Mrs Rachakonda Subbalakshmi
A Lifestyle Change Says Mrs Rachakonda Subbalakshmi
I had undergone a major spine surgery in the year 1999 for severe back pain and total numbness in the right leg. I am 50 years now and I have been trying to maintain good health of my spine ever since the surgery through back exercises.
My back pain returned around a year, on a scale of 1 to 10, the pain in the spine shot up to 7. It soon became unbearable and I consulted a top Spine Surgeon in Hyderabad. The surgeon had a very serious observation on my problem and was upset about the fact that in spite of undergoing spinal surgery, proper attention was not paid for reducing my weight, I was 88 kgs at that time.
I explained to him that I was able to maintain the weight at the same level but could not reduce it even though my diet contained only brown rice and other low-calorie food. The doctor was so upset about this that he immediately asked me to undergo Lipo since my spine is unable to take so much body weight. I and my husband were stunned by his reaction and suggestion of Lipo.
Calming down, the doctor suggested us to consult Dr Deepa Agarwal, the Nutritionist, for reducing my weight. My first reaction was that since this is not a workable solution, I must go in for Lipo.
However, for what it is worth I took an appointment and met Dr Deepa, to whom I explained my predicament. After listening to me she started writing a prescription. It was not a usual medical prescription, but she wrote down my diet plan for the next week and I was surprised that she doubled the intake quantity of what I used to eat. At the end of every two hours, she advised me to have some food /fluids/fruits that were easily available.
Even though I was not sure about reducing my weight, I followed the diet plan strictly as she prescribed, combining it with my morning walks of 4 kms. Though I shall not disclose the details of the diet, I must say that I felt very comfortable with the diet she prescribed and did not feel either hunger or any sort of weakness during the time.
After the 1st week I checked my weight and realised that I had reduced about 2 kgs. I was very surprised. By the end of the week, early in the morning, I received an e-mail from Dr Deepa regarding the next week’s diet programme.
After 4 to 5 weeks, I started feeling very light and the back pain subsided a little. People around me started noticing the difference. I continued following the diet programme. My Saturdays began with the e-mail from Dr. Deepa. In fact, I started to wait for her e-mail eagerly to know what the diet for the next week would be. Sundays became my purchase day for the next week’s diet.
I followed the Doctors diet programme for 8 weeks and during that time, the most surprising thing for me was the variety of food I missed all these years. I had reduced about 18 Kgs during these 8 weeks, and my back pain had come down to the level of 3 on a scale of 1 to 10. The people around me were surprised by the way I looked now. I became slim with a healthy and glowing face. I am really thankful to Dr. Deepa, for my transformation which includes the latest fashion clothing that I am able to wear now.
I am now a happier person now. Thank you, Dr. Deepa.
Rachakonda Subbalakshmi
rachakonda.lakshmi@gmail.com
Medical Team
Dr. Deepa Agrawal
Chief Dietician