I'm sure nobody ment to burst any bubbles but it is a fact that milk can become a huge no no for many after this surgery..including me!That's not to say calcium isn't needed but when you get the screaming sh*ts from it beleive me you use other ways to get your calcium. I think many are searching for what is to be expected post op and that may be what you are reading. I'm sure they could get that info from the dietician, surgeon, literature etc. but others also like to hear it straight from those that are dealing directly with certain issues and have had the surgery. I think that's what makes this site so important to us! The surgeons and dieticians usually never actually had the surgery. That would mean they are getting their info from...you guessed it...us! Ha! Why not go straight to the source?!? Anyway, I'm here for anyones questions and will continue to ask my own as well.
Good luck to all! Brenda

I agree, Amelia. From what I've read, 1% or skim milk is definitely on the diet plan. I too was warned that some people develop a milk intolerance.

P.S. You rock!

The suggestion to avoid milk also is from the POV that it is basically sugar water for us. It does have some calcium in it but that calcium can be gotten from other places.
Our new rules require us to change our eating habits, and that includes avoiding sugar whenever possible.
Milk is not intended for us anyway, it is for cows.

I understand that logic.. ireally do, but for some it is a staple, a regular everyday thing, skipping it is not neccesary for all WLS post-ops I feel like some people are told to avoid it, but that is not for everyone. I just notice if someone posts about drinking milk.. people say "oh you shouldn't do that!" when for some milk is nurishment. Every sugeon seems to do it different. Some people are required to lose 10% before surgery, I am not. Some people are required to go on a liquid diet, I am not. There are HUGE differnces sometimes. I may have to eat my words and skip milk, but I only drink Lactaid anyways so lacose intolorance is not going to stop me from drinking lactaid anyways. I never drink regular milk pre-op so i won't post-op either. I have allergic reactions to soy milk so I have fewer options than some, and in the beginning i will eed to drink protein shakes and drinking them with water just sounds awful.

I only caught part of this discussion, but I sort of feel we all have our guidelines by our medical team. If someone is getting a little vocal about what you should and shouldnt have, well, ignore it. The only milK i was told to stay away from *which was my favorite* was very vanilla soy milk. Lots of sugar in it. If you choose to drink milk and hate the taste of it, hershey's makes strawberry and choc. no sugar syrup. I didnt buy it, I think i am still a little intolerant, but I plan to .

I was told I could drink all the skim milk or 1 percent milk that I wanted. I hated milk, but the skim doesn't bother me when I use it for my protein shake. the skim milk still has 90 calories for 8 ounces and that is the only reason I don't have more than 1 or 2 servings a day. I was told that I could become lactose intolerant and to watch for the signs, but suprisingly I didn't. I have Irriatble Bowel Syndrome and if anything my stomach is less irritated now that I don't eat all the crap I used to. I was a sugarholic.
Have a great night.
NAL

Oh sorry I forgot. Viactiv makes a chewable calicum supplement that I was told to take twice a day, but not with the multivitamin because it hinders the absorption. SO it is supposed to be Multi vitamin in morning, calicum at lunch and calcium at night. They come in flavors like vanilla and caramel and chocolate. I love taking the caramel cuz I feel like I am eating a candy. Sad huh?, but true.
Sorry didn't mean to ramble
Nal

I've never been 'hooked' on milk, cuz I've been intolerant since birth. But, I do see it as nutritious for other people. I encourage my kids to drink it, just not to excess.

I see and hear people talking about how Milk is this big 'WONDER FOOD' and this is when I have to disagree. Milk doesn't offer anything that that cannot be gotten some place else, and probly cheaper (when counting calories, carbs. flavor, and fat).

My Sister is a BIG milk drinker. Somehow she lucked out and it doesn't make her sick like it does my brother and I. Anyway, she can't comprehend that she could just not drink milk. She is of the mindset I was referring to earlier of 'Milk is a Wonder food'. That we can't live without it.

I guess I'm just here to say that if the goal is to change habits, then 'Lets Change them!! Sugar is bad. We know it and milk is loaded with it, let it go!

Please! No one take offense to this, I'm not 'coming down' on anyone, this is just my opinion! :-) If ya'll want your milk ya can have it!

