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Thanks for advices I take every day B12 sublingual 100mg, vit D 1000 mg, Centrum advanced, chrome picolate, code oil, probiotic, vitamin C, Evening Primrose Oil 1000mg and Indole-3-Carbinol (last two aren`t this surgery related) My blood tests were in normal limits... Last night the scale show me 62 kgs and I was so happy. I tried to stay off from sweets and unhleathy food. I don`t have too much activity and I need to go to gym... After I lost so much weight I became sure that nothing could bring me kgs back. I was wrong... We need to be careful for the rest of our days. I still think as an obese, 4 years after surgery. Thank you so much for advices one more time! So nice to meet people with the same surgery. PS: I want to become vegetarian soon....

As a vegetarian, its really hard for me to get in my protein not go over the cals, Im low a lot... I use: Explore Asian Organic Soybean Spaghetti and their other black bean or mung bean versions... around 24gms of protein in a serving... around 200 cals, and low carb(19). Cottage cheese is a go to.... I use ESA carb control ready mix drink in my coffee and tea.... DO write everything in MFP... even the day before, plan your next day, I find this helps me stick to it... I also use the 5:2 to help maintain... it is really hard for me to maintain as well.. if I gain, it takes a lot longer to lose it than early on. Chin up, fight the good fight! You are not alone. http://www3.netrition.com/explore_asian_mung_bean_fettuchini.html

Hey all I found a new food product I am in LOVE with and thought I'd share. I live in Upstate NY and one of our finer grocery stores (Wegmans) came out with new vegetarian versions of chicken nuggets, patties, sausage and beef crumbles, etc. I bought the nuggets and patties and my stomach (and taste buds) loved them! They're all really high in protein and low in fat/carbs and very light breading. The serving size is 7 nuggets but only ate 2. I haven't checked on other name-brand items of meat substitute products, but maybe they have something in a store near you? I'm not vegetarian, but it felt nice to eat a "familiar" food without all the bad nutritional values! I've been VERY blessed that I've been able to try new foods without bad reactions.

<--- worked out religiously my entire life. Been on HCG diet, weight watchers, phentermine, nutrisystem, vegan, vegetarian, atkins, south beach, orange theory, bikrim yoga, countless personal trainers....Have impulse control/binge eating issues that made me a very unhealthy yo-yo dieter. The sleeve is going to add YEARS to my life. @@Pinkberry2 If it was sooooo easy to lose weight, dear track runner, what on earth are you doing on a bariatric forum? Pot kettle black much? #peopleinglasshousesshouldntthrowstones Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Look I'm not doing anything special. Four shakes and a meal. I've been making some simple but yummy vegetarian dinner (I know oxymoron right? 😂) and I'm satisfied. I feel I owe a lot it to the protein I drink every hour from 2pm - 5pm, then dinner a 6. I don't feel weak or tired. I did in the beginning. I think that was from cutting sugar cold turkey. I don't feel like I when I was starving myself. I even have the energy to work out regularly. My recipe: Good quality protein isolate powder Water blender bottle Shake it. Twist it. Pull it. Bop it. (Nothing past shake it is necessary) Enjoy (plot twist, you won't!)

