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It's more of a challenge pre-op. You still have a full sized stomach. A typical day for me is a Protein shake for breakfastt with 1 scoop of Protein powder, ¼ - ½ a cup of FAGE 0% greek yogurt and what ever flavoring I like. Sometimes that's a tbsp of almond butter, today it was a tbsp of shredded coconut. I'm vegetarian. lunch may be a veggie burger, or a small salad with black Beans and hardboiled egg with salsa or vinegar /oil for dressing. snack is an ounce of nuts dinner is 1 cup of either lentil or vegetable Soup. Depending on my protein count at that point I may add a scoop of unflavored protein powder and a dash of sriracha sauce. In between I'm drinking Water. I'm one of the few people who get full on water. Pre-op the easiest thing to do would be to try for clean Proteins and veg. Cut out sodas and as much processed and fast foods as possible.

Hello all! I need help in finding a high protein source that is low in calories. I am a vegetarian and, once I get to eat real food again, I do not want to use all of my calories meeting my protein intake requirements (e.g., via shakes). Is there a low calorie protein source either powder, liquid, anything! Thanks in advance!

I've done a slightly modified version of the 5 day pouch test (because I'm a vegetarian), and it really does work. The first 1 - 2 days are horrible, but it really isn't bad after that; and the benefits are great. If you're really struggling, I'd give it a try!

Hi Maria, The meetings are from 11:00 - 1:00 at Kaiser Point West. 1650 Response Rd, Sacramento. Wish I could help on the creative eating issues but I'm not there. I don't think you are allowed dessert. I was told 3 meals a day only. But one of the pro's on here will know better than me. I'm a no carb person. Carbs just keep me fat! You can read back about our spaghetti squash if you haven't already done so - LOL. I'm a big fan of it and also Ricotta cheese. Last night I had a frittata. 2 eggs, 1 oz cheese, 2 oz each, tomato, onion, bell pepper & mushrooms. Today I have a 1/2 bell pepper stuffed with the same veggies from above with 1oz cheese melted on top & 2oz of pork chop for lunch. Breakfast was 3oz fresh mozzarella (the kind that comes inthe water pack) & tomato slices rolled in fresh basil leaves. The thing I have the hardest with is eating proteins first. I'm not a huge meat eater - not a vegetarian - but always carbs - grrr! These ladies on here lost so much weight on this pre op diet they will surely be able to tell you some of the things they ate!

Reggie I may not be able to be there or only be there for part of it. I have something I have to be at for my daughter from 5-7. I wasn't sure if you said 2:30 or 4:30?? I can't find the post. I was hoping for 2:30 but I sorta remember it as 4:30pm........... So I might not be there so don't worry abou the vegetarian thing for me. I am good at finding things to eat even with meat around...............I grew up with a dad who ate meat so I know how to be creative!! Can you remind me of the time??

I think our labs are 3, 6 and 12. I sorta want to get some run this time due to my nails peeling.......which they still are today but not as bad as few days ago. Also I am seeing some hair in the shower everytime I wash my hair that bothers me...............more than before!!! But so far not noticable. Ok ladies going in tomorrow. I will print this menu out today and take it to RObin I like this site and I see my protien is 60 carbs 35 fat 17..........I think I am ok with that but more carbs than I though.......... Also only averaging about 500 calories a day. What? I was sure it was more. Last night I ate more cheese on purpose to get it to 800 and push the protein up............This is a really great tool. I had no idea how little I was eating.....I got an A for the three days I used it.................I gotta move my food log last week on this site. Only problem is that the vegetarian meats are not on here as much. I have to take products that are simliar in calories and protien to balance it out. But there was stuff that was almost identical so it worked....... Does Calorie King have more food options? I just didn't want to pay.......

Hello All I did hear back from Liz today. I will have my pre op classes on APril 2, 2009. Five appointments in all on the same day!! I have to be there from 7:30am -5pm but at least it will be over. 8-10 pre op 10-12 Nutrition class 1:30 Dr. Baggs 2pm-See Robin one on one for Vegetarian nutrition 3:30 See Tom for final approval Glad it is all on the same day but seem far away right now. But I am actually leaving for Africa in two weeks and when I get back it is only a week to pre op and two weeks to surgery. I am working on my FMLA at work today and getting the medical leave approved.

