Approval from Dr.

[ToyDiva]

When I LC'd 4 years ago, ever Dr that I had went to would say "Oh you're doing a wonderful job losing weight, keep doing what you're doing"....then they would ask the question..."So what kind of plan are you on?" and I would say "Atkins"....and then it would come, the fussing of how it was "bad" for you yada yada yada.

SO, I had went to my family doc in NC (where I am originally from) during our transition from GA to CA and he recommended that I start Atkins back up to lose weight. BUT he also said that he wanted me to get with my PCM while in CA, since this is where I live now, to start up blood work and keep track of my weight loss and other health issues that I am having. (long story of insurance will pay for certain tests at a Military Clinic, but not with a civilian provider).

Well, I had to go to the doc yesterday over a health issue and I had told him that I am doing Atkins and wanted a blood panel to check everything. He first gasped....and I was thinking....Oh goodness, here it comes. Well, he asked "are you eating veggies", "have you read the book", "did you start the book where it tells you how to do the diet, or from the first page"....I explained to him that yes I eat veggies and I had read the book from the first page several times to explain to me "why" Atkins works. Then he said, "as long as you are eating veggies and understand how and why it works, I see no problem with it". Then he put my blood test order in and wants to see me back in 1 month to see my results so far (weight loss wise).

With all that said, have you spoken to your physician about doing LC and what reaction did you get?

[pennink]

My family doctor at first freaked and ended up convincing me to get off last year.
Well, I was getting sicker and sicker and gaining on WWs.

Luckily for me i sat next to a specialist on a flight to Europe who told me that with all my health issues Atkins was the ONLY diet that would save my life. He gave me his card and told me to get my doctor to phone him if there was a problem.
I decided to not tell her at first, and when I went back in, the first 20 pounds gone, blood tests, BP all perfect... she and my regular specialist agreed... (after a few menu submissions they were stunned at how balanced it actually is) My family doctor also encouraged the intermittent fasting, which surprised me the most. She said that no one really needs to eat three squares a day and believes it's a North American problem that is also adding to obesity.

When she saw that she'd been misinformed about what low carbing was (not pounds of bacon, etc) she was impressed and actually has thought of doing it herself! She keeps saying, oh, it's so hard for you. And I keep assuring her it's not!

So, I constantly go for monitoring, and I look at each doctor's appointment as an exciting time to show my progress. It's really keeping me going.

And, when you say to a doctor... I'm eliminating processed foods, sugars, starches, flours and eating meat and low glycemic veggies... how can they say that's bad?

[montanasun]

I did not go to my doctor before I started LC either time I started it. I will when I go in for a check up in January request blood work to see where I am at.

[OtherCher2]

I did not tell my Doctor when I started LCing in April '06, so by the time I went in for my yearly checkup in April '07, she was amazed at how much I had lost and how my health had improved. When she got all my lab results, she told me to "keep doing what you're doing".

Part of the "bad press" the Atkins Diet gets is caused by people who change the plan in its entirety. They tell friends/family they are on Atkins, but it really isn't Atkins. I know this because the first time I was "on Atkins", all I went by was a photostated copy of the foods allowed on induction that somebody handed me. After 3 months of the induction foods, I was sick to death of the Atkins Diet and just quit!

That's why you will hear the same advice on this forum over and over again...READ THE BOOK. The plan works if you work the plan!

[Charran]

My doctor supports me in LCing. He always says to just let the test results speak for themselves and go from there. So that's what I do! My test results say I'm getting healthier and healthier! :D How can anyone argue with that?

[Socrates]

It can be discouraging when your doctor does not support low carbing. My most recent example of this problem has been with the health coach from my company's wellness program. When I first told him that I was following the Atkin's Diet, from the look on his face you would have thought I sprouted 3 heads :lol:

To deal with this issue I just don't talk with them about it. I still go for physicals, blood work, exercise coaching, etc. If they ask about what I eat I just tell them "I am watching what I eat...cut out sweets, colas, etc".

It's kinda of a don't ask, don't tell policy :)

[Kary]

I saw my MD for an appointment about a month ago. He congratulated me on my weight loss (only 32 pounds at that point) and asked me what I was doing. I said well you know I cut out sugar and he then gave me a sharp look, so I didn't elaborate beyond that. I'll be sure to make an appointment when I am down 100 pounds and tell him the whole story then :lol:.

[tmatrocks]

My MD is in complete support. All he ever said was "As long as you're not eating bacon EVERYDAY, you'll be fine..."

So once a week I don't eat bacon!!!

My numbers are phenomenal, by the way. Blood work has been ideal two years in a row...

[bob2112]

My doctor is the one who put me on Atkins back in early 04. Guess Im lucky to have a forward thinking physician, didnt hurt that his wife was is a nutrionist who discussed the various options with me before selecting Atkins.

[Donna I.]

In the past, I have actually just lied to the Dr, to avoid the lecture that I assume will happen. The last Dr I saw, I told her that I was on Low Carb, because she had just told me that the results of my cholesterol test were amazing.
I have learned to accept that there are many smart, well- educated people out there that just haven't been convinced of the merits of low carb yet.

[Miss H.M]

my cardiologist started me on it years ago and it was the safest way for me to lose weight for surgery, and I havent met any doctors since that is an advocate of Atkins..for someone whos "educated" they get an "F" in knowing all the facts about Atkins...shhish!

[kyrasdad]

With all that said, have you spoken to your physician about doing LC and what reaction did you get?
I didn't discuss it with my GP, but I did see my endocrinologist about it after I'd lost about 60 pounds and he asked how I'd done it. He was behind it and happy to see my success. The only thing he mentioned was that he'd like to see me start exercising.

[Bat Spit]

I'm fortunate that my physician is a very sensible person.

I'd gone on metformin shortly before we decided to try Atkins, and I had to go off it once I was low carbing, so she found out right away. She told me "I don't know much about it" and asked me to come in more regularly to be checked. But she also recognizes that I'm a sensible person and I'm active in my own health care, so she wasn't worried that I'd do something stupid.

Once the weight started falling off, she was full of praise and frankly astounded. I don't know if she's recommended it to others, but she hasn't said one negative word to me ever. How could she, with the changes she's seen in me, all documented and backed up by empirical tests?