Stevie...I hope that your husband will surpise you then by having the house cleaned? lol Glad you had a great day regardless. Yes...March here we are....good luck on Tuesday all you March 2nd Bandsters!! FindingMe....thats great that your daughter made the team and good luck on the preop diet! Welcome "IwillSucceed" keep us posted and good luck!! Okay.....so the weekend is over....for me anyways...tomorrow there is a carnival all day at school but I dont have to be there yea!! Today..was actually alot of fun. We ran around giving and receiving but I have to say....the choc covered friut...the bestest idea...lol. Everyone loved it. Im glad... The partys and dinner was really nice....and it just so happened that at dinner.....at our table...which was a family and Dassi and myself.....sat down this man.....who was single and good looking and well...I guess my age range...and he was very nice!!! Unfortunately he left before the end of the dinner....but it was nice to meet someone new for a change...Im just wondering why that happened is this a sign...to say...you know...your on your way to a new you....maybe its time to start socializing and meeting some new people. Who knows. In any case..I have a new question. Shooting it out hoping someone can tell me the diff and if there is any or not!!! lol Ive been researching the protein shakes, drinks, shots and powders oh and isolates. Stevie...Ive checked out the site that you suggested and there were several others that sounded really good. There are several different types of protein...however on most of the sites that Ive veiwed they offer "WHEY" protein. I remembered that when my daughter was a baby..the sensory O.T recommended that we give her "RICE" protein. so....when looking at the differences...I find that there are several different sources. "WHEY" from Dairy...."SOY" vegetarian, "EGG", and "RICE". "Whey being the most popular and should not be in concentrate. SO... Question one....is the recommended popular...being "WHEY" because its the most easily digested? Question two....does it matter whether its "WHEY" or "RICE" as "RICE" seems to me the best second choice as to quality and nutritionally and most available....Ive never seen "egg" and "SOY" seems problamatic these days as far as genetically engeneered seeds and the Increase on hormones causing poss cancer in woman. So was wondering what the difference is and does it make a difference and why?? Do I really need this....does everyone supplement with all the above...and what about the Vitamins?? Ive been looking at the differences between the vitamins that I have...which are high quality so I think...and the vitamins from all these sites...do they really make a difference and if I dont use the brands for bariatric patients...will I really loose my hair?? etc etc? oy......Im stuck on the "Stuff" I see....but want to be as prepared as possible for after surgery. I dont want to go out and start looking and researching after the fact...not a good thing...Also as I wont be able to send someone out to go and do this for me...except me...so might as well do it this week. Its funny....my freinds..are concerned with my preperation of me....before surgery as I might never again be able to go out.;....lol like making sure to get a hair cut, manicure/pedicure, haircut, waxing done....highlights//etc etc and im like whattt?????? do you think I care about all the above?? who is going to see me???? I cant just shave??? whats wrong with my hair? I cant have nail polish. I have enough PJs and they will be clean. Im thinking...of foods for me....and food prep for Dassi and setting up the cleaning girl, the dog walker, who is going to take Dassi to the bus off the bus and to all her activities and help her do homework? all the above?? Did I ever have time for those luxuries ever???? lol Im allready thinking I best start going shopping for passover. I dont even have time to shower for more then 10 min. at a time...I think..maybe Ill allow myself a few more min for a quick shave....the night before and Ill be READY! well....okay enough....its late and tomorrow is another day for preperation. Thanks so much for all of your input and responses....I truly believe its because of you all....that I will be prepared...and not worried and...in the end successful. Of course you all might need prozac at the end of the next two weeks but....I thank you in advance...(silly me) Have a great night all.. and a wonderful week!!! Jodi

