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Well, I've just heard that Atkins is what I should really do for maintaining due to diabetes. And it seems as though no one here has had good results on it. Thanks
Hello! I was un-banded 12 months ago and still have the same comorbidities. I weigh 218 and wonder if I could lose enough weight by doing Atkins. My A1C blood work levels are entirely too high and my diabetes is out of control. I'm looking into RNY for that reason but was hoping I could do this without having another surgery. I'm afraid of not being able to get my A1C levels down before having complications. Has anyone done Atkins with good results?
on 9/17/15 4:41 pm
AMBER --- I just lost 18 pounds by tracking my calories on the free website loseit.com. I set my calorie limit at 1248 calories a day. That way i should lose 1 1/2 pounds per week. That is about half as much as a person with surgery loses per week. I hope to lose 60 pounds in the next 12 months.
I weigh myself every 14 days so I see some loss. I don't weigh every day because I would see ups and downs in the scale and get discouraged.
I take my picture every other month to see the loss too. So If I think I am not making progress ... then the pictures show my progress. So take a photo with every 10 pound loss.
DAISY100
CONGRATULATIONS ON DECIDING TO TAKE OFF THE WEIGHT! YOU'RE AN ANGEL! 
They called it the Medical Program. Not sure where you are located and I am not sure if all areas offer this program but the one I did is out of Humber. I was in the same boat as you after the orientation. All I did was after my orientation for surgery, I went and asked them to sign me up for the medical program orientation. There are two options with that program and they will tell you all about it at the orientation and then you can decide if that is what you want etc. Just like the other orientation. I believe that your current referral to the surgical will allow you to go to the medical if you want. Call the office and speak to them. I did not need a second referral. The program was good but I did not chose the opti program but afterwards I wished I had done that. Get yourself on their next orientation then make an informed decision that is best for you. I hope that helps.
Can you tell us what this is called? Do you need a referral from your doctor? I went to the orientation session for the surgery and it scared be completely. But this seems like a great option. Thank you!!
on 9/2/15 7:39 am
Hi Amber,
Your weight loss journey will not be easy and will require hard work. As it was already mentioned, eating less and be physical active are the main keys. You can also help yourself by taking weight loss pills, however these also need to be taken in a combination with a strict diet and physical activity.
Hi Amber, you are not on this journey alone. I was just like you. So I know your fight. I'm from Ontario Canada and at age 58 am starting again. Everyone here is right. It's not a diet but a new way of eating it is forever not just for a short time and a constant battle. Remember they say it takes three weeks for anything to become a habit. So hang in there. I can't tell you how many times I have started a diet in my lifetime. Too many to count. So baby steps. First you need to remember it takes time and lots of effort. Don't try to set goals that you can't make. I started this journey years ago at 380lb. Went down to 237 then slowly over the last few years put back on some weighing in at 308lb three weeks ago when I started to look at how to start again. First I decided what helped me before. Protein, veggies, and limit bread any thing white. I work out of my truck as a travelling nurse, so I had to have something I could travel with and would be right there when I needed it. I decided to try Pure Protein Bars from Walmart. They taste good and with a coffee or tea they fill me up. The first week is the worst when your getting off the carbs. I can throw them in my purse and I have one for breakfast and one for lunch. Then for supper I have a salad or veggies and some kind of protein, fish, chicken hamburger patty ect. I cut out the bread but if we go out or I get take out I usually get a chicken wrap, I am taking it one week at a time. 10 lbs at a time. I only get weighed once a week as daily it can fluctuate and then I get discouraged. When I got weighed last Tues I was down to 293.4lbs. Also drink as many fluids sugar free a day as you can. If you eat lots of protein make sure you don't get constipated. I take Senokot every night to ensure this doesn't happen. Remember you are not alone. There are lots of us in the same boat. It is going to take time but it's important not to look at a goal way down the road that you feel you are never going to make. I really find that getting excited about going from the 300's to 290's and now working towards the 280's works for me. Please let me know if there is anything I can help you with. Also another tip is if you are an evening eater have a hot drink in the evening. I have a decaf coffee. It fills you up and stay away from bread and potatoes. That's exactly why they call a fat tummy the bread basket.. Good Luck Hun. Keep me posted. We can do it..... I'm right there beside you walking the walk
Christy
You have to eat less. Period. Many of us could not do that without surgery. I understand not wanting surgery. It can be scary to think about. I was not ready until my 40's. I spent my whole life beating myself up about my weight. When I finally believed I deserved to be healthy and happy, I was ready for surgery. I am thankful I made the necessary steps to get my life back. Weight loss does not solve all of our problems but it makes it so much easier to get through life and deal with our daily struggles when weight does not get in our way.
Good luck. I hope you figure out what works for you.
Laura in Texas
53 years old; 5'7" tall; HW: 339 (BMI=53); GW: 140 CW: 170 (BMI=27)
RNY: 09-17-08 Dr. Garth Davis
brachioplasty: 12-18-09 Dr. Wainwright; lbl/bl: 06-28-11 Dr. LoMonaco
"May your choices reflect your hopes and not your fears."
Hi Amber:I just started an Optifast program with my local hospital, as a way to kickstart my weight loss efforts.I have struggled with my weight since having my children, and have lost weight on various popular diets only to regain it again.I believe that the support system was never really there in each of my attempts which may have been part of why I failed each time.Now there is a medical team helping me to lose the weight, aided by the fact that my bloodwork was flagged for a couple of potential health issues.The motivation to to this for myself this time I think is making a difference.I prefer not to have the surgery even though I was told I was a good candidate.I am terrible at taking medications and in researching, discovered that you have to take vitamin and mineral supplements for the rest of your life after surgery because your absorption levels in the digestive tract change after surgery.One of the best comments I have heard, is to treat food as you would any medicine you might take.Learn to make the best food choices based on the nutrition that food provides, and search out recipes online that will help you to make those foods taste good.Also with working 50 hrs. a week, having a meal plan is essential.It will help you when you are grocery shopping to stay on track, and taking part of a day each week to prep your foods and meals in advance will make it easier to stay on track as your choices will have already been prepared or partly prepared for those busy work days.I just finished my first day on Optifast, and I am reminding myself that I am on the start of a journey to better health.I did not get this way overnight, and it will not be easy, but I am trying to find inspiration in the activities that I will be able to do and finally try, and a new wardrobe never hurt either.All the best in your weight loss journey Amber, I know you can do this!
