Just got off the phone with my nutritionist and she didn't help me at all.

For those of you who have been following my posts, you know I had some questions for her.

I asked her if I had to keep drinking 8 cups of water per day and let her know that I had to cut down to 6 because I get way too full even at this stage (9 months out), and then can't eat, and am losing more weight and can not maintain. Her answer was "Yes you have to drink 8 cups (64 oz.) of water per day".

Then I asked if other liquids count towards the goal. Her answer was, "Yes, and you have to drink 8 cups of water per day also." Well that makes no sense.

I then asked what could I do to gain a few lbs. Her answer was to "drink full fat milk, eat nuts, Peanut Butter or Almond Butter". I told her that I eat those things everyday, but can not drink milk due to lactose intolerance. Then she says, "Ok so eat yogurt, cottage cheese, and cheese". I told her that I can not do that because those things are dairy. So then she tells me to drink whole milk, instead of my almond milk.

By now I am ready to start yelling at her. I know she wasn't paying attention to me.

Then she tells me to eat more often, so I tell her that I already eat 5-6 times a day to which she tells me that I should be eating 5-6 times a day. LOL I give up. WTF lady?

She also told me I should be having more protein so I tell her about my constipation issues and that I already eat 90-100 grams of protein a day. I let her know that the doc says I need to cut back a little bit on this, and she tells me that I should be drinking protein water. OMG!! Whatever.

So now I am just going to have to do it my way, and see whatever works for me. I am going to cut back my water intake to 4 cups a day so I am not so full, and hopefully can eat more. I also will cut my protein down. I don't know what else to do at this point. I need to be able to eat more so I can put some weight back on.

Any advice would be wonderful. Thanks

I was told any non-caffeinated beverage counts toward the 64 oz of fluid requirement. And that includes protein shakes.

I think some people who are lactose intolerant can handle cheese and yogurt - the fermentation and/or aging weakens the lactose - or something like that. Although I don't know if that's universally true.

but other than that, yea - it sounds like she's not listening to you. I would have been mad, too

It’s a bit odd that she’s not creating a plan specifically for your needs. It’s likely time to get a new perspective.

3 minutes ago, catwoman7 said:

I was told any non-caffeinated beverage counts toward the 64 oz of Fluid requirement. And that includes Protein Shakes.

I think some people who are lactose intolerant can handle cheese and yogurt - the fermentation and/or aging weakens the lactose - or something like that. Although I don't know if that's universally true.

but other than that, yea - it sounds like she's not listening to you. I would have been mad, too

Yogurt really bothers me, the cheese makes me more constipated. I can tolerate eating cottage cheese sometimes. Like I said, I am just going to have to figure it out on my own. She was absolutely no help whatsoever.

1 minute ago, GummyBearQueen said:

It’s a bit odd that she’s not creating a plan specifically for your needs. It’s likely time to get a new perspective.

This is the nutritionist that is affiliated with my surgeons office so I don't know what else to do? She is the only one I have had for the past 9 months.

Yikes, I am so sorry your experience has not been better. I haven't had surgery yet, but can echo that my nutritionist advised me what others have mentioned, that non-caffeinated liquids count towards my fluid (water) intake goal for the day. She even mentioned protein shakes as an excellent way to meet fluid goals while also meeting protein goals.

I don't have any real suggestions on upping calorie intake or anything. Maybe beans or some sort of pasta? I know long term (when I get to solids) my nutritionist recommends 8 servings protein rich foods, 4 servings produce, 2 servings starches, and 3 servings fats per day. You could add a little more fat in the form of butter or such when you're cooking to get some extra calories in with either protein or veggies too, since your nutritionist was recommending more fat with dairy, maybe getting that fat in with other foods is okay too?

On 06/01/2021 at 15:56, HealthyLifeStyle said:

This is the nutritionist that is affiliated with my surgeons office so I don't know what else to do? She is the only one I have had for the past 9 months.

Easy…hire another one. They don’t have to be affiliated with your bariatric program.

32 minutes ago, GummyBearQueen said:

Easy…hire another one. They don’t have to be affiliated with your bariatric program.

I thought I had to only use her because of the affiliation and insurance. I didn't know I had a choice.

I don’t think so, but I’d call your insurance and check. If your insurance covers nutrition counseling, you should be safe. I am very quick to change providers when I’m not getting what I need. I saw four gastroenterologists before I found the one I’m with now.

