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Did not get this talk at my program. I recall one woman mentioning she was "stalling" at a support group and the NUT saying some do experience them but honestly I assumed it was an anomaly. I had one of those programs that provided a comprehensive handbook. Like many others it had an overview of the 3 major bariatric surgeries (lap-band, sleeve & bypass), sample menu plans with both omni and vegetarian options, sample menu plans, list of Vitamin options, list of protein supplement options and step by step calories goals and menus for each stage from pre-op up to a year post-op. The first few months post op this was my bible. I refereed to it at every stage. When I was shopping for Protein shakes and vitamins, I took those pages out and carried them with me to the store. I've heard of people who ere self pay Mexico saying the nutrition packet was a separate fee so they declined it and used the forums to figure out what to eat/drink.

ya know thinking about what you said, every time i have lost some weight, my life long friend who is overweight has been the meanest to me..and i have friends at work who are skinny vegetarians and are the sweetest people Ive ever met..i guess it is who you are inside really huh?

I was sleeved August 5. Transitioned to "regular" foods yesterday. I'm a little nervous about introducing fruits and veggies, but really want to try (I miss them!) Especially salad! I'm going slow, reintroducing one "new" food at a time. Okay, what follows is TMI, so skip it if you're squeamish! Yesterday, I had my first bad digestive experience since the first week after surgery (I had a lot of nausea and constipation for the first 6 days, then nausea and diarrhea for a few days after that. Since then, I have stabilized.) Anyway, yesterday I ate some peanuts, which I chewed really, really well. A couple of hours later I had urgent diarrhea. Thank goodness I was at home! So, no more nuts for a while. (I LOVE nuts, and for a vegetarian like me they've been a great source of Protein over the years. Waahhhh!) I also have a weird pain right under my left ribs -- much higher up and several inches to the left of my biggest incision -- It feels like I'm bruised inside, and this didn't start until 3 weeks in. Anybody else have this?

I find that unless one is a strict vegan/vegetarian, almost anything can be obliterated to tiny particles in an excellent blender then mixed with 25mL, 50mL, 75mL, 100mL or 125mL of pourable raw egg whites. These amounts of egg whites offer an extra 15g, 29g, 44g, 58g or 73g of extra dietary protein respectively. Egg whites blended into anything else are near to neutral. Makes swallowing anything else easy for most people. My dietitian and surgeon applauded this idea for protein building. Each 55g (2oz) egg only adds 7g protein plus a whack of fat and may kick your cholesterol count way out. Egg whites are negligible to zero cholesterol depending on brand or processing.

Which foods have protein? Protein is found in meat, fish and chicken. For vegetarians and those less keen on meat, there’s protein in cottage cheese, eggs, Greek yogurt, tofu, cheese sticks all the beans you might put in chili—except green beans. There’s also protein in meat alternatives like products from Morningstar Farms and Boca. You can usually find these products in the frozen food section. Protein amounts vary so check the labels. How much protein do I need? I tell my clients aim for 60-80 grams per day. Anyone with kidney issues might need to be much lower so it’s important to work with a dietitian specializing in bariatrics and kidney disease to get the protein prescription right for you. Can you get too much protein? If you’re drinking more than a two protein drinks per day along with multiple servings of protein, it’s easy to get up to 90 grams per day or more. There IS such a thing as too much protein and greater than 95-100 grams per day is starting to push healthy levels. p.s. Did you know the body simply cannot absorb more than 30 grams of protein per meal? If any of your protein drinks or bars are promising more than this per serving, don’t be fooled into thinking you are giving your body that full amount. Is protein really that important, anyway? Oh yes my friends, it is. Here’s why. Your body needs protein for its daily operations—cell building, transportation and repair work-- just to name a few. If you don’t feed it enough protein it will use the protein it has in storage (your muscles!!!) while stopping all fat burning activity. It does this because it senses that this is a crisis situation and perhaps a famine is ahead. Any body fat on hand has become more precious than a winning Powerball ticket and will be protected appropriately. It’s a common myth that after WLS you can eat whatever you want because you can’t ‘overeat.’ My advice? For optimal weight loss, that you can sustain, pull a Goldilocks and strive to get the amount that’s not too low and not too high but just right.

I am a new sleever, but I have been a vegetarian for many years, so just wanted to give a shout out to my fellow veggie. My doctor's nutritionist is totally fine with me being a veggie post-sleeve fortunately.