Dairy and Protein Servings • Fat-free Milk or Light Yogurt, 8 oz • Fat-free or Low-fat cheese, 1 oz • Non-fat or Low-fat Cottage Cheese, 1/4 cup • Parmesan (grated), 2 Tbsp • chicken or Turkey (without skin), 1 oz • Egg, 1 • Egg Whites, 3 • Egg Substitute, 1/2 cup • Fish (fresh or frozen, not breaded), 1 oz • Lean Beef (Round, Sirloin, Flank, Tenderloin, Chuck, Rump), 1 oz • Lean Pork (Fresh or Boiled Ham, Canadian Bacon, Tenderloin, Loin Chop), 1 oz • Sandwich meat (with 2 grams of fat or less per ounce), 1 oz • Sardines, 2 • Shellfish (Clams, Crab, Lobster, Scallops, Shrimp), 2 oz • Tuna (canned in water), 1/4 cup • Vegetarian Protein Foods ("Veggie" Burgers, Smart Dogs), 2 oz Skim Milk Alternatives If you have trouble getting in all of your dairy servings or are lactose intolerant, the following can be used to replace a Dairy or Protein serving in your meal plan: • NutriSystem Chewy Fudge Bar Low Glycemic Index Carbohydrate Servings • Barley (cooked), 1/3 cup • Beans (Garbanzo, Pinto, Kidney, White), 1/3 cup • Bread (Whole-wheat, Multi-grain, Pumpernickel, Rye, Sourdough, Oatmeal), 1 slice • Corn, 1/2 cup • Couscous (cooked), 1/3 cup • Crackers (whole-grain), 3/4 oz • oatmeal (cooked), 1/2 cup • Pasta (cooked al dente), 1/2 cup • Peas (green), 1/2 cup • Peas (split, black-eyed), 1/3 cup • Pita (whole-grain, 6 inch), 1/2 • Rice (cooked, brown), 1/3 cup • Roll (whole-grain, small), 1 • Sweet Potatoes, Yams, 1/3 cup Fat Servings • Avocado, 1/8 • Mayonnaise, 1 tsp • Nuts Almonds, 6 Peanuts, 10 large Pecans, 4 halves Walnuts, 4 halves • Peanut Butter, 1 tsp • Oil (Canola, Olive, Peanut, Corn, Safflower), 1 tsp • Olives, 5 large • salad Dressings (regular), 1 Tbsp • Salad Dressings (reduced-fat), 2 Tbsp • Seeds (Sesame, pumpkin, Sunflower), 1 Tbsp Fruit Servings • Apple, 1 small • Applesauce, 1/2 cup • Apricots, 1/2 cup • banana, 1/2 • Blueberries, 3/4 cup • Cantaloupe, 1/3 • Cherries, 12 • Cranberries, dried 2 Tbsp. • Grapes, 15 • Grapefruit, 1/2 • Honeydew melon, 1/8 • Kiwi, 1 large • Mandarin Oranges, 1/2 c. canned • Nectarine, 1 med. • Orange, 1 med. • Pear, 1 small • Peach, 1 med. • pineapple, 1/3 c. canned • Pineapple, 3/4 cup fresh • Plums, 2 • Pomegranate, 1/2 med. • Prunes, 3 • Raisins, 2 Tbsp. • Raspberries, 1 cup • Strawberries, whole, 11/4 cup • Tangerines, 2 small Fruit Juices (may replace fruit) • Apple juice, 1/2 cup • Cranberry Juice Cocktail, 1/3 cup • Grapefruit Juice, 1/2 cup • Grape Juice, 1/3 cup • Orange Juice, 1/2 cup • Pineapple Juice, 1/2 cup Salad Vegetable Servings These raw vegetables may be eaten in unlimited amounts as part of your daily salad servings. • Alfalfa Sprouts • Cabbage • Chicory • Cucumbers • Celery • Escarole • Green Onions • Hot Peppers • Lettuce (all types) • Parsley • Radishes • Spinach • Watercress • Zucchini Vegetable Servings Serving size is 1/2 cup cooked or 1 cup raw unless otherwise noted. • Artichoke, 1/2 large • Asparagus • Beets • Bell Peppers • Broccoli • Brussels Sprouts • Cabbage • Carrots • Cauliflower • Collard Greens • Eggplant • Green Beans • Kale • Mushrooms • Mustard Greens • Snow Pea Pods • Spinach • Tomato, 1 med • Tomato Juice • Vegetable Juice • Zucchini The follow condiments and beverages may be eaten in the amounts listed. Unlimited • Artificial sweeteners • Herbs • Lemon juice • Spices (salt-free) • Vinegar Limited to 1 tsp. per day: • Flavoring extracts • Horseradish • Low-sodium soy sauce • Mustard • Relish • Worcestershire sauce Limited to 1 Tbsp. per day: • Catsup • Salsa • Picante sauce • Taco sauce These beverages may be consumed in unlimited amounts: • Cofee ot tea • Diet soda • Sodium-free seltzer Water • sugar-free tonic water

