Question for those people whose surgeon says "no milk" for some period of time

I have been here 6 years, and there is one question for which I have still never seen a satisfactory answer.  Occasionally, someone will post that their surgeon doesn't "allow" milk for some period of time (or, rarely, even permanently!) after RNY, yet these same surgeons "allow" (and even encourage) their patients to eat cheese and yogurt (which are, of course, made from milk) and often don't prohibit people from using milk in cooking.  I don't understand this (and don't understand why many people whose surgeon has this rule don't see it as odd).  Milk is nutritious and has a decent calorie/fat/carb composition (assuming it is not whole milk).

l have not found anyone whose surgeon/nutritionist has a specific, scientific/medical reason for this.  They either have no reason whatsoever or just cite "no drinking calories" (yet they allow calories from protein shakes, of course), or just say that this is how they have always done it and people do fine with their plan.  (Newsflash, docs: you could allow your patients to eat nothing but mashed potatoes and gravy for six months after RNY and they would still do "fine" with their weight loss!)  

Can anyone whose surgeon has this restriction shed some light on this?

Lora

I have wondered that , too, so i will be interested in the responses. My surgeon allowed skim milk but said to be aware of potential post surg. lactose intolerance.

BTW, Gus is cuter every picture you post!

Cindy

I don't know why either, but I was thinking that there is a correlation between milk and not only acid production, but  mucous production as well.  Our pouches really don't like mucous and the acid could be irritating.  I am allowed skim milk and have a glass a day, especially for the 9 grams of protein and 8 more ounces of fluid.  Allison

As I stated, our plan allows meet,fish, eggs, and cheese, not soft cheese.  No milk or yogurt.  The plan is limiting carbs, when you add milk and yogurt, you are adding carbs and not much protein...and depending on what you buy, probably adding sugar.  As you also know milk, yogurt are not filling foods like meat and cheese.   They have done well with their program, the two always operate together on each patient.  When the built a new hospital which opened last year, they got there own operating room with 3 or four screens for them to work with during surgery.   

What does your plan allow before the dense foods, though? 

I guess I don't see how eating cheddar cheese better "bang for the buck" in terms of carbs, protein, and calories (especially if you factor in the fat) than Greek yogurt.  The Greek yogurt I eat is 80 calories, 8g of carbs, 0g of fat, and 12g of protein.  The cheddar cheese that is in my refrigerator is 120 calories, 1g of carbs, 9g of fat, and only 6g of protein.  I guess I just don't see how the 8g of carbs is not a good trade off for double the protein and 2/3 the calories, especially since the carbs are from the lactose.  I really do appreciate you being willing to address the question, though.

Lora

I guess we see it differently Lori.   I am eating much lower carb by following my doctors plan and not eating yogurt, milk and other high carb foods others are allowed to have.  Yogurt, milk etc. will be fine to add down the road, but My doctors plan is aiming to get the most "bang for the buck" the first six months/year.  I am also a carb addict which leads me to believe this is a dangerous slippery slope for me.  If I can lose most of my weight before adding extra carbs unnecessarily this will be best for me.   I guess after going through the class etc that is why I chose my doctor.

Mine allows skim milk and dairy products. The one thing that worries me about the skim milk is the sugar content. I believe it is 12g in 8oz. So far it hasn't caused dumping for me but I definitely feel a little sick after I drink a protein drink mixed with skim milk.

The carbs/sugar in milk are ALL from the natural lactose, and unless people are lactose intolerant, rarely causes dumping.  Your body processes lactose differently.

Lora

Hmmm... the only reasons I can think of are: 1. the surgeon is aware of the possibility of lactose intolerance (albeit usually temporary) resulting from the surgery and is giving a blanket "rule" to avoid potential problems in all patients. Either to prevent patients from experiencing the discomfort or to avoid the questions from pestering patients who do experience problems and call to find out why;  2. the surgeon feels in his/her experience that a patient should not "drink" calories and gives a blanket rule because he/she feels patients' success depends on not developing a calorie drinking habit and does not have the confidence that his/her patients are smart enough to decide between which liquids are acceptable so just eliminates ALL liquid calories; or  3. the patient is misunderstanding the limitations or warnings as a "rules" when they were really explained as precautions

I doubt you will find a satisfactory answer this year, but I am interested to see what others come up with...

Well i will reply that milk even skim milk makes me sick as a dog now and I was not the least bit lactose intolerant before the surgery. But strangely, cheese has no real impact on me. I am told the protein in milk is of a differnt nature than the stuff of milk even though cheese is a product of milk. All I know is a tall glass of milk will make my head spin and my bowls loose. So I stay the heck away from it.