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She might just be a vegetarian She didn't say I couldn't have it, but said that most people choose to not eat it after surgery because it is much harder to digest. I don't even have steak very often (3 kids ages 5 and under...steak is a luxury!) but every once in awhile when Hubbs and I go to dinner kid free (once a year!) there is nothing better than a good, juicy steak! The thought of not getting to ENJOY that every once in awhile made me a little sad....and then the thought that I was getting SAD over FOOD that I hadn't even had taken away from me made me MAD AT MYSELF!!! How foolish that I've let food control my thoughts so much That is great to hear that you can still eat meats. Not that I couldn't live without them, I just want that choice

I'm 6 weeks post-op and as of the last 3 days have had daily nausea after having Breakfast (which is usually Greek yogurt or cottage cheese (vegetarian, no-eggs). I'm drinking Water as I've done last few weeks. I've had an extremely smooth recovery so far but now this has popped up out of nowhere. I contacted the practice nurse yesterday and she said it could be a thiamine (B1) deficiency (I take Multivitamins every day so that didn't sound right). She said to get bloodwork if it continues. Has anyone had this happen suddenly a few weeks out? I feel like I'm constantly trying not to throw up (and haven't since surgery).

I agree completely with this post! I love my vegetarian refried beans...plus I find them very filling! Carbonation is a "north end" problem and beans are a "south end" thing. I like that analogy!! "South end" gas won't hurt your band.

At three years out now, I did it all as a vegetarian. I eat vegan many meals, but the dairy really make it much easier. I think you could go vegan, but just have to be willing to make it work... cook at home, find vegan resturants. There are vegan Protein powders, Beans, nuts, gluten, soy things... check out netrition.com for vegan protein products. I think that eating high protein is most important while losing... after losing, during maintenance, it is my belief that the number can come down a little. It is important to keep the quality of your food high though.

Kate, I still love you, but you need to know where I live. I have never lived in Kansas. I live in Missouri. Most of Kansas City is in Missouri. Many people don't realize that. Kansas City KS is a small part of the metro area. The name doesn't make sense, I know. The state animal for MO is the mule....so does that answer your question about stubbornness :> :> I eat chicken breast and turkey breast. I have discussed my dislike of meat and fish with many of the dieticians and nutritionists I have worked with. I am not the only person who doesn't like those things and not the only sleever either. I have had online conversations with several vegetarian sleevers. I basically am lacto-ovo vegetarian by definition with the exception being that I eat chicken and turkey breast. Yes, I am stubborn about this. As long as my labs are fine, I am not going to worry about it. I have always been healthy and this isn't a new phase for me, I never have liked meat and fish. Enough about that....I really liked Faye's suggestion about the crock pot. It doesn't get much easier than a slow cooker! I make several meals a week for the family in the winter with a crock pot.

So those of you who might have read my last entry noticed I was having a HUGE problem with gas. Well, after switching to soy, cutting out all meat and taking stupid digestive enzymes that I got from GNC, the verdic is in. I had to go back to the Dr, the problem was getting worse. I was humilated and I couldn't stand myself. I prayed a lot at work and turned on my fan and took walks. Going to a store was always at a fast pace, stay ahead of the smell, exercising would just bring it on. So I cried and spoke to my Dr who turns out to be a pretty nice person after all. After all these years of saying Yeah Yeah Yeah and then ignoring what he said, I actually listen and follow his directions. And it turns out he is pretty smart too. I have developed food alergies. Turns out you can develope alergies at any time, any time. After 50+ years, I am now alergic to Milk and Milk product, good bye cheese and sugar free pudding. I am also alergic to Whey. That little gem is the major culpert. AND it turns out that 25% of those who are alergic to Whey are sensative to Soy. And did I mention that GNC almost killed me, those digestive enzymes they said I just had to take, had MILK in them. So now no more milk, dairy, cheese, pudding or products with Whey. No protien drinks at all. Now for the good news. Thank god for my Daughter. She suggested Rice Milk. I tried it, no way to drink it but in cereal it was pretty good. And chocolate was icky, but made with Cream of Wheat you almost had pudding. Then I found something wonderful. I am so excited. Almond "Milk". Okay not milk, but it is wonderful. And the CHOCOLATE is heaven. I told my Dr I had to have CHOCOLATE every day. He had no problem with that. Funny he had a problem 100 pounds ago. The Chocolate Almond beverage tastes delicious. It is fantastic and you can drink it from a glass. Gas, not totally gone, but I am no longer under investigation from the government for adding to global warming...... And remember my fear of not enought protien. Seems egg whites are my key. And last night I had a New York Steak and corn on the cob, no gas and I lost some weight. So now here I am, almost a vegetarian, but it is okay. I still have my chocolate, and my Dr said it is okay to eat cereal for dinner. Oatmeal and Cream of Wheat are not the bad boys you might think they are. And making my fake pudding with Chocolate Almond "milk" and cream of wheat is an excellent treat. I am down to 179 pounds this am. I have worked hard and I am proud of what I have done. :confused3:

