What the new doc said...

As promised, I went to my new surgeon's office today to check in as a transplant from DE to CO. Now there are some semi-controversial things here that go against what some of you do. I ask that you keep an open mind.

It was a pleasurable experience. First I saw a NP, then the surgeon, and then a nutritionist. I learned the following:

1. I should indeed be eating more solid foods, those less likely to pass through the stomach quickly
2. If able to improve protein through food, I should wean off the protein shakes. The concern is that you are sucking down calories that don't provide any fullness in the stomach (interesting)
3, I had read that you should eat quickly (mind you, on one site only). Doc says eat slow to maximize the sensation of fullness.
4. Drinking 15 minutes before a meal will help you feel fuller longer.  Also said (which I knew) that drinking fluids often quashes hunger pangs.
5. I should avoid snacking (booo!!!!)
6. I don't need an endoscopy (unneeded procedures = unneeded risk) simply because there is nothing wrong with my pouch. I know it's at 1 cup to 1 1/2 cups which is normal at 4 years out.
7. He thought getting a breathing metabolic rate test done might be a good idea since I'm struggling on every single pound (despite diet and exercise....okay, occasional exercise). It'll give me a sense of how many calories I'm burning everyday. Shockingly though, I asked him if my number is 1700 what happens next. He said typically for those looking to lose weight like me, he'd suggest dropping that number by 500 calories to get the desired results. Of course, then I gave him the example of 1200 as a test result. To that he said of course we wouldn't drop you to 700 calories a day. The minimum they are comfortable with is 900 to 1000 calories a day

So 1-6 = helpful. #7 makes me wonder if I should be experimenting with a 900-1000 calorie diet. Sounds tough. I also need to get to the gym more often and weight lift (amongst other things) so that my metabolism burns more calories.

Also of note, my labs are great (because I'm a rockstar)

And lastly, the meds that I'm on that are making it difficult for me to get back to my pre-bounce back weight are psychiatric. I've got a few playing tricks on my body. Good to know though that meds in the few classes that make up psychiatric drugs, are amongst the greatest weight offenders.

Well, I don't agree about the protein shakes but the rest is interesting. I hate the issue with the drugs causing weight gain. They need to fix that. lol  Glad you had a good appointment.

--gina

Thanks for the support Gina

Everyone has an opinion and that is ok.  I think we can take those opinions and make decisions for ourselves.  I know that I couldn't keep my protein levels up without shakes.  Or maybe I could if I ate only protein 6x a day, which I can't do.  Protein drinks don't fill me up any more than any other liquid or sliders like yogurt but with them, I can keep my level up. 

I don't know about the eating fast or slow.  Eating too fast is a problem but so it eating too slowly.  I can eat a bunch more if I stretch it out and that isn't good.  Too fast and I can get too full before I realize it.  There has to be a happy inbetween.

I agree, I'm torn. Perhaps there is a middle ground

From a DS perspective, the protein shake info was unsettling.  But you have an RNY, and you absorb 95% (?) of your calories, so I can see where that would make sense. 

If you eat because you are hungry, then eating protein would cut down on unnecessary calories that get sucked down in the shakes.  When I tracked my calories for a week, I was surprised that I was sucking down over 500 calories a day in protein drinks.

I started looking at what protein I ate and how many shakes (calories) I could eliminate.  I've cut one scoop per day so far.  And the weight is starting to drop again.

Thanks for your support!! Definitely a lot to think about.

Interesting on the cutting the scoop.  I'm doing 4 scoops a day and may need to follow suit.

I think it is definitely worth exploring. I'm going to try just one a day and see where I land.

What the surgeon told you is exactly what my surgeon has taught me from the get go.

Mine has said a protein shake at breakfast is fine since food doesn't sit well in the morning for me but otherwise I'm to get it from food and no snacking is my doctor's rule too unless you need a protein snack to get in the protein. I literally eat almost nothing that isn't protein just to adhere to his rules. I'm okay with it so far.