Hi all,

My surgery was back in April last year and I'm within a few pounds of goal weight. Whoo hoo! I've been good taking my Vitamins, drinking but my eating isn't quite as good as it was closer to my surgery.(Can anyone say crackers?!) I went in for a six month check up and saw the dr, talked about my eating/exercise habits, etc. She said I was doing amazing and sent me on my way. I also spent an hour with the nutritionist and she gave me a hand out. This is a group class and is horrible. Online, if you get bored o listening to someone, you can quit reading. In the class, you are stuck. I swear, this person who had the band asked if she could eat fish. The nutritionist said "Yes, fish is a good choice." Then the person said "Halibut?" Nutritionist "Yes." Person wtih lap band "catfish?" Yes.... This went on for longer than you'd think was possible. So, I'd like to not have to go to another nutritionist class. I'd love to just get the hand out and read it on my own, then contact her with any questions.

BUT - when I tried to cancel my nutritionist visit for January (my 9 month visit), she said the class is mandatory and I have to go. Seriously? I have to go? What if I don't? Are they going to come and get me? The office is about 40 minutes away in Seattle so parking is always a mess and so is traffic. Can't I just keep doing what I'm doing?

What do you guys think?

I get their point. Studies show that after care including NUT followup increases success. However, I totally also get what you're saying. There are some folks who are so clueless about nutrition that I don't understand how they can have this surgery without knowing those things first (man, I hope that woman was still in the pre-stage!)

Also, keep in mind they are tracking the success of their patients for their own studies and clinical numbers.

Personally, I didn't do any of the nutritional classes after my band surgery. I know what to do, I just have always had trouble in the execution category! If you have a handle on the nutrition side of things and are comfortable going it solo, then do what you're comfortable with!

The absolute worst they can do to you is come and take back the sleeve.....LOL

I made and appointment with a nutritionist, one on one with Kaiser and it was totally fun. Couldn't believe how fun it was....

Now groups can be a different story, especially with individuals that are annoying....

I probably wouldn't go if it was me, but that's me. I'm not a nutritionist so I am not recommending, just saying.

However, there might be some good stuff to come out later. Can you speak to the nutritionist before group starts and ask her if she can recommend to the annoying person to see her after group if she has any questions? Just a thought.

That does sound strange. I had to see a nutritionist to move forward with my surgeons office before I could get a surgery date, but I've never heard of the mandatory NUT meetings afterward. I think I might skip it too. What could the possible repercussions be? Did the Nut say you could eat salmon? Just kidding.

You could go for entertainment purposes. When I last went to the support group for people 1 year + out this one lady totally wigged out and broke down over the fact that she had bought a six-pack of Coke and had a sip out of each one.

Good thing I didn't bring my Diet Coke with me. Yes, I still drink diet soda.

Anyway, the other support group classes I've been to have been filled with people clueless about their own surgery. I'm the only sleever too. The nutritionist also thinks I should NEVER drink Protein shakes ever again. I think it's B.S.

Still, I go every once in a while out of curiosity. It's not mandatory. I do feel for you, but I'd continue so they cannot say that you didn't follow the surgeon's directions should something come up.

salmon - yes

cod - yes

then the NUT said "but tuna only twice a week" and the lady (who was POST-OP!) said "I hate tuna, but I love potatoes!"

huh?

I'll just check the peep hole before I open my door. If I see my surgeon with the part of my stomach he removed, I won't answer the door.

I totally agree that some people need guidance. And I'd love to read over the hand out, but I'd rather poke my eyes with ...potatoes than sit there for an hour.

The entertainment value is there, but probably not high enough to make me actually go. There was a husband there last time, probably in his 60's who had the band. His thin wife was with him and she did all of the talking. I don't know that he spoke a single word. She complained that he ate too much and she was pretty sure he needed to chew more. She took notes (no doubt writing down all of the allowable varieties of fish!) and nudged her husband in the ribs while the NUT spoke about vegetables. Now that was fun to watch.

But I don't want a black mark by my name so if I call for something, they say "Oh, you didn't follow the rules! We can't help you."

I think even if the majority is a re-hashing of what you already know there could be one tidbit that is new news to you. Try to understand that people are at different levels of knowledge. The nutritionist needs to shut this kind of redundant questioning down by offering individual sessions with people like that. Obviously, the NUT is not experienced in dealing with people who like to dominate the forum.

hah Did you have your surgery at Swedish btw?

You can try asking if there is a group that you cam go to that the wls patients are at least 6 months post op. this is why I stopped going to my support group meetings, you have a lot of newbies who ask repetitive questions, and frankly I just don't have time for that.

Yes, Swedish. Are you familiar with their particular kind of crazy? Wait - you're not the fish lady, are you?!?!

I'd love the hand out from the NUT. I'm definitely an information junkie - otherwise I wouldn't be using a board like this. The NUT is young, probably 80 pounds wet. I thought she was an interesting choice for a position like this. She seems nice enough, but doesn't seem to be able to control the group.

I laughed out loud when I read the part where you wrote about a lap-bander was asking if she could eat each particular type of fish. I was in a group nutrition class and an annoying man there asked if he could eat yogurt. The nutritionist said,"yes, as long as it doesn't have chunks of fruit of seeds." Then he asked about strawberry yogurt. Then pineapple yogurt. Then raspberry yogurt. I couldn't stand it any longer and got up and left. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

I signed a contract before surgery that I would attend nut groups and support groups beside my checkups!! I also am part of a study with BlueCross tracking success in patients. I live 2 hours from my doctor so have done some if the nut meetings over the phone and she emailed me the info. I love the follow up they have!!!

Your comments are too funny!! Just call the NUT tell her you've been studying at home,find out some info online, and explain how far away you live. Tell her your gonna take a nutrition class. She should accommodate you. If she doesn't then she is unreasonable and stop going. Or ask for written material mailed to you but don't waste your time if your not getting anything out of it. Life is short.

Oh holy cow...I just don't do stupid! Skip it and see if they call for gads sake. I bet they don't. Tell them you are an intelligent being and can't handle an hour with beings who are not in that category!

But onto the more important stuff...

King Salmon? Is Coho ok or White King only? What about farmed fish? Farmed fish is probably a no right???

I quit my NUT because she's an actual nut and I get nothing out of it! They can't make you go.

Yes I had my surgery at Swedish as well - and no I am not the fish lady haha! (I have my 9 month at the end of next month) I do know exactly what you are talking about with the group stuff - then again it can be a challenge to control a group with folks who have not done a lot of their own research and have tons of goofy questions.

I go to the support groups so I am familiar with the staff. I think I have lost two Brittany's already ahaha!