Designed by Dr. Younan Nowzaraden, nicknamed “Dr. Now” by fans of the TLC reality show My 600lb Life, the diet limits calories to 1,200 daily but is specifically designed for short-term use and geared towards people preparing for weight-loss surgery.
Because of its notable results, it has gained the interest of many people searching for weight loss solutions.
What Is The Dr. Now Diet?
“My 600-Lb. Life” follows a group of class III obesity- formerly known as morbidly obese, on their journey to weight-loss surgery. All the participants have a body mass index of 40 or higher. Dr. Nowzaradan specializes in vascular and bariatric surgery and helps prepare patients for their planned surgery.
A highly restrictive low-calorie, low-carbohydrate diet, the Dr. Now diet is designed “for rapid, effective weight loss, to help obese patients drop weight before bariatric surgery.
What Is Bariatric Surgery?
Bariatric surgery is designed to help people with obesity lose weight. It consists of several procedures performed on the digestive tract. It gives patients the opportunity to manage weight and eliminate underlying health issues.
Bariatric surgery aims to reduce the volume of the stomach and, therefore, how much food can be consumed. The benefit lies in changing eating patterns that can lead to long-term positive outcomes.
By improving chronic conditions associated with obesity, the additional benefits of bariatric surgery include addressing issues such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, sleep apnea, and joint and back pain.
It does however have risks which include bleeding or perforation, blood clots, bowel obstruction, problems with malabsorption, hernia, and other serious side effects.
In the U.S., gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, are the most common forms of bariatric surgery, and the decision around the most suitable surgery is usually based on prevailing medical conditions. There are several restrictions around suitability for the procedure but each patient is evaluated individually.
Following The Dr. Now Diet
For any major weight loss, talk to your doctor to devise a weight-loss plan, especially before surgery. The three primary principles of the Dr. Now diet are often referred to as FAT- frequency, amount, and type:
Frequency: Take in two to three meals a day, no snacks in between.
Amount: No more than 1,200 calories daily, consumed in three 400-calorie meals or two 600-calorie meals.
Type: Consume fiber- and protein-rich foods, while restricting carbohydrates and fats.
Benefits Of The Dr. Now Diet
Helping bariatric surgery patients lose a lot of weight in a short period to prepare for surgery is the primary benefit as it can reduce the risks of post-surgical complications.
This can be achieved by changing eating patterns to reduce calories, carbohydrates, and sugar. The other benefits of weight loss before bariatric surgery include:
- The size of the liver shrinks. Larger, fatty livers are more difficult to deal with as they can block the view of the stomach.
- Easier to meet weight-loss goals after surgery
- Surgery risks are reduced: A 2015 study published in the Annals of Surgery found that preoperative weight loss was linked to a 13% reduction in complication risks.
More recent studies are inconclusive on the benefits. While a patient can lose 5% to 10% of their body weight before surgery to reap the benefits, research in a 2021 study published in the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery didn’t find a clear relationship between preoperative weight loss and bariatric surgery outcomes.
Disadvantages Of The Dr. Now Diet
The Dr. Now diet is not a good fit unless you are preparing to undergo bariatric surgery. The disadvantages when the diet is maintained over a long term include:
- Malnourishment
- Disordered eating patterns
- Muscle loss
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Rebound weight gain
- Slowed metabolism
The Dr. Now diet should only be followed under the supervision of a bariatric dietitian and surgeon and patients should not remain on these types of diets for longer than a month or two before surgery, depending on the person.
The diet is reasonable for patients who are getting ready for surgery because it’s short term but the advice after surgery differs. Consulting healthcare professionals is critical before undergoing a restrictive diet.
Dr. Now Diet Nutritional Value
The Dr. Now diet emphasizes healthy, nutrient-dense foods and protein sources but restricts some healthy foods, such as many whole-grain products, potatoes, several fruits, and most nuts and seeds which are usually incorporated in most healthy diets.
Eliminating the healthy foods suggested by the Dr. Now diet can lead to serious nutritional deficiencies in the long term as the exclusions are sources of essential elements such as vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E, niacin, zinc, and magnesium.
Dr. Now Diet Weight Loss Sustainability
The Dr. Now diet is not designed to be followed by those who are not undergoing weight-loss surgery or for extended periods of time. A diet of only 1,200 calories isn’t sustainable for most people.
Although precise recommendations vary depending on age, gender, height, lifestyle, activity level, and overall health, dietary Guidelines for Americans suggest 1,600 to 2,400 calories a day for women and 2,000 to 3,000 calories a day for men.
Very low-calorie diets can also cause weight gain in the long run by slowing down the metabolism. As soon as normal eating patterns are resumed, weight regain is more likely to happen.
Insufficient calories could also result in fatigue, malnutrition, and a weakened immune system as the normal functioning of the body can be severely impaired. Heart problems and muscle loss can also be experienced.
To know if you qualify for the Dr. Now diet, defer to your medical doctor.
Professional Health and Fitness Coach. Encouraging and inspiring busy working people to take time out for themselves through fitness and general health and wellness.