I'm glad that you didn't leave. You've supported me countless times, and have always done it with a smile. You're one of the most selfless and caring individuals on this board, and WE NEED YOU HERE!!! I feel your pain about the numbers not moving. Even when I was exercising 4 days/week and eating a healthful vegetarian diet, those dang numbers wouldn't move more than a pound below what I am at right now. It's frustrating, infuriating, and downright tisses me off sometimes - but then I stop to think about how far I have come from my heaviest weight. I think about how I can chase my son around without thinking that I'm going to drop over dead, and I think about how I am at least one size smaller than what I used to be. Keep reminding yourself of how far you've come, and it'll help keep your mind off of how far you have to go. (I have to give myself this pep talk ALL OF THE TIME!) Good luck my sweets. I know this journey isn't an easy one, but the important thing is that we are doing it, and we are better people for that reason. Lots of Love to You!

I am just wondering if anyone else here has suffered from severe anemia. Just a quick background, I had the sleeve, which leaked. Then RNY. I am vegetarian. I am wondering if the surgeries (I had stents put in when I had the leak (total of 7 attempts and then it had to be sewn in place) have damaged something that is leading to anemia? I have had anemia for a couple of years now - I had a series of 5 infusions of Iron, but it didn't do much for me. I asked my obgyn (who was checking hormones) to add in my Iron levels, and sure enough it's still low and so I am going back to see her. I KNOW she's going to flag me now for a colonoscopy, because I guess that's a conclusion you could make from my anemia. I really don't want to have to go through a whole slew of testing if this is a common thing in bariatric surgeries. Here are my blood test results - no other bloods were out of whack. Ferritin 6 Iron Binding Capacity 395 Saturation 6 Iron Total 23 Hemoglobin 11.6 Hemocrit 35.3 MCV 79.3 MCH 26.1 RDW 16 I would just really appreciate some feedback from people who might have been through the same thing.

I totally relate to your comment that you don't know what you'll eat. When I first became vegetarian I realized I was pretty darn hungry, there was nothing I liked that I could eat. It took a lot of trial and error but I eventually learned all kinds of things I really liked. Yellow squash, slice them the long way, scoop out the middle, replace with diced celery, garlic, bell pepper, onions, whatever you like. Put it back like a twice baked potato, bake, sprinkle with favorite cheese, you are done. It's cheap, it's healthy, it has flavor, and it's GREAT. Do the same thing with Zucchini. Spaghetti Squash... use like you would pasta, just try to avoid high cal cheese. But if you have to use cheese to get used to it, just try to find a low fat cheese. Again, cheap, healthy, band friendly, filling, and good. Salad w/o lettuce. Take all your favorite veggies that you would usually top a salad with and cut them up, marinate in Italian dressing, enjoy. Cheap, healthy, band friendly, filling, and good. Veggies & eggs. Veggie Chili. I have a recipe for Wendy's Chili. Make it without meat and add extra beans or veggies of your choice. There are all kinds of ideas. Just get the veggies you like best and start working with them and see what you come up with.

