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I'm sorry you had such a rough start, but it's not too late to make your band work. The first thing you're going to have to do is to set a lap band food plan - either with a dietitian or with your food guidelines. With good restriction, my meals are three 1/2 cup meals heavy on solid Protein followed by vegetables, if room fruit, and then starches. Obviously, I don't have a lot of wiggle room for fruit and veggies, so I try to incorporate them into my snack. The 1/2 cup meals are my doctor's recommendation and also the recommendation on the Realize Band website (I have the Realize Band). I have a 4 oz pouch and with good restriction, I stay fully satisfied for four or more hours after a meal. I rarely have beef, maybe twice a week. I mostly eat chicken, fish, and eggs for protein. I have pork on rare occasions too, but neither pork nor beef are a mainstay foods in my diet. If you're going vegetarian, I'm sure you can get some great ideas for meals in the LBT nutrition section, but you just need to make sure you're not relying on slider foods that don't give longterm satiety. I can only give you advice based on my doctor's recs, but he wants our band to be adjusted to where we can eat three 1/2 cup meals, one healthy snack, and plenty of Fluid in between meals (stopping 1/2 hour prior to eating and starting 45 mins after a meal). Some people have problems eating in the morning, and the NP that leads our support group said to be sure and start the day off with a low carb high Protein shake to get the metabolism moving in that case. I can eat, so that's not been an issue for me. If you find you can't eat your doctor's recommended meal which often leads to eating slider foods, he may want to take a tiny bit of saline out. If you're getting hungry when eating those 1/2 cup meals (ex. meal - 3 oz chicken, 1 oz broccoli) in less than two or three hours, you need a fill. I don't want to come off as saying my doctor's way is the only way though. Being a bit heavier than me, your doctor may have your band looser because you should be able to eat bigger meals and still lose weight. But, I wasn't sure if you were given clear instructions on how to get the most from your band. It's very important not to throw in the towel. Now, that you have a better doctor (at least I hope he's better), I'm sure if you made an appointment with him and gave him detailed information on your diet, how well you're able to tolerate solid food, and how often you're hungry, he'd be able to get you back on track.

Can you talk to the person ordering the catering (or the caterer) directly and see what they have that would work? Someone is in charge of selecting the food. If you were a vegetarian or had severe food allergies I would assume you wouldn't be afraid to ask ahead of time.

I do fine as a vegetarian, but I think after all restrictions are lifted I may want to transition to a vegan diet excluding milk and egg products. Which is primarily where I get my protein sources from (whey, eggs) now.

I think we are responsible for eating a certain amount of good Protein daily but it will not hurt to add in other things to give variety. Bariwise hot cocoa for example is made with these ingredients: first Calcium caseinate then hydrolyzed Gelatin etc etc this is what WIKI says about calcium caseinate "Calcium caseinate is a protein produced from casein in skim milk. At neutral or acid pH, casein is relatively insoluble in Water, and is easily separated from other milk Proteins, sugars and minerals. After their removal, the casein is solubilized at a high pH with calcium hydroxide; the solution is then dried (usually spray dried). Calcium caseinate contains about 17% glutamic acid. Its main food uses are for powders requiring rapid dispersion into water, such as coffee creamers & instant cream soups. It is also used as a dietary supplement by bodybuilders and other athletes who ingest it before bed, with Breakfast, or as meal after working out as it breaks down at a slower rate than whey protein, thus supplying the body with a sustained amino acid release.[1] Mead Johnson introduced a product in the early 1920s named Casec to ease gastrointestinal disorders and infant digestive problems that was the cause of death in children.[2] Calcium caseinate is soluble and does not clot in the stomach. It is believed to neutralize capsaicin, the active (hot) ingredient of peppers, jalapeños, habaneros, and other chili peppers." Hydrolyzed gelatin. is made of collagen and not good source of your protein daily but as a second ingredient to a milk product it is not bad for you. I'm using these products in conjunction with whey and better proteins. However gelatin has been proven to strengthen hair, nails and even joints. So just be smart about it's use. Gelatin is made from animals and therefore some people who are vegetarian don't eat it and the WHO and FDA acknowledges that they are not sure if gelatin is a carrier for Bovine Spongiform encephalopathy ( also known as mad cow disease). So far in the USA we appear to not have a problem with BSE but it really is not known. I take the chance because you would have to have the genetic make up and be exposed to catch BSI which in humans is called Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease or CJD. I am very involved with the community of doctors and scientists who are the watch dog in the US for this devasting fatal illness. From diagnosis to death in only 2-4 months with no treatment. You can find out more about this at The CJD Foundation. I lost my brother in law who was 29 years old to this disease but it was a sporadic type that just happens in some people and we don't know why. His was not from animal products. Anyway I use gelatin products and feel safe with it but I know many Doctors and Scientists from abroad that wont eat beef in the USA because of our lenient laws that allow animal products and animals to get past the inspection point. This is probably more than anyone wanted to know but as a lobbyist for better safer food choices in the USA I have a responsibility to educate people and give them something to think about and then they can make their own educated decision. Thanks for putting up with my long explanations!

