Prior to surgery I was on a statin and my PCP removed me from the medication before my surgery after monitoring my levels for over a year. They thought that they were high due to a episode of Diabetic Ketoacidosis. It made sense at the time because the first time I had high results was during my DKA attack. I just had my vitamin levels checked and everything came back good except for my lipid panel. I haven't been on a statin since surgery and now my Triglycerides are 343. NO BUENO!

I'm very disappointed to have to go back on daily medication. I've been off everything since surgery. Has anyone had experience with their cholesterol, NOT improving after surgery? Or perhaps, taking longer to improve? Any advice is wanted!

I'm pretty concerned because I'm looking to start a family in the next year, and you can't take statins while pregnant . Also, I'm at an increased risk of using fertility medication, which increases your cholesterol and pregnancy does as well. The pregnancy issue is still away off, but I'm nervous for obvious reasons.

I wish i could get my triglycerides down to 343. They're usually over 400 and have, at times, been so high the machine can't calculate it properly. In my case it's not related to a particular condition, it's just genetic. Admittedly, as a guy I'm not worried about my chances of getting pregnant. I take statins every day and haven't spoken to my doctor yet about what to do about them before and after surgery,, but we'll cover that soon. The worst part is that they normally prescribe large doses of niacin in addition to the statins, but I'm allergic to niacin, so that's out.

4 minutes ago, elforman said:

I wish i could get my triglycerides down to 343. They're usually over 400 and have, at times, been so high the machine can't calculate it properly. In my case it's not related to a particular condition, it's just genetic. Admittedly, as a guy I'm not worried about my chances of getting pregnant. I take statins every day and haven't spoken to my doctor yet about what to do about them before and after surgery,, but we'll cover that soon. The worst part is that they normally prescribe large doses of niacin in addition to the statins, but I'm allergic to niacin, so that's out.

I do know that I always take CoQ10 whenever I'm on a statin because it helps with my energy levels. I haven't taken niacin, but I will talk to my doctor about it. Thank you!

Ash Ash....what kind of diet do you follow? I thought you were doing low carb?

I think you're already doing a lot of this stuff...

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/13-ways-to-lower-triglycerides#section12

I just got my 8 month bloodwork back and was distressed to see my LDL and triglycerides sky high. But I expected it, as it runs in my family.

I bought fish oil, am going to try to eat more salmon, greens and maybe beans. Right now my protein comes from meat, cheese and yogurt. I can't totally manage mine with diet, but these changes would be good for me anyways. And maybe allow me to take 10mg VS 20mg of lipitor. I'm already taking flaxseed and it seems to have helped my good cholesterol.

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Rapid weight loss can cause transient high triglycerides. (Fats (triglycerides) are made with fatty acids on a glycerine backbone.) Because of our diet, we're liberating fat very quickly. It happens in a low carb/keto diet but also in a VLCD (very low calorie diet). It's not unusual for people to have elevated tris for 3-6 months while doing serious reduction.

Honestly, if it were me, I'd ask to be retested in 6 months. Ash do you know if your family has a genetic predisposition to high tris?

I would also go pretty low carb if you aren't already. (Sorry can't remember.)

Edited April 16, 20188 yr by FluffyChix

Fluffychix is correct on this elevation during weight loss.

I am sure mine are high, my personal opinion is I won't take the statins, not gonna happen.

Just wondering? Could the flaxseed cause a rise in her triglycerides? Because I heard somewhere flaxseed oil mentioned.?

Ash Ash....what kind of diet do you follow? I thought you were doing low carb?

I am doing low carb. I keep my carbs to 50 or lower per day. Side note: My A1C is awesome, 4.2.

I just got my 8 month bloodwork back and was distressed to see my LDL and triglycerides sky high. But I expected it, as it runs in my family.

I bought fish oil, am going to try to eat more salmon, greens and maybe beans. Right now my protein comes from meat, cheese and yogurt. I can't totally manage mine with diet, but these changes would be good for me anyways. And maybe allow me to take 10mg VS 20mg of lipitor. I'm already taking flaxseed and it seems to have helped my good cholesterol.

Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal App

I need to incorporate more fish, salmon specifically. I eat tuna and that’s about it. I’ll ask my doctor about the flaxseed. Thank you!

Rapid weight loss can cause transient high triglycerides. (Fats (triglycerides) are made with fatty acids on a glycerine backbone.) Because of our diet, we're liberating fat very quickly. It happens in a low carb/keto diet but also in a VLCD (very low calorie diet). It's not unusual for people to have elevated tris for 3-6 months while doing serious reduction.
Honestly, if it were me, I'd ask to be retested in 6 months. Ash do you know if your family has a genetic predisposition to high tris?
I would also go pretty low carb if you aren't already. (Sorry can't remember.)

This is very interesting! Gives me something to talk to the doctor about for sure. I did not know that about a VLCD. I’m going to put all of these suggestions on my question list for the doctor next week. I meet with my PCP on Friday and my surgeon next week. It doesn’t run in my family that I know of.

I think you're already doing a lot of this stuff...
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/13-ways-to-lower-triglycerides#section12

There are a few things from this list that I could do more or that I’m not doing.
1. Eating fatty fish 2x per week
2. Adding tree nuts
3. Add soy protein
4. Natural supplement, like fish oil.

There are a few things from this list that I could do more or that I’m not doing.
1. Eating fatty fish 2x per week
2. Adding tree nuts
3. Add soy Protein
4. Natural supplement, like fish oil.

Actually, I do eat tuna 3-5 times per week. So I can’t say I don’t do #1.

Are you doing tuna packed in oil? Tuna packed in water is lower in fat.

10 hours ago, domi said:

Are you doing tuna packed in oil? Tuna packed in Water is lower in fat.

I do the foil packets. I'm not sure.