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Im a vegetarian, and do eat some eggs and dairy, however I have become lactose intolerant, so the milk product are minimal right now. I like tofu, but its pretty bland out of the box, find good recipes with yummy sauces. I make seitan and this kind of product is high Protein and does fill up the sleeve nicely. It can be done! I don't want to contribute to the meat industry either. There are good ground "beef" products in the refer section in Supermarkets, Soyrizo, dry TVP (texturized vegetable protein) which soaks up great flavor when cooked, You can also get "chicken" powdered broth that can jazz up Soup and such with a chicken flavor. just found this link with some ideas... I have used most of these and they are really good. They are not meat, but close enough for me. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/460945/top_10_vegetarian_meat_substitutes.html?cat=5

Had to work a night shift last night - so grrrrrrr! 3am - refried Beans with cheese and salsa 6 oz of Dr. Pepper 5pm - spicy tofu/veggie stirfry with about 3 bites of steamed rice at a vegetarian restaurant 9pm snack - 1 slice of Provolone cheese Totally weird food day - Water no good, exercise no good. Tomorrow needs to be better

Has it really been 4 years? It's hard to believe we've come so far from each of our starting points. Each of us has had setbacks and success in this journey. We've shared our stories and have gotten support and given support to each other. Although we may not come back as often as we would like, but when we do it's as if we didn't miss a beat. I too am 20lbs from goal right now. I still sabortage myself when I get within 5 - 10 lbs of goal. But I have not given up hope that one day I'll get there and so have you. Ms. Husker, go to this website, Eat Right 4 Your Type. com. And if you can get the book, by Peter D'Adamo from the library. This book is about health by your blood type. I started reading it after reading his Geno-Type Diet. I find both were very helpful in relation to some of my health issues. I'm going to get his cookbook although there are a lot, and I mean alot of recipes on his website. My testimony to his book was when I wanted to go vegetarian for the new year. I started eating bean for morning snack and eating the alternative meat products. 2/3 weeks into this and I was having trouble raising my left arm. I had already began cutting out the Beans and meat alternatives. But in reading his book and reviewing my history of foods I've eaten, I saw a pattern I had set for myself. I'll stop here, but try and get the Eat Right 4 Your Type and incorporate some of your blood type into your daily living. By reading his book, I realized I am wheat and gluten intolerant. Not that I can't eat it, but should eliminate, avoid and or limit it in my diet. Along with some foods that has been causing my health problems. It's too early to tell if I see and feel a difference, but I'm going to give it a 30 day trial according to his cookbook. Well, I'll stop here this is a long winded one. Let me know if you decided to get the book. This goes also to others as well.

I had a similar issue. I was banded October 2007 and did really well the first two years. I learned to eat very healthy, even became a vegetarian, and exercised regularly. I had lost over a hundred pounds and went from a size 28 to 14! And was on the right path to reaching my goal. I didn't go back to school, instead I entered into (and ended) an unhealthy relationship and lost my routine. I still was a vegetarian but got into a very bad habit of eating slider foods and quick and easy junk foods. I also, turned to food again as an emotional support and quit exercising. I ended up gaining over 20 pounds and one size! To help get back on the right path I'm doing a couple of days of liquids then soft foods, per doctor's recommendations. And I started journaling my exercise and daily food intake again like I did when I was first starting this journey. I think the main points to remember in success is holding oneself responsable for what you eat, how much you exercise, and why you are eating. Having a routine/schedule helps me so much more! Maybe you should look back at what was working for you in the beggining and get back into doing that again. Good luck!

I'm with Swizzly--I have significantly less gas post-op than before. I think it's my diet, not much to get gassy when it's all protein. If I were a vegetarian I expect things would be different.

Wheres the veggies? Im a vegetarian, so I have to shake it up to get my protein... I eat all kinds of beans, baked dishes like ricotta, pasta sauce and parmesan.... veggie meat balls, veggie meat loaf sandwiches (with half of a low cal ww bagel), bean or split pea soup, refried beans with cheese, three bean salad, tofu with a little teriyaki, homemade ricotta raviolis -I use super thin won ton rappers and make two or three raviolis with ricotta and basel. I decided I would become even more of a foodie, and that means having to cook for myself a bunch...

I can't do the gummies because they have gelatin in them and I am vegetarian. I want to check out the vegan deva vitamins. Where do you get them?

<br /><br /><br /> Weighnomore, Im kind of in the same boat...plateau for the last 4 weeks, I do eat 60-70 gms of protein and about 40-80 gms of carbs (I am a vegetarian, and most Proteins have some carbs). I am going to try and eat 1000 cals for a few days and see if that shakes things up... good luck with your efforts, stalls SUCK!

