Hello! I'm pre-op and currently have about 120 lbs to lose (ugh - I can't even believe I typed that!). Insurance only requires 3 months of preop hoops with the psych and NUT, etc. Well, I went to my PCP and got my blood test results. Only a little high cholesterol, no other comorbidities (thank God) but we all know it's just a matter of time. So....in her office there was literature everywhere on a program called "Take Shape for Life" using the Medifast plan. It got me thinking - this is the only thing I haven't tried (tried Jenny, Weight Watchers, Atkins, Paleo - you name it all of them more than once). I even had personal training for awhile then stopped going because I was so embarrased to be in the gym and wasn't making any progress. My question for you other pre-op sleevers out there - are you still considering trying another diet before surgery? Has anyone tried this? Is the food horrible? I couldn't stand Jenny Craig - is this any better? I'm just really wondering if I should try one last thing or if I'll just be wasting more time and money. I don't want to say afterward that maybe I should have tried it, but on the other hand am I fooling myself that this Medifast plan will be any better than the rest? Conflicted...so hard to know the right thing to do. Am I alone? And what if I lose 30 pounds, only to gain back 50 and now another 2 years have gone by and I'm no better off than I was before. <sigh>

I feel like such a failure but I don't want to be a fool as well.

I am also pre-op with 129lbs to loose (already down 8lbs) and hoping to have surgery at the beginning of December. I have not tried that diet, but I've tried enough of them and wasted a lot of time, energy, and money and finally realize this is my last result. I believe the sleeve is a tool towards progress and I can't wait to know that my efforts will not be in vain, but I will be rewarded with more motivation to continue! I hope this helps!

My mother-in-law started Medifast January 1 and to date has lost 50 pounds on it. She's a real fanatic about following the plan. I don't even think she's eaten a meal that she didn't order from Medifast in the past 10 months. I have no idea what her long term plan is. Every time I ask her she tells me how she went from 180 to 130 at age 62 and if eating just Medifast is the way to stay there that's what she's going to do.

My wife and sister-in-law started January 1 with her. My wife lasted about 2 months. My sister-in-law made it 6. Neither followed it as religiously as my MIL and neither lost significant weight. If you are someone who can really stick to it you will lose weight. However, you better be committed and follow the plan. Do that for 2 years and you'll lose the 120 pounds. If you can't stick to it though you are better off not spending the money.

I literally understand everything you went through, and everything that is going through your mind right now. Like you I have tried every diet out there. I would lose weigh only to gain it back with bonus pounds. Im sure everybody on this site can relate. The way I look at is, If I had not tried every other option then I wouldn't be here. I think medifast is the newest trend. and I don't think it will be successful for long term weight loss. I know the sleeve is not a quick fix. But a tool that will help us if we're willing to put the work in after surgery. I'm going to educate myself. excel use, and take advantage of the support groups. I have debated over and over again if there are any other options other than surgery. In my case, I don't think there is. I'm tired of struggling all the time. Im so ready for a chance at a healthier life

I have tried every single diet out there, including most recently Medifast. I also have PCOS. Medifast worked for me the first 6 months, I lost 50 lbs. The food isn't horrible, but it is very SMALL portions and you really do have an adjustment period. It's expensive though for a month worth of food anywhere between $300-$400 on average. Each box of food which equates to 7 meals (and you need 5 per day) and averages about $17-$18 a box. So for a week, you need 35 meals. I didn't mind it, I followed it religiously.. however... after 6 months it stopped working, exercise didn't matter, I stayed on it another YEAR in hopes to maintain it... NOPE, gained it all back and then some.... Again with the PCOS and Insulin Resistance, NO diet will ever work or help me to maintain and Medifast was no different. It's hard to transition from medifast to regular eating once you hit goal as well.

I can't tell you whether or not you should try it, but I can tell you from experience, it's no different than any other Meal Replacement plan. If you have tried the others and they've been unsuccessful in helping you LOSE and to MAINTAIN.. (usually losing isn't always the issue, but maintaining what you did lose), then this will probably be no different and remember it is costly!!

Just my two cents... I look at getting the sleeve as a permanent solution to assist me in the maintenance and weight loss on a permanent basis!!!

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Thanks everyone. You thoughts are appreciated.

