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UC and prepackaged diets....

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/9/2010 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
Anyone ever lose weight on optifast or medifast or anything like that under supervision of your doctor?  I have very bad knees, need too replacements which I want to have but doctor suggested today losing weight while trying the injections.  I got my third injection of Synvisc in right knee today.  I am afraid of the premade foods causing me problems - flaring, etc. with UC.  This doctor is my rheumatologist.

Just wondering about anyone's experience.  I am now eating only cooked food and fairly bland and no gaseous veggies, etc.

ElaineNY

Posted 4/9/2010 11:14 AM (GMT 0)
     Elaine, I would stay away from all that prepackaged stuff.  Full of preservatives and God knows what else.  Years ago, my daughter wanted to go on Nutrisystem.  I did a lot of reading about it and told her no way.  Not only was it expensive, but it didn't seem healthy to me.  Then what happens when you stop it?  Just eat a high protein, low fat diet with fruits that don't bother you and well cooked vegetables.  You'll take the weight off.  Can you get any exercise at all?  I know you are limited poor dear.  Very painful what you are going through.
Posted 4/9/2010 12:52 PM (GMT 0)
I would recommend the medifast. Yes, it doesn't have the best ingredients (I fought with this part of it for awhile), but when you weigh the benefits of actually not carrying around an extra 25-100 pounds it's a no brainer. You have to do it with a doctor though, because he should be able to take you through the initial weight loss, transitioning back to regular food, then maintenance. I can only recommend it because we have 4 offices with a ton of people using it, and my wife even used it to get rid of pregnancy weight. I have learned that just telling people what to eat doesn't work. For our people its around 290 for 6 weeks of food.
Posted 4/9/2010 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks - both Dr. A and Christine. 

Christine - I would have to agree with you about MOST prepackaged food plans.  BUT - this is doctor supervised, etc. and very successful.  Two doctors and Dr. A have recommended it.  I have been obese all my life and three times I lost over 70 lbs. - once over 100 - eating lowfat, etc.  Just thought maybe a more "regimented" plan to get started would be good.  Possibly I could try it for like two weeks and "eat" (sorry about the pun) the money lost if I have to stop in a few days.  I could afford that.

Dr. A - I have to agree - I truly NEED to get the weight off for my heart, arthritis, HBP, knees and certainly could not hurt the UC.  I NEED to be able to exercise - just walking would be nice! 

I think I will talk to my rheumatologist who recommended it (she lost 25 lbs. on it along with several of her patients).  She is a wonderful doctor and compassionate person - wish I could find more like her in the gastro field!  Anyway, I would be seeing her and following her advice, etc.  Just might be worth trying!  If I can tolerate the premade shakes, bars, etc.  I can manage the one lean meal a day  - doing that now with my husband.  It is the addiction to sugar I am trying to shake and eating for "fun"!!  By the way, I am soon to be 70, 5ft. 1in. with a BMI of 43!!

ElaineNY

Posted 4/9/2010 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I called the doctor's office and found out it is Medifast for sure so I researched it.  There is a senior program for over 70 (I will be 70 soon) and looks great.  Only thing it included sucrolose and sugarfree products you can add (but would not have to).  Many things included I do not like or they don't agree with me.  You can pick and choose what you buy - I would have to and costs about $300 a month for the food.  My doctor visits do not cost me so no problem there.  I will still talk it over with her but think I will have to try on my own which I have been doing.  I managed to take off all I gained from prednisone and a LITTLE more - just not enough.

ElaineNY

Posted 4/9/2010 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
     I apologize Elaine.  I was just concentrating on the prepackaged stuff.  I never heard of Medifast.   It is much better to be doctor supervised.  Good luck!
Posted 4/9/2010 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
My first GI said don't do it. If they had a gluten-free one, I might consider it, but I think they never will.
Have you tried low carb diet, like South Beach? It works really well for me, 3-5 lbs per week and you don't have to eat like a bird.

And I can live low carb forever, don't really crave them (except when on prednisone).

No one I know who has tried those commercial diets has kept the weight off. Consumer reports did a study of them a month or so ago.

Posted 4/9/2010 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
I will say that medifast starts out pretty low carb and the one entirely for seniors is a little easier with more choices, etc.  I live mostly on carbs and not the good ones either.  I can't tolerate (but not allergic to) wheat or high fiber anything.  I eat only white bread.  Most of what I eat is peanut butter and toast for breakfast, one coffee with coffeemate, lunch probably white bread again with cheese or any meat without nitrates.  I eat a little canned or cooked fruit and very soft veggies (carrots and green beans mostly).  Dinner is usually small beef, chicken, noodles, rice and rarely veggies. (my husband and I both don't like veggies)   Nothing raw and I don't have a problem with dairy so eat cheese of any kind, small amounts of ice cream, candy, cookies, etc. etc.  I try to snack on 100 calorie bags of sweets.  I honestly don't eat a LOT of calories like you might think but also I can't/don't walk or exercise as my knees are soooo bad.  I live on arthritis Tylenol but never go over the limit for one day.  I tried narcotics and can't tolerate them. 

Well, enough about that.  I don't think my colon would like enough of the Medifast food to make it possible.  I will TRY to cut back on sugar laden food.  We already eat lowfat and hardly any sodium! Hope to better with new knees.

ElaineNY

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