Okay, here are some questions I have gotten and here are the answers. Wanna start looking for the special outfit for the cruise dinners??? Here are some guidelines during a cruise: *cruises include two formal nights, one smart casual night and the remainder nights casual. Casual: Sport shirts/polos and slacks for men, sundresses or pants for womenSmart Casual: ties for men, jacket optional, dresses or pantsuits for womenFormal: Suits and ties OR tuxedos for men, cocktail dresses/formal for women (I will tell you that most men wear a suit and tie and most women do the full formal wear) Tuxedos can be reserved ahead of time if you let me know you want one (cost involved). Hair/nail/spa appointments for an up-do or style can also be arranged (cost involved) During the day the dress is comfortable casual. This means a pair of shorts, shirts, sneakers, etc. RCL accommodates special needs such as, food Allergies, Gluten-free, Vegetarian (except for vegan/macrobiotic) Low-fat, Low-Sodium, Lactaid/Soy Milk, Ensure, and Kosher meals at no extra charge. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE ONE OF THESE PEOPLE NOW SO THAT IT CAN BE NOTED ON YOUR CRUISE. If it is your Anniversary or Birthday, please let me know. ATM machines are onboard the ship. ($5 surcharge) There is internet access at a cost available. It is best to buy in a package when you board and look for "specials" in your daily itinerary magazine. Medical staff: Yes, there are a minimum of two fully certified doctors and a minimum of 3 fully certified nurses on every ship. Smoking: smoking is permitted on all open air decks. Smoking is not permitted inside the ship unless it is a designated lounge area. What are the transfers? RCL meet & greet staff will meet you in the Baggage Claim Area or outside of Customs (for international flights) to direct you to your transportation between the airport and ship/ ship and airport. Hairdryers: All cabins have hairdryers. Room service? Room service is free. Just call and tell them what you want. If you would like, you may tip the steward that delivers or you may tip at the end of your cruise. Drinking water: Yes, you can drink the Water on the ship. It is all filtered and distilled. Passports? Yes, it is highly recommended that each guest has a valid passport. Due to government restrictions and new legislations it is unclear whether it will be REQUIRED at the time of your sailing, therefore the cruise lines are asking passengers to please get their passports ahead of time so as to not have confusion. When will I get my cruise documents? cruise documents are sent to you or your travel agent 20-50 days prior to sailing, assuming your reservation is finalized and your payments have been made. Can I bring my own liquor? Technically... NO and they will take it if they find it. But I do. Is there laundry? Yes, for a price. SHIPBOARD LAUNDRY SERVICE * All prices are in US. Dollars and are subject to change without notice. MEN WOMEN Shirt/T-Shirt:$2.50Blouse:$3.50Shirt (dress):$3.00Dress (wash):$5.00Underwear:$1.20Skirt:$3.50Jeans:$3.00Nightgown:$3.00Pajamas:$4.00Swimsuit:$2.00Handkerchif:$0.75Slip:$2.50Shorts:$2.50Housecoat:$3.50Bathrobe:$3.50Hosiery:$3.50Pants (wash):$3.50Slacks:$3.50Sweatshirt:$3.00 Socks:$1.00 PRESS ONLY - 50% of cleaning prices SHIPBOARD DRY CLEANING SERVICES * All prices are in US. Dollars and are subject to change without notice. MEN WOMAN Suit:$7.00Evening Gown:$8.00Pants:$4.25Dress$7.00Jacket:$4.50Silk Blouse:$5:00Sweater:$4.00Silk Dress:$8.00Coat:$7.00Skirt$4.50Tie:$2.00Suit:$7.50Shirt:$3.50Blouse:$4.00Shorts:$3.00Scarf:$2.50Vest$2.50 Silk Pajamas:$4.50 PRESS ONLY - 50% of cleaning prices Please note: We do not provide irons in the staterooms as they constitute a fire hazard. Is there an emergency number if my family needs to contact me??? Yes, Your friends and family can contact the ship by calling (888) 724-SHIP [(888) 724-7447]. Or from outside the U.S. they can call (732) 335-3285. The cost is $7.95 USD a minute, and can be charged to their American Express®, MasterCard®, Visa®, Discover® or Diners Club®. From outside the U.S. additional long distance charges will also apply. You can make ship-to-shore calls from your stateroom, 24 hours a day. The cost is $7.95 USD per minute and will be automatically charged to your SeaPassSM account.

I lost a lot of weight prior to surgery following a diet similar to this: Unsweetened almond milk latte for breakfast One string cheese as a snack Premier protein for lunch High protein/low calorie dinner like eggs and a vegetarian sausage It sucks but it’s effective!

