Cholesterol

[summerseeker 2,150]

In the UK we have a different medical set up than others have. Our normal needs are taken care of by our local doctor. My bariatric surgeon has no more input into my care. His team of dieticians etc, just look after diet and problems around it. I had my blood tests and they are good but my Cholesterol is higher than they want it too be. They want me to go on Statins. I want to know if I need to argue my corner and say NO to them, is higher Cholesterol a temporary thing ? Once I can eat a variety of foods will it go back to its good levels. Thanks for your replies in advance

[liveaboard15 1,293]

eating healthy can bring your cholesterol levels down with time. My cholesterol levels were very high before surgery. I actually have a blood test tomorrow morning to recheck it after 3 months of surgery.

[kcuster83 1,504]

Was your Cholesterol high before surgery? Weird for it go up after surgery.

I will say fish oil supplements work wonders for lowering Cholesterol though. You can see if you can try that before meds? I know 2 people who control it completely with fish oil and still don't even really watch what they eat.

[Sleeve_Me_Alone 656]

Elevated cholesterol immediately post-op and through the most active weight loss period is very common. Mine went up as well, and my PCP is not at all concerned. If it were still elevated once I reach maintenance, which she highly doubts it will, then we can address. Do some research on it, there are several peer reviewed studies out there about it, and then decide.

Adding in a Prebiotic Fiber supplement like Just Better Fiber can help, as can exercise and time.

[summerseeker 2,150]

4 hours ago, kcuster83 said:

Was your Cholesterol high before surgery? Weird for it go up after surgery.

I will say fish oil supplements work wonders for lowering Cholesterol though. You can see if you can try that before meds? I know 2 people who control it completely with fish oil and still don't even really watch what they eat.

No It was very low before surgery. I am unable to eat a lot at one sitting so have 5 small meals a day. Its very Protein led as I have very little room for anything else, vegetable wise.

[KimA-GA 540]

12 hours ago, summerseeker said:

In the UK we have a different medical set up than others have. Our normal needs are taken care of by our local doctor. My bariatric surgeon has no more input into my care. His team of dieticians etc, just look after diet and problems around it. I had my blood tests and they are good but my Cholesterol is higher than they want it too be. They want me to go on Statins. I want to know if I need to argue my corner and say NO to them, is higher Cholesterol a temporary thing ? Once I can eat a variety of foods will it go back to its good levels. Thanks for your replies in advance

Diet modification can work well.. mine increased once and I added regular oatmeal twice a week for a few months and it brought it down to normal.

[Arabesque 7,256]

As @Sleeve me alone! said elevated cholesterol levels is common post surgery. Mine went up too. It’s all the cholesterol being released into your body as you lose fat & the high Protein diet (especially animal proteins) & lower vegetable diet add to it. My surgeon & doctor monitored it but it started to go down when my weight loss finally slowed & I was eating a more balanced diet in maintenance. It was always about 5/5.1 before surgery (not bad but not good), went up to 5.8 (danger, danger) & is 4.1 now (gold star 😉).

Try swapping in some plant Proteins & rolled oats into your diet & see if that helps while you are still losing.

[SleeverSk 635]

30 minutes ago, Arabesque said:

As @Sleeve me alone! said elevated cholesterol levels is common post surgery. Mine went up too. It’s all the cholesterol being released into your body as you lose fat & the high Protein diet (especially animal proteins) & lower vegetable diet add to it. My surgeon & doctor monitored it but it started to go down when my weight loss finally slowed & I was eating a more balanced diet in maintenance. It was always about 5/5.1 before surgery (not bad but not good), went up to 5.8 (danger, danger) & is 4.1 now (gold star 😉).

Try swapping in some plant Proteins & rolled oats into your diet & see if that helps while you are still losing.

Agreed,my surgeon also said temporary higher cholesterol levels can be normal mine is 7.2 I am not taking statins yet going to give it a bit longer. Having said that I have the genetic type of high cholesterol so I am going to get the scan they do to check for Calcium build up in your heart and arteries to see if I do need medication

Edited July 26, 2022 by SleeverSk