So, the best thing I learned at the NUT appointment I went to in December what how the hunger receptors work. They sit at the bottom and top of the new banana shaped stomach. Eating dense protein first will put a "firmer" pressure on those receptors at the bottom. I can't believe the difference it made when I switched to eating my salmon first then the lettuce rather than eating it as a salad with meat sprinkled all about. Anyway, the idea is that you get several ounces of dense protein (I have no idea how this works for vegetarians - but for me it means meat/poultry/fish/seafood) sorta solid in there. You are supposed to stop when no longer hungry, but what I wonder is if you are eating 2-3 bites and it is just enough to temporarily tap those hunger receptors without really creating lasting satiety. I am not exactly following it, but this NUT really pushed 5 mini meals - all of them starting with dense protein, adding a bit of veggies etc. and eating just enough to keep from getting overly hungry before the next meal. She felt I don't eat often enough which is leading to eating too much at one sitting (some people become grazers, but i seem to return to volume eating). She said max I should ever eat is 1.5 cups and of course that depends on what the food is - I can't eat that much dense protein for sure but I think I could eat that much in crackers, cheese and wine....

Being a vegetarian makes this way of eating very restrictive. I'm not willing to eat meat as protein source.... boohoo.

I had a really easy time of it. No pain at all! I was walking in recovery, and continued walking once in my room. I was in the hospital 2 days and only needed tylenol once for a headache. Otherwise I was fine. I didn't even bother to get the prescription for pain meds filled when I was discharged. As for soul food eating, I'm already a little different because I am vegetarian. I eat collard greens but I don't add pork or turkey to them. In fact tonight I treated myself to the Soul Food vegetarian restaurant in my area. I had mock BBQ chicken, collards and brown rice. My hair is loc'd. Because I am menopausal I already was taking Biotin. So far I haven't noticed any hair loss. Once I came home the worse thing was a rash where the IV site & every bandaide was. That was due to late allergies and even none latex bandages have a small amount of latex in the glue. For most people it's not a concern, but I have multiple allergies and I'm hypersensitive. A few days using hydro-cortisone cream cleared the rash up. Also for the first few weeks I got tired really easy. I felt pretty normal after a week, but ran out of steam really fast. My best advice is relax, follow the doctor's recommendations as closely as possible.

Well I finally get weighed this afternoon from the end of November so will let you know what happens later glad you are feeling better try some vegetarian options they might be better also look on pintrest just type in biatric foods there's loads of recipes on their website

I think either way it's a tool. This is a life changing experience in every sense of the way. We will need to change everything about our relationship with food from now until the rest of our lives. As far as health issues besides the weight loss I've heard nothing about the sleeve. (I too have searched and searched) for the bypass malnutrition. My aunt had the bypass and has to go for Iron infusions now. But I will say she does NOT take her Vitamins. After a certain point post op she stopped. Had she continued maybe it would be different. She also has an intolerance to meat in general so again back to lifestyle change, you have to have eat Protein first being vegetarian is going to make things difficult. She also just recently had a bout with kidney stones. Probably related to not drinking enough Water. Again we need to remember the good of the surgery should outweigh the bad. What are the long term risks of doing nothing at all. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hey now! Have completed 3 days of work and i have to be honest it has taken a lot of the wind out of my sails . No problems per say just very tired by 7pm. so i am accepting its part of the healing process and will get better once i'm fully back on the normal ebbs and tides of this thing I call life :-) Hope everyone is doing well, well off to by a crock pot so i can start making low fat high protein vegetarian chilli and other healthy foods for when i get to the solid food phase next week... Just call me Chef Boy RJ ( Im such a geek ) Have a great Day RJ

