Medical supervision important for severe calorie-restricted diets

Successful, long-term weight loss can be difficult to achieve and sometimes even dangerous, making proper medical supervision essential, according to weight-loss specialists at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

The Food and Drug Administration recently warned about dozens of diet pills that contained undeclared substances, and doctors say it is essential to ensure that you are getting the proper nutrition to stay healthy. This is particularly important in regard to severely calorie-restricted diets, in which only 800 to 1,000 calories per day are consumed by the participant.

“A medically supervised program can help ensure you accomplish your goals safely and effectively, whether you are considering weight-loss surgery or hoping to avoid it,” says Dr. Edward Livingston, chief of GI/endocrine surgery at UT Southwestern and director of the Clinical Center for the Surgical Management of Obesity.

Bariatric surgery candidates often are required by insurance to follow a dietary plan for at least six months before surgery. In addition, research by UT Southwestern bariatric surgeons shows that losing pounds before weight-loss surgery can help reduce the time spent in the operating room.

Visit http://www.utsouthwestern.org/bariatrics to learn more about
UT Southwestern’s clinical services in bariatrics.

Media Contact: Russell Rian

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