Anyone tried Medifast?

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

I want to lost 80-100 lbs and have tried just about every diet in the book. I started researching bariatric surgery out of sheer frustration and kept finding references to Medifast as an alternative to bariatric surgery or as a "last ditch effort" before surgery. So, my husband and I are going to one of their clinics tomorrow to check it out (he needs to lose at least 60-80 lbs.).

Has anyone done Medifast. I know the basics of the plan, 5 mini meals (shake, bar, soup) plus one meal of lean protein and veggies. I am more interested in things like, how the food tastes, are you hungry or do you feel less hungry because you eat so frequently. Of course, I'd love to hear any success stories!

I am finally fed up with being overweight and feeling like a hypocrite when I tell my kiddos (I'm a school nurse) to eat right and exercise when I am so overweight myself I am quite tall, 5'10 and most people tell me NO WAY I need to lose close to 100 (they guess more like 50), but I know what the scale and my BMI says. There are also things that I want to do that I can't anymore, like ride my horses. I have a 3 year old horse and I don't trust anyone else to start him under saddle, but I'm just not as limber as I used to be and of course I'm out of shape. He is big enough to carry me, but still...And I'm tired of my back hurting, my knees and feet aching, etc. I don't need to be stick-thin, but I want to be healthy!!! Any thoughts?

[Debra ACRN]

I tried it years ago. It is great to get off weight quickly but I have never heard of a single soul that managed to maintain the loss. A lot of bariatric surgesons use it to get patients "slim" enough to have a less complicated weight loss surgery. I lost 75 pounds, gained back 100. Had weight loss surgery 3 years ago and not only lost but maintained.

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

Thank you for that. It is definitely something I will bring up when we talk to these folks tomorrow. I sure don't want to invest $300 a month in something that will not last!

[llg, PhD, RN]

I had a friend who did it many years ago. She lost the weight, but gained most of it back.

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

I need to lose over 100lbs myself. I researched medifast but didn't like the cost. I like weight watchers much better as it teaches you how and what to eat. Between WW and Curves I hope to finally start losing this weight.

Good luck to you whatever you decide.