advice vs. permission
Great question Kelly!
For me, it just depends. I have a prolapsed valve in my heart, as well as issues with my QtC interval that has caused two incidences of cardiac arrest. So when my cardiologist, who literally saved my life BOTH times "suggests" something I do it. I will not survive a third episode of ventrical tachycardia. SO those "suggestions" are treated like rules set in stone for me.
For everything else - I let my body be my arbiter. Even early out post-op I listened to my body more than the surgical booklet of guidelines Dr. S. gives out. I found/find my pouch is more sensitive to various situations than the "rules" suggest -so I go by my pouch. For me, Dr. S's and his wonderful NP Tina's advice is just that: advice.
So I guess my answer is different based on which doc I am discussing and what the situation is.
It will be interesting to see what others say.=)
For me, it just depends. I have a prolapsed valve in my heart, as well as issues with my QtC interval that has caused two incidences of cardiac arrest. So when my cardiologist, who literally saved my life BOTH times "suggests" something I do it. I will not survive a third episode of ventrical tachycardia. SO those "suggestions" are treated like rules set in stone for me.
For everything else - I let my body be my arbiter. Even early out post-op I listened to my body more than the surgical booklet of guidelines Dr. S. gives out. I found/find my pouch is more sensitive to various situations than the "rules" suggest -so I go by my pouch. For me, Dr. S's and his wonderful NP Tina's advice is just that: advice.
So I guess my answer is different based on which doc I am discussing and what the situation is.
It will be interesting to see what others say.=)
For me, here's how it works:
I am following a very specific plan put together by the Bariatric Clinic at Kaiser in Richmond, CA. What I was told was that they have had thousands of folks follow this plan, and their success rates are very high. They gave us numbers but I don't remember them right now.
So at least until my weight loss stabilizes, I intend to follow their plan as closely as possible. Another good reason to follow their plan is because Kaiser is my health insurance provider. I'd like to be able to go back to them with any problems having confidence that I had followed their medical advice.
When I write on OH, I may say "my doc says" or "my plan allows/ does not allow" something. For me, it's just a shorthand way of saying "the plan I trust includes these guidelines, which I choose to follow". I'm sure that if there was something in the Kaiser Richmond plan that concerned me, I would ask my doctor and nutritionist, research the issue myself, and ask input here. That's just a lot to write! I'd rather say "my doc doesn't allow protein shakes".
It's a good question. I'm very interested to se everyone's answers. Thanks for asking
I am following a very specific plan put together by the Bariatric Clinic at Kaiser in Richmond, CA. What I was told was that they have had thousands of folks follow this plan, and their success rates are very high. They gave us numbers but I don't remember them right now.
So at least until my weight loss stabilizes, I intend to follow their plan as closely as possible. Another good reason to follow their plan is because Kaiser is my health insurance provider. I'd like to be able to go back to them with any problems having confidence that I had followed their medical advice.
When I write on OH, I may say "my doc says" or "my plan allows/ does not allow" something. For me, it's just a shorthand way of saying "the plan I trust includes these guidelines, which I choose to follow". I'm sure that if there was something in the Kaiser Richmond plan that concerned me, I would ask my doctor and nutritionist, research the issue myself, and ask input here. That's just a lot to write! I'd rather say "my doc doesn't allow protein shakes".
It's a good question. I'm very interested to se everyone's answers. Thanks for asking
Chris
start/pre-op/current/goal weights: 286/240/138/130
start/pre-op/current/goal weights: 286/240/138/130
Very good post, Kelly!
I wonder about that balance of too much power given over vs. needing an "authority figure" to make decisions for you. Getting bad advice because one didn't feel they could question a doctor is not just lamentable but potentially life threatening. But at the same time, it's seducing to think we "know better" than health care professionals when sometimes our "stinking thinking" got us to be unhealthy in the first place. Myself, I never questioned my surgeon's abilities but when nutritional information was conflicting or didn't make sense, I did not hesitate to question (or outright disregard).
I wonder about that balance of too much power given over vs. needing an "authority figure" to make decisions for you. Getting bad advice because one didn't feel they could question a doctor is not just lamentable but potentially life threatening. But at the same time, it's seducing to think we "know better" than health care professionals when sometimes our "stinking thinking" got us to be unhealthy in the first place. Myself, I never questioned my surgeon's abilities but when nutritional information was conflicting or didn't make sense, I did not hesitate to question (or outright disregard).
