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My sleeve prefers vegetarian with occasional shellfish--but lacto is great. Pre surgery, I ate meat all the time. I am not a vegetarian now, either, but I definitely have only limited meat intake now, since Sleevie doesn't like it, nor fish, nor eggs. So I've focused mostly on dairy, Beans, and nuts as Protein sources, with occasional shrimp or crawfish and VERY occasional hamburger meat (we're talking a tablespoon max, and I don't remember when I had that last). You may find that in order to get your protein, you'll have to stay on the shakes a bit longer until you can tolerate a bit more volume. Make sure that every time you eat, you include a vegetable or dairy or egg protein (if you're eating dairy and/or eggs). Eat the protein food first. Make your food choices count. You may find it beneficial to eat 5 or 6 small mini-meals a day; that's where I have ended up, and it works perfectly with both my small sleeve and the types of food it will accept. You can certainly eat healthfully without meat--I do it all the time--and if you choose to limit the other forms of animal food products, you can do that, too, but you definitely need to be mindful of getting the right choices in at every meal. You asked about rice; my sleeve tolerates it, but I try to limit my intake, since it does seem to swell up in there and get a bit uncomfortable. You may want to do some online research on amino acids and get a list of all food sources so you can choose wisely. Best wishes to you!!

I will be two weeks out tomorrow so it hasn't been an issue yet. I am lacto ovo so I am planning on lots of eggs, cottage cheese and Greek yogurt. I've been a vegetarian for two years but I do find myself really craving a McDonalds chicken sandwich!

Hi. I'm having my surgery in the beginning of July. I'd like to hear from Vegetarian Sleevers. Please let me know how you handle the nutritionists' push for protein. And how you manage your vegetarian diet post-surgery. (Can relate to any time after surgery) I've heard that rice is a no-no. What are your staples? Thanks.

Hey all!! Hope everyone is doing great!!! I had surgery last Friday 4/20 in Miami fl, with Dr. Sosa. My overall experience was good and besides the first two days I feel ok. Quick rewind: my prep op diet was only 2 days which scared me so I did 4 days total. I didn't keep count of what I lost before the surgery but my original weight was 260 and today 4/28 am down to 242!!! I've been on a liquid diet ever since, yesterday I was able to introduce milk (soy) and thicker Soups watered down with Water and strained. It's been very hard for me to maintain this diet because I work in a hotel/restaurant and am a vegetarian. I see food 12hours a day and top of that No Jello, no chix broth, just water, watered down juices, and today my favorite, a Soy Protein shake. My doc basically has me on the same diet as his Lap-Band patients. Clear liquids for 1week, liquids,4oz soups for week 2 and week 3 & 4 I hear it's Beans, Protein shakes, and purée veggies. sleeping is difficult Bc I seep on my side or my stomach. During the night I get sharp pains and I can barley sleep 3 hours straight. I haven't taken any pain medication, my insulin was discontinued but am still on Metformim 2x a day. He also gave me Anti-acid meds for 30days. I am seeing a Bariatric nutrionist and once my stitches and drain "hole" is closed I will start the gym. My goal is 140pounds so I have to work hard and loose as much as I can now while I have restriction. I wanted to thank everyone for their updates and words of encouragement. I feel this site really prepared for the upcoming weeks. Good luck to everyone and keep on posting.

I've been a vegetarian for more than 8 years, but after surgery, to meet my protein reqmts, I have started eating fish and chicken. Fish has become my fav source of protein.

Oh the lady also has a great collection of vegetarian recipes with paneer (thick cottage cheese). You could try browsing her channel. I have tried many of her recipes and I LOVE them!!

I used to be a vegetarian for more than 8 years, but I could not meet my Protein reqmts with just veg food. So I take chicken or fish now, atleast 3 times a week. BUT, most of my daily food is still vegetarian. And Tofu is my staple dish. I like this recipe very much: Not sure if you would like the sweet and sour taste. But if you like chinese, I think you'll like this. PS: go light on the oil. I use only 1 tbsp to fry the tofu.

