Ditto. If I were in your shoes, I'd find a new doctor. Noticed you are in SoCal. Are you in the Valley? Kaiser? If so, I can recommend my doc. Great guy. I've been with him for about 25 years now. Always treats me "right".

On your doctor's recommendation, (i.e., 1200 calories) ... he's right, (somewhat). You'll really see the pounds come off fast if you can limit yourself to just 1200. It's going to be difficult ... extremely difficult, but well worth the effort, even if only for a few months.