Disappointing Dr. visit....

mrsfortune
mrsfortune Posts: 82 Member
edited October 5 in Introduce Yourself
Hi MFP family I figured I could come to you all and you would give me your honest feedback so here goes.....I was sent to the emergency room by my job (I work in a health center) because I felt my blood pressure was high and lo and behold 230/128!!!! Well at the hospital I was seen by a really sweet Dr.. who in the nicest way possible told me loose weight or die. Well I jumped on MFP because of a recommendation by a youtube poster named hauteshellbi (who I absolutely love) and that started my journey. Well here we are a month later..post Thanksgiving drama and all and 10 pounds lighter than when I was in the ER. Just finally went in to see my DR today and tell him about my success on MFP. He asks me how many calories I'm eating and I admit I told him 1500 when I really eat 1700 because thats what MFP recommends he then tells me I need to eat 900!!:noway: Okay sticking to the 1700 has been hard enough and stressful at times but now he wants me to knock off 800 of those calories??? He tells me that the body can survive for 2 days for every pound a person weighs and that I have to realize that I have pretty much eaten for the future already. He wasn't malicious about his delivery in any way but he was determined in his recommendation. I asked him if my body wouldn't go into starvation mode and deter my weight loss and he said NO....it's weird because as far as the diets I have been on (WW, JC, etc....) that is what I have been taught.

I guess my question is do I listen to my doctor and do the 900 calories or do I stick to MFP which has been working so far???

Help I'm so confused. Sorry about any typos...I'm tired. BTW BP today was 164/110 still high but better.

Replies

  • pinkgigi
    pinkgigi Posts: 693 Member
    Boy that's a tough one. Congratulations on making a real change, that is awesome. I wouldn't want to contradict a doctor, but if it is working for you, why change?

    GG
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
    I don't suppose there's any chance he'd be willing to refer you to a nutritionist? Or is he one?
  • kmbrooks15
    kmbrooks15 Posts: 941 Member
    I think I'd seek a second opinion. My doctor told me no less than 1200, and she said that should be my NET after exercise (so on no exercise days, eat 1200-1500; on exercise days eat 1200-1500 plus my exercise calories). I have a friend who is a registered dietitian, and she says the same thing. Your doctor sounds like he's full of bull.
  • cutie2b
    cutie2b Posts: 194 Member
    Did you doctor say why 900 calories? Did he want you to lose faster? Are you exercising too? I personally would have a really tough time with such few calories. And I personally probably wouldn't stick with it after a few days. But that's just me.
  • smilingrn
    smilingrn Posts: 45 Member
    wow 900???? i cant imagine any doctor setting calorie intake that low! if MFP is working I would stick with that, but as suggested earlier you call also see a dietician and see what they suggest as a safe calorie intake level.
  • catlady100
    catlady100 Posts: 154
    Does the doctor think that it's important for you to lose a lot very quickly? That does seem very low to me but i don't know if he had a reason for such a low recommendation

    My dh's doc recommended something like 1,400 calories. DH has his settings at 1/2 lb a week, (about 1,800 calories) and has been losing steadily without feeling deprived. But I don't know the reason for the doctor's recommendation (if it's something he tells all his patients that need to lose weight, or if in your case there's a reason why u need to go so low).
  • Julieothree
    Julieothree Posts: 63 Member
    I would absolutely speak with a nutritionist. I'm sure your doctor is knowledgeable, but perhaps weight loss is not one of his specialties.
  • Eponine7
    Eponine7 Posts: 161
    As a nurse, I'd recommend seeking a second opinion and visiting a nutritionist.

    Also, although your BP has improved somewhat, I sincerely hope your doctor has put you on blood pressure medication at least for now.

    Best of luck to you!
  • KatiD83
    KatiD83 Posts: 152 Member
    Are you taking meds for your high blood pressure? My doctor told me I could eat as little as 1000 calories a day and still be ok. I try to stay in the 1200-1500 calorie range. My doctor said because I can't exercise as much as I need to to lose a ton of weight, that low calorie was the only way to go. I have knee issue that prevents me from most exercises aside from walking, and since I weight well over 350 lbs, I'm assuming thats why its safe for me to eat less calories than the average person.
  • ajbeans
    ajbeans Posts: 2,857 Member
    "He tells me that the body can survive for 2 days for every pound a person weighs "

    This, right there, tells me he doesn't know what he's talking about. Because by that theory, I could survive 260 days without food. And that's just not true.