First ultra: Stone Mill 50 miler 11/15/14 13:44:38, First Full Marathon: Marine Corps 10/27/13 4:57:11, Half Marathon PR 2:04:43 at Shamrock VA Beach Half-Marathon, 12/2/12 First Half-Marathon 2:32:47, 5K PR Run Under the Lights 5K 27:23 on 11/23/13, 10K PR 52:53 Pike's Peek 10K 4/21/13, (1st timed run) Accumen 8K 51:09 10/14/12.
I work with my surgeon and his team as my coaches. Sometimes he says "Do it!" and I just do it because I know it works- he's always getting me to stretch outside of my comfort zone and I need and appreciate that. However, I question or object if something doesn't make sense to me. But he insists I keep my feet moving, and I allow that insistence and am grateful for it. I now run 5 miles a day because of his coaching, and that is in spite of my head having a temper tantrum every single day. Most of the time I can't listen to myself because I argue for my limitations. I have never been more healthy.
"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls the butterfly." Richard Bach
"Support fosters your growth. If you are getting enough of the right support, you will experience a major transformation in yourself. You will discover a sense of empowerment and peace you have never before experienced. You will come to believe you can overcome your challenges and find some joy in this world." Katie Jay
My surgeons office gave me advice and suggestions, as well as rules they want their patients to follow. Since I have a pretty good knowledge of nutrition (because it has always been an interest of mine), my doctors office has actually learned a lot from my experience. They use my Vegetarian eating plan I created (it is also on my profile page) for patients wanting to eat a meatless diet.
Age at RNY: 55, Height: 5'4", Consultation Weight: 331 lbs-12/1/2009, RNY Surgery Weight: 281 lbs-3/22/2010, Goal Weight Reached: 141 lbs-6/23/2011, Lowest Weight: 126 lbs-12/11/2011,
Current Age: 61, Current Weight: 161 lbs-5/20/2016, Total Weight Loss Maintained: 170 lbs 
That is so great that your doc's office has been willing to learn from you. I wish more doctors were open to learning from patients.
My PCP is like that. I have her order my labs for me every six months and a few weeks ago I saw her to get an order for them again. I took a list with me of all the labs I want done. I handed her the list and she said as long as I hadn't added anything or taken anything off since last time I had labs done, she still had the list saved on her computer. She said that's the list of labs she now does for all her RNY patients (she said she has a few, however many that is). I thought that was so cool.
And it's wonderful that your surgeon's office is using your vegetarian eating plan for vegetarian patients. My surgeon just had one meal plan they handed out to everyone and since I don't eat meat, a lot of it didn't work for me.
My PCP is like that. I have her order my labs for me every six months and a few weeks ago I saw her to get an order for them again. I took a list with me of all the labs I want done. I handed her the list and she said as long as I hadn't added anything or taken anything off since last time I had labs done, she still had the list saved on her computer. She said that's the list of labs she now does for all her RNY patients (she said she has a few, however many that is). I thought that was so cool.
And it's wonderful that your surgeon's office is using your vegetarian eating plan for vegetarian patients. My surgeon just had one meal plan they handed out to everyone and since I don't eat meat, a lot of it didn't work for me.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
My Dr has advised me and given me the information on how to maximize my tool and get the most out of wls! He gives all his patients lists of foods that are and aren't good ideas and states in the information that it's up to us to make the best choices so we lose the most weight and get the best results we can. At my first post op appointment he said " sure you can eat some macaroni or a few bites of toast but the better option would be to stick to the healthier, higher protein foods". We choose wether we take that advise and how serious we are about following it. As with any of the Drs I see, I trust they have my best interest in mind when giving me advise but ultimately I have to be the one who chooses to listen and be proactive in my own health care. There have been times when I've questioned their advise and a good Dr. Doesn't mind you asking questions! I've educated my primary about wls and he's been open to learning and working with me to maximize my health care!
"Be present for your journey, get to know who you really are and then be your authentic self with NO apologies"
You can follow my journey at mandaschange.blogspot.com
You can follow my journey at mandaschange.blogspot.com
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