Search the Community

Last night I spoke with my old roommate who had Lap Band surgery 3 months after I did. I saw her pictures on FB and reached out to let her know she has done a remarkable job and looks amazing. She let me know she removed the lap band a year ago after reaching her goal of 130lbs. She said she had no compications, she just wanted to live a clean healthy life without the band. I sometimes think about removing my band since my life is so different too. I eat all organic (as much as possible), vegetarian, and now help consult others in losing weight and working out. I am not ashamed of my lap band and on my website, I let everyone know my TRUE story and how I loss the weight but how I also now maintain the weight off without depending on the band. Anyone here that reach goal ever think about removing the band?

:think :help: Hi, I was banded on Thursday. I am okay with the port pain, and gas, however, have absolutely no enery. And I mean no energy, it is taking everything I have just to type this. I can't seem to sleep enough and can barely make it up and down my stairs. I am not having hunger pains. I am on clear fluids until next Thursday. I am a vegetarian and so far have had vegetable broth, sugar free jello, gatorade, flavored waters. Any ideas? I am really even getting depressed wondering what kind of mistake I have made. Please help. I have two small children and a business to run and can't continue to feel this lethargic. Please help with suggestions if you can. thanks, tina

Shawna29, thank you for the advice that is all that I am doing. The Rex meat isn't a problem for me since I have been a vegetarian for a long time. I had actually gotten from 320 to present 286 in the last six months. Problem was my injury and surgery caused me to be in bed too much and stop activities. Thank you and good luck on your journey.

Garden of Life Living Multi Optimal Men's Formula, List Price: 69.95$Sale Price : Click to see the sale price Garden of Life Living Multi Optimal Men's Formula, Whole food vitamin and mineral supplement, 100% Vegetarian, This product is made with natural ingredients, therefore color may vary from lot to lot, Contains no artificial colors or preservatives, Homeostatic nutrients are vitamins and minerals present in the substrate fermented by select probiotic organisms, Homeostatic Nutrient Complex vitamins and minerals, unlike isolated vitamins and minerals, are complexed and enriched with an array of by-products and metabolites of beneficial microorganisms, Binding:Health and Beauty Brand:Garden of Life EAN:0658010111294 Feature:Serving Size - 6 caplets Feature:Does Not Contain: Contains no artificial colors, preservatives, yeast, wheat, corn, soy, dairy or gluten. Ingredients:Calories: 30, Calories From Fat: 5, Total Fat: .5, Sodium: 40mg, Total Carbohydrate: 4gm, Dietary Fiber: 2gm, Protein: 2gm, Vitamin A: 10000IU, Vitamin C: 90mg, Vitamin D: 200IU, Vitamin E: 45IU, THIAMINE: 4.5mg, Riboflavin: 5.1mg, NIACIN: 30mg, Vitamin B-6: 6mg, Folic Acid: 400mcg, Vitamin B-12: 48mcg, Biotin: 900mcg, Pantothenic Acid: 30mg, Calcium: 250mg, Iodine: 180mcg, Iron: 1mg, Magnesium: 85mg, Zinc: 15mg, Selenium: 100mcg, Copper: 200mcg, Manganese: 3mg, Chromium: 200mcg IngredientsSetElement:Calories: 30, Calories From Fat: 5, Total Fat: .5, Sodium: 40mg, Total Carbohydrate: 4gm, Dietary Fiber: 2gm, Protein: 2gm, Vitamin A: 10000IU, Vitamin C: 90mg, Vitamin D: 200IU, Vitamin E: 45IU, THIAMINE: 4.5mg, Riboflavin: 5.1mg, NIACIN: 30mg, Vitamin B-6: 6mg, Folic Acid: 400mcg, Vitamin B-12: 48mcg, Biotin: 900mcg, Pantothenic Acid: 30mg, Calcium: 250mg, Iodine: 180mcg, Iron: 1mg, Magnesium: 85mg, Zinc: 15mg, Selenium: 100mcg, Copper: 200mcg, Manganese: 3mg, Chromium: 200mcg IsAdultProduct:0 ItemDimensions: Label:Garden of Life LegalDisclaimer:These statements have not yet been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. ListPrice: Manufacturer:Garden of Life MPN:100021 NumberOfItems:1 PackageDimensions: PackageQuantity:1 ProductGroup:Health and Beauty ProductTypeName:HEALTH_PERSONAL_CARE Publisher:Garden of Life ReleaseDate:2006-07-13 Size:180 caplets SKU:PT82821-658010111294 Studio:Garden of Life Title:Garden of Life Living Multi Optimal Men's Formula, 180 Caplets UPC:658010111294 Click Here for More Details ! Do not Miss It!! Source

