I don't see any reason for telling you not to. The advice, just seems really weird to me. I don't blame you for questioning it.
  • buildingdreams
    buildingdreams Posts: 173 Member
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    im in hte same boat. Was eating 1600 per day , eating back my calories burned since feb...Doc told me I gained 10 lb since Aug and req I go back to 1200 and not eat back my exercise calories. Hubby agrees with her. . Im doing it but not crazy about the whole idea. ehen I exercise my net calories are between 800-900 per day....
  • willdob3
    willdob3 Posts: 640 Member
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    Why does she want you to lower your calories?

    I would never discuss nutrition with my doctor. He does not know anything about nutrition. Most PCPs do not.
  • SarahDavs
    SarahDavs Posts: 161 Member
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    I would probably just try it for a few weeks and see what happens. If you don't lose anything get a second opinion.

    ETA: My doctor (who I talk to about my weight issues) has always recommended 1400 a day. I believe that's pretty far under my TDEE. Someone suggested that I go to 1500 but I am just trying out the 1400 for a few weeks to see what happens and will change it if I don't see the results I'm looking for.
  • ThriftyChica12
    ThriftyChica12 Posts: 373 Member
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    remember that docs, even bariatric ones, are painfully ignorant about nutrition most times. can u see a nutritionist instead?
  • Mads1997
    Mads1997 Posts: 1,494 Member
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    You have a lot of weight to lose going by your ticker. Eating at TDEE -20% would take you forever. I assume your doctor is trying to speed the process up and since you have large fat reserves your body will use these whilst eating low calories.

    I would trust what your doctor suggest.
  • willdob3
    willdob3 Posts: 640 Member
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    remember that docs, even bariatric ones, are painfully ignorant about nutrition most times. can u see a nutritionist instead?

    Sadly, most nutritionists don't know much either.
  • willdob3
    willdob3 Posts: 640 Member
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    You have a lot of weight to lose going by your ticker. Eating at TDEE -20% would take you forever. I assume your doctor is trying to speed the process up and since you have large fat reserves your body will use these whilst eating low calories.

    I would trust what your doctor suggest.

    She could probably cut off an arm & a leg & get the weight loss quicker still. Unless there is a medical reason I can see no reason to do this.
  • gr8xpectationz
    gr8xpectationz Posts: 161 Member
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    Why does she want you to lower your calories?

    I would never discuss nutrition with my doctor. He does not know anything about nutrition. Most PCPs do not.


    I wouldn't either, with my regular doctor. But she's a bariatrician...meaning she specializes in weight loss.

    Incidentally, she also referred me to a dietician within her office to discuss my current food logs and how to work toward these goals.
  • RunningOnPurple
    RunningOnPurple Posts: 119 Member
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    Well, I weigh 263 and I eat 1400-1600 calories per day on average and have lost 89 pounds in the last 9 months so I don't know what would work for you, but it works for me.
  • Mads1997
    Mads1997 Posts: 1,494 Member
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    remember that docs, even bariatric ones, are painfully ignorant about nutrition most times. can u see a nutritionist instead?

    Sadly, most nutritionists don't know much either.

    That is true, you don't need a degree to become a nutritionist, anyone on this site could call themselves a nutritionist. See a registered dietician if you can afford it.
  • willdob3
    willdob3 Posts: 640 Member
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    Why does she want you to lower your calories?

    I would never discuss nutrition with my doctor. He does not know anything about nutrition. Most PCPs do not.


    I wouldn't either, with my regular doctor. But she's a bariatrician...meaning she specializes in weight loss.

    Incidentally, she also referred me to a dietician within her office to discuss my current food logs and how to work toward these goals.

    Is there a reason you are discussing weight loss & nutrition with them rather than just doing it? I get the impression you don't really need them to advise you.
  • gr8xpectationz
    gr8xpectationz Posts: 161 Member
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    remember that docs, even bariatric ones, are painfully ignorant about nutrition most times. can u see a nutritionist instead?

    Sadly, most nutritionists don't know much either.