So those of you who might have read my last entry noticed I was having a HUGE problem with gas. Well, after switching to soy, cutting out all meat and taking stupid digestive enzymes that I got from GNC, the verdic is in. I had to go back to the Dr, the problem was getting worse. I was humilated and I couldn't stand myself. I prayed a lot at work and turned on my fan and took walks. Going to a store was always at a fast pace, stay ahead of the smell, exercising would just bring it on. So I cried and spoke to my Dr who turns out to be a pretty nice person after all. After all these years of saying Yeah Yeah Yeah and then ignoring what he said, I actually listen and follow his directions. And it turns out he is pretty smart too. I have developed food alergies. Turns out you can develope alergies at any time, any time. After 50+ years, I am now alergic to Milk and Milk product, good bye cheese and sugar free pudding. I am also alergic to Whey. That little gem is the major culpert. AND it turns out that 25% of those who are alergic to Whey are sensative to Soy. And did I mention that GNC almost killed me, those digestive enzymes they said I just had to take, had MILK in them. So now no more milk, dairy, cheese, pudding or products with Whey. No protien drinks at all. Now for the good news. Thank god for my Daughter. She suggested Rice Milk. I tried it, no way to drink it but in cereal it was pretty good. And chocolate was icky, but made with Cream of Wheat you almost had pudding. Then I found something wonderful. I am so excited. Almond "Milk". Okay not milk, but it is wonderful. And the CHOCOLATE is heaven. I told my Dr I had to have CHOCOLATE every day. He had no problem with that. Funny he had a problem 100 pounds ago. The Chocolate Almond beverage tastes delicious. It is fantastic and you can drink it from a glass. Gas, not totally gone, but I am no longer under investigation from the government for adding to global warming...... And remember my fear of not enought protien. Seems egg whites are my key. And last night I had a New York Steak and corn on the cob, no gas and I lost some weight. So now here I am, almost a vegetarian, but it is okay. I still have my chocolate, and my Dr said it is okay to eat cereal for dinner. Oatmeal and Cream of Wheat are not the bad boys you might think they are. And making my fake pudding with Chocolate Almond "milk" and cream of wheat is an excellent treat. I am down to 179 pounds this am. I have worked hard and I am proud of what I have done.

You look wonderful! I hope you feel really good since all of the weight loss. Are you continuing to take your Vitamins? When you mentioned that you don't drink your Protein, that concerns me because I do since I'm a vegetarian. I do eat cheese, eggs, tofu, and almonds. I haven't had my surgery yet.@@tpoor25

Hi, My name is Alysha from Ventura County, CA. I'm a Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian (more lacto - then ovo :hungry: .) My surgery is scheduled for the 26th of June with Dr. Joya in Mexico. Was wondering what the journey was with food, weight loss, etc. for any veggies on here.

Hello and welcome! Although I'm not a vegetarian, my best friend is, and I spend lots and lots of time at her place cooking veggie Indian food (she's from Bombay). Indian food has some unbelievably delicious choices for vegetarians. I love Paleek Paneer (spinach with cottage cheese) and all of the yummy nutritious veggies with exotic herbs and spices. One of my favorite dishes that she makes isn't strictly "Indian", but a variation on the British Beans on toast. Let me tell you, I thought beans on toast would be extremely horrible, but I am here to say that the way my friend makes it, ALL of our friends, including me, beg for it on a regular basis! It is literally one of the most delicious foods I've ever eaten. It's also super high in protien and Fiber and super low in fat and calories! And it's extremely fast and easy to make. Here's the recipe: Two cans Vegetarian Baked Beans (Heinz) 1.5 or two fresh green Chili peppers, chopped 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped Two fresh garlic cloves, minced One onion, chopped One turn of the pan of olive oil Sliced whole grain bread Directions: Pour about one turn of the pan with olive oil and heat. Sautee garlic, onion, and chili peppers together until all are somewhat soft. Pour baked beans into pan and cook on low to medium heat for about ten minutes to let the flavors sink in. Add in cilantro and lower heat. Simmer for five minutes. Serve over toasted whole grain bread. Let me know if you try it and how you like it if you do!