I am tired. Physically, mentally...you name it. It's all tired. I know what I have the opportunity to do here. I just can't find the jumping off point, the selfish self-caring button inside me to get motivated to care for myself. I have been blessed with a job that has an insurance company that will most likely pay the majority of the bill for a surgery that I can use as a tool to help shed this other layer of body that is encasing what I should be. I live where one of the best centers and doctors for this surgery happens to be. There are many things to consider. The mere fact of another abdominal surgery is a tremendous one. 3 c-sections and a gallbladder removed has already left enough trauma to that area. Having a permanent device implanted is causing a bit of a phobic reaction. Normal fears of surgery, allergies to meds I have experienced, etc. have all surfaced. The fact that I have a painful disability in my heels that cause me to have limited exercise ability. Also a torn miniscus in my knee that needs surgery, ironically caused from the physical therapy to my heels. My addiction to carbs and sugars is causing me to consider whether I can make this worth it. It is so serious that I have considered going to a physician for some kind of anti-compulsion meds to see if this will curb the cravings. It may be my lack of energy because of sleep apnea that leads me to sugar and caffeine. I seldom want protiens, maybe this is why the vegetarian lifestyle is so easy for me. There are plenty of healthy vegetable protiens but I only seem to want carbs, even after a detox or a fast. So much to consider. It is so obvious to others that I need to do this. Even my dad, who is anti-everything, is supportive of it. I have at least a month to make the decision. If I cannot get my sugar problems under control I don't see how this will work.

Everyone has different experiences with this, for me, there's not much that I can't eat, but lots of things I have to be very very careful with or I can be in big trouble. When I'm stuck, there's nothing I can do except wait it out. Sometimes that means enduring some pain or discomfort from a few minutes to maybe half an hour. Other times, I'll have to go vomit, and this can be painful or it can be a non-event. Sometimes, I'll lean over the toilet, and open my mouth, and out it comes without any effort. Other times it's a lot more difficult. I never know what to expect when I get stuck, it's just something I have to let my body decide what to do about it. I'm a little worried about tomorrow being Thanksgiving, turkey is generally too dry for me, so I might be doing the vegetarian thing tomorrow.... It will depend on if I feel like drowning it in gravy or if it's moist enough. My best advice, though is to SLOW DOWN and take SMALL BITES. My worst problems are caused by eating way too fast, and then I'm beyond full, and there's nowhere for the food to go.... I just bought a one minute hourglass timer, after I swallow, I turn it over, and wait that one minute before I take the next bite. I just got it today, and I've only used it for one meal so far, so we'll see if it helps! I hope this helps you!

anyone tried this: NATURE'S WAY, Alive! shake SOY Protein-VANILLA 2.2lb PWDR A comprehensive, Whole food Multi-Vitamin Shake with added benefit of Solae™ Soy Proten in vanilla Flavor. (Larger View) Email this to a friend MSRP $40.99 VALUE PRICE $24.59 Quantity: Manufacturer: Nature's Way Item#: NWAY-15390 UPC: 033674153901 Product Details Alive! ® Ultra-Shake™ is the ultimate nutritional energy source. It?s also a comprehensive, whole food multi-vitamin with the added benefit of Solae™ soy Protein. Each serving contains more invigorating nutrients from more natural sources than any other supplement. Delicious powdered shake mix version of the Alive! “mega nutrient” formula found in tablets and capsules Available in both Vanilla and Apple-Cinnamon flavors Complete protein with 18 amino acids Good for your Heart: 25 grams of soy protein a day, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease; Each serving provides 15 grams of soy protein. Better digested than other soy Proteins Vegetarian, non-dairy alternative to whey protein Naturally filling to lessen appetite More Fiber and less carbs than other whole food energy shakes Easy to mix, no blender required; Just add Water, juice or milk Quickly absorbed Once daily potency Alive!® supplements are the ultimate Whole Food Energizers™-- with more invigorating nutrients from more natural sources than any other product. 29 Vitamins & Minerals 24 Fruits & Veggies 14 Green Foods 18 Amino Acids 12 Digestive Enzymes 10 Essential Fatty Acids 12 Organic Mushrooms #1 Mega Nutrient. Alive! represents the new thinking in supplements for daily health and energy, with a greater diversity of specially balanced nutrients from three important areas: daily essentials botanical energizers system defenders including antioxidants Quickly Absorbed. Alive! products are specially formulated for easy digestion and absorption into the bloodstream. Even the tablets break up quickly in the digestive tract. In comparison tests with other whole food brands, Alive! tablets were the only ones to completely disintegrate in 20 minutes or less (the proper time to ensure uptake into the body). Other brands took up to 5 times longer.