Newsho posted this a long time ago, but it's worth reviving. These are Newsho's words not mine--I just copied and pasted below. LENGTH ALERT! (This has very detailed tips and tricks, so this is not a short post. Just a "heads up") People asked me a lot how I went from Slow Loser to getting to goal. I did better my second year of banding and when the weight came off - it really came off. This is something that worked for me, and I recommended to other Bandsters. Granted, these are tips that's not in any LapBand brochure or doctor's manual, and YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY - but if you already think of yourself as a Slow Loser like I was, then maybe you will be open to trying something to shake things up a bit. When I needed a weight-loss push, I didn't cut down on calories much (if I'd recently had a fill adjustment, that's different) but in general: I *added* Protein to every thing I ate. This helped me to lose steadily (although it sped up my weight loss, more importantly it kept it steady). And it worked! Some Bandsters in my same banding date were better at counting calories - I wasn't. Some were better at counting carbs, I wasn't, but I excelled at ADDING protein. And I did well and later, other fellow Bandsters were asking me for help and tips. How did I do it? I did not reduce calories or the amount I consumed (without a fill it wasn't much need to try that) and yet, I still lost. (I added a little bit of Beans, or a sprinkle of cheese (my favorite), or eggs - whatever I could. I didn't reduce what I ate, but I "upped my protein" - and it worked. With the band, if you eat more protein, you generally will find yourself eating less overall - it doesn't feel that way but you do. Every single time I added more protein to my regular Band-friendly meals, I lost more weight, even though I wasn't eating less calories sometimes. Sounds crazy - but in my particular case, if I didn't keep my protein levels up, my body held on to calories a lot more. Who needs their bodies "hoarding" calories? If adding a bit of food meant I would lose more, it was worth a try. It worked. And I paid attention to the TYPE of protein I ate. (Even before banding, I didn't eat beef or pork at all. And the band was developed in other countries where the pork and beef consumption is a lot lower than it is here in the 'States. I'm not a vegetarian, I just eat seafood and poultry only. My doc said this helped my weight loss a lot because the protein I ate was leaner, not fattier protein like pork/ham/bacon or beef/hamburger/fatty red meat. So I didn't have to regulate my portions as much as some Bandsters did. My can of tuna did more for me than a hamburger ever would have.) Also, I'm a single/childless Bandster who lives alone, so I eat out for almost every meal. If I could make it to goal - while eating out - ANYBODY can. How did I do it? Here were some tips. At breakfast, with my morning egg(s), I added a bit of cheese on top. Or I would have cottage cheese added. For protein and hunger reasons, cottage cheese did better than yogurt for me - unless I just had a fill or was very very filled or adjusted. The most filled I am, the less I eat in the mornings. So especially if you are not at your sweet spot, try Proteins that "stick" with you more to keep hunger away. Yogurt alone was not good enough of a breakfast for me, with the band it just went through, and wasn't really filling. Now if I charged up my yogurt with lots of nuts, seeds, and wheat germ - then BAM! I'm not much of a cold cereal eater (I prefer hot cereals) but if I had one I made sure it was a protein-packed one (I LOVE Grape Nuts cereal best. Go Lean is awesome, and several of the Oatmeals & Cream of Wheat cereals have good protein content. I also added a few nuts to those, too. If I had a yogurt smoothie drink as a snack, I had them had a half scoop of protein powder (a full scoop can make it too thick sometimes) or some soy or nuts. Lunchtime was easy to get more protein in. I'd eat a scoop of tuna salad or chicken salad for lunch - and have them add some shredded cheese, some seeds and/or some nuts. I also love soup. Usually a cup is a nice start to my lunch if I'm having a scoop of salad or tuna. If it's my whole lunch I get a bowl of soup and eat what I can from it. My band will tell me when to stop. Almost any kind of any soup is great with a sprinkle of cheese or nuts added. Beans, too! With my dinner I always like a cup of soup to begin. Gets me going, jump starts & 'primes' my band and it's a great protein opportunity. Then if I could, I concentrated on seafood. ANY type of fish worked great with my band - From catfish to salmon to snapper to Tilapia. Or even shrimp or my all time favorite, calamari. I enjoy oysters in season and clams all year. The weeks that I ate more seafood, I lost more weight - across the board. Usually grilled is a good choice to be honest I even ate it fried (sorry, weight loss experts) and I still did well. And with my seafood, if I could I added beans to almost everything. With my steamed veggies, I added nuts and a sprinkle of cheese sometimes. I know it's not very It really does work! See when I restrict my calories or even when I try to cut down on fat - I usually just end up cutting down on protein. And no matter how "well" or how much less I eat, if I cut my protein my body won't 'burn' up the fat. It holds on to it. I know that protein is the fuel that helps the LapBand machine work and not trying to diet or 'cut down' was a blessing to me. I've had other Bandsters try this, and yes they are skeptical at first but when they start seeing inches lost (muscle really does weigh more than fat, so your clothes tell you before the scale ever will) then they get on the bandwagon. So don't just 'cut down' - ADD some food on your plate. That's right. ADD MORE nuts, boiled/diced egg, beans, cheese, seeds and other yummy forms of protein. Your body and your LapBand will thank you for it. Also adding protein allowed me to eat fewer carbs and save them for what was really a nice treat - a nice martini or occasional glass of wine, with dinner. Yes, I'm a drinking Bandster. All the successful European Bandsters I knew drank a glass or two now and then and they were my role models. I can't drink a lot AT ALL - a little goes a long way, but it was nice to get to goal weight without ever missing a Friday Happy Hour. I got the band to enhance my life, not take away some of the things that make it enjoyable. I eat out at restaurants, I go have drinks with friends - and I feel and look great. BRAVO! Good Luck to you. (And since so many people asked me the same question in private posts - that's why I am posting it on the Slow Losers board too...) Keep up the good fight. I did it - and you can too.