My surgery is tomorrow so I have no post op eating experience per say however when I told my dr I was a vegetarian for years he told me great go back to it! He is über healthy himself and follows a bariatric diet himself although he's never been heavy. He said he himself is a vegetarian and said getting protein from places other than meat is fine. I'm excited to see how this goes. Wish me luck!!

Please, feel free to be offended. You have the right to feel the way you want. And I have the right to not care. And as far as telling them you don't eat pig or are a vegetarian. Those things directly affect your interactions with anther person. WLS, unless you are in an emergency situation, will never casually come up. If you feel like you need forgiveness or permission for having WLS, that's your choice.

My diet isn't entirely meat free, but I do eat a lot of fruit, nuts, seeds, beans, tofu, etc. My advice: Work with a dietitian who has done bariatric diet follow up for people eating a vegan or vegetarian diet. it's a bit of a special niche...but if you look, you'll find someone good. Make some calls. Avoid regular pastas....but give the protein pastas a try. They're excellent!

I try to bundle but I guess I'm starting off early but I'm always cold! Always always. I'm a vegetarian so it's that much harder for me.

More vegetarian, less red meats, no sodas of any kind/type, no fast food, more salads.

Hi...vegetarian also. i was no where near getting in my protein and fluids the first week..i i was very swollen. i did two weeks of fluids which included yogurt soups...did lentil soup and Greek yogurt. third week was pureed...i had friendship cottage cheese...it packs 14 g p a half cup. i do a medifast shake every morning. i add a of over the moon milk which has more than most brands..11 g p which gives me 25 g p shake. soybeans have 30 g p in a cup....i add then to veggie chili...i also eat tofurky delislices.....13g p an oz!

Hi TES, Thanks for your post. I am on day 8 post op and am also a vegetarian. I have taken off 2 weeks from work and I see why it's needed. Like you say, I don't have total mental focus just yet. I am still struggling with abdominal pain and am taking Lortab liquid just at night, otherwise getting out of bed and movin is very painful. After leaving the hospital we are on Stage 2 of the diet, which is purée and soft foods. I admit getting Protein has been hard. I like all your veggie suggestions though. I usually have a shake (which counts as 2 meals) and then 2oz Soup with a laughing cow wedge, maybe 2 tbs Greek yogurt, and maybe 2 tbs soft Indian kitcheri (like Dahl n rice). Legumes and Beans also count as protein but if your still being careful to only consume liquid maybe you can purée them. Protein is a challenge, but I am doing my best. I haven't heard about its being related to rapid hair loss if you don't have enough the first two weeks. The other thing I am gonna try soon is getting egg whites and making a soft scramble. Sent from my iPhone using VST

