I keep seeing so many responses that just say 'ask your nutritionist'. Does that mean everyone has a nutritionist? Because I don't. I was self pay and insurance won't pay for anything related to weight loss, even nutritional counseling. I did one appointment a couple weeks before surgery to go over the basics, and I have a binder of nutritional information, but that's it. I am now finding that I have many questions, and am thinking I may just need to suck it up and pay out of pocket for at least one more appointment.

So tell me, how often do you see yours? What kind of things do they help you with? Any tips on what to look for to find a good one?

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I went to a bariatric center and they had a nutritionist on staff that I talked to.

I don't have a NUT either. My surgeon acts as my NUT as he advises his patients on both surgical and non-surgical weight loss. In fact, he has published a book called "Pound of Cure" that is available on Amazon (not bariatric specific, but is the long term diet he recommends).

I would also strongly recommend checking out some of his videos on his website: http://drmatthewweiner.com/surgical-weight-loss-video/

He includes videos on his post-op diet plan, etc.

Not that I am discouraging you from seeking out a NUT, but it might be worth investing some time in the videos prior to seeing a NUT so you can have one perspective.

Just a thought. Good luck with whatever route you chose!

I don't have a NUT either. My surgeon acts as my NUT as he advises his patients on both surgical and non-surgical weight loss. In fact, he has published a book called "Pound of Cure" that is available on Amazon (not bariatric specific, but is the long term diet he recommends).

I would also strongly recommend checking out some of his videos on his website: http://drmatthewweiner.com/surgical-weight-loss-video/

He includes videos on his post-op diet plan, etc.

Not that I am discouraging you from seeking out a NUT, but it might be worth investing some time in the videos prior to seeing a NUT so you can have one perspective.

Just a thought. Good luck with whatever route you chose!

Thanks! I'll definitely take a look at the videos!

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I was self pay, but my My VSG surgeon still offers nutritional counseling (for life, free of charge). But I didn't feel any need to consult with her and haven't communicated with her since surgery day 2 1/2 years ago.

The surgeon who removed my gallbladder (who also does WLS) wanted me to talk to his nut since I went to Mexico for my VSG and I can't possibly be educated enough to do this alone. He's an @ssh0le, BTW. He had her call me, I explained I had lost over 100% of my excess weight, described my eating habits and she simply said "good job, sorry to bother you, I'm not sure why the doctor asked me to call you."

So no, you don't necessarily need a nut to navigate post WLS life successfully. In fact, I read about a lot of pretty dumb advice some people receive from their nuts. As for your questions, you may think about posting them here. BP forum members have actually "been there done that" as opposed to most nuts that have no idea what it's like to be obese or what post WLS is like. You'll probably get a dozen different answers, none of them right or wrong, but the whole point is to sift through the info available and find what works for YOU, not what some nutritional textbook says.

So no, you don't need a nut to navigate post WLS life successfully. In fact, I read about a lot of pretty dumb advice some people receive from their nuts. As for your questions, you may think about posting them here. BP forum members have actually "been there done that" as opposed to most nuts that have no idea what it's like to be obese or what post WLS is like. You'll probably get a dozen different answers, none of them right or wrong, but the whole point is to sift through the info available and find what works for YOU, not what some nutritional textbook says.

I hesitate to post some of my questions, because I think they may be rather dumb questions. I know that shouldn't stop me, but sometimes people can be rude, especially with the anonymity of an online forum. But, I'm sure I'll be asking anyway.

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don't worry. I do have one, and I do talk to her about any deviations from my program, but she just reads back protocol to me. she's not very helpful.

my doctor or NP are the ones who give me custom advice to my personal plan and make sure that my progress is where it should be.

So no, you don't need a nut to navigate post WLS life successfully. In fact, I read about a lot of pretty dumb advice some people receive from their nuts. As for your questions, you may think about posting them here. BP forum members have actually "been there done that" as opposed to most nuts that have no idea what it's like to be obese or what post WLS is like. You'll probably get a dozen different answers, none of them right or wrong, but the whole point is to sift through the info available and find what works for YOU, not what some nutritional textbook says.

I hesitate to post some of my questions, because I think they may be rather dumb questions. I know that shouldn't stop me, but sometimes people can be rude, especially with the anonymity of an online forum. But, I'm sure I'll be asking anyway.

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Have you tried the search function? There probably aren't a lot of questions out there that haven't already been asked. Just type in a key word that has to do with your question and check out the posts that come up. Or plop yourself down in front of the preop and postop general questions subforums and you could spend hours reading through the posts. That's what I did even before surgery and by the time came there was hardly anything I hadn't already read about. There is also a nutritional forum on here that is divided into the different food stages where you could get some good info if it's specifically dietary related.

But again, keep in mind there are dozens of different programs out there with just as many variations on postop instructions. So take what you find and see what fits best for you. In the long run, a unique plan that you develop for yourself will be the easiest for you to stick to.

@@cseidman - I rent my own I self paid and found a very good NUT, at a great price because she didn't have to do any insurance paperwork.

@@cseidman - I rent my own I self paid and found a very good NUT, at a great price because she didn't have to do any insurance paperwork.

I have started looking around locally. There is the dietary department at the hospital, and they work with most of the bariatric surgery patients, but I'm guessing it will be cheaper to find someone in private practice. Like you mention, not having to deal with insurance is a definite plus for the practice. There was one locally who I had heard great things about. Went to her website and she has a lengthy statement on there about her views on bariatric surgery. She calls it a mutilation of the body and is adamantly against it. So, she's a no go. I think I'll just start calling around and asking people about their viewpoint and experience with surgery patients.

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Is there a college or university nearby that offers a degree in nutrition? They may have a free/low cost clinic at which students (supervised by licensed nutritionists) learn the ropes. Also, check with your county health department or agricultural extension. They may have resources you could use. Best of luck.

I don't have one yet, but I will. My surgeon's office has a dietitian on staff and it's through them that I have to do the 6 month supervised diet. Depending on how useful I find her info will determine if I continue using her after surgery or if I'll find my answers elsewhere.

Is there a college or university nearby that offers a degree in nutrition? They may have a free/low cost clinic at which students (supervised by licensed nutritionists) learn the ropes. Also, check with your county health department or agricultural extension. They may have resources you could use. Best of luck.

That's a great idea! I do live in a university town, so I'll definitely look into it.

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I only have the NUTs working at the center I got surgery at. You can write e-mails or call and you can talk to them during follow-up appointments.

@@cseidman I got more out of appointments with the Bariatric Team Psychologist than the NUT (pre-op anyway). Check the website of your Program and see if they have any good educational materials about post op eating. You are better off going to one that's part of a Bariatric Program rather than a private one.

I actually saw my surgeon yesterday, and she was (surprisingly) like, you're doing great, slow weight loss is more sustainable, blah blah, but I asked if I needed a NUT and she asked me what I was eating...and then she was like, nope. Seems legit. I was surprised!