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I Had a Health Scare

I posted earlier about trying to lose weight. I wanted to lose 20 lbs and drop a dress size. Seemed doable. I went to a doctor run weight loss program and was closely monitored. The program has been in effect for 16 yrs.

It was 500 calories per day with 10 grams of carbs. Mostly protein. They gave me appetite suppressants, a shot for cravings, and all kinds of vitamins. I was on a strict diet and a strict schedule. The first 3 days you burn off carbs, then fats but keeping your muscle and protein intact.

First week, I started crying. it was brutal. I was so sick of turkey and proteins, I could not swallow it. I will never eat eggs again. I had a reaction to the appetite suppressant, Fentamine. People, that is an amphetamine that interfered with my high blood pressure.

I got to Day 24 and went into starvation mode. My blood pressure shot up to 196/106. Off I went to the ER. It continued to rise to 206/112. They could not get it to come down. I drank a bottle of gatorade and figured out I was severely dehydrated. They let me go home when it was 178/98 and only because i was going to the cardiologist that morning.

CAT scan was normal, EKG was normal and blood work was normal. I slowly had to back out. Yesterday I saw the cardiologist. BMI is 27, BP is 130/70, I have lost 12 lbs and I am healthy and stable. I am going to lose 8 more lbs and try to stabilize. My clothes fit well.

Just didn't work for me.
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4meAndyou · F
500 calories a day is insanity. That diet doctor needs to be shut down. I once tried the Women's Olympic Ski team diet, which guaranteed the loss of 20 pounds in 2 weeks. Lunch was a sliced tomato and an egg. I couldn't eat that combination for many years afterward without gagging.

I realize that no one can tell another person what to do, but ANY diet that is less than 1000 calories a day is dangerous and irresponsible.
akindheart · 61-69, F
@4meAndyou this worked for a lot of people. just not me. I talked to several people and read testimonies of others. this was a high end spa. and 2 doctors ran it. what got me into trouble is i added berries to week 2. only lost .5 lb. that was depressing too.
4meAndyou · F
@akindheart I think these docs should lose their license. You could have died, or had a stroke.
akindheart · 61-69, F
@4meAndyou its funny you say that. the one doctor was in constant contact with me UNTIL i landed in the ER. all communications ceased and they have not contacted me since.
4meAndyou · F
@akindheart You see? THEY knew you could have dragged them into court and sued if you had a stroke.
akindheart · 61-69, F
@4meAndyou and i would have. believe me.
4meAndyou · F
@akindheart AND those horrible irresponsible doctors KNOW you would win. I doubt you ever hear from them again.
akindheart · 61-69, F
@4meAndyou i don't plan on visiting again for sure! it was a hard way to lose weight. we use food as comfort and for socialization. it was horrible to be so restricted. i was housebound a lot.
4meAndyou · F
@akindheart The problem is, as soon as you resume your former habits, the weight will gradually return. You can't stay at 500 calories without killing yourself. Do try for 1000 to 1200 per day.
akindheart · 61-69, F
@4meAndyou i have been cutting calories for over a month and half. I have changed those habits. I am still 12 lbs lighter.
4meAndyou · F
@akindheart AND not in the hospital. PLEASE take care of YOU.