I think it's an awesome plan too, to follow a proscribed diet, if you want to, during the weight loss phase. You go girl! You're taking control of your life and the speed of weight loss you desire. I think that's great. I'd been thinking about doing Weight Watchers for long term support as pre-packaged foods are hard for me (I'm vegetarian). I think the band works really well in combination with a diet, if that's what you choose. I've lost almost all the weight I've lost by paying attention to calories.

I’m in my third week of fish, eggs, low-fat cheese, and tofu (white flaky fish or crab, no shrimp or salmon yet), canned tuna fish, eggs (scrambled, egg salad, hard boiled), ricotta bake (yum), Babybell, fat free cottage cheese, Laughing Cow, Morningstar vegetarian sausage (tofu), etc.) Next week I can add ground chicken or turkey, canned chicken, salmon, and shrimp. I also get a tablespoon of cooked soft vegetable with each meal (I’ve had yellow squash, mashed cauliflower, and broccoli). A different program I looked at allowed chicken, low sodium/low fat deli meat (ex. Turkey), and etc. during soft foods, but my doctor is very conservative. No red meat (including ground beef) until day 65 for me. I’m at day 33 today.

Clif bars taste pretty decent, but they do look like someone chewed them once already right before they went into the package. Pretty high in carbs, too. Though, if I remember correctly, you're vegetarian, so I gather you have to approach the carbs/protein thing very differently than I do.

Golly BG, It's not like you don't have enough to keep you busy. How many jobs are you working? How young are your children? I couldn't be in school if I actually had to work hard 40 hours a week and didn't share my kid with my ex. But hypothetically, if you did go back to school what would you do? W- BG is the vegetarian, ZZ too I think. I'll join you for that Arby's sans bun.

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.

(hehe I said eat out). ! LOL She said 'eat out' HP burning those chickens was great...A picture's worth a thousand words! So may I ask why you decided to go vegetarian? Health? PETA? I've thought about it before, but I already have a hard time cooking, etc. what would I eat??

That made me laugh too hard! The Accidental Sodomite, could be a movie. Talking PC, there was a time, when I was the cook at the vegetarian restaurant when I was uber PC. I call it my humorless lesbian phase. Man o man, we could turn anything into a PC slur. Many of the young tattooed and pierced people working with me were college teaching assistants...the conversations were priceless. Oh and there were the stoners too. I could write a book. What a mess. :thumbup:

Since I know this is going to be a big question for people, I'm creating a list of Protein sources for vegan and vegetarians and in no particular order: Green peas Quinoa Nuts Peanut Butter Beans Chickpeas or garbanzo beans Tempeh Tofu Edemama Hemp Chia seeds Sesame seeds Seitan Yogurt cheese eggs Lentils Milk Black Eyed Peas TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein) Cottage cheese Buckwheat Hummus Spirulina Any more?

Good Friday Everyone!!!! Thanks Kendra. I wish I could switch to soft foods. I'm not sure why my doctor has his patients do Clear liquids for four weeks after surgery. I've seen where others go to mooshie (sp) food ten days after surgery. I guess I should not worry or question since it has allowed me to drop what I consider a lot of weight. This weekend is Easter, and my mom always makes a ham and all the side dishes to go with it. It is going to be so hard not to get to eat any of it. Holidays have always been a big deal for my mom, and especially since my dad passed away it is even a bigger deal for her. She loves to cook for us. So I have question that i would love some feed back on. I've not had meat in a while and i'm wondering about some of the vegetarian meats. I've never been a big fan of red meat, i do like chicken and some fish, so i'm wondering if anyone knows if the vegetarian meats are any good? I've heard that some taste like cardboard. Let me know! Have a nice evening. Monica