Thanks for the update. That helps. Ok no sandwiches I will stop that now before I go in. She is going to really be on me about protien because I am vegetarian and struggle with the Protein. I am eating the same stuff over and over. But I plan to have my ducks in row and let her know I will be able to figure out how to get the protien in without eating meat. I know which soy meats count and what doesn't........thanks Robin for helping me with that. I have the EKG wish I knew how to get it to you. So you knew yours was not normal before hand? My mom is a nurse and said it looked like a good rhythem but she is not sure about counting spaces up and down and said that makes a difference. I stressed about it for two days but figured if something is wrong and the surgery is not safe I need to know now. WOw 37 pounds ................I really need to get on the ball I wanted to at least hit 20 by the time I went to see her. So impressed with your progress. I may end up with the same surgery date as you that is what I planned to ask for. Or the next Monday after that. I am getting very excited but really nervous too. So what don't the doctors know? Diet tips or the rules of the program? I assume that is what she is talking about. So your with Dr. Baggs too. AH lots of us have him.

Riley: I can eat first thing in the morning no difference in restrictions. But I don't eat until about 10 to11 either. Than 3 or 4 and something small about 8-9. BUt that is just cause I am working weird hours right now. I have to drink at least half of my water in the morning before I eat........I get to thirsty waiting an hour after eating to eat!! THan I have to wait an hour to eat after all the water :-) The reason I know I can eat more than a cup is because of salad. Haven't tried anything else in that amount. Protiens I couldn't do a cup they would get stuck. So Riley if your at a 1/4 a cup of protien I think that is what they are looking for for good restriction. 1/4 a cup of protiens per meal is the goal i was told. I think salad and veggies don't count for the 1/4 rule................yea salad is a slider I so know that. But some people can't eat it. I have always been able to eat salad. I can still eat bread if I want to. I have been more restricted before where I couldn't. I like not being able to eat bread!!! LOL!! I have the quuram Riley. There is also this new one Gardien foods that has lots of protiens that are low fat. 23grams of protien under 200 they have like 20 different choices. But I tell you they are just ok, not great..........I don't know if they have wheat or not but the best one is this Tuscan chicken that has veggies inside of it. I haven't tried them all but they have a wierd taste. I do the lentils like crazy and beans of all kinds. I used to do yogurt but it got ruled out as a slider when I turned in my food logs. I was doing oatmeal and cream of wheat to but they got ruled out as well. Crackers and egg salad..........crackers got ruled out. Quinoa is my new thing but I am waiting to run it by the dietation later this week. LOTS of protien and mixed in with lentils it tastes pretty good. I wish I could add in fish and not throw it up................maybe I will find some meat at some point that I could actually keep down. I heard salman is not fishy smelling or tasting...... I am working with the nutritionist since I am vegetarian and learning little tips here and there. I am slowing getting it I think. I have to substitute the 1200 calorie plan and sometimes I think that messes up the outcomes. I think vege meats have a bit to many carbs...............I know they have sodium in many of them. Well gotta get some sleep...............best wishes to all

Reggie, Candra - am going to miss both you girls on friday :smile2: !! Reg no I'm not vegan - I eat eggs, and I WAS eating cheese products (no milk, lactose issues) but I have been SO stopped up - ifyaknowhatimean - that I cut that out a week or so ago . . . i am darned close to vegan! I am trying to eat fish as protein, I was ovo-lacto vegetarian when I started this journey and agreed with Robin to eat meat for 1 year, even though it would be canned chicken and fish only - cannot deal with carcass - and last time I had a sit-down food journal meeting with her, she said I was getting twice the protein that I needed and I could transition back to vegetarianism!! Yay, after only 6 months of eating meat! I have found, though, that it is HARD to get the "band-full" feeling without meat. Fish is especially good for me to get full on a little bit without BPing, so I am going to continue to eat fish for a while. I eat a LOT of soy, and since there is medical evidence that it MAY trigger some estrogen-related cancers - and I am adopted so don't know if it runs in my family or not - we are limiting my soy proteins to 25 grams a day. But most meat analogs are made with gluten and whey, both of which I have problems with, so it is TOUGH to get 60 grams of protein for me, and still limit my carbs! I manage - by eating a lot of eggbeaters!!! Anyway Fit for Life is so "old" that they did not even envision some of the meat analogs, sugar-free products and other things that are available today . . but I really do like the idea of fresh fruit every morning and othing after 6 pm - and of not eating carcass with carbs!! So I had 2 cups of fresh sliced stawberries for breakfast this morning, no PBing no nuthin! Yay. I lost back that 4 lbs of water (and the other, LOL) weight that I had temporarily gained, yay me - so am holding at 8 lbs. down since my fill. I expect I will lose all restriction again in about 5-6 more pounds and need another fill, but I will cross that bridge/email Dr. Baggs when I get there! 7.5 miles so far today ladies, but it is HOT out there already so won't be doing my afternoon walk . . will do a 1-miler at noon if I can find enough shade (which will mean walking around the big dark jail, which is totally creepy, LOL), but there's no way I'm getting my freckled irish skin out there in 90+ degrees mid-afternoon. Going to need to find a hiking buddy for after work today, maybe along the Russian River where it's REALLY cooler than inland Gott go appear to be workin' for the man, have a great day all!

