Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Is / was your nutritionist all that helpful?



Recommended Posts

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 by Liz5012

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My program didn't offer a NUT.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My program didn't offer a NUT.

That's pretty crazy!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@@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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×