    I would get a second opinion.
  • msfreegul
    msfreegul Posts: 1
    Hello My name is Trina...I new to the site, but I could not help commenting. The Dr. is not a RD. I think his intention was great but not well thought out. I agree with you,WW and Jenny Craig your body will try to told hold on to everything it has...since with only 900 calories coming in letting anything go could be dangerous...I think you should continue fueling your body and eating healthy...congratulations on your 10 lbs and good luck in the future!
  • mrsfortune
    mrsfortune Posts: 82 Member
    Wow! I just took a shower and came back and Wow. I love you guys! Well he has been talking to me about loosing weight since I went to him about a lap band(which he denied and recommended gastric bypass if anything) a year ago. He told me I need to loose but never said rapidly even though the calories he's suggesting states so. I work with a nutritionist and never even thought to seek help from her because until you all asked I never even realized he didn't recommend a nutritionist. I'm just going to start looking for another doctor because every time I leave his office I'm confused and I'm a Medical Assistant... Thank you all for getting back to me I really appreciate the feedback. All of it.
  • mrsfortune
    mrsfortune Posts: 82 Member
    Oh BTW I'm now taking Diovan was previously on HTC. Please feel free to add me as I am still pretty new to this site and could use support along my journey.
  • jecka31
    jecka31 Posts: 284
    I would agree about seeking a second opinion, 900 sounds really low. I'm not a doctor/nutritionist so I'm just giving my opinion. Anyways, congrats on the weight loss so far and making the decision to make the change!! Good luck!
  • humquilla
    humquilla Posts: 2 Member
    . The answer is NO!!!! Do not listen to that! It is crazy! And unsustainable... you will do it for how long? 1 -2 months if you are really encouraged; but, what is going to happened afterwards ... you will eat everything in the world an gain even more weight than what you lost.
    I am a physician and personally have always struggle with weight myself.... this should give me some credibility!
    I have been able to control my weight for the last 10 years... meaning… I have maintained by weight at a good level… I would prefer to lose 15; I realized a long time ago that it is a never ending battle ... you have to see weight and eating habits as a way of life not a diet. I am always looking for new ways to keep my battle interesting so I joined this group about 1 month ago and look for running groups, biking groups and a gym… all in aims to find encouragement and to keep my mid set …
    You should not attempt to eat less than 1200 calories; I think your goal of 1500 is great. You need to increase your activity level, first go for walks every day then increase the pace then jogging then running. If possible and able you should choose swimming at least at the beginning because you burn a lot of calories and it is better on your joins… I lost my first 20 pounds swimming; I do not do it anymore truly because my HAIR does not take it well. But my thought then was, I looked so bad so fat that a few weeks (10 weeks) of bad hair was worth it!!!
    You are doing great 10 pounds in what I can tell was about 1 month is more than GREAT!!! Keep it up!
  • rnstarr
    rnstarr Posts: 15 Member
    No doctor in his right mind would tell a person to eat 900 calories a day. That is not healthy! With eating 1700, eat more fruits and vegetables. You will get more food, it will fill you up and you will not be eating more fat laidened foods.Even Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers will tellyou to eat more than that!

    I get a little over 1700 from MFP, and I come up short everyday because the exercise calorie loss counteracts the calories I've tken in. Also, try to get more exercise. I try to do 10 miles a day on a stationary bike. Work up to it. Good luck!
  • humquilla
    humquilla Posts: 2 Member
    By the way I had a Lap Band placed 11 years ago!!! AVoid a bypass if at all possible. If able to choose take a LAP BAND! BUT let me tell you.... if you do not exercise you will not loose the weight... I found that out after 1 year with my lap band and only a few pound went off!! I had to exercises to bring my metabolism up and swimming was great !
  • bloodbank
    bloodbank Posts: 468 Member
    If you are desperately, morbidly I'm-going-to-kick-the-bucket-this-year obese, a medically supervised (which, telling someone "eat 900 calories a day! Bye!" is definitely not what I'd call medically supervised) VLCD can be safer (for a relatively short time) than staying heavy. However, based on what the ticker on your profile says, I'd say that's in no way the case and would be unnecessary at best.