4 minutes ago, GummyBearQueen said:

I don’t think so, but I’d call your insurance and check. If your insurance covers nutrition counseling, you should be safe. I am very quick to change providers when I’m not getting what I need. I saw four gastroenterologists before I found the one I’m with now.

Thanks for the advice. I am def going to call them tomorrow. She really made me mad today.

Unless you have an H.M.O. Plan (I think that’s the one) where you have to get referrals from primary doctor to see any specialist, You should be able to see anyone you want. Just ask them if they take your insurance. You may want to ask the surgeons office if they recommend anyone else because you want someone familiar with bariatric patients and surgery though.

Edited June 1, 20215 yr by ShoppGirl

Even caffeinated beverages count to your fluid intake. It's outdated thinking that caffeine dehydrates you more than the fluid hydrates you. They've done new research on this. So, if you drink coffee or tea, include this. The only drinks that would NOT count would be alcohol.

Have you considered taking lactaid pills with your dairy? For some people that completely solves the problem (you have to take it each time you have dairy). Or drinking lactose free milk? It depends on the person, because some people have a slightly different lactose-related problem. One of my friends can eat dairy just fine as long as she has lactaid pills with it, or uses lactose-free milk, but my neighbor can't have dairy at all.

I agree with adding beans if you can digest them, and foods like farro, quinoa, chia seeds, vegan protein powder (it doesn't have dairy - only if you decide to increase protein again), etc. There is also a snack I've found called Bada Bean (I don't think that's the exact name), which is toasted fava beans in different seasonings, and I think they're great. They are high in fiber and have some protein and fat.

I agree with others who say to find a different nutritionist, but I would suggest finding one who specializes in bariatric needs. I'm so sorry you had this experience.

Is there any way to record your sessions with her? I would also have a serious talk with your SX and tell him/her what's going on. Then bust out the recording if necessary. This NUT sounds like a real nut.

3 hours ago, lizonaplane said:

Even caffeinated beverages count to your Fluid intake. It's outdated thinking that caffeine dehydrates you more than the fluid hydrates you. They've done new research on this. So, if you drink coffee or tea, include this. The only drinks that would NOT count would be alcohol.

Have you considered taking lactaid pills with your dairy? For some people that completely solves the problem (you have to take it each time you have dairy). Or drinking lactose free milk? It depends on the person, because some people have a slightly different lactose-related problem. One of my friends can eat dairy just fine as long as she has lactaid pills with it, or uses lactose-free milk, but my neighbor can't have dairy at all.

I agree with adding Beans if you can digest them, and foods like farro, quinoa, chia seeds, vegan Protein Powder (it doesn't have dairy - only if you decide to increase Protein again), etc. There is also a snack I've found called Bada Bean (I don't think that's the exact name), which is toasted fava beans in different seasonings, and I think they're great. They are high in Fiber and have some protein and fat.

I agree with others who say to find a different nutritionist, but I would suggest finding one who specializes in bariatric needs. I'm so sorry you had this experience.

I don't drink anything other than water. Tea or protein cocoa in the wintertime on occasion. I do not drink alcohol at all.

I have not tried Lactaid pills. I may have to try that.

Bada beans sound awesome. Where do you get them? I never heard of them.

Funny thing is that this nutritionist is from my bariatric surgeons office. TY

2 hours ago, BayougirlMrsS said:

Is there any way to record your sessions with her? I would also have a serious talk with your SX and tell him/her what's going on. Then bust out the recording if necessary. This NUT sounds like a real nut.

What is SX? LOL

6 minutes ago, HealthyLifeStyle said:

I don't drink anything other than Water. Tea or protein cocoa in the wintertime on occasion. I do not drink alcohol at all.

I have not tried Lactaid pills. I may have to try that.

Bada beans sound awesome. Where do you get them? I never heard of them.

Funny thing is that this nutritionist is from my bariatric surgeons office. TY

Bada beans are something I ordered from Amazons. I had had something similar I got from a grocery store or trader joe's one time, but I've also had toasted chickpeas from the grocery store that were flavored and pretty good. The Bada Bean Bada Boom (I looked up the full name) I got are in 100 calorie packs, which works well for me.

I know the nutritionist is from your surgeon's office, but there are other bariatric-focused nutritionists out there. Try a google search or go to a dietitian or nutrition society page and see if you can do a "find a nutritionist in my area" and see if they have a way to select a specialty, or just call a few to see if they have this specialty.

ALso, SX is surgeon.