Dr Bernstein
Reviews and Complaints

I had returned to Dr Bernstein at least 4 times in a ten year period. I was always successful in my weight loss. I was seen each week a least 4 times and saw Dr Anderson on one occasion . I told each nurse I was drinking up to 7 litres of water a day and they all said "great". Then my face swelled from too much water consumption and I questioned if my drinking water excessively had a negative effect on my lack of weight loss, as I only lost 10 pounds in 4 weeks. I wrote a letter outlining my concerns, especially at the disregard from both doctors and nurses at drinking too much water. I asked Dr Bernstein to take accountability for not forewarning me that I was drinking too much water, and asked for a 2 week compensation. Two days later I got a call from a nurse stating my letter was escalated to Dr Bernstein and I was barred from the program. This is the way I was treated after not just being a customer, but referring many to the Dr B program. My advise to all is try Dr Poon before trying this program. It is free and just as effective, and they don't shut you out when you question their mistakes and conduct.

what is the cost structure for this plan?
Iv looked all over and don't see any mention of costing.
Something to hide there?

I was on berstein 2004 I lost 58 lbs in 10 weeks..awesome I was super excited until my hair started falling out in clumps. Fainted 2x I went to my family dr. and after Alot of tests he confirmed I was anemic and the diet put me into early menopause at the age of 35. All of this confirmed by my family dr to be a direct result of the diet. My Dr. wrote a letter to the clinic and with Alot of arguing I received a refund. This diet may work however it is NOT safe

Let me tell you my experience with Dr. BS. I was with them for several weeks. It started with their introductory 'consult'. The consult was between 30 and 45 minutes. The first 2/3 was dedicated to selling you a plan. The 'nurse' described various payment methods, schedules and options. Basically, a marketing presentation. Then, they got to their plan. It is a cookbook with a list of 'approved' things to eat. Then, a set of recipes to cook the approved items. Really, you could just buy this book or any 1980's fad diet book. It is the same ideas.

So...at the start they request you take a long list of blood tests and an x-ray. Blood tests sort of make sense. The X-ray never did. When I asked staff, including the franchise manager, nobody could explain what the x-ray was for. Then, each time you go in, they do a urine test and give you vitamins.

So, after a couple weeks, I decided to research further these tests and shots. I could not find any reliable source to support the claims. This made me suspicious of the whole plan...

So, after about 3 weeks, they demanded the x-ray. For what, I asked. No answer was provided. So, I said no. The manager then said I was expelled from the program. Really? I was paid up for 8 weeks. Fine, I said, if that is your attitude. Several days later, I received a call back saying they changed their mind. I could finish the 8 weeks. Guess the x-ray wasn't so important...

Further, I re-read reviews posted online. Positive posts had a common thread. People early in the program who saw early results. Critics were people who were in the plan for awhile and saw the long term results. I will not tell you my conclusions, read for yourselves with my comments in mind.

I think my experience speaks for itself...

I lost 9.6lb in one week.

Your experience sounds very much like mine. however I did take the clinic Dr's advise and went back to WW. And low and behold I am still losing weight, on a steady 1 - 2 lbs a week. without the frustration or insensitive remarks from the clinic where they practically accuse you of lying. This is working for me and I am not feeling so focused on nothing but what "can" I eat next? Anyone who struggles with there weight does knows what a difficult path it is to getting and maintaining a healthy weight. This may not work for the next person but it is for me so good luck jb4, i hope you find a path that works for you.

