Move more Eat Less... surgeon update...

HI Michelle,
Thanks so much for sharing your plateau busting diet.  You mentioned that you had the endoscope. Why was the diagnostic lap procedure done? Was that another step of seeing the actual connections from another angle?  It sounds like everything was fine with the surgery . It had to of given you peace of mind knowing everything was functional. The food choices that your NUT has given you sound very doable. I wonder if there's a book out there or sites that specifically list an RNY plateau busting diet/suggestions. I thank you for your reply post. I will try all the suggestions that I get from this site and hope I hit the right combination that helps me to see my scale start going in the right direction :-).
Hugs,
Kathy

Kathy,

Before I had the lap procedure done, they did any upper GI. The results from that showed I may have had scar tissue or a possible hernia at the end of my pouch. That led to the diagnostic lap procedure. Everything after the procedure showed my stomach and everything to be fine, but they did remove some adhesions from my liver.

I'm going to be completely honest with you on the plateau busting diet. I don't feel like I am losing on the diet at all. It has made me more aware of what I'm eating and what I should be eating for the rest of my life. I am constantly battling the head hunger. When I go back to the dr next week for my 6-week release from the lap surgery, I will be talking to them about some other options to get me back on track.

I have done research and haven't found a "set" standard on bariatric diets. Every surgeon is different. I read posts on the main board where newbies are eating nachos at 4 weeks out, and it freaks me out. I didn't even move to solid foods until 2 mos after my surgery.

Please keep us posted on what you decide to do. I'll be praying that everything works out for you and you get pointed on which direction to go.

HI Michelle,
I've never had an upper GI in my life or the projected endoscope procedure that the surgeon has suggested doing.  I just dont' have the trust factor in my surgeon and fear if something is wrong... he wouldnt' tell me. Adding to my frustrations is the fact that I did not learn til way after my RNY in 8/2007 that there were different "styles" if you will ...that surgeons use for RNY... as in vertical vs. horizontal... fobi rings or makeshift rings from feeding tube material... or no rings at all... or stapled stoma openings vs. blind openings ... then the strictures , long vs. shorter intestinal bypasses ...hence such grave differences in those of us that do or dont' suffer dumping syndrome. The point you raise about dietary needs after surgery is the most frustrating... it is so true... there is not "SET" standards... other than eat protien first, exercise, drink your water and take your vitamins... there is alot of room for error with those standards. If we were good at dieting before surgery we'd never have even thought about RNY to start with.

I wish you the best at your followup visit with your surgeon. My ears will be open to hear what suggestions you get to get back on track with your weight loss as well. Hopefully together with our friends on this site we can find something that works and get these extra pounds off of us.

Thanks so much for your prayers and support.
Hugs,
Kathy

Hi Kathy,

I do not think you are just over reacting. I also... do not think he's being very supportive. I would go to your primary care Dr and tell them about what happened at your wls visit and ask their advice on what to do - if I were you , I would look for another wls surgeon and have them do your endoscope. He is no way supporting OR listening to you at all. I have to disagree with what he said about drinking protein shakes - Being that we have WLS - WE NEED MORE PROTEIN. Yes we do get it from our foods .... but THAT is NOT enough for US WLS patients! WE also need to supplement protein as well - because of our malnutrients,absorption and lack of vitamins of wls. YOU need to do what is best for you .... YOU have to get to the bottom of WHY this is happening to you .... even if your WLS surgeon does NOT want to go further with this then he already has.... FORGET HIM AND MOVE ON..... make an appointment with your primary care Dr and talk this over with them. If they do not understand , go else where, dig deeper... call an Endocrinologist ......get in and see them, have them fully check you out.

Best wishes to you and please let us know how you are doing - give us updates!!!

Lizzy

Hi Lizzy,
Thanks for your reply.  I do so agree with your comments that we need more protien. Getting in the protien requirements post RNY is almost impossible without supplements if you try to adhere to a low caloric restricition in a day. My surgeon is 180 miles from my home round trip just to go for a regular office visit.  My expectations are just so much higher for him to give me the support that I'm seeking.  My last lab results show that my Folate, Iron and Saturation levels are much higher than normal. I asked if I should reduce my 4 Optisource per day and the answer was no. Can our levels get to high? Also my Creatine level was low and my Potassium level is very high... again my surgeon says not to worry. These levels were not screwed up prior to my RNY. I worry this is a formula brewing for disaster.  I will keep everyone posted here. I am trying to find another surgeon for a second opinion. I know something is not right...but I am the patient and not the medical professional. As for my PCP... she says to consult with the bariatric team as this is not her field fo expertise (at least she's being honest with me).  Thanks for your reply.
Hugs,
Kathy

Hi, Kathy:

You have had some wonderful posts in reply to yours! 

It seems to me what you need to do is "tweek" what you are doing, as others have said.  It doesn't seem to me your caloric intake is all that high -- suggesting that you take in only about 600-800 calories a day AND exercise this far out from surgery seems extreme. 

I am still trying to find my "magic numbers" but it seems to be somewhere in the 1000-1200 calories per day (keeping my protein over 110g a day) and working out (walking, strenuous yard work, gym time) 3-4 days a week.  I seems to bounce up and down 5-8 pounds from my lowest weight, so I am still trying to find the "sweet spot" where I can get those off and stay put at the weight I want to be.

I can tell you that I have found that the big things that make a difference, in my personal experience, are:

(1)  Exercise
(2)  Fluids
(3)  High protein intake
(4)  Moderating intake of carbs

I wish you the best....it is a struggle, without a doubt. 

PS  Don't forget, we are all here to support each other!  :)

Hi Cindy,
It's nice knowing when things just aren't going our way in getting the scale to be our friend that we have each other on this site. No one ever said losing something such as weight would be as easy as misplacing like our car keys!!! I am going to try to get out of this slump that I am in. I did the thyroid and cortisol testing yesterday and will await those results. I am journaling my food choices and will take to heart all suggestions that I've noted from all the terrific reply posts I've gotten here too. The four steps that are your success have been my guide here as well. I think I need more of a total revamp than a "tweek" to get things going in the right direction here. I cant' thank all of you on this website for the support when the going gets tough. Together I'm sure this too will pass and I can get back on the journey of weight losses rather than gains.
Hugs,
Kathy