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I had it the day oprah gave it away for free, my whole office went, I wasn't impressed with it either.... But I'm just worrying about the egg first not the chicken lol!!!! My goal is to go back to vegetarianism... I was a vegan when I was a teenager and I was in the best shape then, but then when I was pregnant with my son that went out the window when all I craved was meatballs... and eventually I turned into one!!!

Hi Maria, The meetings are from 11:00 - 1:00 at Kaiser Point West. 1650 Response Rd, Sacramento. Wish I could help on the creative eating issues but I'm not there. I don't think you are allowed dessert. I was told 3 meals a day only. But one of the pro's on here will know better than me. I'm a no carb person. Carbs just keep me fat! You can read back about our spaghetti squash if you haven't already done so - LOL. I'm a big fan of it and also Ricotta cheese. Last night I had a frittata. 2 eggs, 1 oz cheese, 2 oz each, tomato, onion, bell pepper & mushrooms. Today I have a 1/2 bell pepper stuffed with the same veggies from above with 1oz cheese melted on top & 2oz of pork chop for lunch. Breakfast was 3oz fresh mozzarella (the kind that comes inthe water pack) & tomato slices rolled in fresh basil leaves. The thing I have the hardest with is eating proteins first. I'm not a huge meat eater - not a vegetarian - but always carbs - grrr! These ladies on here lost so much weight on this pre op diet they will surely be able to tell you some of the things they ate!

I think our labs are 3, 6 and 12. I sorta want to get some run this time due to my nails peeling.......which they still are today but not as bad as few days ago. Also I am seeing some hair in the shower everytime I wash my hair that bothers me...............more than before!!! But so far not noticable. Ok ladies going in tomorrow. I will print this menu out today and take it to RObin I like this site and I see my protien is 60 carbs 35 fat 17..........I think I am ok with that but more carbs than I though.......... Also only averaging about 500 calories a day. What? I was sure it was more. Last night I ate more cheese on purpose to get it to 800 and push the protein up............This is a really great tool. I had no idea how little I was eating.....I got an A for the three days I used it.................I gotta move my food log last week on this site. Only problem is that the vegetarian meats are not on here as much. I have to take products that are simliar in calories and protien to balance it out. But there was stuff that was almost identical so it worked....... Does Calorie King have more food options? I just didn't want to pay.......

I am scottish american by blood and greek american by marriage or divorce whatever suits you!! I lived in Greece for awhile and was married to greek guy so I adopted that culture and country. My daughter is greek to the core so I am greek by default!! LOL AH I can cook some mean greek food but it is all high fat being I am vegetarian...............maybe I will try to revise that to low fat sometime!! The accent is all me. Funny you say that because everyone does but I was born and raised in California except for living in Greece for awhile.

Candy constipation at your stage..........yep I had it. I use benefiber everyday now but I think you have to wait a few weeks for that. I think it is the food change. The first month I was constipated. Never any diarrhea though Reggie. Changing stages was a huge temptation for me as well. I got tired of pureeing and the same foods over and over. Again I liked the soup stage I found purees harder to do. I have also probably experimented to much with food. Well salad is my perfect example. I have had it three times this week. I am thinking how I could replace it. But my stubborn mind says it healthy and why, why, why can't I??? It makes me full but I grew up with salads and no meat so maybe what I think is full is not the same as full for everyone else.................... Reggie I found after surgery I only like warm liquids. Not cold so I hear ya girl!! Weird because I drank diet coke alot with ice and loved it................. NSV- My underwear is falling off me again!! (TMI I know) second time in six week I have to make another trip to Lane Bryant, maybe next time I will be able to go to victoria secret!! The elastic just doesn't hug me anymore........Maybe I should ask Dr. Baggs to measure me instead of weigh me.........how embarrassing would that be!! Yep I see Robin this week and Dr. Baggs. I think I am working on 1/4 cup this week and not so much counting calories. I have been counting calories and estimating the size but realize I have it all backwards..............cup than calories. I feel like I am starting to make the band work!! LOL. But I have had some mess ups for sure with all this protien and vegetarian stuff.............again maybe four months was to fast for me to learn it all but I am finally getting it down!!

