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O.T.R.sleever & MegInNOLA are correct. there's also very strict vegans that are called Fruitarians, who only eat the fruit of plants.. so they'll eat fruit and nuts (because they're the fruit of a tree) & etc. there's also vegans that are "raw" meaning they don't eat any cooked food... they will "warm" food up to 110 degrees or less, otherwise it destroys the digestive enzymes in the food & they consider it "dead" & lacking nutritional value. there are "raw" foodists who eat meat, but they're not vegans/vegetarians. they also drink raw milk and stuff. all kinda strange diets out there, isn't there?

Hi there! There are quite a few terms that are used for a vegetable-based diet--some of these diets include limited animal products, some do not. Vegetarian: Someone whose diet is plant-food-centric. Most people who use this term mean that they don't eat meat but do consume dairy and/or eggs. NOT a very specific term and easily misunderstood. :-) Vegan: Someone whose diet includes NO animal products. No meat, fish, poultry, dairy, eggs, honey, Gelatin, Worchestershire sauce, nothing with animal products. Lactovegetarian: Plant-based diet that also includes dairy. Ovovegetarian: Plant-based diet that also includes eggs. Lacto-ovovegetarian: Plant-based diet that also includes dairy and eggs. Then there's a group under the umbrella term "flexitarian": This is a vegetable-centric diet with occasional inclusions of fish, poultry, meat, dairy, eggs as Protein sources, but limited amounts. The focus here is on eating for health and nutrition, using animal products as sparingly as possible and limiting consumption of high-fat, low-nutritional-value foods. Flexitarians take advantage of seasonal produce and local animal Proteins (locavores--trying to eat food grown/caught in the vicinity) for freshness and optimum nutrition. There are a bunch of sub-types here, pescetarian (eats fish occasionally), pollotarian (eats chicken occasionally), etc. etc. If someone on this board says they're a vegetarian without further amplification, I would assume they mean no red meat, no poultry, and no fish, but that's just an assumption. If you need/want to know exactly what they mean, you have to ask. :-) I personally am a flexitarian, mainly lactovegetarian with occasional seafood.

Vegetarianism is absentence from eating meat (any meat...no birds, no fish, no seafood, no beef, no pork all of these are meats). Lacto-Ovo Vegetarians supplement their diet with dairy products and eggs. Vegans do not eat meat or any animal products (dairy or egg derived). Many people call themselves flexitarians these days adding fish, animal products, or lean meats when they feel their bodies or lifestyle requires it. There are benefits to being selective about the meats that you eat but in the end if it was a living animal/fish at some point it is meat! Theres no getting around it.

Hello fellow Sleevers. Gotta question. I have been noticing - here on VST and personally that when people talk about being vegetarian most (and in my family too) talk about NOT eating meats. But some say they eat fish/chicken/turkey/seafood. Most, that I talked to, do not consider these things meats. Can a vegetarian explain just what makes a vegetarian? And what considered meat (other than the obvious) not considered meat? I am eating veggie burgers (Morning Star Famrs products), chicken thighs, turkey (roasted, grilled, slice (lean)), as well as eggs and soy/egg based Protein shakes (those I can tolerate). This I have been doing since May (was sleeved on June 26, 2012). Thanks.

When my band was "deflated" as I call it- I gained about 30 lbs in the time until my sleeve date- However I lost about 18lbs pre op and have kept loosing since my sleeve- so No gaining has not been an issue for me- I do not exercise as much as I should- but I attribute my continual loosing to a strict vegetarian diet I now follow.

I eat a vegetarian "diet" now. If by diet you mean watching what I eat, counting calories etc. then NO I dont because I can eat as much or as little fruits and veggies as I want/need and still be under my physicians reccomendations on most days. I love my new lifestyle.

Hi!!! I've been a vegetarian (ovo-lacto) for 17 years! The band has been pretty good to me. I no longer eat Pasta or rice but I eat everything else I ate pre-banding. I start each day with a Protein drink (unjury mixed with almond coconut milk and sometimes a little PB2). I have plain Greek yogurt with fresh blueberries and a couple of chocolate chips for a snack. lunch is usually vegetarian chicken salad or a boca spicy chicken patty with some salsa. Afternoon snack is some fresh fruit and a cheese stick. dinner varies but tonight I will have black Beans with 1 ounce cheddar cheese, salsa, and a couple tablespoons of Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. During the summer I have made my famous ratatouille and a few varieties of cabbage Soup. (I actually have to make another one tomorrow!). I have a farm share so I always use fresh fruits and veggies. Oh and when I need extra calories I will juice some fresh veggies with a couple of apples.

I'm not a vegetarian, but I've been inclined to try Meatless Mondays since getting banded. There are lots of high protein veggie burgers. There are lots of veggie recipes on MeatlessMonday.com with nutrition information.

I'm curious about this as well. I became vegetarian again after being banded, with the exception of some fish...so I guess I'm really a pescetarian. But I never really got into the green zone with my band, I just went for a fill, and am trying to get back on the wagon. I am curious if there are any veggie banders out there that can talk about what they eat.

Anybody think about becoming a vegetarian I have thought about this for a long time Meat just doesn't go down very well Exp fish, but beef and chicken can be dry and not go down Anybody out there try this? Could you share your results

Perhaps it would help to take a look at the "common ground" you guys share. Living as a vegetarian requires a commitment to life style changes. So does bariatric surgery. The surgery is a tool that makes those changes easier but it's not a magic bullet. It's all about life style changes. Most vegetarians are motivated by the desire to live a longer, healthier, and happier life style. Most folks who opt for bariatric surgery are motivated by the desire to live a longer, healthier, and happier life style. Being a vegetarian requires making choices, every day, consistent with their goals. Life after bariatric surgery requires making choices, every day, consistent with your goals. Vegetarians accept the challenges inherant with living with vegetarian limitations. Bariatric surgery folks accept the challgenges inherant with living with post-op limitations. Becoming a vegetarian is a choice. As is bariatric surgery. That's a lot of common ground. But the question still remains - diet and exercise vs. bariatric surgery? Less than 5% of individuals who participate in non-surgical weight loss programs will lose a significant amount of weight and maintain that weight beyond one year. Average excess weight loss for dieters is 2%-5%. Average excess weight loss for RNY is 80% with 50%-75% of weight loss maintained at five years post-op. According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, bariatric surgery can improve or resolve more than 30 obesity related conditions including Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, hypertension, and high cholesterol. Obesity is a chronic, progressive condition. Left untreated, sufferers will continue to gain weight. And those who do not already have obesity related conditions will eventually get them. There is virtually no evidence that supports the simplistic "eat less, move more" approach often given to folks has any realistic chance of success with people with a BMI of 30 or greater. If going on a diet or starting an exercise program resulted in persistent, long-term weight loss - we would not have an obesity epidemic. Bariatric surgery is a very personal decision. Do the research. There is a lot of nonsense out there so be careful to choose your resources carefully. The following sites will give you a good start. Ask questions. Talk to your doctor. And then make the decision that you believe is the right one for you. · http://www.hsph.harv...vention-source/ (Harvard School of Public Health) · http://www.webmd.com/ · http://asmbs.org/ (American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery) · http://iom.edu/Repor...Prevention.aspx (Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science) · http://www.wlslifestyles.com/ (This is a digital magazine with an ENORMOUS amount of information on weight loss surgery. Cost is $19.95 for a one year subscription and imho that's a real bargain.) · http://www.mayoclinic.com/

Ok so that you guys can get an idea of why he's against it... My husband is a born and raised vegetarian, he avoids processed foods and try's to always eat organic. I guess you can call him a health freak. He wants me to lose weight the "normal" way, good old fashion healthy eating and exercises. He just doesn't understand that when you've been brought up almost your entire life with bad habbits, they are EXTREMLY difficult to just stop.

Hello, I am working on losing 15-20 lbs to be safe for surgery. I have participated in dieting prior to this journey and was successful, but for some reason it seems 1,000 times harder right now. I am almost 31 has my body just slowed down? **YIKES** I am on the verge of breaking 300lbs and I would like to get into the 200's!! Here is what I am doing and I would love any constructive help/tips: -Drinking A LOT of Water -Logging on MyfitnessPal -Try to eat frequently with focus on Protein -I DO NOT like meals.I normally eat something about every two hours. Today I had a fat free latte and 1oz of turkey Jerky, a bit over two hours later I had a half sandwhich with low fat cheese and turkey breast -Work out videos at home. -I participate in more physical activity than I used to. - I was a vegetarian, but I am using turkey as a crutch to loose this 20lbs on my own- I struggle with this daily! -chewing 20 times per bite -eating slow -I average 1500 calories a day -70g of protein, all though I should be eating 90 What I know I am doing wrong -sometimes I am fearful of making an unhealthy choice, so I spend what feels like forever deciding what I should eat. Before I know it, my blood sugar is low and we all know what happens from here.. I then make real poor decisions about nutrition. Should I replace a meal with a Protein shake? I would love to hear your suggestions, please be gentle. I am going through a lot and I prefer kindness. Thanks for reading and sharing your strategies with me. Sannah

I am on several forums/blogs etc for vegetarians and vegan's alike- Including on FB as well. This particular item was on the FB page for Vegucated (the movie).

Does anyone have good vegetarian/pescatarian recipes?

Hi Gigi, I'm new to the forum and just completed my 1 month post plication. I wanted to ask you about the new foods you may have introduced too soon. Did they have any particular characteristic, i.e. fatty, spicey, etc.? I ask because yesterday I had a painful experience. I tried to eat half a burger. I'm vegetarian and gluten free, so the burger was healthy, but for me, I just wanted to eat it too much and I ate it toooooo fast. That did NOT feel good. I had to walk around a lot after that and I just felt gassy. It was a great lesson but I really hated having to learn it like that. Now I know that for me, it's just too soon for half a burger. If I am not in control of the speed at which I eat my meals, then I am for the mean time, omitting that food until I have learned more self control. That being said, tonight I had half of a lean cuisine 5 cheese rigatone and that was nice and controlled. Continued success on your plication journey! 41 lbs in 1 month?? WOW!!

As a vegetarian I eat mostly veggies and fruits (salads) but this chart I came accross shows that there are PLENTY of alternative Protein sources that DO NOT require you to eat animal meat, dairy and the like- It was more of an FYI for previous nay-sayers... I agree the morningstar things are very good as are the boca and other brands- Great things have come to fruition on the world of vegan/vegetarianism....

You know, if she is a good friend then after the surgery you should take her up on her offer... It's always good to try new things and meat is murder, lol (coming from an on&off vegetarian)!!! Let her know that you will be changing your habits for the better, but you still need this extra help of the sleeve because reasons a ) b ) & c ) Healthy friends are a great thing! And I promise if you show her YouTube videos, doctors reports, this site etc she will be more informed. She wouldn't be a good friend if she approved of high risk abdominal surgery on a whim, educate her and she'll educate others! She may become a champion of WLS! You never know- Don't get fatigued by these attitudes, use them to reinforce your own decision! On the other hand, if someone remains stubborn give up the goose and find another friend

Today I went to costco. One of the "demo products" was a new Protein shake powder that was the best I have ever had so far, by far! I recommend it highly. I came right home and whipped up a delicious chocolate shake that far surpassed any others I have ever had. (And I have tried many.) Please try it if you have the desire and motivation. I would be interested to know what others think. Here is the information from the Costco website: http://www.costco.com/Browse/ProductSet.aspx?Prodid=11758117&search=vitamin+shake+mix&Mo=1&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search〈=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=vitamin+shake+mix&Ntt=vitamin+shake+mix&No=0&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1 Nature's Bounty® Optimal Solutions® Complete Vitamin Shake Mix is a new and exciting way to get the nutrients you need. Each serving provides important protein, Fiber, B Vitamins, antioxidants, electrolytes, prebiotics, Probiotics and more! Energy Metabolism† - Vitamin B1, B2, B6 and B12 along with Niacin and Folic Acid Immune Health† - Vitamin C & D Bone Health† - Calcium and Vitamin D Digestive Health† - Probioguard™ proprietary probiotic blend & digestive enzyme blend Cell Growth & Function† - Complete profile of Amino Acids hair, Skin and Nail Health† - Biotin Contains balanced electrolytes and Omega-3 Gluten Free Excellent Source of Fiber - 5 grams per serving Excellent Source of Protein - 15 grams per serving Optimal Solutions® Shake is composed of a proprietary blend of protein. Each serving contains 15 grams or protein and provides 100% daily value of all B Vitamins along with prebiotics, probiotics and enzymes, to support energy metabolism and digestive health.† The B Vitamin Biotin also supports the health of hair, skin and nails.† Optimal Solutions® Shake is an excellent source of fiber, at 5 grams per serving, and promotes intestinal and colon health.† One serving of Optimal Solutions® Shake also provides 800 IU of Vitamin D, twice the recommended daily value for Vitamin D, which supports immune and bone health.† †This statement has not been evaluated by the food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Directions: Mix two (2) scoops (33 grams) with 8 ounces of Water. To increase the protein content to more than 20 grams per serving and enjoy a creamy texture, mix with 8 ounces of skim milk. Shake can also be enjoyed by mixing with your favorite vegetarian milk alternative. Best served cold. Supplement Facts: Serving Size: 2 Scoops (33 grams) Servings Per Container: About 27 Amount Per Serving - % Daily Value:* Calories 120, Calories from Fat 20, Total Fat 2 g - 3%, Cholesterol 10 mg - 4%, Total Carbohydrate 13 g - 10%, Dietary Fiber 5 g - 20%, Sugars 5 g - **, Protein 15 g - 30%, Vitamin C (as Ascorbic Acid)60 mg - 100%, Vitamin D (as D2 Ergocalciferol) 800 IU - 200%, Thiamin (Vitamin B1)(as Thiamin Hydrochloride) 1.5 mg - 100%, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 1.7 mg - 100%, Niacin (as Niacinamide) 20 mg - 100%, Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxine Hydrochloride) 2 mg - 100%, Folic Acid 400 mcg - 100%, Vitamin B12 (as Cyanocobalamin) 6 mcg - 100%, Biotin (as d-Biotin) 300 mcg - 100%, Pantothenic Acid (as d-Calcium Pantothenate) 10 mg - 100%, Calcium 193 mg - 19%, Iron 2 mg - 10% Magnesium (as Magnesium Oxide) 38 mg - 10%, Sodium 140 mg - 6%, Potassium 250 mg - 7%, ProbioGuard™ Probiotic Blend (which contains 1 billion active Lactobacillus acidophilus, B bifidum, L. bulgaricus at time of manufacture) 850 mg - **, Digestive Enzyme Blend (Bromelain (from Pineapple), Papain (from Papaya fruit)) 200 mg - **, Flaxseed (which typically contains Alpha-Linolenic Acid (Omega 3) 168 mg an Other Fatty Acids) 888 mg - **, Stevia Extract (Stevia rebaudiana)(leaf) 114 mg - **. *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. **Daily Value not established. Other Ingredients: Chocolate Flavor Proprietary Protein Blend (Pea Protein Isolate, whey Protein Concentrate, Rice Protein Concentrate), Cocoa (processed with alkali), Fructose, Inulin, Natural Flavors, Maltodextrin, Tricalcium Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Soy Lecithin. Other Ingredients: Vanilla Flavor Proprietary Protein Blend (Pea Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Rice Protein Concentrate), Fructose, Inulin, Natural Flavors, Maltodextrin, Tricalcium Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Soy Lecithin. Contains milk and soy ingredients. No Artificial Color or Flavor, No Preservatives, No Gluten, No Wheat, No Yeast, No Fish. Suitable for Vegetarians. Typical Amino Acid Profile (milligrams per 33 g serving***) Essential Amino Acids Histidine 329 mg, Isoleucine 671 mg, Leucine 1,264 mg, Lysine 1,031 mg, Methionine 209 mg, Phenylalanine 715 mg, Threonine 683 mg, Tryptophan**** 150 mg, Valine 757 mg. Nonessential Amino Acids Alanine 610 mg, Arginine 983 mg, Aspartic Acid 1,618 mg, Cysteine 188 mg, Glutamic Acid 2,450 mg, Glycine 5017 mg, Proline 953 mg, Serine 764 mg, Tyrosine 547 mg.

I've been toying with the idea of becoming vegan or at least a fexitarian (someone who eats meat very occasionally). I think I want to keep it simple the 1st year and just lose the weight I need to lose (hopefully hit goal within 12 months). I wonder if being sleeved will help with a switch to vegetarianism. Being hungry is what always stopped me before.

After suregy I been starving with the weirdest food carvings by being 13 days out I try eggs threw it up try tomato soup threw it up even try to eat tiny piece of chicken threw it up I try chicken noodle soup and work protein shakes working. Applesause and sugar free popsicles work just feel like not gonna ever enjoy a. Chicken salad or simple meat cause deff not a vegetarian . Just very hard

thank you guys for your input!!! i'm very happy that it's possible! yep, i've seen forks over knives & also fat, sick & nearly dead. both are very good! sad thing is that i've been looking into that kinda stuff for years.. also looked at the gerson therapy & raw foods.. been trying to eat more raw vegetables & fruits.. but i don't stick to anything for very long, i mean, i have stuck to eating more fruit & vegetables.. but i don't really stick to "diets" for very long because i have no hope & just don't care about myself enough to stick with it. the reason i'm considering having surgery, is because it would force me to stick with something.. and i'm 100% guaranteed to lose weight (or die in the operating room)... i used to have more willpower than a chinese olympic athelete.. lol (that is not a dig on chinese people, just saying i had VERY strong willpower).. now i just don't care if i'm here or not.. i only stick around because i'm too chicken to off myself and am an only child & don't want to completely devastate my parents.. my doctor's also always up my butt about my weight.. anyway.. JenC, thank you for telling me about shakeology! that's pretty nifty! it really does make me happy to know that you can be a vegetarian or vegan after weight loss surgery.. i looked at the diet on the mayo clinic for post surgery & thought "wow, that's almost nothing but animal products.. i don't know if i could do that...." and of course, when you hear "low carb" the common stereotype is all meat & cheese & little vegetation... :/ but you can do low glycemic, low carb, low sodium, low sugar & be vegetarian/vegan. i just don't see a lot of that! but i'm excited now! woo hoo!

YES it's possible. I'm a de facto vegetarian who flirts with veganism. I was a vegan for two years a lifetime ago (obviously it's possible to be vegan and still seriously overweight!) and post-sleeve have returned to vegetarianism with a vengeance. I will say it's a lot easier if you include dairy or eggs, but it's not impossible to do if you don't. You already know about vegetarian Protein powders, but don't forget about "real food" options--Peanut Butter powder (PB2), sneaking rinsed and drained Beans into everything including smoothies, avocado, etc. You're going to want your Protein Powder at the beginning especially, when your volume is so restricted. I include dairy on most but not all days, but I'm 16 months out. A vegetarian diet is typically higher volume than a diet that includes animal protein, so be prepared to sneak those veggies in--Soups, green smoothies, alternate milk smoothies (I make a wicked good spinach/kale/white bean/peach/blueberry/almond milk concoction!)--whatever you can do to get a lot of nutrition in a small or easily-assimilated volume. Agree with the poster above regarding searching the forum. There's a bunch of us veggie-heads on here, and you're more than welcome to PM or post questions, etc. I actually won't be able to help with the protein powder thing, since I haven't ever used it (couldn't tolerate any of them immediately post-op and just switched to "real food" protein sources from the get-go, including dairy), but I am happy to help if needed on other topics. Welcome to the board!

I know there are several vegetarian/vegans on this board. Do a search on those words and you'll find a slew of posts about being successful. I'd also recommend friending some of your fellow veggie lovers. The ones I've seen here are really great and supportive (I'm not one personally, but I respect your conviction.)

thank you for your responses! i appreciate it very much! i was just curious if it was even possible.. that is/was a big deciding factor of even getting the surgery for me lol of course i'm not against anybody eating meat or whatever else that they like, i just am more attracted to the vegetarian/vegan lifestyle. hemp is indeed a very good one. you can also eat almonds and stuff like that.. plus they have protein shakes and all kinds of other stuff. i just didn't know if the stomach could tolerate it after surgery or how all that works i'm a newbie to this.. so.. forgive my ignorance. lol that's why i'm here afterall! to learn! my doctor keeps telling me i'm a candidate for surgery & reminding me of my pending doom and demise if i don't lose my weight.. figured i'd join here & see what others are saying & see their experiences before i jump the gun & do something i'll regret later...