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Who is your surgeon? What is your BMI? Lapband takes more work and motivation. There are pros and conswith both. I also felt that push towards gastric through kaiser bit I decided on the band knowing I would have to work harder at it!! My BMI was 40 and the band tends to work better with BMI of 42 of below according to my surgeon. Kaiser just wants you to be sure you know the stats and only you know how much work your willing to put in.........I have been banded only two weeks and have lost 10 pounds. But I lost 25 pre op........I was afraid with gastric bypass of the malabsorbtion and getting sick since I am vegetarian!! That was the deciding factor for me......

thanks for your comments everyone. I am Im not a vegetarian at all, I knew I should be eating more protien. I hate slider foods! I am now off avacardo! Ill have a look at the forum for some lunch and Breakfast ideas (dinner is always meat and veg). Thanks again.

Disney has made a lot of changes to their menus and food in the last few years. Yes, there is a lot of burgers, hot dogs and chicken nuggets, but in many places there are also other choices. In many locations the chicken nuggets are now grilled instead of fried. Most meals come with an option of fruit (grapes), carrots or applesauce instead of fries. Some places have sweet potato fries instead of white potatos. There are some very delicious wrap sandwiches, grilled chicken options, salads and vegetarian choices around the parks. They are using wheat buns for their burgers and dogs and wheat crust for pizza. Many of the sit down restaurants have grilled fish and grilled chicken on the kids menu, and include an appetizer of a salad or veggies or soup--great options for banded life. That is why I always suggest that you take a look at the menus before you go ( the link I gave above has all the menus for every eating place on property and they are kept current) and have an idea of where in each park you think has the best options for you.

First of all, I'm glad you're feeling restriction now! But as far as your meal plan goes, where is your Protein? I'm not sure what your doc's guidelines are, but I don't see any protein in that other than a VERY small amount in the yogurt. My doc said to eat 3-4 oz solid protein plus 1/2 cup veggies at each meal. I'm supposed to target 60 grams protein. Can you eat chicken, fish, beef, shrimp, Beans, tofu? Are you vegetarian? If so, you need to get some other protein sources in there! It sounds like you have plenty of restriction if that's all you can eat in a day. I think if you try to eat more solid foods you'll find that you have plenty of restriction. Yes, yogurt and bananas and even avocado can be classic slider foods--they mush down to nothing. Even crunchy cracker type foods mush down to nothing. You need some solid foods to a) get in your nutrients and make use of your restriction to get some lasting satisfaction. Personally, I'd stay away from the avocado while you're in active weight loss mode. Yes, the fats are "good" fats, but if you're actively trying to lose and aren't getting in your protein, you need to save that pouch space for more protein-rich, nutrient dense foods, not high fat foods. I hope you find this restriction gives you the kind of progress you're looking for.

Hi Jay... my surgery scheduled for May 6 with Dr. R. will probably be pushed back, since I had an asthma flare, was put on steroids Thursday, and I got sicker Friday night and was sent by Urgent Care by ambulance to hospital to be admitted... fortunately the situation turned around and they let me go home early in the morning, then called me back in for a CT scan with contrast... which turned out NORMAL... but they want me to see a pulmonologist. So with my pre-op eval. scheduled for Tuesday at the Weiner Center, and visit with Dr. R. afterwards - I am quite sure everything is going to be pushed until a Pulmonologist will sign off on the Surgery, not to mention the weight gain from steroid caused fluid retention... and probably cannot stay strict pre-op when so sick... I am not going to let this get me down though... I just ordered a feather bed for the post-op need for fluffy-luv, and a bunch of low-glycemic vegetarian and vegan cookbooks from Amazon for my post-op reading, to prepare for post-mushy phases and a new lifestyle. :laugh: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Aww, Glou, I'm such a guru...did you get it figured out? I know this is WAY too late, sorry! Me *hearts* Excel!! I worked til 9pm last night and drove home in the worst storm ever! I never get spooked driving but the lightning was so close and bright; it was crazy. The Atlanta airport got hit and lost power. Airplanes were diverted all ovah the south!!! I just watched a Tivo'd Oprah where they showed a product called Baconnaise that's vegetarian and kosher. The company also has flavored bacon salts, etc. I remember some folks drooling over all things bacon so I thought I'd share! Whoopee - Robin Thicke's on Oprah!