As a vegetarian how is your weight loss going I'm worried mine will be slower. I've been vegetarian since I was 13 and gained so much cause I became a carb junkie.

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/slow-cooker-vegetarian-chili-with-sweet-potatoes#close I love this recipe and it is made in the crock pot. I add extra Beans to increase the Fiber and Protein. Sent from my SCH-I545 using the BariatricPal App

Hi all- anyone struggling with high cholesterol? I'm 37 and 2 years ago my cholesterol went absolutely wacky, high. It's always been healthy and low, low prior. It was one of the reasons I did LBS. I'll give it some time. But, it's unnerving. Now, the docs don't think it's food related, maybe genetic or something wrong... I feel great otherwize. I'm 2+ months post op now and my cholesterol went higher. Trigs high too. LDL,HDL sucks? Some of the shakes I've been doing are supposed to help LOWER it? I added in the oatmeal too. I'm a vegetarian so I have been doing up dairy for protein. I'm starting a statin today to see if once I get it lowered in 6 weeks and retest, maybe it will stay low. Hopefully I don't get all the icky side effects from the script. I loathe meds. I couldn't find a Red Yeast Rice tablet that would be small enough to take, or I probably might have done that. It too, comes with complications/ side effects. Exercise, check Whole Grains, check, check Vegetables, Fruit, check No greasy, fried foods, red meat, check Dumbfounded, check.

So I know this is unrelated to VSG (well I guess sort of because I was buying veggies for my new eating plan) but I wanted to let you all know so this doesn't happen to you. I happened to be at Walmart last night which I never go to for various reasons, but was stuck because they were the last place to stop before my house. I needed a red bell pepper to cook vegetarian chili and when I got it home and started to cut it open, it was infested with black bugs!!! It was absolutely disgusting. I threw the rest of the produce I bought away. That has never happened to me from any other grocery store, farmers market, etc. so be careful with your future produce purchases from Walmart, if you do shop there. I don't know if the same crop goes to various Walmart stores. Yuck! Yuck! Yuck!!

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!

Im a vegetarian but my husband LOVES his meat lol. In our house we eat ALOT of Gardein products. They are by far the best faux meats Ive had. Fieldroast also makes really good hot dogs. Tofurkey makes a Italian sausage that's really good (its in a red pack) but most of their other stuff Im not too fond of. Gardein is in the frozen section and Tofurkey is usually in produce. Hopefully some good tasting faux meats will make plant based a little easier to transition to.

Thanks for sharing. My lunch group is pretty healthy and already aware of my eating changes however they don't know about my possible WLS. I just think 1/2 cup...that's like an apple or half a yogurt. I know they will get on me about not eating enough food. I don't want to share my decision with them and maybe I am naive to think I can just go unnoticed. I thought since they have seen me the last few months radically change my diet and exercise (usually go for walk with a few during lunch and started jogging) my weight loss wouldn't be that viewed as extreme. They are super supportive so I know they will get on me about "not eating" fearing it was an eating disorder. Going out to a restaurant is not an issue, I've managed to figure out what to order. I feel that even if I get a side salad I wouldn't even be able to eat half of that and how will that make the person sitting with me feel about eating their "normal" side entree. I worry about their feelings especially if they struggle with their weight. I know I should focus only on me at this time in my life but I can't help but think of making others feel awkward which in turn makes me feel awkward (still about me...lol) . Like eating steak in front of vegetarian. Will I be giving up having meals with friends? I know you can't have it both ways...eat "normally" like others once every 2 months (this how often I go to a social event/gathering like birthday, etc)

Since having the band my taste buds have really changed. I no longer can drink Tim Hortons coffee. I could become a vegetarian. Could care less about meat.I might eat meat 1 or twice a week. I eat protein by eggs ,cheese string ,peanut butter. I am nervous to eat green salad. Afraid i can't chew it good.Anybody else experiencing this ?

I still cannot tolerate beef or pork a year and a half out, and I'm allergic to salmon. I stick with chicken, turkey, and tuna. If I didn't need the protein so much I'd probably just become vegetarian.

I have been banded almost a year now and have been a vegetarian for about 7 years. Last month I decided to end being a vegetarian due to the band. I however did not have a moral reason for being vegetarian, I just don't have to have meat. I was having a difficult time getting all nutrients not just protein. I do not eat a lot of meat but I try to have something one time a day. Being a vegetarian I found that my options for quick food to eat was too limited with the band and my high paced job. It can be done with some planning but I was so tired of worrying about it. There are so many meat alternatives out there now days, I am just a very picky eater. I wish you the best of luck. Quinua was my best friend as a vegetarian. You can eat it hot or cold and spicy or sweet.