I totally get what you mean about being scared to eat "normal" foods, I told Robin I wanted to wait because I didn't want to be able to just "grab something" - that I was scared of real food LOL, I needed my little containers of puree she let me wait a few days but pretty much talked me through it, I wish I had listened to her better and kept bringing my food in the little containers, before this last fill I was eating 2 cups at a time NO PROBLEM and I was really scared that i had stretched my pouch! When I met with her on friday I told her how worried i was about my volume eating having come right back, it was always my problem before and it looked like it still was, she kept telling me I needed a fill and then I got it and OH so much BETTER! I eat 1/2 cup now and am perfectly happy :w00t: Oh and I had not stretched my pouch I think everyone has to see Robin before 2nd fill, I know Tina did before 1st fill but she's special :thumbup: she's vegetarian & that's Robin's specialty! You can call and leave her a message anytime & she will call you back, I find it very helpfull to meet with her :thumbup: I love these little smiley guys they're fun Adult ADD here can you tell?!? Have a great evening all! I did 12 miles today, I SO love that my body is working like it's supposed to again! OH yeah, constipation, very common and a big problem for me, I have to have no cheese, benefiber (which makes me gassy), fiber one cereal (which robin cut out) and salads WAY before I was supposed to. Also that new oceanspray diet cranberry-pomogranate juice, a whole bottle a day! 5 cals per serving so that's all good. And a lot of water, decaf coffee, hot water to drink in the AM and LOTS and LOTS of walking, it "motivates" me if you know what i mean! I hope that helps, goodnight! :sad: Riley

Hey Girls The meeting was good. She had ton some research on lap band stuff and gave out some success rules and than this funny 100 reasons to lose weight stuff. Also they gave out weight lose magazines which I really liked.......I might order that magazine. Talked about RNY and lap band and there seemed to be quite a few bandsters.........lots of clothes but nothing in 18 or 16... Ok if I am a year out and only 30 pounds down I will be so disappointted!! That is really not the way it is suppose to work.........I am only down 12 right now and disappointted. Sizes going down but now scale so whatever. But seriously I am on no carbs at all right now...................my goal is hopefully to be at goal weight by Christmas/new years. That is another 60 pounds down, 10 per month is reasonable I think. Ahh.........these 30 pounds stories seriously worry me because it proves you have to do the work to succeed and that the band can be outsmarted............. I just need some restriction so I don't feel like I have no band!! I think my biggest problem has been thinking in terms of cup sizes and not calories. I think the 1200 was easier to grasp for me. Now I am realizing that the 1/4 cup is way more important than the calorie amount and if you do protiens the calories tend to be low............ I am gonna get this just this vegetarian thing is giving me some challenges..................I am learning how to do it all. I sorta wish I had more time and classes before on the vegetarian thing so I had it down by post op. But I am learning..............I think it has affected the speed of my weight loss!! Ok I am stressing about Robin this week. I hope the 12 pounds flies or that I hit a big losing streak this week!! LOL. I am due for one.................making sure I have socks on when I go to Pinole this week!!!