Genepha, Our story is almost the same. I had surgery on Jan 18th, and the first two weeks I lost 23 lbs... I have been on a plateau, gaining 2 or losing 2 or staying the same for 4 weeks (28 days) so far. I am eating between 6-800 cals a day. I just added back regular exercise this week, walking and dance classes. (I was walking before as well) I just can't believe the scales are not moving! I guess I can try and go up to 1000, kind of makes me nervous, but not losing any weight makes me nervous too! I eat round 4 small meals a day, with maybe a Protein Drink snack. I know I cant stay at this weight forever, Im just not taking in that many calories. Before surgery I was eating between 1600-1800cal a day and losing very slowly, but losing. I a m a vegetarian, and most of my Proteins have some carbs. (40-80 a day) On the bright side, my BP has been good, I have lost 4 inches off my stomach, and people who I haven't told have noticed Just wish I would get off this plateau!

I am by no means an expert, but I thought I'd try to answer some of your questions, as well as your last post. I, too, was like you. I really didn't feel full until I basically ate until I was almost sick. The biggest thing that has helped me with the band is eating SLOWLY...whether it's putting my fork down between every bite or just entertaining myself with other things to make me eat slower; the slower I eat, the more I allow myself to feel what I'm actually eating. I can't necessarily say I feel 'full' with the band, but I'm slowly learning how to note when I should stop eating. I noticed that people don't talk about how they feel after eating as in depth as I thought they would: What does it feel like after eating the 1/2 cup of food? I actually do try to stick with 1/2 cup or 4 ounces (depending what it is) of food per meal. I'm only 5.5 months out from surgery and haven't yet been given the go-ahead to increase my portion sizes. I have had many meals that have been more than that amount, but I try to stick with that as much as possible. I also supplement in between breakfast and lunch and then lunch and dinner with a Protein shake. I'm a vegetarian, so I make sure I have at least one Protein Shake a day. What does it feel like to be full? I tried to answer that above. I don't necessarily know if I have the feeling down yet, but I can definitely tell when I'm at the point where I shouldn't eat anything else. What does it feel like to be stuck? I've had the stuck feeling a few times...to me, it's a pain in my upper chest, and I can feel the food like a big dough ball in that area. What does it feel like before you throw up? I've only thrown up once, when I decided it was ok for me to eat a bunch of triscuts; my mouth started watering like crazy, and I went to the bathroom to spit it out in the sink...I bent over and all of the sudden I just threw it all up. It didn't hurt; I didn't wretch. It just happened. And then I felt fine afterwards. What does it feel like when you drink Water and if you drink it too fast? I was told over and over at the dr's to sip my water. I am a gulper, always have been. I actually have no problem gulping water like I used to. I don't eat 15 minutes before or an hour after I eat, so my stomach is generally empty when I drink. I don't feel anything different when I drink fast. How do you exercise during matinence? For example if you do 2 hours of exercise per day while loosing weight do you have to continue to do that much exercise during maintenance to keep the weight off or do you pull it back a bit so you don't continue to loose weight? I, obviously, am not at goal yet, but I'm only 40 pounds away (fingers crossed that'll happen soon); on the exercise front, I just wanted to put in my 2 cents. I exercise basically everyday (with rare exceptions) for at least an hour, sometimes more. I fully intend on continuing with the exercise when I'm at goal. I might back down to 5-6 days a week instead of 7, but I think doing an hour a day is feasible for the long haul.

I have a 9 cc relaize band, it has 8.25cc's in and I have restriction but theres not one thing out here that I CANT eat. . Not what I expected from the band but thats ok. I chew my food well and definately take my time eating my meals. Cunner, I loved the 2nd paragragh of your post,,I can see the bowl and loaf of bread,lol. I did what you did years ago, and went vegetarian and loved it but found I was eating alot of bread, crackers, cheese as well as my veges and fruit. I didnt gain weight, but moved in with a meat and potatoes man,,lol. Im still with him and he is actualy supporting me with the meals im trying. He will NEVER try them,,lol ,, but thats ok. I have a great nutritionist, and she said if it works and i dont get ill or have issues regardgin the band and gettting stuck to try it and see how it goes. I beleive she is a vegetarian. But to switch back If I have ANY issues at all. Protein, I am eating nuts and Beans soaked to soften them. as well as the fresh off the farm dairy products (cheese and milk) There are also veges out there that are a great source of Calcium and protein both. Melody, I agree with you on drinking meals. I dont have a problem with that and the recipes I have right now are alot different from what I was using before the surgery and after. I am making everything home made (except for the green powder) and it seemed to hold up very well this morning when I had my first one. I definately dont want to have them all the time. I tried, the other day a 14 grain raw Cereal that was very good with dried cherries and raisins with some chopped walnuts and raw milk. I am using supplemens as well just to make sure I dont deplete anything. You guys are great!