The diarrhea might be gallbladder related. Is it just with certain foods or all the time? I had mine out back in September and I know if I eat certain foods I have to go to the bathroom within 15-20min after. I have a friend who had hers out and had to go on a full vegetarian diet because the majority of foods gave her diarrhea.

@sleever123 You are claiming to be unhappy about your weight loss. If you want help. Tell us what you are eating so we can offer suggestions. I don't care you aren't eating meat but that doesn't mean you can toast and lose weight. There are other sources of protein. You didn't say you were vegetarian or vegan, you just said you don't like meat. So can you eat eggs? cheese? What can and do you eat? @SassyNanny Basically she wasted everyone who even read her original post by whining in the first post about slow weight loss. Then came back to just complain about everyone not patting her on the head and telling her it was okay. Then still didn't even answer any questions about what she is eating. This is why people don't respond to posts or try to help people. This kind of entitled BS.

Totally agree about the quality! I actually started growing my own veg and herbs a few weeks ago. I'm also planning on switching to being vegetarian in about a month's time. We will be able to get such a small amount in, compared to how it used to be, I plan to get as much good, living foods into me as possible - and definitely agree about quality over quantity!

You're too funny! Every vegan I've known is in good shape. Not necessarily the same for vegetarians, though. I know -- I used to be one. lol I actually gained weight during the two years I was vegetarian. My goal now is just to follow my doctor's low-carb, low-fat diet and get healthy!

Hi everyone I was banded early March and while I am coping very well with most foods I am having problems with all types of meat. I've tried the slow cooker and also smothering the meat with gravy - and of course chew, chew, chew, chew - but not having any success. I am wondering if anyone else has this problem and if I should persevere or give up and switch to a vegetarian diet. Any suggestions would be appreciated esp info re other food sources of Iron, Protein, etc etc. Thanks Bayside_bobbie

This Friday I think my doctor is going to switch me to puréed foods. At least I hope so, cause I'm starving. I had my surgery Oct 24, so no fills yet. Has anyone tried puréed potatoes or mashed potatoes? I was just talking on the phone with a friend who got the sleeve and she says her stomach totally rejects mashed potatoes because they're too heavy. I went to the store and bought red potatoes, sweet potatoes and vegetarian refried beans. All in preparation for Friday. Any other puréed food suggestions? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm a total newbie. I don't even fully understand the whole fill thing yet.

Below is a quote from a thread from March 2006. It seems to make sense. Yet many bandsters discuss soy Protein preferences and use it all the time. So, I'm "corn"-fused. Are people using soy protein because they don't know the true facts and would switch to whey if only they became Enlightened? Or: Are people using soy protein because they know the true facts and disagree that soy protein is bad? Or: Some other reason? If anyone has any definitive information or informed opinions on this topic I would appreciate hearing about it. Thanks ================================================= Soy Proteins are vegetable proteins. The body only absorbs about 30% of the ingested amount. Whey proteins are animal proteins and the body absorbs about 80-90% of them. Quoting the following article on isolates: http://www.bodybuildingforyou.com/he...n-powder-1.htm "Due to the nature of the ion exchange process, the most valuable and health-promoting components are selectively depeleted. Though the protein content is increased, many of the most important subractions are lost or greatly reduced." So, you can see why soy isolates would have even fewer benefits. You are basically paying a lot for a whole lot of nothing.. except gas pains. This is an excerpt from a NESTA certified training manual for personal trainer certification: "Although considered complete proteins, the human body does not possess the necessary enzymes to break down vegetable proteins and most of it ends up in the colon where bacteria gain access to it. Research has shown that most of the gas once thought to come from the Fiber found in vegetarian sources of protein such as Beans, is now known to be caused by the undigested vegetable protein instead." If you are interested in reading more on this subject, check out my post on this thread: http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=14199 ===========================================