I ate Underwood spreads (chicken, ham), Vienna sausages, and vegetarian refried beans with a little cheese or topped with low-fat sour cream. I also relied on canned tuna and chicken. I agree with a previous poster that I also continued my meal replacement/protein shakes for first several weeks for at least one meal a day.

And that is why I am a vegetarian, you would be so surprised of all the junk, some I'm sure we aren't even aware of, that are fed to animals.:rolleyes2:

I do eat super healthy, and I have for a long time - I was vegetarian before this journey started (until November 08) and I am looking forward to beiung vegie again. Robin is veggie so she gets it, but I had to commit to eating meat for 1 year . . .anyways, my PROBLEM has always been not WHAT I ate, but how frekin' MUCH I ate! Cows get fat eating grass, and I got fat eating super-healthy vegies! It's about the quantity, and one of the main reasons I picked the band - quantity was my problem. What scares me now is that, once again, I am eating more than (I feel like) I should, so am I even getting rid of the main overeating that got me close to 300 lbs. in the first place? I wonder if any other bandsters have this dilemna?

I am a vegetarian that eats mostly whole foods and tries to stay away from processed foods. (I am totally serious!) How will the Lapband help me? Portion size! If you are over weight it is a tool to help you lose. It won't do the work for you. The whole mental thing really is a bugger...I mean look it has you convinced you eat healthy even though, if you are looking into getting a lapband, you are not. It sure makes it easier though. It makes me aware of everything I put into my mouth. It is different for everyone. I think eventually it does help you make better choices because you are just so used to making better choices! My husband commented after Easter dinner that he had forgotten I had the band and he was wondering where the rest of my dinner was because I had very small amounts of food on my plate. Then he remembered and it was a huge aha! moment for him. We are starting to forget I have it because it is now second nature for me to not think about eating bigger portions. Well and I just got a fill so it's even less these days ) Try doing a calorie counter for just a day or two and see how many calories you actually consume...you may be surprized. Good Luck! ~A

Elayne - Prayers for a safe surgery and speedy recovery!! Doodlebug - Glad to have you - Ya sometimes weight loss goes to pples head - I try not to flaunt mine too much :0) but gotta say I love saying I wear a size 4 pair of pants - but I don't think I have gone over board - what my freinds & family comment the most about is all my new found energy - that I can take a flight of stairs and not be dieing - where as before I would take the elevator - weight loss is no diff than any other reform - you know like a reform smoker hates pple who smoke - a someone who has found Jesus and preaches at you all the time - or someone who has become a vegetarian and then spouts the evil of eating meat... Everything in moderation - Orea - Congrats on 106 gone - I just noticed your ticker - way to go girl... Apples - alot of us cheat with FB too..... Pink This is why I love LBT cuz it's open 24/7 and yes we talk about everything from our weight/food issues to what we did for the day - #1 this is why I stress not to look at the band as a diet - it's not about dieting it about eating healthy for the rest of our lives - I have said it a million times - I will say it again - Diets don't work - cuz once you go off them and eat "normal again" we gain all our weight back plus some Our eating "normal" is what got us fat in the first place. This is truly a lifestyle change in our eating habits - I eat healthy 98% and allow for treats 2% of the time. First get all the junk out of the house - then sit down write a menu for the week including healthy snacks - go to the store buy only the foods on your list.. Go back to keeping a food journal - weight - measure your foods - keep your calories between 900-1200 daily varing them - get out and exercise 4 to 5 days a week. Make sure that your menu had good healthy foods that you enjoy - just make sure they are low in fat and limited carbs It's not about eating things you shouldn't - being deprived doesn't work - it's about moderation - eat healthy all week then say every other Sat or Sun - go out and have a small piece of whatever you love be it cake, pie, cookies candy I don't buy bags of candy - but about once a month I buy and eat 1 candy bar - or go to the bakery and buy 2 cookies - I can't have a bag of cookies or candy in my house - cuz I would eat them til it was all gone - but if I go out and have them then I don't have them calling my name once I get home.. Food is our drug of choice and it's hard to get back on track once you have slipped - this is again why I am not dieting or think of it as dieting but as eating healthy - I just got back from a cruise - I had dessert every nite - and didn't gain a pound - but I did take the stairs 98% of the time - I hit the gym - and I didn't have 3 desserts just 1 ... You can do this you have already lost 51 lbs you can get to goal - you just gotta get your mind in the right place and a little kick in the butt and we are here to help you get there... Hugs Janet Where in the heck are you going to find time to twitter - fb and lbt... I got invite from PJTax to join twitter - then thought to myself - I am already in overload between FB & LBT - So I haven't joined

