7 Healthcast: Feeding tube diet controversy

One extreme diet might turn your stomach, but some brides to be swear by it. They're eating through a feeding tube to lose weight, and are seeing some controversial results.

The invitations have been sent, and the gown has been chosen. For some brides, there's still one thing on their to-do list: lose weight.

Studies show that seven in 10 women want to lose about 20 pounds for their big day, and some are going to extreme measures to do it.

“People want to be perfect in this country so I’m allowing them to do it,” said Doctor Oliver Di Pietro.

At his clinic in Bay Harbor Islands, Florida, Dr. Oliver Di Pietro is offering brides what he calls the “K.E. diet”; a weight loss procedure in which patients eat through a feeding tube.

"It’s done by inserting a small feeding tube through the nose into the stomach under local anesthesia, its slightly uncomfortable but not terrible, and then we hook the patient up feeding pump that they carry 24/7," said Dr. Di Pietro.

For 10 days, his patients -- and they're not just brides -- don’t eat. The feeding tube drips 800 calories a day into their stomach with the combination of protein, fat and no carbs, curbing hunger and shedding weight rapidly.

“It’s an extreme form of Atkins. It’s not for everyone, not everyone can stand a tube in their nose,” Dr. Di Pietro said.

What it takes away in pounds it adds to that typically bloated wedding budget: $1,500 for the 10-day drip. And not everyone thinks it's a good idea.

“Getting 800 calories would be too low for anyone, but getting them from lean protein, fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, is very different than getting them through a feed tube,” said Kerri Glassman, registered dietitian.

Dr. Di Pietro insists the procedure is perfectly safe.

Patients can lose an average of 20 pounds in 10 days. However, they can gain the weight right back, if they don't work to maintain the weight loss once the feeding tube is removed.

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