Nothing really new. I have been eating small mushy meals. I have eaten out twice now and I enjoy being able to eat 1/4-1/5 of the serving and not feeling the need to eat more. I do find that waitresses are obsessed with you ordering a drink. It's a hard thing to get around. Last night she asked me 3 times! I have to admit I have not eaten the healthiest but I am eating really small portions of the food I love. I hope that's ok. I need to find healthy mushy vegetarian food. Heh. Pitta Pizza I am sure is not considered diet food. But I have sworn off ever dieting again. I want to eat real food just alot less. I have not lost in the last few days. But I am way less gassy so I am a happy girl. Sarah :thumbup:

A 1000 calorie diet is great! It should be enough to lose 1-2 pounds a week at this point. Most normal-bmi women consume about 1300-1500 calories a day. There is no way we were consuming less than 1800 (more likely 2000+) calories before this, so I think you should just keep it at that until you have restriction. As for carbs, I highly doubt your nurse meant NO carbs. You would die without carbs. Our brains require about 130 grams of carbs to function. The negative effects (slower response-times, worse test results) of not meeting this level become apparent after a week of carb-deficiency (<130g). I think your nurse meant no carbs from the usual grain sources: bread, rice, Pasta, even oats. I think you should try getting carbs from legumes and Beans (lentils, chick-peas, etc.), and other vegetables. As a vegetarian, pre-band, I healthily lost 60 pounds in four months on a low-carb diet on legumes/beans for both Protein and carbs. Of course, as soon as I stopped the diet, I gained it back, but thankfully we have the band to help (when it kicks in). I'm not advocating for you to be vegetarian. You should also eat meat for protein. This is mainly to supply your body with its required carbs.

When I was going thru the approval process, one of the things that I did was join Weight Watchers. I found it to be very helpful in that I could still choose to eat what I wanted (including low carb), but I had to be accountable for it by counting the points (I chose the flex points option). Going to the meetings helped me to be accountable (you can go to more than 1 meeting a week if you want but can only weigh in officially once a week). I am also an evening eater, and I found the flex points gave me the ability to still snack at night - I found low point options like hot air popcorn and turkey pepperoni that satisfied my need to eat. I have seen several men at the meetings and they tend to have phenominal weight loss. What also worked for me was the replacement obsession of finding low point options (I had to fill the time I would use to eat with something healthier :confused:). I never knew it before, but I can actually enjoy vegetarian options!!! I was banded on September 25. I am not currently going to meetings, but I am trying to be accountable for what I eat by counting points and documenting everything I eat. I have lost weight by going the Atkins route in the past, but I found as soon as I introduced any carbs, I gained the weight right back. I like weight watchers because it gave me more realistic life time choices (I know I am not capable of giving up all carbs forever). Good luck with whatever you decide!

I got a sample menu from my doctor and dietician. They say (only a sample, mind you)... Breakfast: 4-6 oz of light yogurt no fruit pieces. Lunch: 1-2 oz. Pureed Tuna w/ low fat mayo & 1/2 banana. Dinner: 1/4 cup cottage cheese & 1/4 applesauce. Snack: 1/2 cup skim milk. They also suggest scrambled eggs (whites or Egg Beaters), low fat or vegetarian refried beans, white fish (baked or grilled-mush it up before eating), pureed chicken or turkey breast, low fat cheese, and pureed cooked veggies. Anyway, hope this helps some! Best of luck! My surgery is on Monday morning! Eek!

I'm vegetarian and I'm big as a house! I'm not Vegan, I eat cheese, and I love bread, which is why I'm a fat vegetarian! Perhaps being on the Band Wagon I can become Vegan! :confused: I'm veg because of ethical reasons, although I love meat and will on very rare occasion eat humanely local raised meat sometimes, and fish.