From what I've read, soy and whey Proteins are equally viable. From what I have read, and to follow the recommendations of my surgeon who is affiliated with a bariatric "Center of Excellence", and is not a product distributor of herbalife products, soy Protein is not considered to be a complete protein source. This topic did come up in one of the patient education classes I attended pre op, and we were advised that in general even those who have sensitivities to regular dairy products can use whey isolate as they are considered to be lactose and nearly cholesterol free. Soy has a different amino acid structure, one which has in several studies to be related to increased levels of hormones which have been linked to hormonal disorders in humans. Soy is a source of complete protein, and since it is plant-based, it is a great alternative for vegans, vegetarians, and those with dairy allergies. It is still controversial to state that soy is considered a complete protein, because in the field of nutrition studies many do not consider that to be an accurate statement. Vegetarians usually do use dairy products, as well as eggs. Whey isolate is generally considered to be both lactose and cholesterol free. Vegans would be the only group to stay with plant based proteins to remain compliant with their self imposed dietary rules. Anecdotally, when I've had whey isolate protein-based drinks they have not agreed with me. I haven't had the same discomfort (and other more graphic issues) with soy protein. You may have an allergy to dairy products, and whey isolate protein may not be your best choice. But it is really an individual thing, and in light of the research it seems unfair to call whey 'the best' -- 'my whey or the highway' (I couldn't resist!) -- when soy is also nutritious and made from the same stuff: the amino acids that are the building blocks of all the cells in your body. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. As you mentioned, and I definitely agree, everyone should consult with their own nutritionists and surgeons as to what is the best source of protein to use while following a bariatric diet. when soy is also nutritious and made from the same stuff: the amino acids Well, no, as you said yourself, soy is not dairy. The amino acids are not derived from the same sources, so from a organic chemistry perspective, can they really be the same stuff? I'm not a chemist, and don't care to debate this topic. But, let's get back to basics. Most of us on the forum are not trying to build muscular physiques. We want a good, complete and nutritious source of protein which does not contain carbs or cholesterol. Whey isolate protein is still considered to be the "Gold Standard" of proteins for bariatric patients. During the pre op nutrition class which I attended, we were advised that other types of protein were not considered to be complete, and lacked the amount of protein per gram of product which whey isolate provided. I do not share my opinion as anything but what a "Center of Excellence" has stated in their patient education curriculum. You have written that you are a distributor of herbalife products. I would hope that you are not misusing the scope and contents of this forum to promote the use of your products, or to enhance your business interests in your distributorship. It would also seem that, based on your profile, you have not had any bariatric surgery, and also do not need to loose any weight. So, as a matter of inquiring minds want to know... what are your reasons to be active on this forum? That said, as one who, incidentally does have dairy allergies, I will continue to follow the instructions of my surgeon. 100% Whey Isolate protein...

If your just a vegetarian (not vegan) then your in for a treat. Almost everything you can eat in phase 1 is vegetarian. My Protein shakes are whey based. I can drink milk with them. I will eat cream Soups with milk mixed in. I plan on drinking the 3 oz of Protein shake every hour as recommended by my dr. This, along with the Soup, will basically be my whole protein for the 1st 4 weeks. Then I can start soft foods (eggs, tuna, mashed potatoes, pudding, yogurt - all vegetarian) It's pretty basic during the first phase. IF your dr has you on liquids only during the 1st phase. You can't eat a burger anyway! Good luck! I'm right behind you. July 16th