Ok I'm back, had to come home & plug in my laptop :w00t: So Tina! yes my appointment with Robin was great, lasted like 40 minutes & we talked at length about my transitioning back to vegetarianism. It has been 6 months back on meat for me and I am actually eating beef now - which I never thought I'd do again. Never gonna gnaw a bone tho! Anyways she was totally empathetic and she was all about me settling in to an eating plan that I am comfortable with and can live with for the rest of my life!! Very supportive of starting my transition back now. She wants me to add beans back in, and especially lentils since they are lower in carbs. Plus boca burgers, etc. and we both sat there mourning the fact that those great vegie ribs have 35 grams of sugar!! We spent a long time on the soy question - I have asked her several times if there is such as thing as too much soy, and have never really gotten an answer out of her before, this time she said that I needed to be careful if I had a family history of estrogen-related cancers, but I am adopted and so I have no idea! I finally asked her how SHE gets her protein, and she smiled and said she eats tofu every day. She spent a lot of time exploring non-soy, non-meat protein options for me, but it is tough because I have wheat sensitivity (so no seitan) and whey sensitivity too! She's still thinking on it :wink2: but basically she was 100% supportive. I am getting WAY more protein than I need eating meat - like 90-120 grams a day - and she reminded me that the body stores excess protein as fat & I could pretty much cut my protein in half and be fine. And I had only lost 12 lbs. since my last fill, but instead of busting my chops about it, she just said "how do you feel about your weight loss?" I told her that I HAD no weight loss to speak of for the last few weeks, but overall I felt really great about it. She commented several times that things would be a lot better when I got some more fluid in my band, and they are. I had 1/2 cup of pureed gumbo soup for lunch today and I actually felt full, SO happy to have some restriction!! I hope it lasts for more than a week this time :eek:

Ok so how does Dr. Baggs know that we are all friends? And the whole group fill thing?? Hmmm.................... I think Candy is also on the 25th right?? Hey girls I have a retirement party on Tuesday at the same time. Get this across the street................I might try to do both just go and leave the first one and than come over the Mimi's..........it is someone I have worked with for seven years. Anyway I had the funnel feeling for the first two weeks. Not anymore. Seriously I am eating good things but probably to much........went down to two meals a day to try and lose. I am glad to hear Robin is not upset. I have only lost 12 pounds and I am doing everything and now eating less............... What about the vegetarian stuff Riley did you ask? Also how much is in your band now!!

:smile: Well, my lungs have cleared, the pulmonologist says I am all set, surgery is scheduled for June 3rd, and my second round of pre-ops with Anesthesia clinic, and Dr. R, are both next Tuesday morning, the 26th. Today is day one of pre-op... it will not be an issue, since I have been practicing with this diet since January. And to reiterate what Jay said, on my first visit to the BWH weight loss surgery clinic, I saw Dr. R and the Nutritionist, Sari, and she gave me all of the information regarding pre-op, surgery, and post-op diets. I also picked up the following books, for anyone who is vegetarian or not, and might be interested in low glycemic/low carb veg cooking. There is a lot of information in some of them, regarding the health benefits of a low "white carbs" diet. These books are keeping me from longing for things I do not need, should not have, and am determined to live with out. The book "The New Glucose Revolution" has very good information. Another book, if you are interested in something to pass time, is "Good Calories, Bad Calories" by Gary Taubes (its the book with the piece of toast on the cover). Basically, this book sums up what many bandsters have learned when they had intolerance for bread, pizza, etc... and their PCOS and diabetes virtually disappear. It's the "white" flour carbs that are hurting us. Not necessarily sugar, per se, though I do not encourage sugar consumption, but the opposite. Its the carbs though. The bad ones, that are hurting us, to this point, where we require surgical intervention. JUST MY OPINION though, and I encourage everyone to search out the information that they need to make informed decisions for themselves. I am just glad Amazon remembered that Diabetic Vegan cook book (it sucked, the recipes were terrible and it was too strict and made me stop being vegan) a few years back, now that these titles came up with their algorithm they have on me! I accidentally ordered 2 of the first one, if anyone is interested in it, I will bring it to a support group meeting for you... "The Vegetarian Low-Carb Diet: The Fast, No-Hunger Weightloss Diet for Vegetarians" Rose Elliot; Paperback; $12.21 "The New Glucose Revolution Low GI Vegetarian Cookbook: 80 Delicious Vegetarian and Vegan Recipes Made Easy with the Glycemic Index" Dr. Dr. Jennie Brand-Miller M.D.; Paperback; $15.56 "The Whole Foods Diabetic Cookbook" Patricia Bertron; Paperback; $10.17 "Low Carb Vegetarian" Margo Demello; Paperback; $10.36 "Month of Meals: Vegetarian Pleasures" American Diabetes Association; Spiral-bound; $13.57 "Carb Conscious Vegetarian: 150 Delicious Recipes for a Healthy Lifestyle" Robin Robertson; Paperback; $13.57 Regards, Me! :mad2:

Hey Riley I am in the same place right now............ I am still confused why some people are already at 5-6ccs at the first fill and 3-5.8 at surgery? Your only three and you have had two fills already? I am sorta confused about how they do this.......... Riley how much are you getting filled at each appointment and do you know how much your fill was at surgery? I have never really had great restriction but lately I have none..............my guess is I don't have much of a fill from surgery or I have lost alot of fat in the last five weeks.......... I am not getting stuck at all. Not eathing much because everything feels like it sticks to me right now........... I have heard that chicken can be a big issue for bandsters............maybe you will have to just go back to being a vegetarian again??

Yes, I agree that this sucks! Here we take this drastic step to lose weight -- and then we get on the scale post-surgery and its like WTF???? However, I wanted to send you some thoughts from my 4-week post-surgery perspective. Today is my 1-month bandiversary! I lost 14.5 lbs. on the pre-surgical diet (2 weeks). That gives you some idea of how bad my eating was prior to that 2-week stint! That liquid diet cleaned me out and got me on the straight and narrow! Well, post surgery the first week I felt so sick that I was really upset -- I was very pissed at myself that I had done this WLS (buyers remorse, big time). I could barely get Water or juice down. Felt like something big was in my esophagus. I had lots of upper left shoulder pain. I even told my DH, "I should have never done this!" Day 8, I started to feel much better. I concentrated on sips, sips, sips of fluids 24/7. Even then, though, I did not really drink sugary things -- mostly salt free broth, sugar free green tea, sugar free Jello ice pops etc. and the obligatory 2 Protein shakes a day (blecch). I was then moved to mushies (a few days early) by the doctor -- around 7 days. They told me to walk, walk, walk, to get rid of the shoulder pain. And it did help! I have a small house, and there I was walking from one end to the other turning and going back again... They also said if I had a rocking chair (believe it or not) to sit in it for a few days, gently rocking. Something about the backward-forward motion helps dissipate the pain. Tolerated mushies very well (tuna, hummus, refried Beans, egg whites, etc.) Advanced to regular foods 20 days post op (eleven days ago). Kept to the plan that dr. recommended for after first fill -- 3 meals a day, no Snacks. About 1 cup at a meal, mostly (if not all) protein. Chew, chew, chew, eat slow. Put fork down between bites! I stayed TOTALLY away from mashed potatoes, rice, bread, oatmeal, any type of full carb type foods. Really no veggies/fruits to speak of -- kept to fish, lofat cheeses, ground turkey, fat free greek yogurt, vegetarian Meal Replacement products from Whole Foods/Trader Joes etc. mainly protein only with liquid Vitamins.. And lots of water! Water metabolizes fat! I was not hungry until last Wednesday -- when wham! I was starving 24/7. It was really really tough to stick to my plan but as I heard that the first 3-4 months are the "golden" days of WLS when the most weight loss can occur, then slows down, I wanted to give it 200% these first few months. I totally ignored the hunger and got busy doing something else. Still keeping to my 3 small meals no snacks. I was able to lose 10 lbs. additional - but 1 week ago the scale stalled, big time. It had not moved in a week -- very aggravating! The last 7 days I spent cursing the scale! But yesterday I upped my water intake 100% (from 4 glasses to 8 glasses) plus got on the elliptical for 20 minutes last night. When I got up this morning -- woo hoo the scale finally moved and I dropped another 1.5 lbs. for a total of 26 lbs. since pre-surgical diet. So my suggestions are: 1. Walk (or rock) to get rid of shoulder pain 2. Do some type of movement/exercise every day min. 20-30 mins. 3. Try to limit your foods to protein - stay away from the carbs 4. Water, water, water and then drink more water besides! The scale will move, don't worry!

