mari.beth

That is awesome! Congratulations on your hard work! Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

I wonder if anyone else has tried these. They are light, crunchy, tasty, and I think an excellent alternative to high-carb crackers. Plus, they are cheap and take only one minute to cook in the microwave. I have eaten them with low-carb salmon spread or just plain when I really wanted something crunchy. I only eat 10 (well, I cook 10 and give my dogs 2), which is 17.5 calories, 3 carbs, 0 fat, 1.5 grams Protein.

I've never seen these at my regular supermarkets. Where did you buy these, on line? Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App I bought them at an Indian grocery store in Nashville (Patel Brothers). I found them on their website, but they are more expensive online: http://store.patelbros.com/swad-black-pepper-papad/

I hope this picture posts correctly.

I posted this in the wrong spot, but can't figure out how to delete it!!

You look great! Congrats on the accomplishment!!!

I am a pescatarian, but eat a lot of vegetarian meals. There is a Facebook page you can ask to join: WLS vegetarians. There are quite a few people on that page who eat completely plant-based diets after surgery. I have gotten a few ideas there (though I am still struggling with meal planning 6 months out). I haven't found anything that my sleeve does not tolerate in small portions. I definitely eat beans (and some rice) without any issues at all. I can only eat tiny bits of some raw veggies (cucumbers, carrots, and cauliflower) because they fill me up super quickly, but I can eat lettuce and arugula without any issues. I can eat about half a tangerine or apple before feeling full, but no problems at all with digesting/tolerating any of it. You also can add veggie meat substitutes back to your diet after surgery earlier than you can add meat (if you eat it). I have been eating veggie burgers (half of one fills me up), Boca crumbles, etc. for a couple of months now.

Maybe I have just not figured out how to search the forums very well, but I am surprised that I have found so few posts about meal prepping / planning. I know this sounds pathetic, but I honestly thought the nutritionist fees that were part of my "package" would result in nutritional support that was more helpful. The post-surgery visits have basically involved the nutritionist/ nurse handing me papers with a list of what is okay to eat and what is not okay to eat. I envisioned that nutritional support would involve helping me plan meals tailored around my needs (I am pescatarian). I feel stupid because I cannot find any materials or supports for meal prepping/ planning (just general "do eat" / "don't eat" guidelines). I am almost 5 months out and have been at the same weight for about a month (60 pounds down, but holding still). I am supposed to only eat three meals and get 60+ grams of Protein, <30 grams of fat, and between 30-60 grams carbs. I have found myself wanting to snack but figuring out healthy, meatless options that are not high fat (e.g., cheese, peanuts) has been a struggle. I have read a couple of books that had a few ideas and I have joined the WLS Vegetarians Facebook page, but I feel like I am looking for help that does not exist. I feel like I am struggling to figure out a plan so that I don't yield to whatever is on hand when I am feeling hungry. I would like to meal prep for a week at a time, but a lot of the ideas I have found for that are high in carbs or contain meat. Is there a way to get help with meal prepping/ planning (real help - not just "here is your list of what to eat.")? Do you know of resources that have daily meal plans? Tips and tricks for retraining my brain away from head hunger also will be appreciated.

I don't eat meat because of cruelty in the meat industry. I might eat it if I could find a source where the animals were treated humanely, but probably not because I think cows are cute and pigs are smart. I tried to go vegan, but really could not do it (way before surgery), so I settled on pescatarian even though I know that the fishing industry is not humane either. If you figure out which books are especially good, please share!