Changes in diet can sometimes lead to hair loss Tuesday, September 13, 2005 By Tara Parker-Pope, The Wall Street Journal Dieters hoping to lose weight are discovering they're losing something else -- their hair. The little-talked-about secret of the dieting industry is that a successful diet can also trigger hair loss. As Americans struggle with obesity and tackle countless fad diets, some dermatologists say they are increasingly hearing complaints from perplexed dieters about thinning hair. After Esther Sokol, a New York City records manager, lost nine pounds on the Atkins diet a few years ago, her hairdresser noticed her usually thick hair was beginning to thin. It was only after talking with doctors and hair experts that she learned her diet was the likely culprit. "Diet was the only major change I'd made," says Ms. Sokol. Hair loss can be triggered by a variety of factors including pregnancy, stress, surgery and age-related hormonal changes, to name a few. But few people realize that weight loss can also cause hair to shed, likely due to a nutritional deficiency. Although iron deficiency is often associated with diet-related hair loss, a range of nutrient deficiencies can result in thinning hair, dermatologists say. Changes in levels of zinc, magnesium, protein, essential fatty acids and vitamins D, B and A can all trigger episodes of shedding hair. The problem affects both men and women, but women are more likely to notice it and seek treatment, say doctors. The fact that so many different nutrients can be the culprit in hair loss means any diet can take a toll on the tresses. The threat of thinning hair shouldn't discourage patients from losing weight, but it should convince them to avoid fad, quick-reduction diets, says Wilma Bergfeld, head of clinical research for the department of dermatology at the Cleveland Clinic. Such diets often lack proper nutrition, and rapid weight loss in itself is a stress on the body and can also trigger metabolism changes that affect hair growth. For hair health, doctors say the best weight-loss plans are reduced-calorie diets that promote gradual weight loss with healthful foods from all of the food groups. Diets low in protein and iron, such as vegetarian diets and very-low-fat diets, often result in deficiencies. But high-protein diets like Atkins that initially discourage fruits and vegetables can also trigger hair loss, says Dr. Bergfeld. The typical patient complains of thinning hair after losing about 20 pounds in a relatively short period of time, she says. "We see it all the time," says Dr. Bergfeld. "If you start eating only one thing and you're not well balanced, you get into trouble." A spokesman for Atkins referred questions to the company's Web site, which addresses hair loss in its frequently asked questions section, noting that any weight-loss plan can trigger hair loss. The site contends the Atkins diet is the "least likely" to cause hair loss. However, dermatologists say no scientific study has ever determined whether certain diets are more or less likely to cause hair loss. In a healthy person, hair typically grows about an inch every two months. Hair has a three-phase life cycle -- the growing phase can last two to five years. A second, less-active phase lasts only about six weeks. A final resting phase lasts three to five months, before the hair falls out and new hair grows in. About 15 percent of hair follicles are in the resting phase at a time. Abrupt changes in nutrition can disrupt the hair-growth cycle, causing hair follicles in the growing phase to convert to the resting phase too soon. This can mean a 20 percent to 30 percent or more increase in the number of daily hairs shed. For many people, diet-related hair loss is temporary and may last only about two to six months. Once a person starts eating a more balanced diet, hair eventually comes back. In some people it may take one to two years to regain a full head of hair, dermatologists say. Some dieters aren't even that lucky. A hair-shedding episode triggered by dieting may become a chronic problem if the dieter has a genetic predisposition for thinning hair, says Dr. Bergfeld and other doctors. In addition, hair loss triggered by dieting can be exacerbated by hormonal changes, stress or medications -- sending patients into a chronic cycle of hair shedding. Ms. Sokol says she stopped the diet and has since regained the weight -- but her hair has never recovered. She says that if she had been aware of the link between weight loss and hair loss she probably wouldn't have tried the diet. Dermatologists say they often advise dieters to take a multivitamin with iron and keep weight loss to a pace of one to two pounds a week. Dieters with a family history of thinning hair or baldness should be especially careful about proper nutrition and slow weight loss. Patients considering obesity surgery, which often results in rapid weight loss, should also talk to their doctor about ways to protect their hair. In addition to nutrition supplements, patients who experience thinning hair after dieting or for other reasons are advised to avoid chemical treatments like bleach or permanents that weaken hair. Minoxidil, the active ingredient in the topical treatment Rogaine, is often recommended for chronic hair loss, although it doesn't work for everyone and has to be used consistently or the hair shedding will return, notes Brooklyn dermatologist Morris Westfried, medical director of the New York Hair Loss Center who published one of the first reports on minoxidil. For men, the oral medication Propecia may also help improve thinning hair. Hair extensions and transplants are also an option, but they can be expensive.