I am able to eat breads (in moderation) I find that those fill my pouch up more and sometimes you don't realize that your eating such a small amount of bread that you eat too much and it can also make your pouch hurt so I tend to try to stay away from breads just because it takes up too much space in there. Salads......oh yes but I wasn't allowed to eat any type of lettuce until I was 6 weeks out and the nurse said that sometimes people don't react great to lettuce and some can only have iceberg and some can only have romaine so you really have to be careful the 1st time you eat lettuce because you may eat iceberg and your tummy may not like it. Tomato sauce like the kind with peppers and stuff added just give me the runs, as well as tacos, and onion....but that could all be due to the fact that I had my gall bladder removed when I had my surgery. I myself never ate the baby food because I have tried it when my kids were babies and ew ew ew that's all I can say about that. And those cravings that you are having are totally normal for the stage that you are at now, in the beginning you do have a lot of head hunger I know I craved hot dogs if that makes any sense but I wanted it not because I was hungry but because my head was trying to tell me to eat everything in sight because it was just that head hunger and nothing else.....I still am like that to this day, grocery shopping is the worst I just pick up things I know I can't eat and won't attempt to and the kids or hubby eat it lol but I just pick it up because the packaging looks good and I'm like oh I could eat one of those even though I really can't. Mac and cheese was touch and go it went down smooth, but I'm still at the stage where I'm trying to figure out when I'm full and when I can eat a little more that's an issue I've been dealing with and it's something I think all of us go through because you just don't know when to stop and when you can eat more because the full feeling you have with gastric is totally different than with your regular tummy.....they say once you are on solid foods all of your meal should fit in 1/2 cup.....well my pouch gets full way before the 1/2 is empty so you just have to try amounts to see what is right for your pouch, if I do eat mac n cheese I eat about 4 bites and that is it although I know I could probably do 6 bites I would rather stop at 4 then have my pouch overfull...and girl that hurts like a bitch! Here's some ideas of soft foods that I know were recommended to me by the dr: moist meats (canned chicken or tuna in Water only) ***use caution I ate tuna and it got stuck worst thing ever*** canned fruit (no sugar added in 100% real fruit juice) applesauce (no sugar added) hot and cold cereals (cream of wheat, cherrios, special k, any flavor oatmeal, grits) frozen or canned veggies egg substitute mashed potatoes fat free whole wheat crackers macaroni, rotini, or penne Pasta 96-99% fat free deli meat ***life saver, I heat up deli meat and cheese and roll it up eat it....great lunch idea*** tofu refried Beans (vegetarian) well cooked beans skinless turkey or chicken breast 93% lean ground beef fat free or reduced fat cheese fat free/light mayo fat free dressings fat free sour cream light butter fat free cream cheese whole wheat bread (dry, well toasted) whole wheat waffles (well toasted) Feel free to message me anytime you need advice, ask questions, or just need to talk!

I'm vegetarian, which really sent the nutritionist at my surgeons office into a panic attack, at the post-op meeting, LOL. When I told her I was keeping a 'Protein journal' and that I plan I keeping the Protein drinks as part of my daily diet, she was relieved. I use the Soy EAS powder, when I get at walmart. It comes in chocolate and vanilla. I do a protein 'shake' every morning for Breakfast. I use vanilla soy milk, a tablespoon of flax seed (for thos needed omega3 and 6's) a scoop of he protein powder and in stead of ice I use frozen fruit. This morning i had banana bluberry. It was YUMMY. I buy my fruit frozen. For bananas, I peel them and depending on their size, I ut them in half. I slice them, throw a protion size (for me about 1/2 a large banana) in a freezer zip-lock and immediatly throw in freezer. I get about 36 grams of protein, just in my breakfast!

I'm vegetarian and am wondering if there are other vegetarians or vegans out there? I've been working with a nutritionist to come up with a diet that includes the proper amount of protein and amino acids, while also being meat free. It would be great if there were others out there like me! Please forgive me if there's a way to search forums to see if this question has already been asked. I'm new here and still figuring things out. Transitioning from lapband to bypass on June 12! HW: 402, CW: 314, GW 185

Lots of places, try No meat Athlete, and a Google search for Protein and vegan or vegetarian will help you. Go to http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/311018-protein-sources/ on this forum and I listed at least 20 different ones, not to mention powders and drinks. Victoria

I haven't transitioned yet, but I'm curious and would like to follow any vegetarian or vegan food blogs for bypass patients.

I'm a vegetarian but I haven't had surgery yet. Maybe in August if insurance approval comes through quickly. I think it's easy to get protein as a vegetarian. I make lentils a lot, lentil soup or lentils with burrata a la smitten kitchen, bean burritos, omelets or frittata, egg salad, hummus, quinoa and black bean salad, ethiopian yellow lentils. Sent from my SM-G930F using BariatricPal mobile app

@@Aribay1 - Here is a thread for Buddies & Mentors. It might be a good place to get the support you need. Your post don't feel like you are being honest with yourself, much less the posters replying to them. You made one post implying you were vegetarian, yet you wanted a KFC bowl. You made another talking about the Nature's Box snack boxes. Now you are saying you are 2 weeks in but slipped 2 days. Yet when asked about this you appear to want to down play your actions. Check out that thread and see if you can connect with someone. I wish you well.

I became a vegetarian and dropped 50lbs quickly (pre op) I plan in incorporating fish back into my diet now that I am post op and becoming a Pescetarian. People who use fish as their main source of protein statistically have the longest life span then vegetarians. I'd say go for it. I think dairy from cows is awful for you! I 100% support this decision lol. You will be amazed at how your skin changes!