    That is so very true. I used to work at Whole Foods in the supplements and body care aisle. It was absolutely astonishing how many medical conditions have a specific nutritional imbalance or deficiency at their core. I'm not at all opposed to modern medicine, but there's something to be said for a touch of skepticism when it comes to the pharmaceutical industry and the advice of doctors. Doctors are great. But it's your body and your health, so it's a good idea to do your own research too.
  • tmauck4472
    tmauck4472 Posts: 1,783 Member
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    Oh yeah because the people on MFP are way more knowledgable than your doc. I'd say listen to your doctor and see what happens. But remember if you can do it on your own long enough to have the surgery you can do it on your own without it.
  • Willowana
    Willowana Posts: 493 Member
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    My highest weight was 282 lbs. I weighed 266. lbs. at the beginning of the year when I started on my doctor's diet.

    ....Which was 1200 calories and Phentermine pills.

    I dropped 15-ish lbs. and plateau'd. I put myself on 1600 calories, stopped the pills, and did it MY way. I'm down to 44 lbs. gone since mid-January, and still losing strong. I weigh 222 lbs. right now, down from 266.

    My doctor used to work for the bariatric department in a large hospital around here. At my last check up, he nearly fell out of his chair when he saw how much I had lost since he had last seen me. He couldn't believe it. He had put me on thyroid pills, which I stopped cold turkey when my hair started falling out. I'm on a lot of medication for Fibromyalgia that make weight loss nearly impossible. He's never seen anything like it.

    I told him everything I was doing. My calories now fluctuate from 1300 - 1500 most days. He told me I'm doing everything right, and that he was proud of me. He told me I'm doing all the right things for my metabolism by exercising and eating enough for my body. In short, my doctor ate crow that day.

    My advice: You don't need a bariatric diet. I've dropped two pants sizes, and I'm about to drop another one very soon. Everyone at work looks at me in disbelief.

    <---- and ignore my pics. I don't have any new ones posted.
  • Mads1997
    Mads1997 Posts: 1,494 Member
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    You have a lot of weight to lose going by your ticker. Eating at TDEE -20% would take you forever. I assume your doctor is trying to speed the process up and since you have large fat reserves your body will use these whilst eating low calories.

    I would trust what your doctor suggest.

    She could probably cut off an arm & a leg & get the weight loss quicker still. Unless there is a medical reason I can see no reason to do this.

    Well perhaps there is a time frame to lose the weight before an operation..........
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
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    I saw my bariatrician yesterday, and she wants me to drop from 1500 to 1300 calories a day, with between 80 and 100 grams each of carbs and protein. And no adding exercise calories. I weigh 270 pounds, and that seems extremely low... waaaay below my TDEE.

    You should be eating way below your TDEE. TDEE is maintenance level - it's what you eat to stay the way you are. Unless you don't trust your bariatrician (an expert in weight loss for people with extreme levels of weight to lose) and plan to fire her, you might want to follow orders at least for awhile to see if it works. Typically, extremely overweight people can handle huge deficits. The rules for bariatric patients are not necessarily the same as those for average people looking to cut weight. Don't get sucked in too much by the advice of MFPers. Good luck! :flowerforyou:
  • gr8xpectationz
    gr8xpectationz Posts: 161 Member
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    Why does she want you to lower your calories?

    I would never discuss nutrition with my doctor. He does not know anything about nutrition. Most PCPs do not.


    I wouldn't either, with my regular doctor. But she's a bariatrician...meaning she specializes in weight loss.

    Incidentally, she also referred me to a dietician within her office to discuss my current food logs and how to work toward these goals.

    Is there a reason you are discussing weight loss & nutrition with them rather than just doing it? I get the impression you don't really need them to advise you.


    I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, a hormonal imbalance that impacts insulin sensitivity and metabolism. It makes weight loss very very hard. It's hard for people without this issue too, of course. But with PCOS, the common wisdom is that you have to work twice as hard for half the progress.
  • jjhanlon
    jjhanlon Posts: 74 Member
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    remember that docs, even bariatric ones, are painfully ignorant about nutrition most times. can u see a nutritionist instead?

    Sadly, most nutritionists don't know much either.

    Talk to a Registered Dietitian, these issues are what they are trained for! :bigsmile:
  • NanaWubbie
    NanaWubbie Posts: 248 Member
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    I would say your bariatrition knows his stuff. It is ok to lose weight rapidly if you are being supervised medically. Some people to better steady and slow, others just want to knock it off quickly and get to the next phase of their lives. You paid good money for his/her advice, why not try it for a month and see what happens?

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