So, the nutritionist at my surgeon's office is less than useful. When I ask her questions like does she have any tricks for getting more protein from non-dairy foods, she just says "There is a protein list on page 17 in your book." Yep - I know, I've read the book cover to cover several times. I'm asking for practical tips considering I only eat veg and seafood.

So, I decided to make an appointment with the nutritionist at my other weight loss clinic (this place is GREAT - it is run by an endocrinologist and has endocrinologists, psychologists, nutritionists, and exercise specialists and holds group classes on everything from CBT to psychological issues in weight loss to how to grocery shop to yoga). Anyway, I am SO glad I did. We talked about how my days are set up, what I've been eating, what my goals are (more non-dairy protein and more veg, with less reflux and fewer protein shakes). She got me to realize I have a few other goals too - more veg variety without wasting food (I mean a zucchini lasts a week, so its hard to eat anything else if you don't want to throw some away!). She gave me a LOT of really good ideas on how to meet my goals and meet the goals my surgeon has set out for me. And she's super supportive. So glad I listened to myself that I wasn't getting the support I needed at the surgeon's NUT (who I still have to see because it is a program requirement).

Now I need to go to Trader Joe's tonight to do some shopping.

Way to hack your life and needs!

I originally liked my NUT, but I took a morning off work for my pre-surgery class only to arrive and find that she called in sick and the office didn't inform me. I lost a 1/2 day of work and traveled for no reason. They said she would email me the info for the class instead...if that was an option then why did you insist that I make an appointment for a class that is only offered on Thursday mornings?

Then my one-month post op: I get there and see the PA for the surgeon and tell the nurse that I also have a NUT appointment and she tells me, "Oh, she left already." Are you friggin' kidding me? I made a fuss until they had another surgeon's NUT see me, and she turned out to be much better, not rushing me out like the other one.

Sometimes change is good. I'm glad you found someone that meets your needs. Frankly I find the NUT appointments irritating, I can look up the same information on the internet, I don't really need to make an appointment and pay a copay for the same info. In fact, a lot of the info I've gotten from the NUT has been incomplete or conflicting. I just go because I want to be a compliant patient so that I have the support of my surgeon if I have an issue.

Yeah, I'm with you. The NUT I saw today helped me think about different combos of food. So, like we talked about my not liking veggies that are too soft/slimy, which is why I don't eat frozen veg. But fresh veg goes bad before I can eat it all with as little as I eat. She listened and gave me some ideas about frozen veg that hold up well.

She also gave me some ideas of foods that could be giving me reflux. I know that I'm fine with spicy foods, but I'd been making no sugar hot chocolate (to cover up the sour taste of the milk when I need to get extra protein in). She said to see if the choc could be giving me reflux. Also gave me some out of the box ideas for other ways to cover the sour taste of the milk when I need it to get in my protein. My surgeon's nut just tells me to look at the list of protein in the book they gave out.

And gave me some ways to get protein without bulking up my meals, which will allow me to eat more veggies (which I have been CRAVING).

So, just so excited that she helped me see things in a new way and gave me some ideas for new ways to combine foods. Whereas the other nut was just pretty much "You're getting protein and liquids, so you're fine, even if you don't really like the way your getting them".

I want to see your new NUT! Before this process I went to a NUT a few years ago and was less than thrilled too. I don't need to be told the same basic info over and over. Help me people!