Lipstix, I eat very little "regular" food, I figure that if I'm trying to lose weight, I need to follow a low fat, lower side carbs and more protein. I am a vegetarian so this is been a challenge. However, I will eat more regular food when I have achieved my weight loss, Just a lot less to maintain. The treadmill will help a lot. Hang in there, the next fill may be the perfect one to help with more restriction. Also, everyone loses at there own pace, my dr. said you can't compare other peoples losses to your own. You are doing a great job, don't lose heart!! Let me know how you are doing from time to time, and I will do the same. Keep up the fight!!

Hello everyone, just checking in. Hope you've been well since you last logged in. Slow weight loss and slowed down in the exercising area. I did get to the gym twice so far this week. I'll get there tonight though. I've gone back to my usual way of eating. My junk food craving has not surfaced. I'll alternate between vegetarian/seitan meals and fish meals now. Having a balance between the two. I did get good at preparing vegetarian meals. How have you been doing?

Hello All Well just got off the phone with Kaiser again. Everytime they call I think they are gonna cancel. Just more questions and more forms to fill out. I wanted to know the time for the surgery but still have to wait until friday. I think I will be 6:45 am................for the first surgery of the day but who knows. I know one lady who will be there with me........she is gonna so be stressing that day!! She was stressing at pre op and has a laugh like a hyena!! LOL. Reggie: I went through the same thing as you with the weight not moving for days on end. I had to STOP not just limit the carbs. And overdue it on the Water. Even than it was slow I just can't seem to lose quickly like alot of people on here. I think for me it is not enough protien since I am vegetarian...........but after Africa I am losing 2-3 pounds a day. I know it has to stop again soon.......but next week sugery and restricted diet so maybe not ya know. I didn't like the African food so I didn't eat much..........lost my apetite I think but not a bad thing. Also it was killer hot over there and you sweat all day long.........that plus no cars and only walking everywhere for three weeks my motel was down this huge hill and I had to walk up and down it all day.......talk about forced exercise!! I kept thinking Dr. Baggs and Liz would so love that I am sweating............ Reggie I bet your scheduled 3-4 weeks out from your CM so May or early June maybe!! So excited for you. Christine so glad to her about your progress. Seems true the second day is the worst!! I heard by the four day things are so much better and that is only tomorrow!! Ok I am down to 4 days.............start the pre op stuff on Sunday. Hey all did they say anything about soap or what not to do before surgery?? Liz didn't go into any of that and no soap..............I thought that was part of pre op..................I know no lotions............but what about shampoo/conditioner..............gell.............oh dear no one asked her.........................

Hi Everyone Just wondering if anyone is having a similar problem as me. I was banded last June, FINALLY got the adjustments right 12/1, I have lost close to 50 pounds, 50 more to go. Anyway I am to the point now I have gotten aversions to many foods I used to like and would be healthy for me to eat now. For example I used to love grilled turkey burger patties (no bun) and a bit of cheese and avocado. Can't stomach them anymore. I feel this way about most meats now. I only eat poultry and fish but the crazy thing is I would LOVE a beef burger. I am still mostly OK with grilled chicken but obviously have to take it very slowly. This evening I gave my salmon to the dogs and had a Protein shake with strawberries blended in for dinner. Breakfast is tough also. eggs were always a bit tough for me, now they make me ill. Eating in the morning is tough anyway. I feel like I could eat a big breakfast but obviously physically can't. The Proteins I still like are dairy, nuts, and Beans. I crave things like burgers and breakfast sausage from somewhere gross like McDonalds but I won't eat them for health reasons and I wish I could be a vegetarian so haven't eaten mammels for years as a sort of half-way. Honestly sometimes I wish I didn't have to bother! But I know I have to eat, I need energy for my busy life and I like to work out. I got this surgery for my health, not my vanity so I am focused on the quality of my life more than the quantity and quickness of weight loss. I am also sort of sad because I also wanted to still enjoy food, just in smaller amounts, so my tastebuds going nuts is making me nuts! Another side of this is I am driving my husband nuts. I'm like a child (or how I was when I was pregnant - and no I definitely not expecting!) with these food aversions. He might as well just do his own dinner and not worry about me. I honestly feel like I just don't like a lot of foods anymore. It's like since I have to chew chew chew chew foods I have noticed the taste isn't actually that good. I'd rather have something simple like a 1/2 a grilled cheese sandwich (I can do bread in small amounts if it's toasted with the crust cut off) for dinner than a grown-up meal of salmon and veggies. I am going to try to get more creative and see if I can't come up with some different options. Anyone else had this problem or any advice?

