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Hi! I am so glad to have found this list! I am a few weeks away from banding (July 23). I'm 53 years old, 5'3" and 206 pounds, a self-employed mother of one, and vegetarian. My main excercise is "aerobic knitting" (which hasn't helped get the weight off at all!). I'm looking forward to learning from all your experiences. Ellie's mom

I can't answer all of your questions, but can get to some of them. You do get hungry, and you learn how much you can eat. You fill up fast too, so always chew, chew, chew and then chew some more. Focus on Proteins. You should get a plan from your doctor. I am averaging about 4oz of food at a sitting. The problem I had last month was that I was dehydrated, not eating or drinking because I didn't feel like it. So, I had a trip to the doctors and was told to at least drink Protein shakes or eat yogurt if I am not hungry to get some food down everyday. You are not supposed to starve with the band. I also take a multi Vitamin everyday. I can't drink and eat at the same time. I usually make sure to drink about 15 minutes before eating, and then don't drink for a hour after eating, if I drink sooner than that, I wind up coughing everything back up. I can't tolerate really cold drinks anymore either and you have to sip. Sure you can be a vegetarian, there are threads on this site for that. I can't tell you about being at goal, as I am far from goal. The band allows you to live a normal life. You can still go out with family and friends to dinner, you can still go to a bar. You are just living a healthier lifestyle and making right food choices. I make mistakes, we all do, but you just get right back up and continue on your journey. I think the best advice I would give now is to learn how to eat properly, how to choose the healthier food, learn to not give into cravings, be conscious about binging emotionally. Its tough and its a learning process everyday, but I am finding that by making these choices, and being proactive, I am comfortable with my progress. I love living in NYC and wouldn't trade it for the world. It must have been a difficult decision to move to Bangkok.

Hi, Thanks for the speedy reply. I can understand your concern about medical care in Asia, but in some countries (Thailand, Hong Kong, and Singapore) the care is as good as the States and a good deal cheaper. I had knee surgery here about 2 years ago - both the surgeon and the care I received were outstanding. Actually, almost all the doctors in the private hospitals here have studied either in the States, Canada, or the UK and more often than not are board certified in these countries. I hope you don't mind if I ask some questions. If one isn't ever hungry, how does one know if we are eating enough or getting the proper nutrition? When one reaches one's goal weight, how does one 'stop' losing weight? Can one be a vegetarian and still have the lap band? Why can't we drink and eat at the same time? I'll be using this site as my support - I'm sure there are no support groups here! I see you are from the New York area - me too!!! I was born and raised in New York!!! Again, thanks.

Brandy, I'm a little late coming into this thread (I don't how in the world I missed it, lol) but I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents. I have to say that, in the beginning, I lost weight pretty darn fast and I loved it! But, in that last couple of months, I've barely lost anything. I am really struggling with getting good restriction. I've had at least 7 fills and I am up to 7.25cc in my 10cc band. My fills seem to work for a week or so, then loosen up to almost nothing again. It was my choice to be conservative with my fills (I was afraid of getting overfilled, so I suggested we take it really slow). I am regretting that now, lol. I do have an appt for a fill on the 30th....YAY! I haven't always exercised like I should but for the last couple of months, I've been exercising faithfully and still not losing weight. I have PCOS and I have low DHEA levels that I am on medication for. My Endo is working with me to try to straighten this out but it has been really hard these last couple of months. Since I've been banded, I've pretty much stuck to high protein/low carb. Well, I don't even like meat much and I was soooo burned out on meat. I just recently became a lacto-ovo vegetarian, so focusing on high protein is out of the question now. I'm hopeful that my new eating lifestyle in combination with my exercise will start to pay off. Even though I am struggling right now, I still love my band. I'm determined to make this work, whatever it takes. I commend you for admitting it is your own problems causing it, not the band. That takes guts...so good for you! Now is a perfect time to re-evaluate what you are doing wrong and start working towards making it right. You can do this and so can I! It's just gonna take some really hard work. I don't think anyone intended to hurt your feelings. Sometimes we need that kick in the butt to get us going again! I really think if you had posted this in the General Support forum, you would have gotten a totally different set of responses. Since you posted it in the rant and raves, it's not far fetched to think that people would debate the issue because that is what this forum is for. I agree with Laurend, I really don't think anyone wants you to leave LBT. I hope you decide to stay, but if you don't, I wish you the best. I am sorry you are struggling right now and I hope things get better for you soon. Take care.

Sister C it occurs to me that you may be feeling hungry early because you are eating foods that are able to slip through the opening to your larger stomach. You really need to be concentrating on getting enough hard Protein (chicken, fish, beef, pork or legumes if you are vegetarian). The softer foods like yogurt, Jello, puddings are not going to stay in the upper stomach long enough for you to feel full. You may want to touch base with your clinic dietician to review your intake - and then get another fill if you are still not reaching satiety. Good luck - it does take time. Cindy

Hi Lucy! Glad it was a hit! I love this recipe but I recently stopped eating meat, so I need to make a vegetarian version. Thanks for the positive comments!

Hmmm. I like the donation idea, too. But I think what I'll do is donate my weight loss in dollars to Heifer.org (a really great charity where the money you give goes to buying livestock for people in developing nations - you can donate a hive of bees, or a flock of chicks, or a heifer, so that people can raise them for, for example, milk, and ultimately to eat (sorry, animals!) (vegetarians can also give trees!). Here's their catalogue: Meaningful Gifts | Heifer International Online Gift Catalog OK, that's what I'll do: every fifty pounds I lose, I'll give my current weight loss total in dollars to Heifer, starting at 100 lbs in a month or two. For $100, I can give a flock of chicks, a flock of geese AND a trio of rabbits (which breed v. quickly). And when I hit 150 pounds lost, I can give a llama or maybe a goat and a hive of bees. I like this idea!

