The Nutritionist is WRONG! Please please help me.

Congratulations on your loss so far. If you have doubts about this advice or feel the nutritionist wasn't taking your concerns seriously, a second opinion from a RD is always a good idea. I think it is important to consider what is recommended for you might be different than for someone who has not had the surgery--at least in the short to medium term. So I guess I would consider the advice of someone who specializes in that area even if it sounds different to advice you see online or in other sources. I am guessing your nutritionist is actually trying to get you to eat a controlled amount just using a different approach than counting calories as you mention she suggested weighing your portions. And it sounds like she is trying to encourage a balanced diet. And to encourage you to stop worrying so much about the number on the scale...

. She suggested I eat low fat yogurt and I told her I wouldn't do that because the low fat yogurt is usually full of sugar. I eat very low sugar, extremely low artificial sugars, high fat and high protein for the calorie boost. She also said NO MORE protein shakes.

It depends on the yogurt. Flavored yogurt i.e. vanilla tends to be sweetened. I use to eat an unflavored, plain nonfat yogurt that had similar sugar count to other plain, unflavored yogurt--just the sugars naturally in milk. True, some lowfat processed foods have more sugar to make it taste good, but not always. Is there actually a difference in added sugar for flavored lowfat yogurt vs flavored full fat yogurt? Depending on the sweetener used, both would contain added sugars. You sound like someone savvy enough to compare food labels, so you most likely could find a healthy yogurt that is lower in fat.

If it is an option, a second opinion might be a great idea or even a follow-up with the same person to clarify the reasoning behind her suggestions. Are some of them specific to people with your surgery, for example. Does a high fat or high protein diet somehow cause a problem for people recovering from your surgery?

The PROBLEM is that I can't get enough healthy foods physically into my stomach to net over 600-900 calories a day after exercise.

Because your body no longer absorbes nutrients as efficiently as it did pre-surgery, I would opt to ADD ONE multi-vitamin packed shake once a day. I am not a believer in shakes but in your case, nutrients are more easily absorbed in groups. For example:

Calcium intake alone = body can't absorb.

But

Calcium +. Magnesium intake = body CAN absorb.

Set your caloric intake as per your body size and weight for safe weight loss for now, as you wait to get a second opinion.

PS: I am also not a believer in taking pills: vitamin, diet, herb etc. They are not regulated and 80% of them don't have the exact ingredients as specified. Studies have shown that people who take VITAMIN PILLS everyday live shorter lives than those who don't: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/vitamin-dangers_b_1018430.html

Bariatric patients have a hard time breaking down the additives in pill vitamins, so a whole foods supplement drink is defnintely the key. I take several supplements each day, but all of them are food-based with no extra additives so I get the majority of my nutrients from those. I suppose you could call me Ironman lol

How tall are you? What is your height's normal BMI range? Are you tracking your vitamins and minerals? Are you getting enough? You are exercising a lot so what is your body fat %?

Before surgery, did the office do anything to address your emotional relationship with food? How you look at it? Did they address emotional issues regarding how you see yourself? You were morbidly obese so you obviously had an unhealthy relationship with food. Concentrating on portion control only is great for a lot of people. I know healthy weight people who swear by it. Personally it has never worked for me. It does not address the game going on in my head. Having one magic calorie curfew everyday does. I do look at proteins/fats/carbs and vitamins/minerals too. Keeping under a maximum amount of total calories without going too low does the weight loss trick for me.

One would hope that a dietician in a bariatric office is trained for your needs, but maybe a second opinion is in order? Your dietician should and probably is, looking at the total package. Weight and dress size is only one part of it. If, however, the way she is going
about helping you achieve your best healthy self isn’t working, try a dietician with a different approach.

Also, how many hours are you exercising? What is recommended for someone who has had bariatric surgery? Your body now functions differently. Way too much exercise coupled with too few calories or portions can really wreak havoc on your metabolism and immune system if done indefinitely.

How tall are you? What is your height's normal BMI range? Are you tracking your vitamins and minerals? Are you getting enough? You are exercising a lot so what is your body fat %?

I'm 5' 4" tall. BMI today at 178 lbs. is 30.55 obese. Normal BMI range in pounds is 109-146. Yes, I'm tracking vitamins and minerals. I don't know my body fat %.

I appreciate all the good advice and recommendations. A second opinion is definitely in my future.