Disappointing 8-month surgeon's visit

you are right and I stand corrected.

Leafy vegs and low carb vegs and fruits are complex carbs and are less problematic than starchy complex carbs.

Yeah, similar story here at my 1 year.

The NP I met with basically said I'm done losing now, and should think about maintenance, and don't worry, you're going to regain some weight and that's fine.

You should add in some triscuts to your daily menu.

wut?

when I weighed in, I was 170. For my height, obese BMI is 174. When I pointed that out, she said they don't like using BMI as a metric, because it doesn't account for muscle. Then her example was Arnold Schwartzenegger. That he would be classified as obese ..... rediculous.

I asked her what metric they suggest. "How you feel" . That's when I went back to just agreeing with her, and gtfo as soon as I could. "I feel" like I owe it to myself to get as close to a healthy weight as possible.

I am so glad my surgeon's goal for me is the same as mine. We are on the same page. Maybe not on what to eat but as far as my ultimate goal of what I want to weigh he is on board.

I feel like, after reading stories like yours, that I need to go and give my surgeon a hug for never making me go see the NUT again after surgery!

You do you.

And if it makes YOU feel any better, go and get a DEXA scan... it shows the true breakdown, and if for nothing else, it will make you see exactly where you sit with muscle/fat. THEN you can bring it with you to your 1 year appointment and shove it in everyone's face.

Oh, and the next time you see that NUT... just smile and nod... and walk away knowing you are doing what's best for you.

I am so lucky to have the surgical team that I do. And it is just because of where I live that I am part of that group.

When I was ten pounds under goal, my surgeon suggested I try to lose an additional ten or even twenty pounds while I still had malabsorption. He explained that the body recovers from the effects of surgery and regains an average of 20 pounds by year three.

My surgeon is active in American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and every member of his staff attends the annual meetings. Our group has a very high record of people who have successfully maintained their weight loss.

We have two group meetings a month and additional workshops for people who have regained. Our nutritionist is very adamant about counting protein, carbs, calories, and fat. We are told to give up flour, sugar, bread, rice, cereals, potatoes and other starches for life.

I once admitted to eating whole wheat bread and he jumped down my throat about that enough so that I will not buy it again.

Hi and Sorry you had to go through that.

You know your body better than anyone else. I would rather be a few pounds under with a buffer to work with than to be over fighting to stay at the higher weight.

You are doing awesome so get your support right here! LOL

It sounds like what you learned at your 8 month visit is that your surgeon bases success like many--mine included-- on 65 percent of excess weight loss. Hes simply not used to people who work to get normal results. I hear the same every time I go to my surgeon too til at my 5 year visit they finally decided I wasnt listening to their "advice" and quit commenting. Follow your plan and not theirs please. You have done a great job my dear!

I've got to admit, when I saw the subject line I was worried that this was going to be a post about your surgeon lecturing you for not losing enough! I'm happy it's in the other direction, even though he still sucks. If you were in the underweight range (or nearing it) I could see cause for concern, but if you're not? Whatever, doc.

You might consider getting your body fat tested because that's a better indication of health than BMI.

When I read your headline I couldn't imagine what was wrong because you are doing so well....

I remember my first visit to the office and meeting with the Doc's wife who is also a social worker and she challenged me with - why wouldn't I want to be a normal BMI? - at the time I just couldn't imagine it...

You have done incredibly well, do what works for you...

I am having surgery in January and so haven't been through this yet, but I am already making a list of the comments I know people will make and how I will handle those. I do think it's super odd your Dr is the one telling you to do this... ugh.

that said, here's my 2 cents... I find that when I have a response ready, I can answer and not even have to think about it. That is what I would do with your doctor. I would literally have an "Okay thanks- I am watching my intake and feeling great" and leave it there. If they really push, I'd politely say "I am a BMI that is medically healthy- I am not going to change my eating and definitely not add those carbs - those are triggers for me."

As for me personally, I have 100 to lose- but have lost around 50 or 60 lbs before and both times people just swamped me with this "oh my gosh stop losing blah blah" and it really got into my head. I would stammer some response, then overeat and start regaining. It just opened Pandora's box and as you say, it's a slippery slope.

Hang in there, getting to your goal weight is INCREDIBLE - don't let them steal that joy from you!