There are a multitude of reasons people choose not to eat meat, or certain kinds of meat, and all are valid. She stated that she is a pescatarian, which means she eats fish. She may also be lacto-ovo which would mean she drinks milk and eats eggs. But even if she's not lacto-ovo, I don't think we should be trying to convince her to eat meat when she has religious/moral/health reasons for not. I am no longer vegetarian, but was raised that way for religious reasons (we were lacto/ovo/pescatarian in practice) and I can assure you that there are MANY ways to get plenty of protein without eating meat. There are a number of high protein foods that are not animal-based. http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4771/10-Vegan-Sources-of-Protein.html To the OP: I have been trying to find meal planning help with my own food issues, and have found that in general the options are not very good. There's tons of recipe ideas here in the recipe section and on Pinterest, but not a lot of information about how to plan meals especially if you're planning to do once-a-week or once-a-month cooking. There are resources for OAW/OAM cooking, but it's with their recipes and doesn't offer a lot of insight as to how to put your own recipes in place of theirs. If you search once-a-week or once-a-month cooking, and read enough of the books/resources, there are basic principles you can apply. Like which kinds of food freeze well, which are good for make-ahead, etc. I personally have found it very hard to implement from scratch. But if you dig enough you can find them. I will offer that if you're doing low-carb, you shouldn't worry overmuch about fat. The concept of low-carb requires a higher fat content than in a "normal" diet. I wouldn't go overboard, but since you don't eat red meat, your fat options are going to tend to be the "healthy" fats, so I really wouldn't worry much about that. Also, I advise getting some clarification around "only 3 meals" a day. Post-op, your intake at a sitting will be so little that I don't believe only allowing 3 meals a day is wise. My instructions are to eat every 3-4 hours. Many of the people here who have 3 meals only as instructions, were allowed 2-3 Protein Drinks outside of those 3 meals as "snacks". Others are told 3 meals with 2 or 3 low calorie high protein Snacks. Good luck! If I remember when I get home (feel free to PM me to remind me) I can post some of the OAW/OAM resources I've found. I would love some of those resources. I had not considered looking for once-per-week/month / foods that freeze well, etc. I definitely will look for that. I am supposed to have three meals with Protein shakes in between (I guess as "snacks" but they said, "No snacking" -- I guess just another way of saying the same thing!).

Congrats on being 100 pounds down from your highest weight. That is wonderful! My surgery was June 23. I've lost 60, but haven't lost anything for a few weeks. I definitely feel less restriction which worries me. I'm not too concerned about Thanksgiving other than pie! Honestly, I probably will have a bite. Do you have to cook? I think that would be harder. I'm going to my sister's house and will only be taking deviled eggs. I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving! Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

THank you! I did not know about the recipes / food sections. I will spend more time looking through those. I never have used Reddit. I need to check it out. Before surgery, I didn't eat enough protein for sure. My main sources (before and after) are fish, shrimp, and meat alternatives (tofu, tempeh). I definitely substitute those products for other meat, but the veggie noodles -- great idea! I have a spiralizer that is collecting dust in a drawer somewhere. I will track it down and try some zoodles again! Thanks!!! I did not know it existed. THANK YOU!!!

I bought a couple of books (used on Half.com) and have gotten a few good recipe ideas from them. If you figure out a good one, please let me know!

THank you to the three of you who replied. Those are great ideas. I did not know there was a recipes section here. Honestly, I find BP a bit frustrating. It seems like many newbies asking questions do not get many responses whereas a lot of people jump in to respond to posts by the "popular" (for lack of a better term) people. So, I feel pretty frustrated with the few posts I have made trying to get advice. I really do appreciate you taking your time to respond!!!

Wow. My doc said not to drink from a straw and I have not done so for fear that the extra air might stretch my sleeve. I used to drink A LOT of liquids through straws all day every day. Since surgery, I have been struggling to drink enough water because of not being able to use straws. I know that sounds silly, but I think I may try one to see if I experience discomfort.

I am 3 months out and have been struggling to get in enough Protein since I was moved from soft diet to full diet a few weeks ago. I am pescatarian so fish, veggie patties, eggs, and Protein shakes have been my primary sources. The past week or so, I have not been getting my full amount of protein. At first, I was just so happy to eat veggies that I was going overboard with them. This week, I have eaten some bread and sweets. I know I am stupid for slipping (I just read a whole line of posts with veterans going on and on about stupid things newbies do and I fully admit my stupidity). I am happy with my progress so far but want to get back on track. I would love creative meatless (or pescatarian) protein ideas or sources to locate high protein, low carb meatless recipes and/or meal plans. Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

