Nutritionist Support ????

This is stemming from another thread, but is NOT meant in any way, shape, or form, as an insult or negative at all!!!!!!!!!  That's my disclaimer! But I am curious now, what kind of nutritional support has your WLS program offered you?  On my blog I have done a review of the Sinai program. I have been thrilled with them since day one. A very large part of that is the amount of access to, and information from a wonderful nutritionist they offer.  Prior to surgery, we HAD to attend a several hour nutrition class to discuss what eating would be like post op, immediately, and long range.  And a couple weeks post op we HAD to attend a transition class - again, a couple hours with folk that were in about the same spot in the adventure, talking about what we could start trying, what items we could ease into our diets, what items we HAD to have in our diets (i.e. enough protein!), and a lot of good information about what tends to sit well and bother others (all of course with the idea that we are each different).  In addition to the classes with handouts and tons of information, we have a year of access via appts or email with the nutritionist. I am sure mine is tired of seeing me in the 'inbox'.  The packets of information that we received pre-op also includes a vitamin and supplement schedule - with a sample day broken down by 1/2 hour increments, showing when to eat, when to sip, when to NOT drink, and when to take which vitamins.  I would have been LOST without this.  She also provided us with tons of web sites and resources to try new things.  Again, I am just curios about this.  I guess I was spoiled by the in depth involvement of the nutritionist in the program I went through, but I can't imagine a surgeon doing this without having some nutritional guidance available to the patient. 

GBMC also offers great nutritional support. Pre-op we had to meet monthly with the nutristionis tto discuss our diets and the changes we needed to make. We also had to attend a class about 2 weeks prior to surgery.  The nutritionist is available at each follow up appointment post op. We are also able to contact her at any time. I am very pleased witht he support from the nutritionist at GBMC.

I didn't specifically see a nutritionist, but I did have a lot of guidance on my food plan both pre-op and post-op.   From the time that I went for my first consultation on 1/29/04  until I went to surgery on 3/22/04 I was required to keep a detailed food diary which Dr S reviewed with me and made suggestions for better choices.   Post op I had a very clear written food plan with steps on adding foods back and how to properly add them (i.e.  do not try more than one 'new' food per day/meal in order to be able to identify what might be a problem).   Post op I also kept a food diary that was reviewed and discussed with Dr S and staff. Things may have changed in the last 3 years (similarly to how DVR's practice has changed) but Dr Sofronski was extremely 'hands-on' during my first year post op and really even now.   I saw Dr S (not an NP or PA) on a monthly basis for the first year and every 3 months the 2nd year.   From year 2 to 3 it went to annually.  I've got my 4 year appointment scheduled already for March 2008.   I left the hospital with Dr S's home phone number and strict instructions to both me and my husband to call him if I had any problems at all. Based on my experiences, I am astounded at some of the questions that are asked on these boards rather than seeking appropriate medical advice from the doctor/practice that performed procedures since every doctor has a different protocol for his/her patients.

See Amie's post below, I ditto that. I haven't had the 2 week's pre surgery session yet. But, I have met with Sloane, the nut at GMBC each month. She's answered questions, asked me questions, challenged me, and just generally supported me. She looked over all of my information and tailored her info to my particular body, and my particular habits.  When I went last month, I asked her about a vit deficiency that my bloodwork indicated, and she gave me great info on how to tailor my diet to get that in check.  She also discussed vitamins with me so that I can be ready for surgery. I'm confident that after surgery, I'll have a great support there.

I am not too thrilled with the program at GBMC. I like Sloane. She seems to be a caring and sincere person.  The program seems to be mostly tailored to RNY. I am going to have the lapband. I need to sift thru the info to figure out what applies to me.  I thought it was to be  personal counseling and was suprised to find a group meeting.  I turn in my food journal each month and receive no feed back on it.   Sloane does makes sure she answers all of our questions.  Im not sure why we are required to go to the support meetings when actually we are doing just that when we have our meeting with Sloane. We all sit and compare notes so to speak.  I did go to the supprt mtg in Westminster and had the opportunity to meet Smilesy (HELLO !) and I enjoyed it.   Right now I am suffering thru the 6 mos insurance required diet . I guess I dont really know what my expectations for the program  are.   I guess I thought it would be more persoanl and tailored to my specific needs.  Maybe I will feel differently when I see some light at the end of the tunnel.