Your weight loss seems to be right on target, we are all going to lose at slightly varying rates, but you are in the right neighborhood. I have some friends who are vegetarian/vegan and find enough protien at the health food store to make it work for them, if your concerned your not hitting the protien goal or that your carb content is too high talk to someone at the health food store I'm sure they can point you in a good direction. Lastly, if you have been able to do this without getting a fill since November - YOU ARE DOING SPECTACULAR! It's unfortunate that you don't have a good relationship with your doctor, but it is also important that you continue getting fills until you find your sweet spot and then continuing to meet with your physician even after that as the Fluid in the band can sometimes slowly leak out over long periods of time, requiring a lifetime of care and fills from time to time. If your doctor isn't working for you perhaps you can find someone else who can do your followup care.

Hi Sandi, we share the same surgery date!! I can feel your frustration. I have not seen the scale move in about 6 days and I feel like kicking it to the curb! :scared2: But, let me make 2 suggestions that both of us need to get real commited to, real fast: Water and EXERCISE. Starting yesterday, I carry a large aluminum water bottle with me and I sip, sip, sip all day and refill it 3 x. The funny thing -- I must be dehydrated because I don't have to run for the ladies room like I did before surgery if I drank a lot of H20. Water will help metabolize fat. It is very important so I will say it again. Water helps metabolize fat. So please if you think you are drinking a lot of water, think again and drink more! This also helps with the between meal cravings. Even if you are sitting in your living room, start moving! There are some great DVDs like Leslie Sansone Walk Away the Pounds -- you literally stand in front of the TV and walk in place. She has 1, 2 and 3 mile videos. She makes it fun and you see results. I go to the gym, I just started going 3x a week on the treadmill for 30 mins. (until Dr. gives me clearance for weight training and elliptical). Yeah, I know, exercise suxs! But these first few months post surgery are our "golden months" when the weight loss will be accellerated and I want to make the most of them. As far as eating, I recommend greek yogurt. It has 13 grams of Protein in each container. I also eat fish - lots of it -- not the canned/prepacked variety but cooking up in microwave and eating flounder, salmon, cod etc. with some Mrs. Dash sprinkled on top. I stay away from red meat (even hamburger) and basically fill my pouch with protein (I don't eat much carb or fruit/veggies). Other good sources can be found in your "whole foods" type stores. There are vegetarian products (meat replacement) which offer gobs of protein and no fat. I eat a textured vegetable protein Breakfast sausage (no meat at all) which is like 80 cals and zero fat and 11grams of protein. I also recommend checking out the vegetarian protein sources at our local foodstore. Mine are in the refrigerated section near the produce aisle. They have things like cheese slices, zero fat, more protein and not made dairy but vegetarian stuff. Feel free to email me thru the site if you want a bandster partner! jenna

That's what I figured too, that she thought you had RNY - it would explain the unrealistic expectations on her part!!! I think you got the extra Robin appt. 'cause you're vegetarian, then :-) She wants to have a sit-down with me before I stop eating meat again, too. I guess that's her specialty. I just checked my appointments with Robin & Dr. Baggs next Friday online, and it still says Richmond. When I was making the appointment, he said "any day but Thursday" so I just assumed they were in Pinole on Thursdays . . . . I'll go anywhere for this fill tho, I NEED it! I'm starving right now . . . of course I have not eaten since last night, but still! I don't like hungry Oh and Nadliner, I had the same coffee withdrawel experience . . . . tried to quit cold turkey right after orientation, had horrible headaches, cold sweats, it was awful - like drug withdrawels I guess. I started right back up! Quad shot latte 2 x a day, a real addict . . . Dr. Zimmerman (Psych) told me to get some real good ground coffee from Starbuck's or Peet's or Wolf's, have them grind it "1/2 caf" and ENJOY my coffee. Once I was down to a single 1/2 caf cup a day, I was fine. I literally weaned myself off of it. But here's the thing: it really is an appetite stimulant, so they sooner you can cut down the sooner you will lose your appetatie. Weird but true! Riley