Hi there, Why is dairy bad for you? I'm vegetarian and use organic humane dairy products as a source of Protein. I've always known things like cottage cheese to be good sources of nutrition and protein. Just wondering if I am missing something here...

I had an ex-girlfriend 15-20 years ago that was very into the raw food diet. She studied under Ann Wigmore. It was all about wheat grass, rejuvelac etc.. My ex was kind of a nut with a lot of food issues bordering on eating disorders. I was a vegetarian (not raw food) for 6 years or so. I put on weight as I seemed to have gained a growing fondness for Pasta, bread and other carbs which were my mental replacement for Protein. Once I started eating meat again I was even worse as then I just added a bunch of sausage into my giant bowl of pasta. That went well with a loaf of Italian bread. Not a very healthy way to live. With regard to the raw food diet I don't think it is very consistent with the band. It can be very hard on the digestive system as we depend upon cooking to help us properly break down food. With the band you also need to get the essential Proteins while eating only a limited amount of food. That would be VERY hard to achieve on a raw food diet. Hopefully the surgeons office where you were banded has a nutritionist on staff that works closely with you. I know mine does. You may want to consult with them to get better advice. Best of Luck to you

The raw food diet I'm familiar with does not include meats. It's a vegetarian diet. I was a bit enamored of this a couple years ago and managed to last about a month during the summer. I had to quit because I started having intestinal issues...which apparently is not uncommon for people who stay on this. The only problems I see at first glance is that raw vegetables, unless made into smoothies (and now you're drinking your meals again), can be a problem with the band once you get closer to your sweet spot. I didn't hit my sweet spot until about 7cc but raw vegies became a thing of the past for me at around 4cc. Also, if you have any kind of blood sugar problem, the fruit may cause blood sugar swings which will lead to cravings and hunger. I'm not sure how you'd get your Protein in. I know vegetarians get it by combining things like Beans and rice and tofu (which are all cooked), but I don't know where you'd get it from fruits and vegetables. YMMV. .

I'm so sorry to hear of these terrible health issues that are going on in some of your families right now. I will pray for all of you. So sad and scary. I am having the worst time with food right now. I know that pales in comparison to some of the other issues going on, but I need someone to kick me in the butt, and this is the place for that! Here is the deal, since I came back from vacation, I have been eating like I am on vacation still. I know I wrote about this the other day, but I just can't kick it! Yesterday I started the 5DPT. Well, I made it until about 10 pm and completely lost control! I ate some vegetarian stuffed grape leaves and some animal crackers. It was like I was ravenous!!! I know that it is the carb monster. I just know it. It also feels like I have absolutely zero restriction what-so-ever. So, I started over today. Soup, soup, soup! Oh, and some coffee. The 5DPT site says that I could have some creamed Soups too, so I did. I know that I'm prob at 1400 cal today. How did I do that with just soup you ask? I don't know, I did, and I'm disgusted. I'm just like the Charlie Sheen of the food addiction world! LOL. No, but really, I have an appt w the dr on Sat, but I'm changing it to Monday. Hopefully he will fill me. I don't know if he will, because last time he said that he wouldn't because of all of the issues that i had with the partial slip. I went to do my taxes tonight on turbo tax, and there were major issues on their site which i also encountered last night. I wasn't able to input my info properly and it is really frustrating to me. I tried to e-mail their technical support, but was unable to do so because it wasn't one of the "options"! I usually use turbo tax, but last year went to a tax guy because I bought the house and needed to credit the first time homebuyer tax credit to last years taxes and wasn't confident in my abilities to make that happen. So, anyhow, if they cannot fix their site in a few days, I will have to go back to him even though it is triple what turbo tax costs. Ok, well, sorry about the rant. Long day. Thats good because tomorrow I'm getting a massage!!! The receptionist at work and I switch services. I cut her hair, and her kids hair, and she gives me massages. It's a great trade!!! Then I have a support group meeting tomorrow evening. Those always help kick my rear end into gear. I just need to pull it together and get to the gym as well. I'm a lazy bones lately. The weather does that when its sh!tty out, and trust me, it has been. Finally the weather is starting to break, and hopefully it will help me to get with it! When its nice out, I will look forward to going on walks with Andrew and my friend that lives a few doors down. Sorry, I feel like I am complaining so much, I just need to snap out of it!!!! Night, Meredith

