different information about protein and vitamins?

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone else is feeling like they hear one thing from the surgeon, something different from the nutritionist,and then something different from the research when it comes to protein and vitamins. I had my 1 month visit which is at almost 3 months with the NP at my surgeons office yesterday. They have not done a vitamin panel which I thought they did before surgery. I was told they will check my levels at 1 year and other than a multi-vitamin twice a day and calcium citrate I do not need to be taking anything else. I was also told if I was having a protein bar and/or a shake that that is considered my meal and that I should just be having 3 meals and maybe one snack a day. If I wanted anything else then I should just drink milk. Mind you I am doing great, feeling great, losing weight and having no problems what so ever. I have a protein shake in the early morning yogurt and fruit at breakfast 2 oz or 1/2 cup of either chicken or cottage cheese for lunch along with veggies or/and fruit. a protein bar for snack which sometimes I eat part of at 3:00PM and the rest at 8:00PM The the same thing for dinner. She told me I was grazing and that I needed to break that habit now. I am eating about 800 calories a day. I eat regularly planned meals and snacks and I am doing great. What the heck!!!!!!! Anyway, I am concerned that I need my vitamin levels checked and I will be talking to my primary care doctor to get a baseline test done. I think protein is important so I am not going to change that either but I am frustrated by all the varied information about what is best. I want to loose the weight but I have no desire to loose my hair or my energy in the process. Terrie 366/310/ goal 165 www.obesityenders.com

Terrie, that doesn't look like grazing to me. I think you're doing great! My Dr. would tell you to up your calories a little, even. I think you should ask the PCP for some bloodwork. Its an excellent idea. My surgeon does bloodwork every 3 months. I'm sure they are all different, but you are your own best advocate. Do what you think is best for you, and if it works, cool. You are eating very well, doing exactly what you're supposed to do. I only need the multi, B12, and calcium ctrate. But a good friend of mine was VERY low in iron at her 3-month checkup and now has to take a lot of iron supplements. Better to know than not to know. Keep us posted!

I would have to agree with Jenn- My DR is checking mine stats at 1, 3, 6 months and a year. My one month looked good the only other thing I am doing is a B12 liquid from walmart under my tongue once or twice a week. The only time I use my protein shake as a meal is for breakfast, otherwise we eat the same. I would go to your PCP for the bloodwork, and keep doing what your doing.... If your grazing then we can graze together! Keep up the good work!

My doc would agree with the other two....he has checked me twice since the surgery on 4/10. I also track my vitamins on fitday.com to make sure. I was also told to up my calorie intake. Went to a nutrionist last night and she up it a little more. I eat about 3 meals and snack 3-5 times per day....5 if I do the diet the nutrionist gave me....some of it is boost breeze which is a clear drink (2 per day)....lots of carbs some protein and enough calories to up my intake level

That doesn't sound like grazing to me. My doc told me to eat 5-6 small meals per day. He did blood work prior to surgery, then 2 weeks prior to my 3 month appt., then he's ordered labs to be completed prior to my 6 month appointment. Its too easy for us to get vitamin deficiencies, so he should stay on top of that. I think you should definately go to your GP to get blood work done. I got my lab orders for next time, this is what he tests for: CBC with Diff Thiamine level Vitamin b-12 Folate Serum Iron Last time he screened my cholesterol too, so I'm surprised it wasn't on this order...I may call about that. Hope that helps!

Thanks everyone! I really love my surgeon. He did a great job and the office staff is wonderful. However I just don't agree with what they are doing with the vitamins and protein. If they are going to tell me I don't need to take them then I think they should check my levels and make sure that is the case. I called my PCP today and I will get the labs done next week. Thanks for sharing your process with me. Terrie 366/310/ goal 165 www.obesityenders.com