I cant eat meat either i have pretty much become a vegetarian. I eat tofu and fish. I like swai fish because its meaty. I buy the zatarans fish fry and coat it and bake it in the oven. It has a good taste to it and a bit of spicy. I dont miss meat. It was just too hard to eat so I gave it up. Of course thus becoming totally B-12 deficient since you get most of it from animal Proteins but i get shots weekly. I also cook what is called escavitch fish its Island fish. Bread your fish with bread crumbs I use italian style Bake until crisp. On the stove top saute in cooking spray onions, green peppers, carrot sticks add a little butter and some vinegar and top the fish. It is really good that way. Or since olive oil is good fat once in a while I will fry it but not too often.

Oh, I just remembered another favorite of mine early-out. unjury chicken broth. (It's actually vegetarian!) I was sick of sweet, so it was nice to have something savory. High Protein, low calorie and did the job well those first weeks as I was recovery from surgery. Just as a warning, though it is high in sodium! So it won't do you any favors if you are retaining Water. I know it isn't a Protein shake, but it's a nice alternative to protein shake when you can't stand to have any more "sweet"!

I am no expert however, I know that hair is protein and I know someone who is vegetarian who wears wigs due to her hair loss. Lack of protein in her diet was said to be the cause. I am not banded yet but I am worried about this happening. Have you talked to your Dr? I hope you get an answer and can get it under control! Congratulations on the 47lbs!!!!

Any vegetarians out there? Prior to the sleeve I was moving toward a plant based diet and now my NUT says deli meat is ok and no beans! Does anyone have any recipes with tofu? Difficult to find while on mushies. Please advise.

I totally feel this post. I have posted in my blog twice this week and feel like a durn whiney arsed baby. Today I called my dr's nutritionist contact and asked her why I am having pain whenever I eat more pureed but solid foods. She says, after my leak and pneumonia and all of that ... that I might have a freak'n stricture (that's where the hole closes up smaller than what it should be) and it may be due to my having been on Clear liquids so long. She was going to speak to the dr. and see what his thoughts are. Guys, if you pray, hell even if you don't (yeah you can tell I'm not perfect with that hell stuck in here) but... please say a prayer for me. Just a quick one. I don't wanna have to be endoscopied again (yes that is written in my whinest voice that I can come up with!). I have been doing myfitnesspal and it's helping me keep up, but dang it, I'm STILL not eating enough .... omg.... I've eaten 1174 calories today and the thing is STILL telling me in red letters you are not eating enough. How can I eat more and still get my liquids in? I am seriously struggling with that. I add ice to my Cytomax's (8 to 10 oz in the morning then at least 4 to 8 oz in the afternoon) so I get so far into it only for the ice in the latter part of the day making the liquid shoot back up. Anyone got a good thermal insulated cup that will keep something super cold that they can recommend? I'm in Texas and it's hot already here (yes I am whining again sorry). But I so feel you LeeLeeLosing. Hang in there mama! PS thank you CamarilloCA for mentioning the b12! I forgot to take mine today (it's the one day of the week that I take it). My dr. gave me some by physiologics that are GREAT tasking. They are Vegetarian Lozenges, 5000 mcg.

I was told the same thing and when I told the Dr. That I'm having the surgery with he says most of his patients have low vitamin d. Some causes are low exposure to sun and if you are a vegetarian. Symptoms / tired and low energy and appears it hinders weight loss. Funny thing is I live in Florida ! Hope this helps....

So I went in today, and I'm down to 138. I'm just glad to still be below 240! My blood pressure, which was a problem post-op, was high, but is never high when I check it at home. Nurse said to just keep an eye on it. Could be "white coat" syndrome (lol) = doctor visit induced anxiety. So my doctor, who is fabulous by the way, said no fill. he wanted to know what I was eating---we went through the list.....beans....rice....tabouli.....salads....veggies...protein drinks....my list is pretty general. Yes, sometimes I have ice cream. He was concerned about puking and band slippage. He was iinclined to remove some fluid... He suggested I take out the carbs and focus on eating the things I've been complaining about.....grilled chicken that I probably don't chew enough before swallowing=vomiting; fish=ditto; eggs=ditto His suggestion is that I take more time to chew and eat these foods that absorb the fat in my body....to speed up weight loss. I was avoiding these foods because they get stuck and cause mucus buildup and puking. So now, I'm going to try it his way. Nutrionist didn't agree with the negative carbs and told me all about how carbs fuel the brain but I've also done enough reading to know that I won't die from not eating carbs. I kind of trust the surgeon more than the nutrionists on this one..... So I have a new eating guideline....that includes breakfast which for me is normally a cup of coffee because I'm never hungry in the morning. Then I'm going to try some pure protein....vegetarian protein where I can as I'm not a big meat person anyhow. So, we shall see how this works. I wasn't too disappointed about not having the fill. Wasn't looking forwards to liquids and mushies for 3 weeks:) Be well friends. We are here and there is no turning back~