In my opinion medifast is like any thing else even weight loss surgery you can cheat and gain the weight back its just harder to cheat with your stomach that is limited to.how much it can hold. Its 99% mental. Good luck I had me sleeve Tuesday and look toward to the future

this Medifast plan .

I did this when I was 18 years old. Lost 20 twenty pounds and looked good for awhile..then gained back forty when I began to eat again. You can try it, but I found it very difficult to stick with long term.

Hello! I'm pre-op and currently have about 120 lbs to lose (ugh - I can't even believe I typed that!). Insurance only requires 3 months of preop hoops with the psych and NUT' date=' etc. Well, I went to my PCP and got my blood test results. Only a little high cholesterol, no other comorbidities (thank God) but we all know it's just a matter of time. So....in her office there was literature everywhere on a program called "Take Shape for Life" using the Medifast plan. It got me thinking - this is the only thing I haven't tried (tried Jenny, Weight Watchers, Atkins, Paleo - you name it all of them more than once). I even had personal training for awhile then stopped going because I was so embarrased to be in the gym and wasn't making any progress. My question for you other pre-op sleevers out there - are you still considering trying another diet before surgery? Has anyone tried this? Is the food horrible? I couldn't stand Jenny Craig - is this any better? I'm just really wondering if I should try one last thing or if I'll just be wasting more time and money. I don't want to say afterward that maybe I should have tried it, but on the other hand am I fooling myself that this Medifast plan will be any better than the rest? Conflicted...so hard to know the right thing to do. Am I alone? And what if I lose 30 pounds, only to gain back 50 and now another 2 years have gone by and I'm no better off than I was before. <sigh>

I feel like such a failure but I don't want to be a fool as well.[/quote']

Don't feel like a failure! I just had the sleeve gastrectomy on September 20th and it was the best decision I have made. I went thru the same things as far as attempts and did second guess myself as well but its still new and I'm still working on losing weight but I feel better about myself. You will be fine!!

Hello! I'm pre-op and currently have about 120 lbs to lose (ugh - I can't even believe I typed that!). Insurance only requires 3 months of preop hoops with the psych and NUT' date=' etc. Well, I went to my PCP and got my blood test results. Only a little high cholesterol, no other comorbidities (thank God) but we all know it's just a matter of time. So....in her office there was literature everywhere on a program called "Take Shape for Life" using the Medifast plan. It got me thinking - this is the only thing I haven't tried (tried Jenny, Weight Watchers, Atkins, Paleo - you name it all of them more than once). I even had personal training for awhile then stopped going because I was so embarrased to be in the gym and wasn't making any progress. My question for you other pre-op sleevers out there - are you still considering trying another diet before surgery? Has anyone tried this? Is the food horrible? I couldn't stand Jenny Craig - is this any better? I'm just really wondering if I should try one last thing or if I'll just be wasting more time and money. I don't want to say afterward that maybe I should have tried it, but on the other hand am I fooling myself that this Medifast plan will be any better than the rest? Conflicted...so hard to know the right thing to do. Am I alone? And what if I lose 30 pounds, only to gain back 50 and now another 2 years have gone by and I'm no better off than I was before. <sigh>

I feel like such a failure but I don't want to be a fool as well.[/quote']

I was on Medifast. It worked for awhile, but eventually I gained back what I had lost. It is very expensive and you get hungry.

I had the sleeve gastrectomy on 9-11-12. I lost 20 pounds before surgery and 43 pounds since surgery. I am two months out and it was the best decision I ever made. I still have at least 100 lbs to lose and I am hoping that I will be able to do it.

Actually, Medifast was my last diet to try. I said that if I failed at this diet I would have to do something drastic ( surgery ) . I failed, got surgery ..great decision. Good luck on your decision.

I read that after our very first attempt at dieting our bodies recognize the pattern. Each time you diet afterwards it is harder and harder and you regain plus some afterwards as your body tries to stock up for the next "starvation" period. I tried something similar to Medifast called the HMR diet, also did Nutrisystem, Jenny Craig, Weight Watches (so many times), South Beach, Atkins, Medical Wt. Loss Clinic, L.A. Weight loss, Metabolife, Slim-fast (at least three times). This is the ONLY thing that reduces the hunger. It isn't easy though. You still have to watch what you eat and take the vitamins for the rest of your life. I'm ecstatic about it, just wish I hadn't taken 63 years to make up my mind.