Hi, my name's Aris. I am new to the forum and have not yet been banded, my surgery is scheduled for April 13th at Banner gateway in Gilbert, Az by Dr. Albert Chen. I did a lot of research and have been really impressed by this hospital. I'm at the end of the 1st week on the clear liquid diet, and I'm starving. The 1st 3 days were the worst, but getting the b-1 into my diet helped a lot. I'm a vegetarian so most broths are out. I've lost 8 lbs, since monday though, so that is encouraging. Look forward to chatting, Aris

My surgeon believes in "starve 'em into submission". I'm on clears for 2 weeks. Then 2 weeks of full liquids/pureed/mushies (nothing with more texture than baby food), then week 5, I get to have soft Proteins and other very soft foods and transition to solid proteins. For rachaele1, here's what I'm allowed: liquid Diet 1-2 weeks post op clear broth or soup (no veggies, meat or poultry) Protein powders (soy , whey) sugar free Carnations Instant Breakfast Non-fat powdered milk Skim Milk or 1% SF popsicles SF Jello SF, Non-Carbonated drinks or Water less than 5 calories/serving drinkable yogurt - low fat, SF pureed Foods 3-4 weeks post op Slightly textured foods, consistancy of baby food. Eat pureed protein rich foods first then veggies, and fruits Pureed skinless chicken or fish Cooked Pureed veggies Low fat or fat free yogurt Low fat Cottage cheese Low Fat Ricotta Cheese Vegetarian Fat Free Refried Beans Low Fat Cream Soups Mashed potatoes w/ no milk or butter (not a good source of protein) Soft Foods - 5 weeks post op Very tender cooked foods, cut into tiny eraser sized pieces and chewed well eggs or egg subsitute Fish (tuna, shrimp, white fish, crab) Chicken (white meat, skinless) Turkey (white meat, skinless) Lean Beef (round or loin, ground beef >90%lean) Lean Pork (tenderloin) Low Fat Deli meats Beans Peanut Butter (use sparingly) I'm having a lot of chicken broth warmed up with a scoop of Any whey Protein powder (17g protein), and I have lots of ready to drink protein drinks, Labrada Lean Body chocolate Ice Cream, Whey Up berry, Isopure Green Tea, Isopure Lemon Black Tea, CytoSport Tangerine, CytoSport Watermelon, New Whey Protein Bullets Fruit Punch, and a few protein powders, IDS Multi Pro Whey Belguim Chocolate, and a few samples left over from my Protein Sampler pack from last June. Yeah, it's overkill, but I didn't want to get cranky because I was tired of drinking the same thing all the time, 2 weeks pre-op and 2 weeks post op, so LOTS of flavors. What I don't use in the first 2 weeks, I'll use just to supplement proteins, and my DH is planning to have a band done too, so he'll use them too. I discovered during my recuperation from last year that the unflavored protein powder (I use Any Whey) is awesome! I'd mix it into whatever soup I was having and get a nice protein boost. Just remember, your major goal for the next 4-6 weeks is to allow your stomach to heal around the band. If you don't stress it, you'll really reduce your chances of a slip later on. Ok, that's information overload! Always Hunzi

I only met with Dr. Baggs for a few minutes. He was really, really busy today...........they had us going in one after the other all afternoon!! I think he was doing the majority of surgeries at our pre op today!! Also the office staff was having problems today..............I said they are having issues today and he said I was nicer than him he thought it was more than issues................... I told him my brain was spinning still from Liz's instructions and I could not think of any questions...........he had me sign the form told me what would happen and that was it......said he would put a CD in during surgery if I had something I like............I don't really care.......... Met with Robin the vegetarian thing is fine. If I get to hunger in stage three I will try some chicken than........if not I am fine. Whew...........she said with my diet lap band is best. She also has been vegetarian for 10 years and we looked up lost of labels so it was really a great meeting.........I have a new list of things to try out and I get to add some old favorites back. Still no nuts.............ah that I miss........I can make some great things with walnuts and cashews!! Got the anti nasuea meds and didn't get out of there until 4:30 since the pharmacy was crazy..............but I am done until Friday!! Oh Nicole Dr. Baggs told me about the your situation with radiology and the lunch break!!! I told him I knew who is was and he laughed............told him I heard the story. He said hope you are the first surgery of the day so it won't happen again............. Anyway I was up at 4am so I gotta get some sleep.........