Vegetarian Chili 1 Tbsp. olive oil 1/2 cup diced onion 3 cloves garlic, mined 1 green pepper, diced 1 red pepper, diced 1 yellow pepper, diced 1 cup sliced mushrooms 1 cup broccoli florets 1 cup diced zucchini 1/4 cup red wine (optional) 1 15 oz. can black Beans, rinsed and drained 1 15 oz. can pinto beans, rinsed and drained 1 15 oz. can white beans (cannellini), rinsed and drained 2 cups your favorite salsa (homemade or from a jar) 2 Tbsp. chili powder In a large pot or dutch oven, saute onion and garlic in olive oil over medium heat 3-4 minutes. Add peppers and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes more. Add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Simmer 20-30 minutes or until flavors combine and chili is thick. Serves 10 Per serving: 196 calories, 2 g fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 33 g carbohydrate, 9 g fiber, 11 g Protein, 24% Vitamin A, 143% Vitamin C, 8% calcium, 18% Iron

I'm glad I found this thread. I have found a vegetarian broth that's called No Chicken Broth. It tastes like chicken broth, but has no chicken in it. It's very good and that's what I use to cook my Quinoa in.

Sleeved Dec. 12 ... down a total of 85 pounds. I had significant orthopedic issues which in the past month have magically started to ease. My co-workers are always telling me to slow down. Because of that and a crazy schedule, exercise has been a difficult piece for me, but everything in time. I overcame being a vegetarian to eat high-protein, so I can do anything. I am going broke replacing my jeans and my hair is just, well, weird, but otherwise, I feel really great and an optimistic I'll get there. I've got my six-month appointment Friday. Will be interesting to see what my surgeon says.

I have a question ... i am allergic to milk and so i am eating my protein powder rather than drinking it ... also i am a vegetarian ... am i doing right by eating the powder and give some good suggestions so that i can get my protein from my deit

They have lactose free milk, soy milk and goat's milk. Even if you are a vegan you should be able to use soy milk mixed in with your powder. There is also a lactose free yogurt that you can buy that you can mix in with the powder. Just eating the powder does give you the same nutrients, but that has got to taste like crap???? Here are some examples of vegetarian foods with high sources of plant protein: PROTEIN IN LEGUMES: Garbanzo Beans, Kidney beans, Lentils, Lima beans, Navy beans, Soybeans, Split peas PROTEIN IN GRAINS: Barley, Brown rice, Buckwheat, Millet, oatmeal, Rye, Wheat germ, Wheat, hard red, Wild rice VEGETABLE PROTEIN: Artichokes, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Green peas, Green pepper, Kale, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard green, Onions, Potatoes, Spinach, Tomatoes, Turnip greens, Watercress, Yams, Zucchini PROTEIN IN FRUITS: Apple, banana, Cantaloupe, Grape, Grapefruit, Honeydew melon, Orange, Papaya, Peach, Pear, pineapple, strawberry, Tangerine, Watermelon Also, which stage are you in with the lap band (liquid, mushy,soft foods?)

Thanks for your post. There are many layers to vegetarianism. I've done it for many years and have never had a protein deficiency. As the previous person stated there is protein in Beans, vegetables, dairy etc... I will be what is considered a "lacto-tarian" which means that I consume all dairy only excluding meats. Protein shakes are also a great source to meet protein needs as well. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Creamers are high in sugar, generally...and heavy cream is high in fat. I know a lot of people like the flavored ready to drink premier protein shakes as a coffee creamer. They have chocolate, caramel, etc! Protein coffee! For softies I like low fat cottage cheese, soups of all kinds (blended so they're not chunky, no pasta or rice), yogurts like triple zero by oikos. Once I could have beans I also liked vegetarian refried beans with some mild taco sauce and cheese, thinned out a little. Laughing cow cheese wedges are low in calories, carbs and fat. Good luck!! Sent from my moto g(6) play using BariatricPal mobile app

I am a vegetarian. I do eggs, cheese, beans, protein shakes. I add protein powder to everything. Hope this helps

Thanks for your advice, unbanded! I'll surely run it by my doc and get his advice before starting to eat chicken. I'm really apprehensive about reintroducing chicken in my diet too. The last time I ate chicken, it was 2 years ago and before that it was a good 8 or 9 years of vegetarian and egg diet. I'm considering chicken only because I dont know other protein rich vegetarian food. I'm going to do more research on that front!