I felt the same way, until my second fill. I don't think I'll go for a third. I do know I need to go for a check up at 3 months. But, I am getting full and staying full, most of the time. I have those days where I feel like I could eat a horse ( and I'm a vegetarian ). But, then there are those days I feel almost too restricted. Most days, It takes about a cup of food to fill me up and to stay full for a few hours. I'm afraid if I go for the scheduled third fill, I'll be to restricted and need to go back for an un-fill. Don't fret to much about it, you'll get there. May I ask if you are working out? Working full-time and being a full-time student, I don't have a lot of time. But, I try to do 2 miles I the treadmill 3 times a week. And remember, the band is supposed to be a slow and healthy weight loss system. Good luck!

Hi! I'm new to the board and this is the first post I was able to find that was relevant to my concern post-surgery. I have 5 months yet before I go in for surgery (which isn't even scheduled yet). So I'm very very early in the process and I've been a vegetarian for quite some time now with no desire what so ever to return to meats. I also backed off a lot of dairy (mostly due to Forks over Knives!!). I still do eat Yogurt from time to time, and cheese occasionally (though, I prefer to purchase Veggie cheese). Some time has lapsed since this thread was posted - I was wondering if you went forward with your plans for surgery nyxa? And if so - any thoughts on still maintaining a vegetarian lifestyle? I plan to eat Beans and some Protein supplements to help. But I have absolutely no plans of returning to eating meat!

I know there are several vegetarian/vegans on this board. Do a search on those words and you'll find a slew of posts about being successful. I'd also recommend friending some of your fellow veggie lovers. The ones I've seen here are really great and supportive (I'm not one personally, but I respect your conviction.)

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

I'm vegetarian and a major bread lover. Unfortunately most people aren't able to eat bread products after being banded. I definitely can't. So for carb cravings I use whole grain crackers (and measure out one serving size), and also South Beach bars (low carbs but feels like eating carbs!) I also drink alot of protein shakes. When you are filled up, you don't crave anything. If you aren't ready to give up alot of food, you might want to wait a bit. I cannot eat pizza crust, rice, breads/rolls, cake or muffins.

There are a LOT of vegetarians out there...so don't think you're alone when you say you don't like meat. One of the most important things to concentrate on after banding is Protein intake. If you don't like meat, you will just have to find other means of getting your protein in. You can get creative! Think of it as a challenge!!! :cry_smile:)

I have BCBS of Michigan. I'm in the 3 month nutritional visit. I'm vegetarian and I love Premier Protein. I've lost 20lbs and I have PCOS.

I agree with Irene. Her answer is very thorough. For myself, I try to avoid grains when I can, as I have Celiac and I find most gluten-free products have refined (and fattening) flour. I eat a lot of vegetarian Protein, tofu, hummus, fish and dairy. And I am beginning to find fruits and vegetables that work for me, now that I am 4 months out. My nutritionist recommends under 50 grams of carb per day, which usually is doable.

If you are not going vegan, here are some vegetarian Protein sources: Protein drinks/powders Soy Products Vegetarian Frozen Products (I really like Bocca and Amy's) Mozzerella cheese Cottage cheese eggs Yogurt (Greek yogurt is especially good) Milk, soy milk, almond milk Nuts Beans Lentils Barley Oats Artichokes Asparagus Broccoli Peas Brussel Sprouts Kale Corn Smaller amounts in bell peppers, carrots, green beans, cauliflower, mushrooms, and sweet potatoes. Most fruits have 1g per cup which isn't really anything but can help if you throw a couple in a smoothie. Raisens have 5g per cup. Best of luck to you!!

I got my gastric bypass surgery on February 16, 2016. I had been preparing seriously for this surgery for about a year, researching, documenting, and questioning everything from the good, the bad to the ugly, the physical, the emotional and the psychological. As ready as I was, I was not ready for this. I understood intellectually about the lack of appetite, but I had no idea what it meant in real life. I had never not been hungry. I was not ready for the lack of energy. I was not ready for the distaste of some foods that I truly like (the first two weeks pretty much everything – and I loved Protein shakes/smoothies before). Most of all, I was not ready to give up my vegan lifestyle, stepping on my beliefs and go vegetarian for my health for now (proteins), I was sure I could get through this as a vegan. I knew it was going to hard, maddening at times and a struggle. But it’s nothing like I imagine, I’m not struggling where I thought I would. Even though I feel defeated at times, my weight loss is not what I was expecting (yes the week 3 stall), I keep a positive outlook on things. The little things what were horrifying at first are getting better or are gone, so I know things will get better, but I do have to work at it and push myself. But I’m only 3 weeks post-op J

I was sleeved on dec 22nd, i am just past 2 weeks and i am experiencing hunger too! I am already on omreprazole once a day........not sure how to differentiate head hunger vs. real hunger :-(, so when i feel hunge I sip decaf iced tea...... So please dont worry, seems to be happening to a lot of people I am able to eat 4 oz pureed food at one sitting. Is that normal or too much? And when we say contain carbs to less than 30g that includes evrything from milk, yoghurt and beans? I am a vegetarian so not sure how to really control carbs under 30 gms!!