Ah Nicole happy to hear your doing so well!! Your recovering fast which gives me hope. I want to all my pre op today. Meet with Dr. Baggs. Tom Greenwood, and Robin the nutritionist. I did n't do so well on the spirometer and Liz kept making me try over and over!! She kept insisting I could do better..........than she told me you need lots of practice!! So it is all a go now. Our class was about 20 people and only three of us were lap band..........Kaiser seems to be be pro GBP..........makes me get back into the wondering if I made the right choice. But later on talking with Dr. Baggs and Robin I really think for being vegetarian this is the best way to go..........and I get to go home the same day!! Oh Christine I meet the ladies who are having surgery on the same day as you!! I also met the lady who is having GPB the same day as me. She is very loud!! I wonder if that will wear off some in recovery........... BEst to all. Hope your not stressing Christine. Wow it is so close now.........

Want... dont beat yourself down, today is a new day and you are on the right track! Yesterday i had: Breakfast-yogurt mid morning-----2 cups of ff milk Lunch----3/4 c cream of chick soup-vegetarian of course,lol Dinner---1/4 c each of green peas, black Beans and black eyed peas or beans,, what ever they are called. It was all pureed, dosent that just sound wonderful,lol And i walked 2 miles. I am stil on pureed/soft food for another 2 weeks. I miss my Quasadia's from Chili's :thumbdown::seeya:

hi my name is amy and i was a vegetarian for 11 yrs, and to be honest it didn't do any thing for my personal health. If u like to cook u should be fine getting all your nutrition from plant sources and dairy. I personally did not give up dariy as it is in everything! there are some wonderful cookbooks out there! go to your local bookstore and you'll be amazed. One thats really good is "quick vegetarian cooking" nice, easy , and tasty recipes. it also is MUCH easier to find foods in the regular grocery store as a vegetarian now. "amy cooks for u " brand is fabulous, also morning star is an awsome brand they carry "chicken" nuggets and their "hotdogs" are the best ive tried. good luck and if u have any further questions please drop me a line. amy

Your welcome! Yeah, becoming a Vegan takes A LOT of changes, not only in what you eat, but products you use..leather in your shoes, clothes, etc., lotions and soaps, it would be too hard for me. I get the Vegetarian Times Magazine, its really good and has a lot of recipes that are easy to do with not-so-exotic food. I'm not a tofu eater, are you?? I don't like the soy milk all the time, if its flavored ill drink it on occasion. Rice cheese doesn't even sound attractive,lol yeah gross I looked up that quinoa on line, I'm gonna check it out in the health food store to see if they have it here before i order it on-line. When I can start eating a little more solid, I would like to have some Pasta. I know, the carbs, but I gave up bread, so I'm dying for some pasta,lol. I wanted to ask you why you were giving up the wheat products??

Thank you for the book recommendation. I will look that one up at my library. As for what type of vegetarian I will be I have thought long and hard about this. I would LOVE to be a vegan but at this point I know that I cannot pull that off. I have too many old habits in me from a lifetime to just not eat any animal products. I really don't know how to cook anything but meat. But I'm learning. Breakfast was never meat really b/c I am allergic to eggs, but lunch was always sandwich meat or tuna, chicken etc. I am trying to get off the wheat too and so sandwiches are out for now. I've been doing big salads. dinner was always meat as the main ingredient and then carb and veggie. So typical. Dairy is not my thing. I like cheese but milk is gross to me. I cant get past the whole cow, baby cow yukkiness of it. I wish I could like the soy or rice cheese but its sooooo gross that I am stuck with either goat or cows milk. I'm trying slowly to change things and learn about new foods that I had previously never even heard of. Quinoa? Its fabulous! lol So that's where I'm at. I hope to keep reading more and learning more about it. Thanks for the info and any other info you come across I am interested in hearing.

New to this journey but since I've eaten tons of Indian food, I think you should be fine. You should have no problem finding vegetarian foods but I would steer clear of the nans, pooris and other breads. As for Protein, eggs should be in abundance. And if you can't find what you're looking for, ASK! Good luck and have a safe trip.