I had Dr. Fischer for orientation too. He was a bit more far with the lap band at mine. Said it had pros and cons.........but it was very clear to me he preferred RNY!! Maybe that is why I debated so much about RNY for so long.......I really got the feeling that kaiser prefers RNY all the way through. Dr. Baggs was more fair but I also felt he leaned towards RNY. Although when I asked him straight out what was best for me he told me it was my choice and depended on what I thought was best.............he did say 42BMI and under tended to do well with the band........and than the vegetarian thing...........he said if I was set on no meat lap band might work better.......but he was very pro choice with me!! He wanted me to decide and didn't really guide me either way to much........

I haven't been banded, yet. However I am a vegetarian and asked my doc about post-op issues. They just told me to stay away from string stuff like pineapple chunks, asparagus(sp), ect. I eat veggie burgers. My hubs is not a vegetarian and not too fond of veggie burgers. However, if I put a sunnyside egg on it, he loves it. The runny yolk might help it go down better. Just a thought. Good luck! Kristine

Has anyone's doc or nutritionist ok'd these products? I am on mostly soft food and can eat chicken and fish too. I'm just getting a little tired of them all the time and found some Morningstar black bean burgers in my freezer. One has 11g of protein. I'm going to predict they are probably ok b/c I'm sure there are some vegetarian banders out there ..but wanted to get thoughts.

Ok... I'm a little stressed out, so I'm posting here to gather thoughts and maybe a little motivation. I was banded 8/20/08 and my weight loss process has been SLOW at best. I admit that I didn't do a lot of research into the surgery and when I had the surgery, I was preoccupied with a huge family crisis (child with brain cancer) and didn't spend a lot of time to focus on myself. I'm down about 60lbs, but I keep fluctuating, gaining, losing, until I finally hit another plateau... In comparison to others on this board, it doesn't seem like much! I feel like a total underachiever! My life is very stressful (chaotic is a better word) with a full time job, and school at night, plus a home life that sometimes, and especially now (also going through a messy breakup) and I feel like I've lost my support system. Every time I look at myself, I feel like I should have done more and what I've done isn't good enough. Maybe I'm having strange body issues? Everyone close to me always tells me how great I look, but I just don't feel it. I don't want to go down like this... so what do I do next? The pros of surgery is that I am a lot more physically active- I ran a 5k a few weeks ago, I now go on daily hour long walks and bike rides with my dogs, and I am now looking for an "activity" buddy that will want to go hiking with me. It's been a great change of pace! Also, I've been making healthier eating choices, and for ethical reasons, went vegetarian a few months ago... which was a hard decision to make, but I did so proudly. I was having some trouble getting in the right amount of Protein, so I recently started eating fish again and I still drink whey Protein shakes and eat eggs, cheese, etc. I do eat a lot of Beans, tofu, and oatmeal. Isn your opinion, is this detrimental to weight loss for a lap band patient? The icing on the cake is that I feel a lot of pressure from my surgeon, to the point that I get anxious whenever I go to see him, feeling like I have lost an unacceptable amount of weight. I know I shouldn't feel this way, but I do, and since I had my 3rd fill in November, I have avoided going back to see him like the plague. My restriction is still good. I believe he put me up to 8cc's (or maybe 6) last time I saw him. I'd really love to hear your honest thoughts, because right now, I'm having a really hard time seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, especially with my 1 year bandiversary being right around the corner!!