I know it isn't wonder food.. I just like it, I can manage my carbs and sugar and still have it. If you feel it is sugar water, then skip it. I will proudly wear my lacaid milk mustach

I am post op and I can tolerate milk. Just thought that I would add that :)

EVERY HOUR MY NUTRISONIST HAS ME TAKING 4OZ OF IETHER SKIM MILK, OJ OR 100 JUICE FROM APPLES WITH LESS THAN 26 GRAMS OF SUGAR AND ALSO BOTTLE WATER
WATER FROM THA TAP HAS GERMS AND WITH A HEALING STOMACH WELLL

Every case is truly unique. I could always tolerate dairy products the best. At 5.5 months post op, I still cannot eat chicken, fish, turkey, beef, eggs, but can eat cheese and other dairy. I think you are just going to wait and see. Good luck. Lorraine

Just did a quick search- I loves my fat free milk (always have) --

Just.. a quickie "I Love Milk" Post that just mentions what it has (besides sugar)

Vitamins D&K for bone health, Iodine is essential for thyroid function, Vitamin B12 and riboflavin for cardiovascular health, Biotin, Vitamin A for immune function, Potassium & Magnesium for cardiovascular health, Selenium (cancer preventative trace mineral), Thiamine (important for cognitive function), Conjugated Linoleic Acid (shown to inhibit cancers in mice and been shown to kill human skin cancer, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer cells - only from grass fed cows)

Studies show possible links between low-fat milk consumption and reduced risk of arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, & colorectal cancer.

Well, as a milk-free person lemme explain to you that what you do in the first 6 months to a year (your honeymoon period) will affect just how much weight you will lose. When the weight stops coming off, you are so done, for the most part.

I believe, and everyone here has to form their own opinions, that much is true, that anything I eat or drink that puts calories into my body, calcium that does NOT absorb, and more carbs than protein is NOT going in my body, whether I am lactose intolerant or not, regardless of what "professional" tells you to drink it.

If you have PCOS, Syndrome X or Metabolic syndrome (most morbidly obese folks have one of these, whether they are diagnosed or not, because they are syndromes and NOT diseases or illnesses) you come to realize that it is insulin release (and foods that cause insulin release) that make your fat cells larger.

I'd be happy to share any information I have amassed over my 5 year period since wls and you can ask for it at higkp@satx.rr.com. I can explain it but in this forum there is just not time and I don't really have the energy to deal with it.

But, suffice it to say that many wls folks are lactose intolerant. But, more than that there is a high amount of milk sugar in milk (more gr of carbs than protein) and can cause dumping as well. If you drink milk you will teach your body to get used to it and your dumpometer will NOT stop working. : ( This is one of the best things that ever happened to me post-wls.

Some folks may like it that they can go back to eating and drinking what they want without dumping. As for me, it keeps me honest and legal.

And, yes, I admit, I'm anal. Having been on death's door before my wls has made me absolutely strict with what I choose to put into my body. I canNOT ever go back there. I will NOT let anything or any food defeat me.

So, as a pre-op I don't think it's necessary to say that we are being "premature". I've not only lived this life but have helped many, many people on this road to success in large support group settings.

If you choose to drink milk, that is your choice, absolutely right. But, is it the best choice??? NO! And, if you believe it, it's likely because #1) you have gotten the message from the dairy association that "milk does a body good." Milk is for baby calves. After surgery, calcium you take in should be absorbable. And . . .

#2) Nutritionists are schooled about normal anatomies and therefore, they make no differenciations with our altered anatomy.

I have heard nutritionists tell some of their people that you don't ever need to "diet" again. Okay, whatever!!!

However, I did NOT go through this entire surgery to NOT make the most of my honeymoon period. It is that anal attitude of mine that helps me to be perfectly okay with knowing that there was NOT another thing I could have done to get any more of the weight off than I did.

I love the fact that I can look back on this experience and not say, "If only I would have . . . (you fill in the blank). I don't have any "if onlys" and I like it that way.

hugs,

gaylek11

Direct quote : "If you choose to drink milk, that is your choice, absolutely right. But, is it the best choice??? NO! And, if you believe it, it's likely because #1) you have gotten the message from the dairy association that "milk does a body good." Milk is for baby calves. After surgery, calcium you take in should be absorbable. And . . ."

I am not suseptible to the media, I am well aware as a member of preventative health what has been written and stated about milk. I know that for a lot of people it causes more than just lactose intolorace reactions, it is also something that will make some conjested and ill. That being said.. this was just a little mini-rant that just sprang from what you so aptly showed that some people have on these discussion boards just shot down milk drinking, and it is just something that has frusterated me. Many people saw it for what it was, just a mini-rant against people who constantly attack what grown-a** people chose to do, one thing being drinking milk, seriously people...