Question:
My dietician is clueless.. should I try to follow the diet or find another guideline?

I'm on "Phase III" full liquids, however the dietary guidelines given to me by my dietician is totally wrong. According to my dietary guidelines, my allowed fluids/food include Ensure Plus (18 gm sugar), Ultra Slim Fast (35 gm sugar?), 12 oz of Nonfat Milk (12 gm sugar), Cream of Tomato Soup made with 8oz of Nonfat Milk (8+ gm of sugar). Suggested Meals: Breakfast - 8oz of Plain Yogurt / Snack - 8 oz of Ensure Plus / Lunch - Cream of Tomato Soup / Snack - 12 oz of Nonfat Milk / Dinner - Cream of Tomato Soup + 8oz of V-8 Juice / Snack - 8 oz of Ensure Plus. This diet is totally unrealistic and will cause massive dumping if followed. Also it doesn't take into account that I only have a 1 oz stomache. I've talked to the dietician about her diet but she just tells me to trust her and follow it. I trusted her in the hospital and dumped on the tomato soup. So any suggested diet guildlines for full liquids?    — John T. (posted on March 13, 2003)

March 13, 2003
hi :) tomato soup has alot of sugar I never ate it..on full liquid diets some foods that are good are puddings (sugar free) cream soups, yogurts that are sugar free or low sugar, some good protein shakes if u can find some u like..u are right about those things having too much sugar even if u dont dump sugar should be avoided anyway of course :)
   — christine S.

March 13, 2003
My suggestion would be to get a new dietician :)..Just kidding. Do you know if she is in contact with your surgeon regarding your diet? I would contact the surgeon and fax or e-mail the diet to him and see what he thinks. I'm surprised that they had you eat tomato soup in the hospital right after the surgery. I thought it was usually clear liquids. Good Luck.
   — Carolyn M.

March 13, 2003
A second opinion is not a sin, as we are discussing YOUR body. You obviously know a bit more than this dietician- and no offense meant to her! But you should speak up, voice your concern. An answer of "trust me" wouldn't cut it in my book. I'd want more than that! It's why we come to this board everyday (to learn), and you've probably heard from the beginning all about sugar- she may not have. It's no crime to educate her! My OB/Gyn nurse suggested I take tums for extra calcium- and I gently explained to her that it does no good, and that I stick to calcium citrate because of malabosrption possibilities. If anything she was not offended. We alone are responsible for our new bodies- and since you know right from wrong- stick with the right! I would start with a protein shake if you are moving into full liquids, but I wouldn't worry about volume, as it is a liquid and will end up going down pretty easy- unlike real food. Let us know what happens!
   — Karen R.

March 13, 2003
I went through the same thing with my dietician at first. She was completely clueless regarding WLS. I printed her several info things and the pouch rules for dummies. (Just to look at) It worked because since then she has started attending seminars concerning post op diet for WLS patients. I called my surgeon the first time and was told to disregard her meal ideas. Call your Dr. and see what he says.
   — Sandy T.

March 13, 2003
I hate being told "Trust me"! My response is "The last time a believed someone who said 'trust me' I ended up with twins." To me it is so condesending "I know everything and you aren't smart enough to understand." Who sent you to this dietian? Is she connected to your surgeon? Does she have a lot of experience with WLS? Her advise flies in the face of what we know therefore without FACTS from her as to the why fors, I would go with what you know to be right. (I'm not ruling out that she knows what she is talking about but without facts, I don' t accept them).
   — Sunny S.

March 13, 2003
Thank you everyone for replying and thank you for the alternative guidelines. <p>The dietician is part of the VA Hospital and I have spoken to the medical team that attended me included an attending surgeon that was present to assist during the surgery. They really didn't know much about diets and told me if I have a problem with the diet, I could modify it with low sugar substitutes when I get home. Once again thanks for your input! <p>Take Care, Be Well, Be Happy!
   — John T.