Hey Girls The meeting was good. She had ton some research on lap band stuff and gave out some success rules and than this funny 100 reasons to lose weight stuff. Also they gave out weight lose magazines which I really liked.......I might order that magazine. Talked about RNY and lap band and there seemed to be quite a few bandsters.........lots of clothes but nothing in 18 or 16... Ok if I am a year out and only 30 pounds down I will be so disappointted!! That is really not the way it is suppose to work.........I am only down 12 right now and disappointted. Sizes going down but now scale so whatever. But seriously I am on no carbs at all right now...................my goal is hopefully to be at goal weight by Christmas/new years. That is another 60 pounds down, 10 per month is reasonable I think. Ahh.........these 30 pounds stories seriously worry me because it proves you have to do the work to succeed and that the band can be outsmarted............. I just need some restriction so I don't feel like I have no band!! I think my biggest problem has been thinking in terms of cup sizes and not calories. I think the 1200 was easier to grasp for me. Now I am realizing that the 1/4 cup is way more important than the calorie amount and if you do protiens the calories tend to be low............ I am gonna get this just this vegetarian thing is giving me some challenges..................I am learning how to do it all. I sorta wish I had more time and classes before on the vegetarian thing so I had it down by post op. But I am learning..............I think it has affected the speed of my weight loss!! Ok I am stressing about Robin this week. I hope the 12 pounds flies or that I hit a big losing streak this week!! LOL. I am due for one.................making sure I have socks on when I go to Pinole this week!!!

Yesterday: B: Nothing S: 1/2 snack size hersheys chocolate bar w/ almonds, 3 ritz crackers w/ crab spread on them. L: 1/2 grilled cheese w/ 1/3 c. vegetarian chili S: 2 multigrain crackers w/ crab spread on them D: 1/2 c. mushroom & wild rice soup, 1/3 c. mashed potatoes & gravy Dessert: kit kat bar (last one of those in house :thumbup:) - maybe if I had breakfast I wouldn't have had this. odd - I've been experiencing some chest pain (right of the sternum but high) I think it's associated w/ band b/c it's similar to where I feel something if I get stuck (but not exactly) it's transient (never more than 5-8 sec) and not associated w/ eating and I don't think it's due to being tight b/c I can certainly still eat plenty of food. My monthly dr's appt is today so I'll bring it up - just weird! :eek:

I am 6 weeks on Wed. Trying to get most of my protein via food. Turkey works well (deli and ground), cheese, tuna, and eggs mostly. Have had baked chicken once. Tried ground sirloin, did not work so avoiding beef and also have not tried pork. Actually, my main food addictions were meats and sugar. Now anything sweet tastes awful and meats also are unappealing. I may end up a vegetarian yet as the things that taste best to me are different types of beans and cheese. The good news is my A1C and cholesterol are way down so that's a huge win. I am able to sleep without my cpap, am down a size or 2 depending on the clothes, and can walk distances that made my back hurt previously. So having some foods taste bad is a price I will pay happily although I was very frustrated by it initially. Oh, and not sure of total weight loss as I only weigh at the doctors but I think it's around 40 lbs counting my 2 week pre-op. All in all, still learning and adjusting, but feel I am ahead of the curve and on the right road now.

I'm a vegetarian. I am in the Atkins pre-op, and I decided to add fish for just these two weeks, but I feel confident that I'll go back to pure veg after surgery. I really considered adding meat during pre-op, but I just couldn't. I was thrilled to find out that the unjury chicken Soup does not have any chicken in it!

There are some quinoa recipes in the Regular Foods and the Vegetarian section of the Recipe Sharing section of this very forum. You can also use the search feature of the app or website to find more.

I'm just a regular vegetarian. I eat dairy and eggs but not meat fish or chicken. I've made the eggs in a muffin tin, they are very yummy! I can only take one day of eggs before the sight of them makes me sick.

