Cambridge Diet OR Lap Band, or both?

[Awkward customer 5]

Hi, I am booked in for a lap band operation in October and as it i set up I would like to go through with it, as I don't want to be on constant diets for the rest of my life, and I want to make sure I can just lose the weight I need and then start living properly.

But my family members have heard of the Cambridge Diet - just 500 calories a day. Apparently the carbohydrate content in the shakes and Soups the Cambridge Diet programme sell their members is just enough for the body. You don't need to eat or drink anything other than what they give you. Because the carbs in the sachets are only just enough, it forces the body into ketosis, burning fat instead. When the body enters ketosis, apparently you feel full up although you are only eating 500 calories a day, and there is a feeling of euphoria, that helps you keep on.

The trouble is, I don't believe that I could do a 500 calorie diet for a long time without breaking it. I am sure it wouldn't fill me up. I am going to go on it so I can lose something before my lapband operation but I would still like the operation, to make sure I feel full on smaller meals just to ensure I ace the Cambridge Diet over the next year.

But my family members are urging me to cancel the lapband operation, and just do the Cambridge Diet, on the basis that you shouldn't have operations you don't need. Can someone give me any advice? Would you do both?

[Devana 0]

Sir, keep that date.

I did the Cambridge diet in the '80's and lost a substantial amount of weight. But like 96% of obese people do after any major diet, I put it all back on again.

The band provides the opportunity for a lifestyle change that is a variation of normal, going on a starvation diet consisting of shakes and bars doesn't.

As I'm sure you have read, everyone's experiences with the band is different, but for the most part you will be able to eat normal food - just chewed REALLY well - and in much smaller quantities.

Most people don't know I have a band. When I'm out for dinner I can put a normal small amount of food on my plate, talk lots, push the food around a lot and eat what I'm able to in such a was so as not to call attention to the fact that I'm only eating a tiny bit. The point of me saying this is not so you can keep your band secret but that it's a way more normal way of living than it is with a drink and bar diet.

As far as going into ketosis is concerned, you can still do that on the band by just cutting way down on your carbohydrates. That certainly would speed up your weight loss. I would suggest you read several low carb diet books to see if it's a choice for you.

Two other points about the Cambridge diet - I struggled with Constipation while on it, and I think if you stayed on it till you reached your goal weight you'll have probably spent the equivalent of the price of the band.

Go ahead with this. This is an adacious and courageous step and all the power to you.

Edited September 13, 2009 by Devana
grammer

[Awkward customer 5]

Thank you. I am planning to make the appointment, whatever my family say. I am afraid I am 40 now, and don't want to reach 50, have got even fatter, and then look back and think "I still had some good years left, my 40s, if only I hadn't changed my mind about the lapband"! But my Mum and sister are very difficult to talk to on the subject. They seem to be saying: "this is typical you - you think you can just go for a quick fix without losing it like everyone else!" I have read the forum and know the band is not a "quick fix", though...

[Devana 0]

Good for you. Stay on here for support and information. I'll bet there's already an October 09 thread going.

Let me know how it goes.

[Brandy~ 2]

I would stick with the band and NO I wouldnt do the cambridge diet. 500 calories a day is not healthy at all.

Most become low carb eaters without trying with the band as most do not tolerate breads and such well. My diet is tons and tons of meats,eggs, fish, dairy etc.

I would just stick with the band and make sure you follow the docs orders on the eating. You will lose weight and keep it off.