Question:
What is the deal with milk?

I have seen where some people stay away from milk. Why is that? I have milk occasionally with a high protein cereal, and in very small quantity. Is that bad? Milk has protein and it is on my post-op diet list as something good to have. Can someone shed some light on this? Thanks.    — Cheri M. (posted on December 9, 2001)

December 8, 2001
A lot of Post OPs end up lactose intolerant.I am lactose intolerant already so it won't make a difference for me.
   — KCAllen77

December 9, 2001
As Keesha said lactose intolerance is normal for the rny. Lactose is milk sugar and of course sugar can make me dump. I get stomach cramps and diarrhea now if I eat ice cream or drink a whole glass of skim milk. I do put milk in my coffee and recipes that call for milk in cooking are fine too. Hugs Rita (rny 3/31/94 463/185)
   — vt_rita

December 9, 2001
Some folks like Michelle C. never drink milk because oof the sugar it contains. Milk is a valuable source of protein. vitamins, and calcium however. Now my nutronist was in a lather the last time we saw her because the previous patient refused to drink milk after reading this board. She specifically mentioned Michelle. Just as surgeons opinions vary all over the lot about which surgery is better, and what the post op eating should be with some patients on liquids for a month or more and others getting soft foods in the hospital there doesnt appear to be a right or wrong answer, just MANY opinions. I myself have adopted a anything in moderation position. I will eat anything in small amounts. Had some sugar free chocolate milk last night, it was yummy and one reason why I did this was missing meals and being dopwn on protein for a couple of days. But it tased good and I will have it occasionally. Ate 1/2 of a cheese sandwhich the other night too, with Hellmans, as a snack. I only ate 2 meals that day and figured the cheese was some good protein. Dieting I TRIED to avoid some fooods at all costs, only to fail when the cravings got overwhelming. I have divertelocis and shouldnt eat popcorn. I generally avoid it but learned a long tme ago its better to have a small amount occasionally and feel its OK than ban it forever and binge on it. This experience helped me to adopt my anything in moderation. Incidently I first wouldnt drink juices but devloped low potassium, now I drink a cup or so of orange juice every other day. Again anything inn moderatrion......
   — bob-haller

December 9, 2001
I don't know for sure either. All I can say is I have no problem drinking milk. I drink milk all time but, I love milk so maybe I am just a freak. It doesn't make me sick and I am nice and skinny even though I drink milk.
   — paintnmynails

December 9, 2001
I am almost 8 weeks out, and I have had NO problem with milk. Everyone is different, your body may not react the same way to milk. Try it, if it gives you trouble, leave it alone for a while. Good Luck! God Bless!
   — Kerry P.

December 9, 2001
Milk is a perfectly good food. I just don't have a good reaction to it. I sometimes have cereal with a tiny bit of milk to moisten it, but it has to be skim, otherwise, Lots of Gas (Burp!). I have a lot of trouble with milk and milk products, but not everyone does. If it doesn't bother you, than enjoy the milk!
   — Marjorie B.

December 9, 2001
Many people feel that milk is a poor source of nutrition for post-op RNYers because the calcium and protein is not absorbed very well and the lactose, as a pure sugar, is absorbed just fine. Also, humans were not really designed to drink cow's milk (we evolved to drink human milk, and then only as infants/toddlers; most children and adults naturally become lactose intolerant). Cow's milk can cause intestinal irritation because of specific compounds it contains (agglutinin, which causes the proteins to clump together and cause large curds, alpha-S1, an allergenic casein protein molecule, and beta lactoglobulin, another allergenic protein molecule), and all of that intestinal irritation can cause bleeding and eventually, anemia. We RNY folks already sometimes struggle with anemia, so why increase the risk or make the anemia worse?<p>Some people tolerate small amounts of milk without any trouble. I don't think that makes large quantities of milk a good idea for anyone who is post-op. Everything in moderation. :-)
   — Julia M.

December 9, 2001
I'm 10 months post-op lap DS and I've always been able to drink milk. I do know that quite a few post-op DSers have had problems post-op (perhaps it is 'true' lactose intolerance or perhaps a temporary irritation involving milk). I started out with Lactaid skim milk and it has never irritated me. I think milk is an excellent source of protein and has that calcium (calcium absorption isn't as severe an issue with the DS since about 5 cm of duodenum is left for absorption before the intestines are diverted). So, I think of it as that extra boost of much-needed protein and calcium -- I even mix protein shakes with milk, eat it with cereal, have a lot of it in my coffee .. you name it! LOL I agree that it is a good source of protein. However, if you are concerned about lactose and/or sugar content, try soy milk. It has about the same amount of protein and there may be brands that have less fat/sugar content. :) All the best, (lap ds with gallbladder removal, January 25, 2001, 10 months post-op and still feelin' fabu, preop: 307 lbs/bmi 45, now: 198 lbs/bmi 28, size sweet 16 but squeezin' into a 14),
   — Teresa N.

December 9, 2001
My doc actually forbids milk--for good wt loss. He doesn't shout orders, not his style, but he does recommend what works, what doesn't, over the long haul. I still avoid milk as I see the difference in long term results with & without. Also, the daily fight with wanting sugars. I know that if I get a little, I'll want more. So, best to stay away from it all together. Since the nutrition in milk is not accessible to RNY, there's no point in using it for candy to me. Even if I could access the protein, the ratio of protein (8g) to sugar (12g) is not good enough for me to lay my wt loss on the line. I use protein for protein, calcium for calcium and use only the most absorbable forms of those. I'm following doc's orders, but I prefer to maintain my wt loss wherever it is in my power to do so.
   — vitalady

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