What's with all the "diet" food?

[samuelsmom 670]

HI Folks,

As an old RN for the past 33 years, I can guarantee you that there is a great variance of opinion and knowledge among health care providers. It is not a good idea to blindly accept and/or follow anybody, including your health care team. That being said, I have the utmost respect for my surgeon and the team I worked with. I also know that I have to live with any health care decision that is made, so it is in my best interest and the entire team's best interest if I have the best information possible to make health care and lifestyle choices. A good health care team will not be upset or threatened by an informed, questioning patient.

[Kindle 8,667]

HI Folks,

As an old RN for the past 33 years, I can guarantee you that there is a great variance of opinion and knowledge among health care providers. It is not a good idea to blindly accept and/or follow anybody, including your health care team. That being said, I have the utmost respect for my surgeon and the team I worked with. I also know that I have to live with any health care decision that is made, so it is in my best interest and the entire team's best interest if I have the best information possible to make health care and lifestyle choices. A good health care team will not be upset or threatened by an informed, questioning patient.

Exactly! I feel it is our responsibility to be a part of our own health care and to work WITH our doctors, not simply accept their advice as infallible. Luckily I have a great doctor who feels the same way and his ego does not get in the way when I ask questions or make suggestions based on what I know about my own body and what I've discovered in my research. He also doesn't hesitate to consult with other specialists concerning my health so that he can provide the best care for me.

I am, in fact, responsible for my own post WLS plan. No one held my hand or told me what I can and can't do. I took bits and pieces from my surgeon's recommendations, my PCP, medical journals, nutritional research and from veterans on here and did what was best for ME.

Like it's been said before, there is not one right way to do this. No medical degree in the world makes someone an absolute expert. Everyone should own their own journey and be informed beyond the confines of their medical team.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

I'm 5 months post-op. I adore my surgeon and his team. They are GREAT. However, like Kindle, I assume responsibility for my own WLS success.

I've also found tremendous value in many experiences and advice expressed here and other online forums.

So I welcome everyone's views. But any insinuation that people should muzzle their experiences, opinions or even their instincts here is silly.

BP is a message board. It's social media. It's not a source of medical advice. No one here is responsible for what others do or don't do in response to their comments here.

As everyone here surely realizes, we are just regular Joes typing on the internet, expressing ourselves.

Edited January 21, 2015 by VSGAnn2014

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

@@Stevehud - No one is advocating not listening to your surgical team. If you read my post clearly I stated that I worked with my nutritionist in coming up with a way to eat whole foods. It takes a lot of work. I had to do my part and research alternatives, but it can be done. You also assume that weight gain was because of over eating. I can't speak for others, but I know in my case multiple medical issues played a large part. Pre-mature menopause due to cancer and a tumor on my pituitary are just a few of my issues as well as my severe food allergies.

What I am saying is it is entirely possible to eat whole foods on a bariatric diet. If you that is not the path for you, then so be it.

Edited January 22, 2015 by BLERDgirl

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

I appreciate you playing devil's advocate, Steve. I agree, nobody should be ignoring their weight loss team, but I do feel it's important to question authority if what they're asking you to do just doesn't feel right. In my case I've got a not-so-helpful NUT.

I'm so glad to have everybody's input here (59 reponses!); I got some great information, most especially the referral to Dr. Matthew Weiner's website and all this videos. Another doctor; director of the bariatric program at his hospital and author of "A Pound of Cure".

Because I realize I am by no means an expert, I ran Dr. Weiner's ideas by the director of the bariatric program at my hospital.

This is his response: "My opinion has always been that there is no one "right" way to do things. I am certain there are patients out there who are miserable on Dr. Weiner's diet! Having said that, as long as you are meeting the macronutrient requirements I am fine with you getting your Protein mainly from plant sources. You know your body better than anyone and listening to your body is the best guide."

Of course I'll have to focus on protein first these first few months as my stomach heals, since I can't possibly eat the volume I'd need for that from plant sources. But I am encouraged that I can safely start replacing my Protein Shakes with better, healthier options, and begin eating more veggie and fruits. Dr. Weiner invests a lot into your post-operative and long term diet and has a ton of helpful videos on his site. I have the feeling this is the direction that future post operative diets will be taking. And as my contact says (as does Dr. Weiner): "listening to your body is your best guide."

But listening to people who have been there done that provides a wealth of information to help you make wiser choices. So again everybody, thank you for your input.

Today I found what may be a dream come true for me. Isopure has an unflavored powder that is just whey isolate and nothing else. I tried it and so far I really like it. Best yet it can be mixed in hot or cold beverages and gives 26 gms of protein in a scope. Low carbs and NO sugar. Exactly what I need. I would never have found it unless I didn't keep digging and searching. Sure I have reason for doing such a search. I need to eat as clean as possible. My body functions better when I do. It may not be for everyone but it is worth it for me.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Exactly! I feel it is our responsibility to be a part of our own health care and to work WITH our doctors, not simply accept their advice as infallible. Luckily I have a great doctor who feels the same way and his ego does not get in the way when I ask questions or make suggestions based on what I know about my own body and what I've discovered in my research. He also doesn't hesitate to consult with other specialists concerning my health so that he can provide the best care for me.

