6 mo check up

Monday was my 6mo surgiversary and I got the 'atta girl' nod from Dr. Garth. He said he was very pleased with my progress. He was also very frustrating! He still refuses to even talk about goals or eventual possibilities, just says he wants my BMI below 30 and anything else is gravy. I don't know if he just doesn't want to put any pressure out there to meet some numerical goal or in my twisted brain does he just not think I can get there? Either way I now feel even more motivated to prove him wrong....which may also be his plan!

One of the nurses took all my info before he ever came in, part of that was that I get 80-100g of protein per day. When he came in he started in that high protein was misunderstood and that most people put too much emphasis on it. He went on to say he'd like me to get off meat as much as possible, especially beef and chicken, because of the hormones and things that can be found in it. All kinds of beans are better. I asked if he'd prefer if I turned vegetarian and he said yes! That's NOT gonna happen! I actually eat very little beef, most of my meat consumption is chicken, which he said is the worst of all for additives. So I agreed to cut down on chicken and eat more beans. When I asked about the carbs in the list of things he gave me I was told not to worry about them, they are 'good' carbs. I hear what he's saying but you can get too much of even the good things. So I'm going to have to really think about all this before I make all the changes he wants. I at least want to talk to the NUT for some other ideas. I think the thing that bothers me the most about this is....is this his professional opinion as a doctor or his personal feelings as a marathon athlete? I'd lend more weight to his directive as a doctor than I will his personal opinions about the quality of meat. Know what I mean?

I did have a few NSV's this weekend. We went out to West Texas to Balmorhea State Park. We love the clear artesian spring there so my main goal was to test the new adjustments I've had to make to the fit of my dive gear. And I got the chance to take some cool UW pics of the critters. NSV #1 was how much more stable my buoyancy is now. But the best NSV was being able to climb in and out of Beast's big work truck taking photos as we wound our way through the Davis Mountains. I must have hauled myself in and out at least 100 times! All of you know how liberating that was, a year ago it wouldn't have been possible.

So all-in-all my 6 month evaluation was a success. Most importantly I am happy with it and am even more motivated for the next 6months.

dee,

wonder what is up with all these WLS doctors.  Mine was really 'odd' when I went to see him at Christmas, but I thought it was just him.  Even my PCP who has had WLS too wanted me on Phentermine to control my appetite.

I'm sure there is some validity to getting off all the 'meat' protein and it sure would be cheaper.   My PCP wants me on protein drinks and salad and veggies. 

I think it would be a GREAT topic for the conference because I have asked more than once in this process how to find good protein alternatives that are cheaper than meat.

congrats on your NSV!  It's amazing what SMETs we find, even for me this far out.

Well, you deserve a whole bunch of ATTA-GIRLS !!!! 

I did not even ask about goal weight and he was happy that I was under 30 at my 1-year so he really does believe that.  I set my personal goal at 145 which I have not had any trouble maintaining so far and I am happy with the way I look and feel even though by my BMI I am still in the "Overweight" category - beats the hell outta Morbidly Obese !!!!

That is quite a change in philosophy from when I saw him last summer.  In fact, he wrote on my lab results to "add more protein" to my diet!  My husband was floored - he knows how adamant I am about getting in my protein LOL.  I think my pre-albumin was a bit low.  But since his office staff screwed up and didn't get my labwork in my file even though I made sure my blood was drawn THREE WEEKS  before my appointment I wasn't able to discuss it with him since he had nothing to look at - just got a note in the mail after my 1-year checkup.

Seriously - my insurance changed this year and has become way more expensive so I think I will schedule an appt with my PCP Dr. Weinstein instead (who is well versed in RNY patients) for my bloodwork and evaluation.  I probably won't be back to Dr. Garth unless I have a specific problem with my RNY or gallbladder *knock on wood*.

WOO HOO on getting in and out of the big ass truck so many times LOL !!!!  I love being able to squat down to pet my kitties instead of bending over and it makes gardening soooooo much easier.  Yes, I know exactly how liberating it is to shed my fat suit !!!!

Thanks!  We didn't get to blood work....my PCP's office or the lab screwed up and the results weren't ready and I also gave them 3 weeks head start. All he said was he'd see them when they crossed his desk. Guess I'll get a note!  But he did give me orders for the next draw at 1yr. That'll be another 20 vial draw!!!

That's what I was talking about....is his stance on protein a result of scientific research or something to back it up? Or just a change in his personal health ideas?

Good question. 

I know hormone-free protein comes at a very high price and I get my protein from animal meat, dairy and protein shakes.  I hope to raise my own when we get to Arkansas (goats & chickens) but in the meantime it is whatever HEB or Kroger has on sale!

I have been spending some time on the dairy goat forums and anybody trying to do "organic" worm/parasite control in the humid South fails after 18 months or so.  So even though the goats may not be given any hormones, they are treated with chemicals for worms (which gets into the meat and milk) if you don't want to lose the whole herd.

I face the same issues with my bees.  Parasites are the "devil" and so far I have managed to treat w/o chemicals but it is TOUGH,  My latest uses chemical warfare on the exoskeleton of the mites (oxalic acid) but does not harm the bees too much.

I can appreciate the arguments for hormone and additive free meats but it's just not feasible for most of us unless you go full blown vegetarian. I know I can't afford organic meats. And as you pointed out there's more than just hormones involve.

I also noticed there was nothing said about the chemicals used on those fruits and veggies he says are better for you. I still don't know if it was the amount of protein I get a day was the trigger for all this or what!I think I'll just put it off to him have a hinky day! LOL!

Oh well....whatever I'm doing has been working so I'm not going to go monkeying around with it!

I looked up the USDA definition of "organic meat" (and dairy) and there are only 2 requirements - no growth hormones and no routine use of anitbiotics.  Both of there are great goals to have, but it does not address the pesticides put on the feed they are fed or the de-worming chemicals injected to keep them parasite-free.  So "organic" does not equal "chemical-free".

Eat more beans????  Is he trying to kill everyone else????  When I was having a hard time eating foods, I had mostly refried beans.  Man....  was I a hazard to other people's health....  Don't light a match!!! LOL


-Kim T

Exactly.  Beans were hard for me to digest properly before surgery and now with so little stomach acid to break them down..... oy! 

No way could I get a significant portion of my protein from beans every day.  And they aren't a complete protein anyway.  I forget what you have to eat with them to make them so, but whatever it is I am sure I don't have enough capacity in my pouch to handle it all. 

edited to add:  I found it - rice is the most common to complete the protein of beans..... ummm....  yeah.

Beans are great!! They have protein and fiber, you can serve them a multitude of ways, they are not expensive and I love them! My husband however is going to make me sleep outside if I can't find him a good and comfy gas mask!! Anybody need any wallpaper peeled???Hee hee!!

Meggie