Ali - If you have Kaiser, yes they do the surgeries in either Richmond, So SF, or Fremont. If your BMI is 35 you need two comorbidities, if it is 40 or over you don't need any. You need to ask your PCP for a referral forng bariatric surgery. Candra - I am going to check with a couple other people I know to see if they know anyone they can introduce me to. I think I just have the after Christmas moody blues. I just had frosted flakes for dinner and a few bbq chips. My protein shakes are getting cold. I made my two vegetarians Boca burgers and a regular burger for my meat eater - I wanted a burger with a bun, but I know that won't work so I had the cereal. So who is meeting us on Sat? I think me, Maria, Candra, Riley and who else? We want to make sure we don't leave someone.

Hey ladies I am back!!! OMG my company just left. I thought they were leaving at 3pm .........................we have fun but I was hoping to go out to tonight but now I am not sure if I have time to pull anything together.......... I did give them all my unhealthy food to take with them........brownies I didn't get to try and rice casserole which I did try but didn't stay down to well............ Heather gonna check out your pictures. Girl the clothes I have for you are 18's you better come get them QUICK!! I agree with riley Dr. Baggs told me the same thing about the 42BMI and under doing good with the band. He told me the same thing. For me I think the vegetarian thing turned the tables for me. Also I wanted a back out mode if anything went wrong. they can take out the band if it doesn't work out....... Oh and my secret I was a big sweets person and a soda person. I don't eat much sweets and I don't crave them much anymore. IF I do I have a lifesave or two and I am done. Well ok I am done because I don't have any sugar in the house to indulge in and by the time I drive to store I would have talked myself out of it.............but sweets were my thing to and I really don't miss them. Carbs..........I still love carbs. But one day I will conquer my indescreet love affair with carbs.............I crave carbs more than sweets nowdays. Donna I wanted to call you but I am just now available....

Ah Nicole happy to hear your doing so well!! Your recovering fast which gives me hope. I want to all my pre op today. Meet with Dr. Baggs. Tom Greenwood, and Robin the nutritionist. I did n't do so well on the spirometer and Liz kept making me try over and over!! She kept insisting I could do better..........than she told me you need lots of practice!! So it is all a go now. Our class was about 20 people and only three of us were lap band..........Kaiser seems to be be pro GBP..........makes me get back into the wondering if I made the right choice. But later on talking with Dr. Baggs and Robin I really think for being vegetarian this is the best way to go..........and I get to go home the same day!! Oh Christine I meet the ladies who are having surgery on the same day as you!! I also met the lady who is having GPB the same day as me. She is very loud!! I wonder if that will wear off some in recovery........... BEst to all. Hope your not stressing Christine. Wow it is so close now.........

Hi everybody - just checkin in - been a long weekend! cmelosew8 - Love the name! took me a minute but I got it - don't know of any sites but you are more than welcome here! Pammie - how are you - I haven't seen you in so long.... :thumbup: Coco - how does it feel to say "hubby" - and NO, you are NOT moving - you are bound to us. Need more "honeymoon" details - will email you the pics when I get home. Analynn - are you at goal yet girl? what's up, what's up?? Laurel - I lived of ricotta cheese - still do! My fav is my faux tiramisu! a little splenda, a little expresso powder with cocoa dusted on top - Yummmmmyyyyyyy. You at goal yet?? I know you're close!! John - so sorry bout all the puree's, Pb's & cold - You are in Hell on earth so bitch on - it's cool! I will send you a friend request too - I wanna be your friend. Ali - Love the Avatar sister! Mo - Miss ya girlfriend - long time no see, hear or read??? Hether - miss photogenic - you should really look into some type of modeling - guys I have the best pic of Heather. Yeah, it was christine that had the ricotta bake! Christine - how's that bun cookin? Ahs - go girl, GO!!! Hi Karen - how's it goin? Reggie - it was so so so great haning out with you Friday night - wish you lived closer! I talked to my child and she said she'd love to come to your house for a baking party - as long as she doesn't hafta bake LOL. Rambo is wishy washy - hope Rocky is better to you! Could you please remind me what a protein is? All weekend I had cake & rice for Bfst, Lunch & Dindin - that rice is off the chain - need that recipe - what is that spice you put in it??? Ya'll need to hire Reggie to cater your parties - she is the bimb diggidy cook - Of course JES will need to be there too with her shrimp! JES - Yes, you know those shrimp you make are my favorites! really need to know how to make that sauce. I also need you to kick me in my A** to get me back on track - Reggie ruined me :smile2: April - why do I never see you on here anymore - LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your daughter! She's a kick! You should bring her next time! How's the vegetarian thing workin out for her?? Donna - my love - I am so very happy we got to hang out on Friday. We need to get together more often. We make a good team :thumbup: Love ya! Riley Jane - how's it hangin? Hope to see you on the 20th - hell, bring that man of yours if you so feel like it. Pat - can't wait till this weekend - Probably won't be able to stay long - got some bridezilla crap to do - food tasting for the reception dinner. Just what I need to do, right?

