I am a little puzzled - Cholesterol levels

Secrets224
on 11/30/16 8:36 am
VSG on 09/27/16

Hi Everybody! I am 9 weeks out right now. I had a follow-up with my family doctor on Monday. He was very proud of me with my weight loss and progress so far. I received a copy of the bloodwork results today and as I sat and read them, I couldnt believe it! My cholesterol is 197! What in the world??? The last time I had it checked was in April 2016 at my heaviest weight (unhealthiest stage) and it was 202! I have lost 80 lbs since I started this journey in May 2016, including pre and post-op weight loss combined. I haven't touched fast food since my consult. I have been completely dedicated and true to my program since i first started this journey. I eat healthy and log everything everyday. I am taking my vitamins, eating/drinking my protein, drinking my fluids daily. I am seriously perplexed. How could my cholesterol still be so high? I know i can't be the only person who has gone through this?!?!? Is it all the animal protein? I'm going to ask my doctor when he calls about the results today, but I just wanted to check with some of my fellow sleevers if they've gone through this? 

Surg. Date: 9/27/2016 VSG

HW: 334 * SW: 312 * CW: 188* GW: 175

*Mommy of 2 BEAUTIFUL little girls who make my life go round*

pammieanne
on 11/30/16 8:43 am - OK
RNY on 05/16/16

My cholesterol two weeks ago was 174 (HDL at 62, Trigylcerides 73, LDL 97). My doctor even remarked on how great it is. I've always had pretty good results, but this time even the nurse who called me remarked on how great they are. I'm 6 months out of surgery, eat primarily protein (meat protein) and don't worry about the fats. 

I say all of that because I personally don't believe that animal protein causes high cholesterol. I've watched my father, who eats low fat, whole grain, fresh veggie, etc... exercises A LOT (like 40-60 miles on a bike every weekend, sometimes more)... he's very healthy in the old school way of thinking (Or perhaps not old school, just a different way of thinking than me).

Some of it is hereditary (although, see above father's results... moms are similar, but her diet isn't as good as his). Some of it is time.

Hang in there... look at the more important numbers (HDL, LDL, Tri) and see where you are there.

Height 5'5" HW 260 SW 251 CW 141.6 (2/27/18)

RNY 5-16-16 Pre-Op 9lbs, M1-18.5lbs, M2-18.1lbs, M3-14.8lbs, M4-10.4lbs, M5-9.2lbs, M6-7lbs, M7-6.2lbs, M8-8.8lbs,M9-7.8lbs, M10-1 lb, M11-.6lbs, M12-4.4lbs

Secrets224
on 11/30/16 8:53 am
VSG on 09/27/16

Thank you! I'm going to ask him about everything when he calls me later. I was just so puzzled. One of my comorbidities that qualified me for the surgery was the "high" cholesterol. And lo and behold... lol it is still HIGH! Even after all of my hard work! I guess i'll wait and see. I know i'm doing everything right! 

Surg. Date: 9/27/2016 VSG

HW: 334 * SW: 312 * CW: 188* GW: 175

*Mommy of 2 BEAUTIFUL little girls who make my life go round*

Gwen M.
on 11/30/16 10:16 am
VSG on 03/13/14

So triglycerides are actually in the fat cells (adipose tissue) of your body.  As long as you're obese (and maybe even into overweight) that number will be high.  And if triglycerides are high, your total cholesterol will be high no matter what your HDL and LDL numbers are.  

Yes, this sucks.  

VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)

Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170

TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)

Secrets224
on 11/30/16 11:16 am
VSG on 09/27/16

Thank you so much for the insight! I was just so taken back because im so proud of myself for doing so well and bam. Bloodwork smacks me in the face, like "HAHA! You're not doing as well as you think!" LOL

Surg. Date: 9/27/2016 VSG

HW: 334 * SW: 312 * CW: 188* GW: 175

*Mommy of 2 BEAUTIFUL little girls who make my life go round*

Gwen M.
on 11/30/16 11:19 am
VSG on 03/13/14

I so totally feel your pain.  I had the same experience and I was like, seriously?  I'm doing EVERYTHING you're supposed to do to lower cholesterol and mine is still high?!  

But when I had it checked a few months ago, it was perfect for the first time ever in my whole life.  So suck it, triglycerides!  :D

VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)

Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170

TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)

Secrets224
on 11/30/16 11:58 am
VSG on 09/27/16

Hahahaha! Yes! I hope that is what will happen with me as well. But the doctor was still thrilled that i've lost 80 lbs since i saw him last! 

Surg. Date: 9/27/2016 VSG

HW: 334 * SW: 312 * CW: 188* GW: 175

*Mommy of 2 BEAUTIFUL little girls who make my life go round*

Donna L.
on 11/30/16 12:04 pm - Chicago, IL
Revision on 02/19/18

When we actively lose weight cholesterol sometimes goes up, too.  

Mine was 96 the week of my VSG and last week it was 159 (total).  I eat like 60-70% of my calories from fat daily.  High serum insulin will actually raise it more likely.  Additionally, much of our cholesterol is physiological - Gwen is correct, and we also have a genetic predisposition towards it.  Very little of the total number usually comes from diet.  I don't remember what/how much it is, though (maybe 15-20%?  don't quote me on that).

Also, consider that prior to Ancel Keys in the 50's and 60's, having cholesterol over 200 or whatever was considered fine.  Curiously he worked for grain and agriculture lobbies, and advocated a low fat diet to lower cholesterol - high in grains, of course. ;)

Much medical policy is set by politics not science, sadly.

I follow a ketogenic diet post-op. I also have a diagnosis of binge eating disorder. Feel free to ask me about either!

It is not that we have so little time but that we lose so much...the life we receive is not short but we make it so; we are not ill provided but use what we have wastefully. -- Seneca, On the Shortness of Life

pammieanne
on 11/30/16 12:53 pm - OK
RNY on 05/16/16

I can remember the doctor wanting my moms at 200 + her age... at that time it would have been in the 240's... 

Just like the eggs are bad for you crap that was passed around for years. My dad still won't eat the yolk because of that.

Height 5'5" HW 260 SW 251 CW 141.6 (2/27/18)

RNY 5-16-16 Pre-Op 9lbs, M1-18.5lbs, M2-18.1lbs, M3-14.8lbs, M4-10.4lbs, M5-9.2lbs, M6-7lbs, M7-6.2lbs, M8-8.8lbs,M9-7.8lbs, M10-1 lb, M11-.6lbs, M12-4.4lbs

cappy11448
on 11/30/16 1:37 pm

Congratulations on your successes and your weight loss!  You are doing so well. 

My cholesterol was high when I was losing weight, too.  I think it is because we are burning fat for our energy, and it is releasing the cholesterol from the fat we are losing.  My doctor wanted to put me on meds but I suggested waiting until the weight loss was done to see how it looked then.  It did come down - not as much as I would have hoped, but they are no longer suggesting meds for it, so I guess its ok.

I hope it sorts out for you, as well.

Carol

    

Surgery May 1, 2013. Starting Weight 385,  Surgery Weight 333,  Current Weight 160.  At GOAL!

Weight loss Pre-op 1-20 2-17 3-15 Post-op 1-20 2-18 3-15 4-14 5-16 6-11 7-12  8-8

                  9-11 10-7 11-7 12-7 13-8 14-6 15-3 16-7 17-3  18-3

     

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