Frustration -- conflicting info

I've had a few minor complications in the past couple months where I have been back and forth to my family doc and the bariatric clinic. There is one dietitian that I don't get along with at the clinic and unfortunately I had an appointment with her this week. I try to take what she says with a grain of salt, and I'm seeing my surgeon soon, but I thought I would share some of the conflicting information I have been given:

Family doc says to aim for at least 3L of water per day because of my height/weight, low blood pressure, and concerns about dehydration from two months of diarrhea. The dietitian informed me that I'm drinking too much water and should be aiming for 2.5L per day. She then goes on to say that my recent weight loss is due mainly to the diarrhea and that she is sure I'm dehydrated. Drinking too much water and dehydrated??  On a side note, all my bloodwork came back normal including sodium and potassium.

Next she says I'm eating too much -- I told her I average 1,200-1,400 calories per day, and I've lost about 12 pounds in the last two months (I'm way past the clinic goal). She tells me she wants me to keep under 1,200 calories. Okay, I'm fine with that. But then she says that I need to stop losing weight. Say what? How do I cut my calories and stop losing weight?

So confused!! If anyone has any clarifications for these seemingly conflicting suggestions I would really appreciate it.

Meg~

Sorry that you are getting conflicting advice.  Like you said take it with a grain of salt.  It sounds like you are still losing and only you know when you are at a goal that is comfortable for you.  Wait and see what your surgeon says and ask him if he thinks that you should be eating under 1200 calories and if you should drink less water.  Don't tell him what the dietitian said just ask him those questions and see if he differs.  He won't contradict her if he knows she's given certain advice.

That's a good plan. They do seem to document everything and she said she wanted to be there for my appointment with the surgeon to debrief him. I do want to ask him about his goal weight for me at this point if he will tell me.

That would make me soooooo angry!!!!  

Well......you wouldn't be the first to say their dietician didn't seem to have a clue.  What she was saying makes no sense to me either!! Can't imagine being told I drink TOO MUCH water????  I realize their job is to preach balanced healthy eating typically from the Canadian Food Guide .  For the " average Joes" ...that's great.  But there really needs to be some specialized bariatric standards out there for us "non average " types. 

It's also crazy that Hamilton,  Toronto, and Guelph hospitals and clinics are within an hour or so of each other...but yet we all have different protocols,  instructions and plans.  No two nutritionists or dieticians seem to give the same advice....why aren't things ( at least for Ontario) more uniform?????

Wouldn't it just be so much easier for all of us???? 

I stopped listening to my nutritionist when she told me to start adding more carbs into my diet. I was only 100 lbs lost at that point (I started at a whopping 380ish, so at 280 I was still NOT ready to start increasing calories or carbs). I maintain a balance that works for me, and only heed their advice if my blood tests show something out of whack (they haven't).

I would stick to the 3 liters of water. I have never had a dietitian say to have less water. So long as you waiting until 1/2 hour after eating drink what you can.

I do not know how far out you are. If what you are eating is making you lose and you are still above your personal goal keep doing what works for your body. Bounce back is real when you hit maintenance.

Dietitians can only give us guidelines. No two people's bodies react the same. It will all depend on age and level of activity.

I definitely wait 30-45 minutes after eating to drink. That rule I have stuck to 100%. I am 8 months out from surgery. I have blown way past my goal and the clinics goal. The last time I would have been at this weight I estimate I would have been about 8 or 9 years old, so I'm happy with that.

The dietitian I do like suggested I could add in an extra 100 or so calories last time I saw her if I wanted to start maintenance. I did and I kept losing, although slower, but still a good rate I think (1-1.5 pounds per week on average). I just can't get over the seemingly direct conflicting info from this one dietitian.

So frustrating to get this conflicting information!  What is your current height and weight?

Actually, Your dietitian is correct.  If you are dehydrated from diarrhea, you have lost vital minerals and no amount of water will replace those.  I'd cut the water to 1.5 Liters and and PediaLite or a sport drink with electrolytes.