I am 1.5 months out from surgery and the only comments I have received so far are that I have lost weight in my face. That's okay but I really am hoping for more belly shrinkage than face shrinkage! I have not noticed more wrinkles yet, but I am approaching 50 and am concerned about wrinkles overall. I am frugal so I haven't tried extremely expensive over-the-counter products. I have tried Estee Lauder, Clinique, and several others in that range. Honestly, Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle night products have been most effective to me. I also take hyaluronic acid supplements for dry eyes and they are supposed to help wrinkles, too. Hydration affects skin appearance so make sure to get in your fluids! Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

I went for my one month follow-up today and was cleared to switch from liquids to soft foods. I had hummus for lunch because I went straight to costco from my appointment and the single pack was easy to eat on the way home. I had a very small piece of salmon with one tablespoon of cottage cheese for dinner. It was so wonderful to actually eat something besides popsicles and soup! I was surprised at how full I felt after a few bites (definitely grateful for that!) I was a bit disappointed that I only lost 7 pounds since the 2-week appointment, but I guess I should be grateful for losing during weeks three and four.

I am a professor in education (taught special ed for 13 years and have been in higher ed 11). I was sleeved on June 23 of this year, but tried to get my act together to do it last summer and spent an entire year regretting not going ahead and having it done. If you can swing it, I say go ahead. I will tell you that I was EXHAUSTED and in a good bit of pain week 1, but had to get up and pack to move week 2. The first few days that I spent working around the house, I could work for about 10 minutes at a time and then had to rest. (I highly recommend not moving twice and having surgery in the same month.) I just went for my one-month follow-up today and still do not have my full stamina back. Sometimes, I get dizzy when I stand up or work a lot. I have not been lifting heavy stuff, but packing and moving is more strenuous than my day job. I taught special needs pre-k for a couple of years and I am not sure how those of you who teach little ones will have enough stamina to go back quickly (I didn't notice ages - maybe you are much younger than I am!) Most of my P-12 teaching career required lifting and positioning children with physical disabilities which would have to have been limited during recovery, but that is probably not a problem for general ed or resource teachers. I am not trying to discourage you because I wish I had gone ahead with my surgery last fall. I just want you to be prepared for decreased stamina. Also, I have read a lot of people talking about wavering emotions. I haven't had surgery-related emotions per se because of moving stress, but not being able to eat when I was stressing over house stuff has been difficult. I think you need to be prepared for that as well. Good luck to you!!!

I am late responding, but wondering how things are going for everyone. I was sleeved on June 23. I lost 15 pounds prior to surgery and had lost 18 more at my last appointment (July 11). I haven't weighed since because my scales are packed. We are in the middle of a move and things have been super hectic. (I highly recommend never having life-altering surgery while moving - especially when there are 12 days between closings!) I still am on liquids until my next appointment on Monday. I feel like I am able to drink Clear Liquids without any problems (and Protein shakes a little slower without problems) so I have been worried that my sleeve is too big or that I have overdone it and stretched it. I started eating egg drop Soup this week because we have moved from a rental house (AirBNB) to a hotel and trying to cook and strain soup is too complicated. I didn't feel full after eating about 3/4 cup of it, but I stopped anyway. I read other people on here saying that they were able to tolerate liquids without problems, but felt stuffed after eating only a few bites of food. Have any of you had that experience? I hope to start soft foods after my next appointment on Monday. Have you found any good resources for soft food ideas? I close on my new house tomorrow and will go shopping over the weekend to buy some real food (I cannot wait!!)

New life? Yes. Dr. Williams is my surgeon.

I am in Knoxville with surgery scheduled for June 23.

I am a pescatarian who is a little over two weeks away from surgery and feeling stressed about being able to maintain a vegetarian (or occasional pescatarian) lifestyle after. I found this board by googling "vegetarian after gastric sleeve" and I thank everyone who has posted advice and ideas here. I realize this board is old and that this message may not be seen, but it really helped alleviate some of my fears. I really want to transition to a whole foods vegetarian diet eventually. I hate that I am having to do products with Gelatin during the pre-op diet, but I can deal with two weeks and I feel more encouraged that it will be do-able to eat a mostly plant-based diet for the rest of my life!