HMR 500 ??? Skin Sagging ??? Help!

For about three months now I have been trying to work with the Lahey Clinic Obesity department in Mass. They prescribed me Meridia on which I lost 11 pounds in two weeks but my head was so fuzzy I couldn't function at my very intense sales job. So I stopped taking it. Two weeks ago I met with the Doc again and she suggested that I try taking it every third day which after reading some posts about the side effects of long term use I have opted to nix Meridia and drugs all together and take a different approach. So, this past week I met with a nutritionist at Lahey and we discussed the safety of the HMR 500 meal replacement program. I had my blood work done on Tuesday and was OK'd Thursday. I got my prescription for HMR and picked up 8 boxes yesterday (3 Chocolate, 1 Vanilla and 1 Soup). (I've seen a couple posts her that say they spent upwards of $70 bucks per box!! The Lahey only charges $23.50 with a script...!). So here I am Saturday with $200 bucks of food replacement for a month and I don't know what the hell to do. I haven't been to a support group, no one gave me any plan or program to follow just a script and I was told "you'll get a date to join the behavior modification group soon". Not really the great support I have been reading others on here have gotten from their obesity docs ...etc. So, Ladies and Gents with this being my first ever post I hope to hear back from all of you who know about this program and give me some idea on how to make it work. Did it work for you? Have you kept it off? Did you lose so fast that your skin sagged? How can I protect my skin from getting too saggy while still losing?? ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED! I am going to start this tomorrow so I marked this urgent! I am going to update my profile right now if you want to read more about where I am coming from and trying to get too. Peace and much love for oneself! Ann

Ann.....I did the fast that OPRAH did years ago(Optifast ) I did loose 100 pounds and felt great.....however I was one who gained it all back plus some....I keep mine off longer than all the rest in my group but.....4 months post RNY now I feel I have really made the change.....down 76 pounds and feeling great with my new tool......I wish you success with your journey....stay focused on the goal Have a great day Always Debbie

Thanks Debbie, I know the chances of slipping are there (See my reply to Janine above). Congratulations on your success! I hope I am big loser too Cheers, Ann

hello, I did this program several years ago. I too lost lots of weight, 88 pounds. It taught me alot and what was most important was the weekly meetings. I did my program in Medford - I am sure they are still there if you want more info I am sure I can dig it out. I really liked the program while I was on it but once I was done I knew I could never do it again. You are starving your body for months on end. Did you get the recipie book? I just went to see if I have mine and I still do - since I don't need them anymore I could mail them to you with any of my other info that might be relevant. The books tell you about shakes, puddings, "breads" and other things you can do with the powders. HMR also has some entrees that were okay. good luck with it. As with anything - it works for some people and not for others. If you want more info feel free to email me. Oh, by the way - no skin sagging for me but I was in my early 20's at the time. kathryn open rny 4/20/04 265/215/?

Ann.....I am all for trying to loose on your own first before having this surgery......for me this has been the best tool ever......and your right IT WAS ME THAT GAINED ALL THE WEIGHT BACK.....had I stayed more on a maintence plan I probably would have been fine but I let myself go back to all the bad habbits. I feel now as though I have a second chance.....with a great tool. So I know with your great attitude you will do great....as I said before KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE GOAL Have a great day Always Debbie

THANK YOU! The thought of 500 calories a day is overwhelming but I know with the support here and my absolute determination I can do it! Thanks again for taking the time to read and post... it's so important to know someone is listening Ann

ANN, congratulations first off for starting the journey to weight loss. I am not familiar with the method you of chosen but I wish you all the greatest sucess. Remember that we are here to support you. Good luck~! Lisa

Ann, I suspect that you will get the same results as we do EXCEPT --- I do not deal with hunger anymore and that was a huge issue in keeping weight off. I could always lose the weight - no problem -- but keeping the weight of due to an over active production of the hormone grellin (whoops spelling). With my stomach completely separated -- I do not seem to have that problem any more. No appetite -- which is amazing. Head hunger yes --- and sometimes that is tough. BUt with the small pouch that is do-able --- cuz I am satisfied with smaller amounts of food. I wish you all the best and hope this works for you. The important thing is that you keep trying until you find what works for you.

Thanks! Your support is greatly appreciated!! Good luck to you. I have a cousin with a similar problem, I will have to tell her to look you up for some support. She is in the 4's and I think she feels there is nothing that can be done... thanks again! - Ann

Ann, I have also been on the HMR 500 Program. I agree with Kathryn on getting the recipe book. I also have extra recipes besides the ones in the recipe books as well. If you want a copy of it, I could get some for you and and mail them, or even email you a few to get you going here so you don't get so bored on the same chocolate, chicken and vanilla. I know I was after the first week. It should say on your box how to mix them. The HMR 70 Plus works best for making the pudding. The more you blend the supplements, the more air gets into them and the fuller you get. I know at some point I wanted something to chew on so badly and yet still stay on the program with out cheating so I made some cookies with them. All legal and within the guidelines. Those were my favorites, and convenient to have on hand if I decided I was going away for the day and couldn't get to water to mix a supplement all the time. You could carry a water bottle with you though. I made the eggnog shakes or pitstacio or butterscotch ice cream. I made "crackers" with the chicken soup. I was .1 shy of losing 108 lbs on the HMR Program. I lost a majority of the weight within the first 4-1/2 to 5 months. Like 90 some lbs. I did real well on the program, went to the weekly meetings and even maintenance. I found the easy part was losing the weight, exercising etc. The hard part for me was keeping it off. I found that once I started the real food, I basically lost control so to speak. I craved more and more. I tried going back on just supplements to get the weight back off but it was so much harder to do it the second time around and found myself being able to do it only for about 2 weeks and falling off again. When I gained the weight, it came back with a roar. I am 5' 7" tall. Got down to 155.1 pounds in March of 03'. By June of 03' i was up to about 175-180. By September in the 190's. After that, it came back VERY quickly. I have put all of the weight back on and then some now so I am hoping to have the Bariatric surgery done soon. Waiting on papers to be sent in and approved. I agree everyone is different and some people were very successful on the HMR Program. I was just not one of them. I still have some supplements left and plan on using them before and some even after the surgery. I do want to mention that after being on the HMR Program I did have my gallbladder taken out. I opted not to take actigall though. As far as saggy skin, I was and am in my 30's and had some under my arms and some on my stomach but was only noticable if I was crawling around on the floor. I was able to wear tops that showed my tummy a wee bit and it looked fine otherwise though. Not saggy that way at all. I wish you all the luck on the HMR Program and if you have any questions, please email me. I totally understand you wanting to do this program first and exaust your options before deciding to have surgery. Take care Ann and best wishes!! Warmly, Sherri B