[SlimmingDown]

Today I went to my first visit with my nutritionist. I will admit that I am a little disappointed. Other than going over the post-op diet we never really touched on what I can do to be healthier before the surgery (if I opt to have it). I have never really been taught how to eat properly and well rounded so I was really looking forward to what I could learn. By the time we were done talking about the post-op diet our time was up. Hopefully the next 2 appts will be better. They gave me a log to fill out and some goals (lose weight, exercise, etc.).

What was your experience with the nutritionist? I feel a little cheated so far. Did they teach you value tools that helped you out?

[KO]

My docs first Nut was good not great. the one he has now is a schiller. I called her for advice and she tried to sell me something. . .I'm working with a doc outside of my docs office and hope that will be better.
Also the people here have been fantastic for input!

[aflane]

I'm not sure if you picked a good nutritionist, or not. But it sounds like some areas of your visit were definitely lacking. I don't know what kind of surgery you are considering, so I can't advise you on your nutrionist's competency in that regard. However, I can relay information and experience that I've had with my nutritionist over the past 2+ months.

Two of the things the nutrionist should have instructed you to bring with you PRIOR to your first appointment are: 1) a food log (EVERYTHING you've eaten for 3-5 days, including water consumption); and 2) an exercise log. The purpose of the food log is to see your food habits, and determine where you're going wrong (or in some areas right). The purpose of the exercise log is to see what you're doing to get your blood moving. In addition, if you have a recent blood work-up by your M.D., you should have brought that along, since then the nutrionist can see if you have cholesterol problems, or are diabetic. The nutrionist can't instruct you and guide you on a food plan unless he/she can establish a profile for you.

During your initial consultation, the nutrionist should have gone over your diet goals (lose weight, cholesterol management, diabetes management, etc.) In my case, healthy weight loss and lower my cholesterol a smidge (without meds). She asked to see my logs, which I had printed out for her (I'm using my-calorie-counter.com to keep track of EVERYTHING I eat AND my exercise -- basic service is free!!). The next thing my nutrionist did, was determine just how many daily calories I could have based on my goals, current weight, height, age. With that information in hand, she attacked my food log. I had been watching and dieting on my own for approx. 2 weeks before going to see her, and unknowingly, I had cut my calories TOO low. Imagine! Go to a nutrionist and be told to eat more!! Another area that was waaaay too low was my fiber intake. However, my protein intake was too high. So together, we talked and figured out my calories (1600 per day), fiber intake, and protein limit. In addition, I was advised to start taking multi-vitamins and an additional calcium supplement, since I don't eat a lot of dairy. This pretty much took up the first session.

BTW, if you're seeing a nutrionist every week, that's too frequent. You won't have a chance to see the effects of the dietary changes being imposed. I see mine once a month.

One month later I went back to see her. Although I did not print out my logs this time, I knew from my previous visit that we could log onto my log. First, my nutrionist asked me if I had lost any weight in the 4 weeks since my last appointment. I was pleased to say an emphatic YES!! She asked my current weight, and then started to shake her head at me. You see, I had lost TOO MUCH weight in that month. She set me a goal of 8-10 lbs per month, and I had lost 13 lbs. We then talked about some of the food choices I had been making over the past month. She was quite pleased with the amount of label reading I had been doing, and the increase in my dietary knowledge. Remember, your nutrionist's job is to TEACH YOU how to eat.

So next, we pulled up my online weight/exercise log. Right away she saw my problem... I still wasn't eating enough calories, and not enough fat. I complained that I'm full all the time while eating 1200 calories. How the heck was I going to get 400 more in my day PLUS healthy fats?? Nutrionist to the rescue! Discussion began about what I could eat and how much of it. Olives, peanut butter and selected nuts (allergic to some types) were added to my diet.

On the other hand, she could see that I regularly eat 6-8 servings of veggies and fruits every day. My fiber intake is steadily hovering around the 30 grams per day mark. And I've got my meat intake set around 7 ounces per day. Dairy intake... ain't gonna happen. But I take my calcium supplement every morning.

We then went on to chat a bit about how to continue my weight loss plan while travelling extensively for work, but we ran out of time. I guess we'll continue that discussion at my next appointment, in the beginning of March.

Weight loss to date: 40.5 lbs.... 159.5 to go

[nanj]

Aflane: I like your NUT!! My initial consult was just to tell me how much protein and sugars and how to read a label. I must admit, I have learned more from here and OH than what my Nut told me. They also gave me a book that has a lot of information in it, but got more out of "WLS for Dummies" and the bariceating lady. I guess there is a 12 week course that you can take, but it wasn't offered to me and it costs. I didn't find out until after I had my surgery. They do have me bring in my food log for the last two days.

I found out during my 3 mos checkup, about the wisest fast food choices I can make!!! My clinic does have stuff to sell, and they do give you stuff to sample. I still have yet for my NUT to talk to me about carbs, fats, etc. I wanted to ask her about the amount of daily carbs and fats, but....I forgot. I have read so many number on them and the range is pretty wide on acceptable amounts. So I guess I'll cover that at the six month checkup. They did give me a paper this time for a closer WLS support group and I will be going to that this month. They encouraged me to come to their support group, but it is 140 miles round trip.

Slimming: make a list of what you need to ask the Nut and don't go until she answers them. IMO I think you should kind of have a plan in mind for when you are finally able to eat real food. Some of the programs I've seen have a 12 week re-introduction period of foods, which would have been nice because it actually gives you something to work with instead of just coming up with ideas out of the blue.

Hey whitelion: The WLS support group is the 19th of this month at Beulahs, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. I think they only have it during the winter months!!!

[whitelion30]

Thanks, I was hopeing you would tell me when the meeting was. Maybe next month I can go with you. Work has me out and about until my surgery. Like my boss said, get some work out of me before I dissappear for a month!