    I agree with the suggestion to talk to a registered dietician - your doctors 'plan' sounds seriously extreme.
  • lyknscribe
    lyknscribe Posts: 89
    Seek a second opinon - if possible - a nutionist. Way to go on the ten pounds thats really a great start!
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,336 Member
    While he may have recommended it, realize most Doctors have no training to speak of in nutrition or weight loss. Unless he is a specialist in that area, he is as reliable as walking to a stranger on the street and asking how many calories you should eat. 900 is way too low unless your diet is supervised carefully by a doctor who supervises Very Low Calorie Diets. VLCD are meant for people who have to lose the weight very quickly or die, and a diet like that is only meant for a limited time. Such a diet requires doctor supervision including regular tests to see how your body is responding.

    If you BP is coming down with medication and the weight is coming off, keep doing what you are doing. I was in hospital with a small stroke and blood pressure of 220/180 with a heart rate about 120BPM. I now have an average blood pressure of 117/73 and a resting heart rate down in the mid-low 60s, which is up from where it was before I injured my knee and was unable to workout for 5 weeks. Then is was 49-55 as a resting heart rate. The thing that got me there was losing weight, and exercise. Intense exercise as intense as I could handle. I started with walking, moved to Tae-bo and some cross country skiing. Winter ended so I continued with the Tae-bo and got to the Advanced level. Incorporated Beach Body's Insanity with Shawn T. Then started doing Metabolic Resistance Training and Cycling. Now I am working at getting back to it with Turbulence Training which is a Metabolic Resistance Training type workout.

    Of all that, the exercise made the biggest difference. When I can't exercise (for example when I hurt my knee) my blood pressure slowly starts to go up. Not so much when my weight has gone up.

    Keep at it, you can do it.
  • cncersux
    cncersux Posts: 15
    I'd say that if it's working for you then stick with it. Better to lose weight slowly and stay motivated then to be starving and binge. You will get discouraged from being so hungry then mad at your self for going over that CRAZY 900 calorie restriction. If it were me I'd stay with what works. Good luck either way....and enjoy the journey!:smile:
  • psmd
    psmd Posts: 764 Member
    Ok. I'm a doctor, and I hate to say it, but your doctor sounds like an idiot. Keep doing what you're doing. 900 cals is ridiculous and unsustainable mentally, let alone physically. You need to keep doing what you can stick with in the longterm. Good job on losing the first 10 pounds!
  • laurette1
    laurette1 Posts: 1
    You should stick with what you are doing right now. 900 seems way too low. Your doctor may be trying to help you, but most people don't understand how hard it is to lose weight. It sounds like he is one of them. Hang in there and be sure to monitor your BP. Ten pounds is something to be proud of!
  • Iamfit4life
    Iamfit4life Posts: 3,095 Member
    10lbs so far is awesome. Slow and steady is the way that this weight is going to come off and stay off.

    I would also get a second opinion and see a nutritionalist.


    Again I want to stress how awesome I think your progress so far is. Do not let the doctor take anything away from that, please.
  • teethom2
    teethom2 Posts: 2
    Ok, I used to keep myself to a 900 calorie diet in general (for several years) and weighed around 115 pounds (5 foot 2). A lot of people don't realize just how much food you can eat on 900 calories if you eat the right foods (lean meat, veggies, and overall balance) and exercise, too. That being said, it was really stupid! Yes, it worked, but that doesn't mean it's a good way to do it. I completely agree that it's un-sustainable in the long run, especially if you enjoy food (like I do). I've yo-yo'd back and forth on that "diet" for a few years now (because it IS un-sustainable in the long run) and am now trying a "new" approach (new to me, anyway). I get somewhere around 1200-1500 calories a day and exercise a little smarter. The added calories feel like I'm "pigging out" (esp if I still choose smart foods), and lo-and-behold, I'm losing weight! Your Dr.'s plan will work, but wouldn't you rather have a plan that works and doesn't make you feel miserably deprived? Go see a nutritionist. They'll help you choose the right kind of foods for your body. We're not all the same.
  • mrsfortune
    mrsfortune Posts: 82 Member
    Thank you all!!! I am definitely looking into a new Dr and will set up an appointment with the nutritionist at my job ASAP. I'm so disappointed that I never realized that he never recommended a nutritionist.
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