Thanks Nicole. So you went at 9:30am and the appointment was at 4:30pm?? Oh dear.........my apointment is scheduled for 2pm but the front desk said to be there at 9am anyway. I hope they have it all figured out by than. Excited to see the new office........... So Dr. Baggs was happy with your weight loss? I have only lost 11 pounds. I hope to add to that a bit but I am hoping they don't expect miracles............. Nicole when you get some time could you tell me how much of a fill you got? And also if you can feel some restriction now? Are you back on liquids for a few days? Ok, ok...........I just like to be prepared before my turn. Zoe my doctor didn't want to refer me. I had to think about it for a month and go back. The second time I had done all my research and had even called and got the criteria from Kaiser as to who qualifies. I just handed it all the my PCP and she looked at me and said your serious and I told her I was and she hesitated but stated she would do it!! That was the end of that. Once I got to bariatrics they were very accepting of me wanting the surgery..............My PCP still doesn't know much about lap band but I am education her!! LOl Reggie: You got a picture posted!!! Yea. Girl you are beautiful just like they said!! I also heard your from Africa we should talk. I just got back from Africa and I am so in love with that it now.............I plan to go back again!! Loved, loved, loved africa.............worth delaying my surgery for a month to go. Candy: I made thick soups, potatoe and broccoli that really filled me up. I had to use the food processer to get them smooth but they saved me. I had to forget the yogurts and puddings and anything cold and............well for me only soup worked to fill me up and it had to be hot for me to feel full. Now I am eating alot of ground up soy veggie meat and tufo stuff and ground up eggs.(gross I know if your not vegetarian).........but I am wanting to go back to soups. I miss those...........I know they are slider food so I am trying to stay away.........I don't really like this stage. I feel like I am ready for mushies and softs now. Weird thing too.........the first week I definetely could feel my band. Didn't hurt but I could feel it...........now I can't feel a thing. I feel the port and I get full pretty quick.........my port aches when I eat to fast...........but I agree with Nicole hard to believe I have a band in there!! LOL Nicole: if your mom moves what will you guys do? Stay in Sacramento or move with her? I guess that depends on Mike and the new job? Hope it all works out!!

Ok this is a great post!! I am also vegetarian and it has been a struggle to get in all my protiens. I have a gathered a list of high protien/low fat options with my diatition................Would love to add to the list if you guys have suggestions. True most veggie meats are off limits but I have found a few................ Also tofu, cottage cheese, eggs and Beans. Beans are a starch though so you have to limit them. Tofurky meat cuts are high protien, low fat. Greek yogurt is good...............Loma Linda meats .........some of those are ok............... My surgeon doesn't like protien shakes but I use them sometimes. I also sprinkle protien powder on cream of wheat and stuff like that................. Any more suggestions welcome. My doctor would prefer I eat some meat but so far so good.............only thing is I think I lose slower this way.

No, unfortunately I don't get all my Protein in. This is because I try to avoid the high-protein vegetarian foods because they are usually high-fat/high-calorie (like cheese, nuts, peanutbutter, etc). I do supplement meats with veggie meats though. The best veggie burger I've ever had is the Morningstar Grillers Prime. I should probably substitute with shakes, but I just can't stomach the taste.

Congratulations, Deb! Have you tried unjury chicken soup? It is 90 calories, 0 fat, 0 carbs, and 21 g. Protein. It is actually not made with chicken, btw, in case you are vegetarian, but it tastes good! It has helped me get protein in when I can't do another shake. You can get it on their website, Unjury.com. Good luck!

Don't be too hard on yourself julie.ann. Even the healthiest of eaters has their off days or their cheat days. Remember, this is forever. You can't expect yourself to be perfect forever. My parents are vegetarians who do everything no-fat or at least low-fat. (Yeah, I was the black sheep - the great big black sheep) They've learned to give themselves some leeway once in a while - no tofurkey at Thanksgiving for them. We need to learn to do the same without beating ourselves up about it. Just get back on that horse! Good luck!

I've been banded for 2 months and a vegetarian for 2 years, I am having difficulty getting all my protein in without using shakes. Not a lot of variety, kind of in a rut! :smile: