Post-Op and Cholesterol - Question for Vets

I'm over 4 months post-op and just have a question for the vets.  Prior to surgery, my total cholesterol hovered around 215-218 over the past several years.  I was excited to have blood work done by my PCP post-op just to see how that number was impacted.  Truth is - total cholesterol 4 months post surgery was still at 205.  Now, I get that these numbers are impacted by heredity just as much as food choices at times, but anyone else experience this?

My PCP said that my numbers should go down as I add in more complex carbs/grains.  I am technically able to add that into my food plan in the next week or two, but I worry since those are CARBS!  I'm waffling between do I want to add something like oatmeal to my food plan (it's a killer in carbs compared to the amount I eat now) but I know it should help reduce my cholesterol or do I worry about the overall carb count instead?  I wonder if in time it will improve without adding the grains and extra carbs.  Anyone else face this issue?  What did you do? I have calls in to my dietitian to inquire as to her take as well.

I was just really disappointed to see that number wasn't greatly impacted by the weight loss.  On a positive note though, pre-diabetes totally gone!  YAY!

Janell 

It has only been 4 months, so I wouldn't worry. My cholesterol is dropping post-op, but slowly and I'm 18 months out!  My doctor isn't worried - I'm in no danger of needing medication. 

Thanks Gwen. I'll plan to stay the course and see what the next round of blood work brings!

My experience was probably worse than yours.  Even at 100+ lbs. overweight I never had high cholesterol numbers (although the "good" HDL cholesterol was never as high as they wanted).  Starting at about 6 months post-op my total cholesterol clocks in around 205-210 and hasn't come down at all - even after adding in complex carbs after I hit maintenance.  

My good HDL cholesterol has skyrocketed and my PCP isn't too worried about the overall number, definitely not worried enough to put me on meds.  I'm trying to eat more unsaturated fat (less dairy, less fatty meat) but that can be tough with our food plan.  

I really wouldn't worry about it if the number isn't going up; in your case it sounds like it's going down slowly.  I would hang in there and take a wait-and-see approach.  Four months out is way too early to see the full impact of your weight loss on labs.  My doc doesn't even do labs until 6 months post-op.  

As for adding complex carbs, I wouldn't do it.  IMHO, because of your restriction you're not going to be able to eat enough to impact your cholesterol but it will absolutely 100% mess with your weight loss...and may spike cravings.  Totally not worth it.   

Your case is a great example of why focusing on total cholesterol is dumb. I don't know why doctors do it. 

Even within LDL, not all LDL is created equally. Some LDL is light and fluffy, other types of LDL are dense, sticky particles. It's the dense, sticky ones that are a problem. 

High triglycerides, though, are probably the best predictor of heart disease.

Good point, Tracy! The number is going down even if not significant. I'll stay with what I know and analyze blood work down the road after a few more months.

Replied to your note below another poster -fyi

Stay away from "complex carbs" or any kind of carbs or grains! I added in oatmeal to try to help my cholesterol numbers and not only did it not help my cholesterol, my cravings spiked out of control and I stopped losing weight. Now I am back on track, I do not eat any grains or carb-heavy foods (other than yogurt and fruit) and my cholesterol numbers are perfect and my doctor says I have one of the three lowest triglyceride numbers she has ever seen in her career.

This is what works for me: focus on lean white meat and fatty fish. I eat fatty fish (tuna, sardines, salmon) almost every day. I also eat eggs that are enriched with Omega 3's almost every day. I eat almonds or walnuts every day. I eat lots of green veggies and yogurt and small amounts of fruit. And I do vigorous exercise every day. And especially for a week-10 days before getting my cholesterol checked, I avoid processed meats (deli meats, jerky) and any cheese completely.

Grains are the devil IMO. The only thing I have done in the past with grains that was helpful and did not send me into a an endless cycle of carb binging was adding a tablespoon of oat bran to my yogurt.

Fantastic advice!   I'm going to follow some of your tips - thanks! 

Great advice! Maybe I should add flax to my yogurt or something. I do add nuts already!