I've also struggled with low Vit D and needed prescription strength supplements to help out. It's not uncommon in people who don't get a lot of sun exposure (can also happen more in vegetarians, non-milk drinkers, and obese people). Since I'm currently obese, live in the Pacific NW AND have very sun sensitive skin (I can burn in 5 minutes, sunblock or not!) I have trouble with keeping my levels up. The supplements are easy to take and very effective. Symptoms can vary, but can include fatigue or muscle fatigue and bone pain. Extreme cases of Vit D deficiency are called rickets and can lead to softened bones and skeletal problems and is especially dangerous in kids (it's why Vit D is added to milk). Realistically, though, many people never exhibit symptoms and are only diagnosed after blood testing. I was one of those. Never knew I had it and never felt different after taking the supplements. Hope that help!

Hello, Pre op I was 473 pounds (close to 500) at 6'5". Here is what I did pre op (and post op) to help me get through the VSG. Keep in mind that I am not a doctor and therfore you should consult him/her, but here goes. 1. Quit coffee, soda, and fast food. Some people have that last meal mentality and binge on all of their addictions but I felt it was counterproductive. 2. One week prior to my 10 day pre op liquid diet I replaced two of my meals (usually Breakfast and lunch) with a Protein shake. I then had a sensible meal for dinner. Yes it is similar to the slimfast diet but it helped me on my liquid only diet. 3. Do the pre op liquid diet. Every doctor is different on this so follow what your doc says. Mine was a 10 day full liquid diet. Do the diet and do not cheat on the diet. I did not and it felt great to know that I was able to accomplish this. 4. Follow the post op diet to the letter. I am exactly four weeks post op now I still have not eaten anything very solid. The most solid Item I have eaten is a vegetarian chik'n nugget...which by the way is still pretty soft. 5. Exercise. I am not the best at this but I feel I would have even more success if I were more consistent in this area. February 28th Pre surgery consultation = 473 pounds March 16th - start 10 day liquid diet March 19th Pre surgery physical/history = 452 pounds (21 pounds lost) March 26th - day of surgery = 446 pounds (27 pounds lost in less than a month) April 4th - post op check up = 425 pounds (21 pounds lost in the eight days after surgery) April 17th - PCP check up = 420 pounds (53 pounds lost since February 28th) GOOD LUCK!!!

HI, I have recently started my journey. I went to my first seminar and from there I recieved a call that explained that my insurance will cover the surgery up to 90%. My first Dr.'s appt is scheduled for May 23rd and I am very excited about starting this journey. Just to let you know a little bit about myself....... I am 31 years old 5'4 and 275 lbs which is the heaviest I have been in my entiiiire life . I have always had weight issues starting from middle school . Even though I wasnt the smallest growing up I was very athletic and with my father being a physical ed teacher and a basketball coach I stayed busy playing basketball and volleyball . Moving foward it seemed like once I reached my twentys I started piling the weight on....I think my problem is that I am an emotional eater and I eat when I im bored or upset . I find myself over eating alot . My father passed away 4 years ago which was a wake up call for me . My father had hypertension, diabetes, kidney failure and congestive heart failure which majority runs in my family. I have tried everything under the sun to aid in my weight loss. I tried weight watchers, working out and even tried out being a vegetarian which lasted about 3 mnths my latest venture was weight loss pills which did take off 36lbs and at that time brought me down to my lowest which was 219lbs but as soon as I loss my job which forced me to be home more than I liked i gained it all back plus 20 addtl. I am now at my breaking point. I find that is getting to be a task at doing the simplest everyday things like taking a shower. I recently had a biometric screening at my exsisting job which notified me that I have high blood pressure which prompted me to make an appt with my pri DR. which suggested the lap band as an option. I know alot of people at my current job(which is a call center posistion) that have had the lap band surgery both successfully and unsucessful. The succesful ones told me that they follow the lifestyle change to a "T" and the unsuccessful ones admitted that they have found ways of going around the band or that once they reached their goal they started back in their old ways and gained all the weight back. I am now at the time in my life where I reconize that i need to make a major change in my lifestyle, hence the option of lap band. At first my mom and two sisters were against the surgery and stated that I can do this on my own. But you see where on my own has gotten me . I took my mom ans sister to the seminar with me and now they are supportive. I am now looking foward to the process and the surgery in the future. I understand the lap band is a tool and is up to me to make the changes in my life necessary. I haved read a numerous amount of blogs and posts which have become very helpful...........Wish me luck !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I, too, am looking for more vegetarian ideas. My new tummy seems to do better. So ALL ideas are welcome! Thanks.