Your experience sounds very much like mine. However I did take there advise and have gone back to WW. And low and behold, I have lost more weight on a slow steady pace, but my point is given my weight history and the fact that I seem to gain back I feel this had been a great continuance for me and much much cheaper. There is nothing easy about losing or maintaining for those of us that have struggled with our weight for most of our lives. But so far this is working for me and I intend to keep at it. Good Luck jb4

I'm with Dr. Bernstein and have been for a few months, this is my second time being on it. I too have been paying for a month at a time, only to lose 12 pounds the first month, then 11 pounds the second. Not nearly what they advertise you should lose, nor what I lost each month the first time I was on it. When I ask about how little I lose, the nurses and the doctor always say not to look at the over all picture but by each week and not everyone is going to lose the same amount, but they are not the ones paying that $600 a month to lose the 20 pounds they advertise. I have just finished my month again and payment was due on monday. Due to my finances being tight, I decided that i feel quite comfortable at the weight I'm at and wanted to go on maintenance instead of paying for another month to lose very little weight. I was told that I had to lose more weight (at least get down to 150, which is another 11 pounds) and get to the weight that they had set for me before they could offer me the maintenance program. I thought I was there to lose the weight that I wanted and to get to an ideal weight that was comfortable for me? I told them that my body was just not going to get to that weight and that it would be a waste of my money cause I was comfortable where I was, but they said they wouldn't put me on maintenance unless I was at their goal weight that they had set for me. It seems to me that they are not there to help me lose the weight, only to keep me there for as long as possible to get as much money from me as they can. I wonder about the injections and the effect of them and if they are what they're supposed to be. Just saying...

I had the same experience, I was sticking to the program, I was always burning when they tested my urine and I kept accurate food diaries . However i was losing wt so slowly I became very frustrated and upset, I made the comment that if I only wanted to lose 1 lb a week I could do that at weight watchers for a lot less money and what did they suggest I could do to kick the program up. The nurse suggested I talk to the Clinic Dr about it. Results, the clinic doctor told me that perhaps Dr B wasn't the diet for me and I should go to WW and not come there any more! I was flabbergasted! Of course this was after they already had $1200 from me. Very unprofessional and very non-supportive! Clearly they don't care about anything but the $$$$.

DR B. diet sucks! SAVE YOUR thousands of dollars! Do not proceed with this starvation diet. I live in a small town there were 12 of us who i know of that were originally successful on this diet, 6 yrs later, only 1 of us has kept it off. I do not see anybody with long term results on here. I am a 2 times loser with dr B, first time 75 lbs lost, 5 yrs later almost back to my heaviest weight I again lost 50 lbs, only to gain with in a year. This diet is unrealistic. Even the nurses would tell me the same thing, would comment they could never do this diet. Interesting their posters in the clinics are the same people from years ago. What is their current status I wonder. As for the staff, some were more friendly than others, some could use the diet themselves. I recently went to Mexico and had the Gastric Sleeve procedure, no more starving myself like I did daily on Dr B. I am much happier than doing that diet. I have spent over $5, 000 on dr B ...waste of money, time and gas.

I have been on Dr. B for 3.5 yrs getting a tune up twice a year after Christmas and pre-vacations. I initially lost 65 lbs from Jan 2010 and my Dr wanted me to maintain 50. This weight loss did not meet Dr B goal weight for my 5'8 frame. By April 20, 2010 I was down 50 pounds and had hair loss(35-45 percent), terrible shin splint pains and very tired. I never eat beef or pork, but do eat chicken and fish. My own Dr did blood work that Dr B does not routinely do for ferritin levels. My ferritin level dropped to 9. I was put on iron right of way for the next 6 months. If you are wondering, hair loss is from lack of iron (ferritin level) and so is excess tiredness, so tired I just wanted to sleep after work, no energy to work out or do anything else. I really enjoy getting my tune ups, but now I know I need more protein with iron for my hair and blood and will monitor my blood work ups with both Dr. b and my own physician. I am up 15 pounds right now and plan to go back after Christmas. I am female, 57 and live in Canada. I have done the Weight Watchers for 20 yrs, Jenny Craig, LA Weightloss, TOPPS and many others and Dr B diet has worked the best for me.

Dr Poon has several clinics in GTA area all covered by OHIP treating obesity, yes it's a medically supervised low carb low fat process that works, but ultimately post-diet maintenance requires lifestyle change.
At least you don't have to take on a second mortgage to do it.