You will be in a fragile state for a while, then it will get better as you heal. You do have to take care, and will have to take one or more drugs a short time and a few Vitamins full time. Drugs recommended after surgery are marked by an * I am on a beta blocker for irregular heartbeat (same before surgery) This also helps my BP. My BP is going down, but I can't get off this med, but perhaps can lower the dose. I'm am on a cholesterol drug, also on it before. I will hopefully get off of this after tests to be done at three months. I am on a drug to help me from getting *gall stones for 6 months after surgery. I am taking D3 and *B12 (which can be low from the surgery) I am a vegetarian, and was low before surgery as well. I am taking *Calcium Citraite which you need to take because of the surgery. I took *blood thinners for 7 days after surgery. I am taking *vitamins, recommended after surgery. I take a *PPI daily for three months before and at least 6 months after surgery to help protect the staple line from ulcers.

Chilo, I believe you that the food in England isn't great either.. lol I've got a few British recipes that I lovvvee... sticky toffee pudding anyone? LOL I might as well inject the fat straight into my veins Especially someone who has girls, teen girls at that, how do you manage to keep them "sane" as far as their bodies? Is England as bad or getting as bad as America where it's all about "skinny" and young girls are feeling that pressure? A crappy kids menu at a restaurant I can understand but I'm still appalled at the items in grocery stores. Why is it that now...in 2011... people are so obese (portion sizing aside) compared to say the 50s? Are the basic ingredients in products we buy in the grocery store THAT different now? Also, I don't GET how in the blue hell restaurants can pump so much extra fat & calories into something you can make at home with the same types of ingredients? Dawn, I was being facetious about the cokes to juice comment. Since having the sleeve, I've always figured splitting an adult entree w/ kiddos is the way to go. Let me be clear... I don't have any kiddos yet but DH & I are planning on getting our adoption ball rolling VERY soon. We plan on adopting from Korea I'm one of those people who over thinks about things since I've never done this before. Butterfly, I have a sister who is a doctor as well and is raising her boys vegetarian. There's a lot of problems with that (that I see personally). Those kids are... 11 & 8 or 9 and both have moobs. Little boys shouldn't have moobs. Julia, have you noticed a change in your youngest's weight since swearing off all those bad items at home?

Thanks all.... Plannergirl. I did order some of the unjury but it hasn't arrived yet. I hope I like it. My son and I are almost full blown vegetarians (him more than me, I eat fish). I can't stand the smell of chicken so I may not be able to handle it. I had my gall bladder out in May and all the hospital had was either beef or chicken broth and I just couldn't get it down. Now if they could just make a protein drink that tastes like sushi....

Day two came with a headache but I just popped a couple Tylenal and I feel much better. I weighed 3.5 lbs less this morning than yesterday so that is good. The weekend will be the hardest. I'm a wino (especially the weekends). I'm also still cooking for the family. My husband is meet and potatoes and my son is a vegetarian (go figure). They would starve to dealth before they would cook themselfs a meal. The 12 yr old would live on poptarts and popcorn and my husband would be at KFC buying the bucket if I didn't cook for them. I did make myself some wonderful vegetable brooth using onions, garlic, thyme, bay leave, oregano, mushrooms, carrots, & celery. I let it cook down and strained it and it was so much better than the store bought and really pretty easy. I brought some to work and all the other ladies agreed it was a wonderful Soup base. More fun to come..... Sunday will be Laxative Sunday... WooHoo!

OK, I'm too lazy to deal with powders but I am vegetarian so protein is critical. I start every day with a Premier Protein drink from Cosco...choc or vanilla. 30 grams of protein and 160 cals!

What helps me, even now, is my Vitamix blender. Or any other high quality food processor blender like Blendtec. I can blend anything in it. You can make great Soups, smoothies and well, just about anything in it. This way you don't have to rely on canned soups or simple cottage cheese. They are sort of pricey but worth it in the long run. I make whole vegetable smoothies, fruit smoothies, home made nut butters, soups, Protein shakes, shaved ice, sorbet, low cal ice cream, hummus, chicken salads...well, the list goes on. I use mine about 4 times a day for myself and my family. I often add in tofu for extra protein without changing the taste. I got my Vitamix because I simply couldn't get enough greens & nutrients in. The option to make green smoothies & vegetable drinks helps me get in vital nutrition without stretching my pouch, which at one point I did. I'm a vegetarian so I needed ways to get in other Proteins besides shakes. A mixer will help you do that. You still have to watch calories and intake but a mixer give you some variety and keeps you from getting sick of Protein Shakes.