Hello all, I'm very glad to be a part of this group. I'm 8 years post op. I was a size 22 & am now a size 8-10 & maintaining that weight. I lost about 80 lbs. I can now eat a normal sized meal, but my eating habits have totally changed. I'm a vegetarian, & I do eat fish occasionally. I use regular sugar now, but used only Splenda for 7 yrs post op. drink diet soda. I eat things like beans, lentils, quinoa, a have discovered a WORLD of vegetables. All labs are normal. I'm very happy. I might add, I still can't eat a whole veggie sub from Subway in one sitting. It's a waste of money to take me to a buffet. Lol! While I'm still diabetic, my sugars are normal. I do yoga instead of walking due to an injured back. That's a ton about me now!! Gonna have a consult with plastic surgeon next week or so for reconstructive surgery!! Hope to hear from you all.

My daughter is also a vegetarian so we modify a lot of our meals and use a meat replacement. I know they are generally higher in carbs. I would love to know any vegetarian recipes you have that are band friendly! I'm only 4 days post op so it will be awhile before I can try any of them.

I just ordered a juicer and I can't wait for it to come in. I have so much trouble eating vegetables (they get stuck easily) unless I cook them to death and even then I sometimes have trouble and they have lost a lot of their nutrients. I am looking forward to getting in some wonderful nutrients without having to struggle with eating them. I eventually want to do a fast, but I think at first i will be having juice for Breakfast and a snack, and eat solid food at lunch and dinner. My hubby and I are going on a cruise next month and when I get back, I plan on doing a juice fast to detox and then plan to follow a vegetarian diet. I have been looking online for recipes and I signed up for a free e-book that has 25 recipes. I am going to attempt to paste the recipes, but if it doesn't work, check out www.myjuicecleanse.com http://app.getrespon...=Br&s=IcDkK&y=Q&

I have tried going vegetarian a few times and I really love eating that way, but I have a hard time eating vegetables. I have no problem with meat. I don't eat as much meat as I used to and may eventually end up following a vegetarian diet in the future. I ordered a Juicer the other day and I can't wait for it to come in. I am looking forward to juicing lots of vegetables and fruits! I am ready to get in some great nutrients without having to struggle with eating it. I have never attempted going vegan though. I followed a Lacto-Ovo vegetarian diet a while back and it worked well for me. Good luck, everyone!

Buffalogyrl, I have found and saved many vegetarian recipes as this isn't my first attempt at going veg. I did it a few years back for the health benefit. I guess I didn't really care much about my health because I gave it up at the drop of a hat. This time around its for a completely different reason. As I said, I can't really get meat down, but this wasn't the main reason I decided to rule out meat. I have a huge passion for animals so going vegetarian has been very easy. Just the thought of what these poor animals go through makes me sick to my stomach. But yeah, back to the subject of recipes...I seem to have trouble finding band friendly recipes.

I thought I was the only who couldn't eat meat!! I'm fixin to do all vegetarian foods also.. What's your b,l,d menu like??

I was banded on 8/23/10. I started out as a meat eater but had such trouble getting any kind of meat down. I decided to go veg for this and other reasons. I've been a vegetarian for about 6 months now and I'm a little limited on recipes. Anyone know of any band friendly recipes that are also vegetarian friendly?