Hi All,

I'm pre-op, but this question is for everybody. Is anyone here practicing a way of eating, like Paleo or Wheat Belly, that eliminates grains, gluten & sugars, and focuses on high-quality Proteins (no hormones, no antibiotics, no steroids, grass fed and free range) + organic veggies and fruits? I'd love to get to know people who want to eat this way.

I have a lot of inflammatory and gastric issues that I want to heal from (all of which help me qualify for the surgery). Health is my #1 concern and my main reason for wanting to lose the weight. I know from experience that grains (even whole grains), sugar, and junk make all my conditions worse, especially the arthritis, inflammation, gastro issues. I'm already feeling better. I believe that for my best health for life, I'm going to want to stick with Paleo style eating, even after my surgery.

I've already spent a lifetime failing at dieting. I believe that everything I put into my body has an impact, good or bad. I'm done with just counting calories. Most diet foods are full of junk, too.

Bariatric Protein drinks & products: I see a lot of ingredients that I don't want, including sugar alcohols, other artificial ingredients, and whey. Do bariatric patients have to use these pre-packaged Protein Drinks that the doctor's office is promoting? Does anyone know of healthier options?

The issue for me with WHEY as the primary ingredient in a Protein Drink is that whey is dairy from milk -- and the dairy industry is pumping their cows full of hormones, antibiotics, steroids, and feeding them with genetically modified grains. However, it seems that most NUTs say that whey protein is better than plant-based protein for bariatric patients.

I've found and have started using an organic whey Protein Powder that's made from the milk of grass-fed cows (organic pasture) and given no steroids/antibiotics/hormones. This product contains just the organic whey protein and nothing else (no added sugars, etc). It's got 100 cals, 1g sugar, 2g carb, and 21g protien. It's the best organic brand I've found. I've been using it in green smoothies. It has no taste at all, so I can add it to anything.

The stuff my NUT recommends, Premier Protein, not only has protein but a lot of other Vitamins. Is this what we are required to drink especially during the fasting pre-op and post-op? Or, can we take pure organic protein like the one that I like, and just take supplements for the other vitamins?

I'm going to ask all these questions at my next appointment in a few days, but I'd love to get info and thoughts from you.

thank you!

I think so long as you hit your Protein goals, and meet your Vitamin requirements, you can use whatever products work for you. Premier Protein is often recommended because it's easy to find and many people find they like the taste and texture.

Remember that any bariatric center is working with individuals who may not have much education about food and nutrition. They can often be very precriptive for just this reason.

Your situation is quite different, you have digestive issues that have meant lots of trial and error for you. You know what works, and what doesn't. Your RD or NUT will certainly work with you on making sure that you don't exacerbate any of your digestive issues.

Good luck!

I don't know how it works with WLS, but I do know that if you want to test for celiacs disease don't go off of gluten before talking to your doctor first. If you go off of gluten first the tests won't work.

That said, since my post-op "diet" is Protein rich and avoids starches for the most part, it should work well with what you are trying to do.

Have you talked to your NUT about your goals? That would be where I would start.

Have you talked to your NUT about your goals? That would be where I would start.

I've talked to two of them. One was the 6-hour required class, and the other was the NUT in my Dr.'s office. Both of these cost $$ out of pocket, and were mostly disappointing. I came prepared with some simple questions for the staff NUT, which didn't seem to register. I was surprised. For example, I wanted/needed their input on what they recommended for me pre-op (I have to "diet" for several months, journal and report to them each month before I qualify for surgery with my insurance). I asked her what she recommended as my daily ratio for Proteins / fats / carbs. She just looked baffled like I was speaking a foreign language. They seem to be stuck in the 80s or 90s? Like, "just eat 1,000 calories".

However, I'm going to keep on asking questions and seeking their advice. I'm bringing in my new grass-fed non-GMO whey Protein for them to look at. I'll report back on this thread after my next appointment this Thursday.

Is the NUT at your surgeon's office a Registered Dietician? If not, it's worth spending the $ to find one and meet with them. An RD has a Master's Degree and ceetainly will have better advice than simply "eat 1000 calories". Good heavens, that's appalling.

Most NUT and Dietitians just use the food pyramid and they don't think outside the box they are useless.

I incorporate some paleo principals in how I eat, but mainly I eat Keto.

I try to eat organic most of the time.

Premier Protein is full of chemicals, but it is the highest protein, lowest carb ready made shake you can find. Post op, the first few weeks, you might want to use it. I live alone and I didn't have anyone around to help me with things. It was nice to just be able to grab a ready made shake that required no effort. Also since it has so much protein, it makes it easy to meet your base protein each day, which is really hard in the beginning because you can ingest so little at once. Also most mix shakes get thicker when you mix them, especially with a shaker. With a normal stomach that is nice, because you feel full. It is terrible with a tiny healing stomach. They are just a tool to get you where you want to be, using them for a few weeks won't hurt, you but not meeting your protein goals will.

My post-op diet is technically paleo/primal with primarily Protein and as many non-starchy veggies I can handle. I am allowed one serving of fruit per day, and dairy and wheat products are limited. My basic concept is to not eat anything made in a factory.

I'm still doing Paleo and getting better at it day by day. Pantry & fridge are all cleaned out and I'm working on collecting recipes to keep this going. The withdrawal from grains & sugar wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. It passed pretty quickly. I'm avoiding all the goodies at work, etc. Proud of myself!

I've been keeping up with logging everything with MyPlate. I also have started journaling daily, including emotional/stress issues, which is keeping me very aware to not fall off the wagon with emotional eating.

This morning was my monthly nutritionist visit. I'm excited to report that I'm down 3 pounds! This is exciting because I made it through the holidays with weight loss, and also after weeks of being sick and on steroids, too. Happy!

One of my emotional obstacles the past couple of weeks is that while sick, they discovered a growth when they sent me for x-rays, followed by CT scan and ultrasound on my thyroid. I have a biopsy scheduled for next Monday. Even with this stress, I'm staying on track this time and this means the world to me.

I am a vegetarian but 2 years ago on Pintrest all my friends were posting paleo diets and I was just like

Hehehe

I cook meat for my family but my pouch refuses it adamantly !!!

Wow, it's been three whole months, since January 7th, since I checked in with any update!

So, the thyroid issue I wrote about in post #8 - during the biopsy appointment I learned that it was a growth covering the entire right nodule of my thyroid. Very scary. The lab work came back okay, non-cancerous. Doctors want me to just let it be and they'll check it for any changes down the road.

I'm now 3+ months into my Paleo way of eating and still going STRONG! One of the brightest moments these past few months is that my most recent bloodwork showed that I have REVERSED my borderline diabetes! Thrilled beyond words. My chronic head-to-toe pain is greatly diminished. My gastric issues are at least 75% improved. I don't have a scale and only weigh at the doctor, but I've lost probably about 20 lbs now. I've dropped about 2 sizes and I'm getting back into some of my old smaller clothes. It hasn't been rapid weight loss, just steady. I'm very happy. I keep checking in at my monthly required NUT visits, and they are very happy with what I'm doing. I was anxious at first and deliberately tried to lose weight a bit slowly because I was afraid that I might disqualify myself for surgery. They keep reassuring me that the weight and BMI that I started with is what they will submit to insurance.

I still have co-morbidities that I'm taking meds for, and apparently that will get me in, for sure.

Tomorrow morning is my #6 of 6 nutritional visit, the LAST requirement to get approved for insurance. After 7 months of working this bariatric pre-op process, I'm super excited at the prospect that I might soon have a surgery date and soon be getting ready to change my life!