I massively modified this recipe from coffee grinder yourself or buy amongst mexican spices) 1 tsp or less cayenne pepper. Put less, you can add more later 2 tsp garam masala (can buy in most stores) 2 tsp turmeric 2 tsp Salt 1 packet fried or fresh paneer (indian grocery store, frozen section). I will also post recipe for homemade since this is good source of vegetarian high Protein. Directions Pressure Cooker: If making in pressure cooker, dump all ingredients except paneer together and set to high pressure for 4 mins. Crockpot: Cook on high for 3 hours. Push the spinach down once so all gets moist. When done, use as immersion blender and mush everything up into either a very smooth puree, or leave some bits unchopped, per your diet stage. Gently add paneer until mixed in. Serves 6 Calories: 139 Fat: 9 Carbs: 9 Protein:10

In a recent post (that I can't find) someone wrote about Hormel Turkey Chili. I tried it and it is a winner, even though there are no beans in it. The cals are up there, 190 per cup, but it is very filling and has 23 grams of protein and only 3 grams of fat!! I also want to put in a plug for the 99% fat free vegetarian Hormel Chili which is also excellent and very very filling. That one has the same calorie count but 11 grams of Protein and a whopping 10 grams of dietary fiber with 1 gram of fat. Each can has 2 servings. Both kinds have quite a bit of sodium and I am going to contact the company to ask if they have any plans on cutting back on it to make it more healthy. Maybe they will give me free coupons, LOL!!!! Enjoy, Mimi

I have done a 4 eggs and 6 oz.tuna combo, in a frying pan slow heat turn over shred low fat mozzarella cheese. Divide in 1/4. You can add stir fry veggies too. applesauce I have mixed cottage cheese with apple sauce banana with Tblsp of Better'n Peanut Butter spread over it (find out when you are cleared to have the peanut butter) vegetarian refried beans ( which I add cooked ground turkey- add cumin and shred mozzarella) Salads - add chicken, tuna or shrimp. Make sure everything measure 1/4 cup/ meal there are lots of recipes here too: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/

I have Protein challenges without fish and while I LOVE Matrix 5.0, I don't want to depend on Protein shakes for the bulk of my protein. I have been reading and participating in a tofo thread and I have my hopes up for tofu vs. chicken or tuna. I'm pretty well over chicken, it's fish that is my challenge. Replacing that protein in salads. I was vegetarian for many years and want to go back to that. I felt better, slept less, everything was better with a veggie diet.

That's the way my DS eats mostly. He wants to be a Veggie, but finds it hard (he is only 10.5, so I have to give the kid credit for even trying) So he eats fish whenever we go out, and while he is away at school camp, he will be eating whatever is served (we decided not to tick the vegetarian box, after seeing the menu - yuck!) If you want some recipes, I am happy to share, just let me know! I really look forward to reading the post that announces your Vegetarianism.

I am a vegetarian & am working on weaning out dairy & eggs to be vegan. You will get a lot of differing opinions on this topic, but ultimately you need to make the decision that's right for you. It is actually very easy to be a vegetarian with the sleeve. You can get in your Protein in a variety of ways: cheese, tofu, dried edemame (this has been a life saver at 14g of protein for only 1/4 cup), yogurt, meat alternatives (I like Gardein products), Beans...I'm sure you get the picture. I have tried meat twice since being sleeved 6 months ago. It was moist & I chewed very well & vomited both times. My sleeve doesn't seem to like meat at all. So, I make it a point to just eat as healthfully as I can using mostly plant based whole foods. I can not get in the quantity that I did before being sleeved. I keep track of my food intake on My Fitness Pal so that I make sure to get in enough protein. Different doctors & nutritionists will have differing opinions too. My nutritionist says that my diet is a little carb heavy, and that I would lose weight more quickly if I ate less fruit, rice & beans, tofu & rice, etc. You know what, I've lost 101 lbs. in 6 months so i'm not really that concerned. I eat what feels right & healthy. I drink my Water. I exercise. That seems to work out just fine. So, don't let anyone discourage you from being vegetarian or even vegan. It is possible to get in all your protein without any animal products. It is also not the end of the world if you eat 2 pieces of fruit a day instead of the half a piece recommended. You can also eat healthy grains in moderation too. Quinoa is a great one. So, listen to your body's intuition. Sometimes it's the smartest thing that we can do.

