Is / was your nutritionist all that helpful?

[Liz5012 47]

My nutritionist is also a Physicians Assistant. She answers every question and makes suggestions that have been very helpful. As part of my program, I was expected to meet with her every every 6-8 weeks, the first 5 months Post Op and now every three months. We go over the weight loss and any problems or concerns I may have incurred since my last visit. All of the Nutritionists associated with the Weight Loss Surgery Center have advanced training beyond their four year degree. They work with the Surgeons, the experience has been invaluable.

Edited August 12, 2015 by Liz5012

[newmebithebypass 713]

I love love love my nut she is fabulous she is so knowledgeable and personable

[DangerMouse007 105]

Just went through this thread for the first time. Lots of differing opinions.

I was seeing a nutritionist before I decided to get the gastric bypass through my endocrinologist. She was great spending nearly an hour per session with me going through portion size, the different foods I should eat or avoid, etc. Then when I started the six month pre-op program with my surgeon I started seeing his nutritionist. She wasn't nearly as helpful mainly going over the post-op diet plan in regards to the different phases. I only saw her twice in the six months pre-op.

Now that I'm about 2 months post-op, I have yet to see her, and I don't have any appointments set up. I guess it's something I could do. My appointment with my endo got pushed back to this upcoming Friday so I'm thinking of asking him if I could just start seeing his nutritionist again.

[Margie122 845]

The NUT at my center (which is a center of excellence) has been great. He is young but he knows his stuff. He is available via email and always gets back to me. He has been a a huge support to me. He also runs the monthly support group. I am lucky to have such a great asset.

[The Candidate 3,215]

My program didn't offer a NUT.

[JamieLogical 8,708]

My program didn't offer a NUT.

That's pretty crazy!

[Sharon1964 2,530]

Meh. The class was good in that they handed out the post-op eating plan, and talked about that quite a bit. They went over stuff I already knew, about reading labels and whatnot. They also stressed that the doctors in my group don't want you using Protein shakes - they want you eating "real food", and don't worry about getting enough Protein in until you are eating food again.

At my preop appointment the NUT gave me the diet plan for the first week (which strangely wasn't on the documents I already had) - dilute apple, white grape, or cranberry juice by half with Water, and drink 45-60 ounces of that per day. That's where the carbs are for the first week.

At my one-month post op appointment, she was pretty useless. She put a set of measuring cups on the table and told me to pick out which one represented how much I was eating at each meal. I said "one-third cup". She again wanted me to pick one out even though I told her I was measuring my food.

Seems like a script she didn't know how to get away from.

Thankfully I don't have to see her again. When I see the nurse practitioner for followup visits, we talk about food and nutrition then.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

My nutrionist was not that great. I get better info from a personal trainer. Or reading a magazine.

My concern would be that a personal trainer doesn't have any training in treating bariatric patients who have vastly different stomach capacities and nutritional needs that a person who has not had WLS.

My program didn't offer a NUT.

Who provided information on your nutrition for post-op life?

[The Candidate 3,215]

@@BLERDgirl nutritional information was provided during the six months of classes required as part of the approval process. But we never met individually with a certified nutritionist, or were provided with nutritional support as post ops.

[songsmith 334]

Mine has been horrible. I'm required to see her once a month. She asks me what I've been eating, whether I'm taking Vitamins and if I've kicked my caffeine habit yet. That's it. I asked her what I should be shooting for: calories or carb/protein intake or something. She said, "Oh, you've dieted enough to know what you need." I feel like I'm floundering.

OTOH, the post-op binder they gave me looks to contain a lot of helpful information.

[tugs 40]

my nut is awsome she only deals with wls and i can ask her anything any time very helpful

[newmebithebypass 713]

I might have to change programs entirely starting the first of the year and if I do I will be sad I truly think that my nut is the only reason I've been this successful with pre-op weight loss. But I won't know anything until Monday. I also love my Surgeon so I really don't want to switch but if it comes down to my surgery Being paid for or not I'll have to go through insurance

[Indieflickers 298]

My nutritionist seemed knowledgeable enough but was always unavailable. When I had a question about calories it took her 3 weeks to respond. I feel like everything I've learned about nutrition was from my own research and these forums.

[newmebithebypass 713]

so i am switching programs and i will have two nuts to my disposal and a exercise guru person thing so i am really happy with new program cant wait to meet the whole team