Because I consider my personal food issues an addiction or a psychological issue I had difficulty at first. I would get quite upset watching the TV show Man Vs. Food. I likened it to a recovering drug addict watching people do drugs on TV. I realize now that obesity is an epidemic in the U.S. and places like restaurants are quiet co-conspirators in that genre. I am hoping to win the lottery soon so I can open a great vegetarian/healthy restaurant so people can see how you are really supposed to eat. Now when I eat out I order sides, Soups & anything I know is a small portion. The other day I had grilled green Beans & a bowl of Soup at Ruby Tuesday's. The waitress asked me if I wanted anything else. I said now and quickly gave her my story and she agreed that the portions are way to big for one person. I may not be able to preach to those sitting at the tables next to me but my 8 year old daughter sitting right across from me is learning something. But yes, I did and still do freak out about the portion sizes I see.

Pretty much any ethnic food is better than American for vegetarians. Plus it's much more colorful, which generally means there are more Vitamins and nutrients (e.g. multicolored vegetables vs potatoes and bread). Now if only I could learn how to cook all of that delicious food at home!

Morning to all. It looks to be another nice, sunny day - high yesterday around 50 - we are all loving this so much. DH took Aylah to the park the other day and again yesterday afternoon -- still wearing hats, gloves and coats, but it still feels good. Supposed to get some flurries next week - -doubt it will amount to much - I AM positive thinking the weather to be good for awhile - let's see how that works. Ha. Janet did you get Vista? I really like it - I've had it about 2 years now - so there's probably something even newer out there now. We went out for Mexican last night - they had a "chicken fahita salad" which is basically just the same as fahitas except they throw it in a crispy shell and add a little lettuce to the top - didn't eat any of the shell. And, instead of it costing $12 (fahitas) it was only $7.40. And it was more than I could eat. It was tasty indeed. Aylah loves tacos so she had a taco and fries and Beans -- I'm so glad she loves beans -- she got up this morning and wanted leftover beans for her Breakfast. I love that!! I have our awards lunch on Wednes. and they sent the menu out the other day -- 4 cheese and sausage lasagne, cesear salad, garlic breadsticks and turtle cheesecake!! Wow, that's more calories than I usually eat in a few days. Oh well, I'll nibble -- at least my DH will be attending this one since I'm an honoree this time and he can eat half of my food. I wish they'd have some "healthy" options but all they ever offer is vegetarian and like this time it was the same food EXCEPT they don't put the sausage in the lasagne so it wouldn't be much better. Cheri hope all is well with you -- not like you to be missing for a few days -- I guess school is keeping you busy. Jodi, how's the bat mitzvah plans coming along? Have you found a dress for you yet? Gotta get ready for the gym -- have a great weekend everyone! Linda

Well, it looks like the .5cc unfill and stepping it up at the gym this week has helped to let me see some more results! Since the 9th of February, I have lost 4 pounds...not bad for just over a week! I'm extremely happy with that. I have also forced myself to go to the gym everyday this week so far and plan to go back for a 5th time tonight. My workout plan that I have set up on AnytimeHealth.com gives me Saturday and Sunday off from the gym...but I might go on Saturday evening anyway. I need a new addiction...maybe working out can replace all that junky food that I still tend to miss sometimes. Oh, I have an INCREDIBLY good recipe for a super healthy meal if you're interested! Spaghetti squash! I know, I was like, what the heck is spaghetti squash! It's completely vegetarian, though you can add any meat that you like. (I just was too lazy to cook some meat with it. Ha!) I made mine with zucchini, red peppers and mushrooms, but you can use any veggies you'd like. Cut the Squash in half, scoop out the guts to throw them away and drizzle the squash with olive oil and pinch some rosemary or thyme or basil---whatever spices you like. Put it in a microwaveable dish with 1/4 inch of water in it flat side down and cook for 10 minutes. While that is cooking, saute your veggies in olive oil, a little salt and pepper (I use salt substitute so it has zero sodium), and some lemon juice. When the squash is done cooking, take it out and fork out the insides. It will look like short spaghetti noodles. Take the insides and put the in a bowl. (You may be cooking the other half of the squash while your doing this.) Add the veggies to the squash with another squirt of lemon juice. Stir and serve!! If you add meat, add that at this time as well. You can also try it with spaghetti sauce, but that will add more calories and sodium. Though tomatoes are a good addition! Ok, that's it. Don't expect me to share too many recipes...I'm just starting to experiment with healthier foods. I hope to report more weightloss soon! I'm trying to kick my butt in gear a bit more!! I wish I had a workout partner...but I suppose that at the end of the day, I need to do this for me and no one else. Meh. Blessings all! Maggs