John I agree eating out is hard. We do it at work alot for unit meetings. It is hard to make 1/4 cup last the whole hour and people want to know why you don't eat......awkward. Especially since my boss pays for everything I feel like I need to try and eat. I usually go for soup and sorta panic when we go to a place without soup. Soup you can make last a long, long time.......LOL. Sizzler just about did me in and so did Red Lobsters.........I am a vegetarian so they are hard resterants anyway. But still when I good restriction I sorta like to eat alone more than go out..........it is just a pain trying to figure it all out. I would rather eat alone which I am sure probably means I need to practice eating in a group!! LOL

Oh I am in for sure but have to figure out how to set up my PM. I need to update my account setting I will work on that this afternoon. YOu have Dr. Baggs everyone likes him and likes going in to see him. :-) I love talking to him because he really gets it. I always tell him things are easy when he sets goals (than don't make them) and he wants me to quit saying that!! LOL. He keeps telling me nothing about this is easy don't keep saying that!! I am registered over at Obesity.com but haven't checked in a year or so. I might need to reactivate my account again. WHat is going on over there?? SO Bella 25 is about 8 pounds a month........Maybe I should do that as well. It is probably more realistic than the 30 I would like!! I can't keep getting discouraged by setting outlandish goals it has been a whole 7 months of that. I need some successes to keep me moving! forward! :-) I think Pam is right small goals ......so if you instead of 25 pounds focus on the 8 X 3 or if you want to break it down more 2 pounds a week.................LOL. Yea Bella I will do the 25 pounds too that seems health and realistic..........and if I end up with more I won't complain! :-) That would still but me firmly under 200! I am lacto ovo vegetarian. And yep I am on top of the vitamins. Even when I was gaining weight I stuck with the vitamins......... Getting ready to watch Invitus and fold laundry.......trying to give myself an incentive to get the housework done!! LOL.

Went to my appointment today and it turns out they psych said I was normal, maybe boringly normal!! She was fun and we had alot of good laughs. She was doing a job I do daily so it was a bit of twist for me to be getting the questions. Luckily I knew who the president was and who I was!! So I passed that although they didn't really like that ADD part since I guess that could interfer with my followthrough with the nutrition part. I assured them I am over organized and on top of things to compensate. My appointment was at 11:30 but I got there at 10am. I saw down to read a book and got called 5 minutes later. I was done by 11am. I went to make the surgeons appointment and they said how soon do you want it. I said very soon. They said what about today in two hours!!! So I stay a bit and meet with the surgeon as well. Another cancelled appointment. And he actually took his lunch break and meet with me at noon. I was assigned to Dr. Baggs and he seems great. I can go either way lap band or gastric. I think he prefers gastric but I couldn't get him to commit to which one he thought was best he said I needed to decide. I was down to 243 today. 246 with my coat and sweater but they gave me a chance to weigh without it :-) Dr. Baggs says my goal weight is 241!!! So two pounds way . I have to get my lab work done this week and my EKG. He ordered all the labs and I have to meet with the nutritionist and case manger. I have to be at 241 to call and make the appointment. He advised maybe being 240 just to make sure the case managers don't send me home which he said they will if you are even slightly over your goal weight. So I am down except for losing a few more pounds and the final appointment!!! I am shocked how quick it went!! Everyone was so nice over there and I personally thanked Kelly for getting me in so quick this week. I guess I can thank my bottom heavy body for not having to lose the full 10%. Also since I am vegetarian I meet with Robin a bit and realized that lap band is probably better unless I plan to start eating meat. GPB patients don't do as well on a vegatarian diet. So that is where things are at with me. Anyone else have Dr. Baggs? He seem quiet young but confident. Oh I did have to have my stomach examined to see if I was ready for surgury other than that it was easy appointments.

I just keep thinking that I look soooo much better than I did. If I just get to work and lose this last little bit I will feel better about my accomplishment. I am also focusing on being healthy and eating good. I eat mostly vegetarian I have problems with most meat. Can't eat anything after 7:00 and if I eat dinner after 6:00 I have to be very careful or I get acid reflux when I go to bed. I love this band, this would have been hard to accomplish without it. It is also so much easier to maintain. Have a great day,

Im a lacto/ovo vegetarian, and get by fine. Lots of Beans, low fat cheese and dairy, meat substitutes... what do you eat now for protein? There are several other posts on this board that go into detail. I would google vegetarian protein sources, and see whats out there.