Hello, everyone! I had my sleeve on August 31, 2011, so I am about 2 months shy of 2 years. There have been lots of events in my life the last few months, that have added to my stress, and disrupted my eating routine, and I'd like to write a little about it. Primarily to get feedback if anyone has had a similar situation, and secondarily to put my thoughts out there into a world where people can relate. Since I had surgery, I have had lots of time to fall into a very well planned eating and drinking routine. As a student, I have had loads of time to find what works for me, and what doesn't. However, there were many events that took place in the month of May and June that sort of disrupted that routine. In May, I gave one of the biggest exams of my life. My appetite wasn't very good, and my calorie/protein intake dropped a bit. Following this, I was in classes from 8 to 7 for a week (also a wonky eating and drinking routine), and then I was off to India - this is where things really went downhill. I was barely hitting 50-60% of my nutritional goals, and was running around all day long. By the end of these 2 months, I had dropped 2.5 pounds below my healthy weight range. Here's the thing, many of us might even be a little happy about going below the range, but no one wants to look sick or undernourished. Losing weight with a healthy lifestyle still leaves you glowing and energetic. I, however, looked anorexic, pale, and dull. It was seriously ridiculous, and people were commenting on how unhealthy I looked every single day. This was new for me, because I didn't realize how easily I could become malnourished if I wasn't adequately planning out my meals. (I'm vegetarian, by the way). After coming back, there was a huge function at our house, and I was eating the bare minimum for another 2 days. This put me at 3 pounds below weight. In the meantime, the low nutrition caused a bit of muscle loss around the hips, and I started having symptoms related to a pinched nerve. So, I started pilates and yoga classes to help strengthen my core and ease the pain. At the same time, I decided I would add some more calories, fats, and carbs into my diet, to help bring back that glow and the lost pounds. On a daily basis, I added in half an avocado, 2 pieces of whole wheat toast, and an ounce of nuts. All healthy fats and calories, no? Well, here's the kicker. By the end of 3 weeks, I had gained back those 3 pounds, plus 1 more. 4 pounds in 3 weeks. Yes, I'm back in my healthy range, I look well nourished, I have more energy, and no one is telling me that I look sick. I can even see the difference from the yoga. However, I am terrified at learning how easy it is for me to gain weight, even when eating healthy foods. Yes, I can convince myself that it was also easy to lose the weight, and that my body reacted quickly by replacing the lost nutrition... blah blah blah. In the end, I still gained 4 pounds with very little effort, in less than a month. I always knew that my nutritional planning would be a lifelong process, and I have learned to enjoy it. Still, I didn't realize how quickly my weight and health could fluctuate if I did not make my intake a priority!

I was wondering if there were anyone out there who had the VSG and is vegetarian or vegan? Before the surgery, I was vegetarian for over 3 years. I have recently returned to the vegetarian lifestyle. I wanted to gain other Protein ideas & general food ideas. Thanks

I chose other. For me it wasn't about the fear. Well when I first heard about the surgery, but after doing research for a few weeks I wasn't afraid/ I was willing to accept the risks. It was more about my age at the time. I was 16 I'm now 18. I didn't have the resources or maturity. Now I have a job, I drive, I have money I can go out and buy my own groceries. I'm better at cooking (back then i could barely saute an onion). Now I can be responsible for my own health. I have also had time to reflect. I don't look at food the same, I'm now a vegetarian, soon to be vegan. I question everything I put into my body, and ruled out a lot of foods/ ingredients. I think im in a good place to do it now

I use Protein shakes to try and get my protein in with low calories (Im a vegetarian), but eat your veggies, drink your Water, try to eat high nutrition foods, salads, Soups, avoid junk food, booze, refined sugar, extra salt... eat some raw if you can...Its just two days a week, so use them to really be good to yourself. You can spread the cals over the day, or save them for one bigger meal in the PM. I have a 100 cal Protein Drink in the AM, then eat the rest at dinner. The idea is to find a strategy that you can keep up... if its too out of the norm for you, then you won't stick with it. You want to be on this plan more or less for the long haul. Its not a weight loss diet, its a longevity program for overall health.