I am, in fact, responsible for my own post WLS plan. No one held my hand or told me what I can and can't do. I took bits and pieces from my surgeon's recommendations, my PCP, medical journals, nutritional research and from veterans on here and did what was best for ME.

Like it's been said before, there is not one right way to do this. No medical degree in the world makes someone an absolute expert. Everyone should own their own journey and be informed beyond the confines of their medical team.

Exactly! I know my body. I've lived it for 51 years. I know that it reacts atypically to many things that would never bother anyone else. Seemingly minor things like the bandage that kept everyone's IV in place? Leave me with a red, itchy rash for a solid week over my entire arm. You think I'm not going to insist on the bare minimum of gauze and an ace bandage instead because the doctors say they know better? No when I'm the one who has to live with the rash. I am ALWAYS proactive in my care. I do not undertake any procedures or medication without thoroughly investigating and then I discuss this with any medical staff involved in my care.

You know why I wasn't jittery and crying going into surgery? Why I didn't need something to calm me down? Because I was prepared. I have to be. Otherwise I'm the one who pays the price.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

Twenty months out, at goal for the last eight or so, no expert on anyone but me.

I saw my NUT twice because it was required by insurance. She was nice, but she was a twit who tried to sell me her MLM Vitamins. I did my time and then I noped it right outta there.

My NP gave me a list of yes foods and no foods and told me to go from there. I adjusted that list by what made me feel good and what did not. Every visit (monthly) for the first 6 months, we discussed my food diary and what I liked/didn't and what she liked/didn't. I adjusted, she adjusted.

I won't do fat free and rarely do SF except pudding cuz I love it. I eat real mayo, butter, sour cream but I like light dressing and yogurt. Not a dietary choice but because I LIKE it.

I eat meat first, veggies second, complex carbs last. I can rarely manage the complex carbs. It's not "on purpose", it's because I don't have room and I feel lethargic after carbs.

When I want something sweet, I eat it. A few kisses, a cookie, a brownie. Probably half a serving size. If I don't eat what I want, I will think about it until I do, so I may as well. Before, I would just eat my way through a lot of sh/t until I gave in but I don't have space now.

Per my NP, I don't drink enough Water and she hates my Coke Zero, but she goes with it but only because she loves my Protein and my low carbs. She loves that I treat myself daily but in a controlled manner. My CZ is my only vice and she is willing to accept it.

We are a team. Period.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

@@Stevehud Well said Steve. When I first started blogging on here after my hospital discharge, I felt like I was the weakest person on earth. Why? Because many on here stated they had no pain, no this, no that, and made it seemed as they just did headstands and flips when they got home. Made me feel like I was weak and a failure for a nano second. Then I said to myself screw it. Not everyone is the same. We all do have a different journey.

I come on here to read about other people's thoughts. If it applies to me and I think it will do me good...heck why not. Otherwise, my surgeon and dietician are the educated ones at the end of the day because they were the ones to prep me, cut me, fix me and then guide me.

So yes, let's try to respect some boundaries.

Respect who's boundaries?

[sunflowerchild 146]

Maybe everyone should just put a disclaimer on the bottom of every post they write saying "this is my opinion and I am not a doctor" just to clarify. This way no one will be confused or misunderstand who the advice is coming from.

Edited January 21, 2015 by sunflowerchild

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

@@sunflowerchild - I would assume in a conversation among grownups that we could be intelligent enough to understand that each person is speaking from their own personal experiences without needing to post a disclaimer.

[sunflowerchild 146]

@@sunflowerchild - I would assume in a conversation among grownups that we could be intelligent enough to understand that each person is speaking from their own personal experiences without needing to post a disclaimer.

I was being completely sarcastic. Sorry if that didn't translate well haha! I completely agree. If anyone is on this site taking any members word as bible then they are the one with the problem... Not the people who are just talking about their own experiences and what's worked for them.

[Pac-woman 325]

I think it is time for me to unfollow this thread. Somehow it went from help feedback to defensive responses. No one has time for that. Enjoy it among yourselves. Good day.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

@@Pac-woman - I'm not seeing defensive responses. I see post on both sides of the fence. I would think that's pretty normal in a back and forth conversation. I did post a response to a post of yours asking for clarification, but that's because I honestly couldn't tell who you were talking about.

Edited January 21, 2015 by BLERDgirl

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

I think it is time for me to unfollow this thread. Somehow it went from help feedback to defensive responses. No one has time for that. Enjoy it among yourselves. Good day.

I've got plenty of time for discussion ... on a discussion board.

Farewell.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

I think it is time for me to unfollow this thread. Somehow it went from help feedback to defensive responses. No one has time for that. Enjoy it among yourselves. Good day.

<head scratcher>

I must have missed something.