I believe there are Protein powders you can mix with fruit juices ? Also it does not have the MOST protein in it ,,, i am not sure if there is any dairy in the mix itself. you might try Carnation instant Breakfast mix. Anything "Whey" will have dairy in them . So careful with that. Check out "Celiac Forums" for Celiacs disease . They have to stay away from dairy . Just did a quick search and found these .. Protein from Rice, powder, Dairy Free, Vegetarian / Vegan, Hypo Allergenic, Plain - 1 lb. 5 oz. Go Dairy Free | beverages - smoothies & Mixes If you find a mix you can mix it with Lactose free milk could you not ? Can you drink that ? If you have a whole foods near you they should have tons of info or stuff. HTH mindy PS I just googled " Dairy Free Protein Mix" and came up w/ quite a bit Mindy

I guess it all began with two awesome parents with really bad genes.. Three of four grandparents had diabetic issues, all four had heart issues, one was severely obese and died at 55, leaving me without an awesome grandmother! Two of my five brothers had heart attacks and seven stints between them at age 50, one of them is diabetic, another brother and a sister have Afib, one of them has had Ablation twice.. Hereditary high cholesterol in all but 2 of the eight kids, one is a vegetarian and always tired, the other has chrons disease,, great bunch huh?? My dad never drank or smoked, but never had his cholesterol checked and had a heart attack at age 75 on my daughters first Christmas. My mom passed away in a car accident, but struggled with her weight from 40 to 55. It took her two years to lose 80 lbs through weight watchers but she did it and kept it off for 8 years before she passed. It was right around the time that I had really started gaining. I had a 4 month miscarriage and let the sadness get the best of me. I didn't take that weight off, and more piled on. I was pushing 240, and met my hubby. We were partying, I was a bartender, dancing and never eating and lost 25 lbs.. and got pregnant.. I gained 58 lbs with my 10 lb daughter,, I suffered through two more miscarriages between them, lost about 20 lbs and be came pregnant with my son. I was about 268 when I delivered him at 9lb 12.5 oz,, I lost some of that, but my female problems were taking over my life. After 5 years of misery I had a complete hysterectomy. I was convinced that this would end my weight cycle once and for all. I was going to have this surgery to save my life and my sanity and lose the weight. I started walking daily, seeing a dietician, and was really into it,, I lost eight lbs, and it took me 4 months to do it.. very discouraging.. still convinced my female problems were the root of it all I had the hyst.. A week later I was down to 242,, extatic and proud of it.. Live was grand, no complications and healing wonderfully.. We bought a pool and I started swimming everyday along with the walking.. Went to the docs, stepped on the scale and I was 250,, what??? Bad scale, water retention, I would be find.. Kept at the calorie counting and exercise,, felt sluggish, went back to docs,, 260 in 3.5 weeks.. I told them I wanted off the HRT,, they said no, we need to up the dose, thats your problem.. I started having hot flashes, mood swings, panic attacks and headaches.. went back to the docs at 6 month mark,, I weighed in at 289:scared2:, I was devestated. I told them I was going off HRT and every med I was taking to stop the gaining. They disagreed with me and said it would make it worse,, I did it anyway and never gained another pound... but never lost any either.. I have been fluctuation between 283 and 289, but never less in 1 yr 9 months. So here I am, considering and being considered for the lap band.. I don't know where this is going or how it will end, but I do know that with 304 cholesterol,, bordering sugar levels, apnea, gerd, hiatal hernia, incontinence when coughing, back and leg pain, potential heart risk, I have to look into this.

I guess it all began with two awesome parents with really bad genes.. Three of four grandparents had diabetic issues, all four had heart issues, one was severely obese and died at 55, leaving me without an awesome grandmother! Two of my five brothers had heart attacks and seven stints between them at age 50, one of them is diabetic, another brother and a sister have Afib, one of them has had Ablation twice.. Hereditary high cholesterol in all but 2 of the eight kids, one is a vegetarian and always tired, the other has chrons disease,, great bunch huh?? My dad never drank or smoked, but never had his cholesterol checked and had a heart attack at age 75 on my daughters first Christmas. My mom passed away in a car accident, but struggled with her weight from 40 to 55. It took her two years to lose 80 lbs through weight watchers but she did it and kept it off for 8 years before she passed. It was right around the time that I had really started gaining. I had a 4 month miscarriage and let the sadness get the best of me. I didn't take that weight off, and more piled on. I was pushing 240, and met my hubby. We were partying, I was a bartender, dancing and never eating and lost 25 lbs.. and got pregnant.. I gained 58 lbs with my 10 lb daughter,, I suffered through two more miscarriages between them, lost about 20 lbs and be came pregnant with my son. I was about 268 when I delivered him at 9lb 12.5 oz,, I lost some of that, but my female problems were taking over my life. After 5 years of misery I had a complete hysterectomy. I was convinced that this would end my weight cycle once and for all. I was going to have this surgery to save my life and my sanity and lose the weight. I started walking daily, seeing a dietician, and was really into it,, I lost eight lbs, and it took me 4 months to do it.. very discouraging.. still convinced my female problems were the root of it all I had the hyst.. A week later I was down to 242,, extatic and proud of it.. Live was grand, no complications and healing wonderfully.. We bought a pool and I started swimming everyday along with the walking.. Went to the docs, stepped on the scale and I was 250,, what??? Bad scale, water retention, I would be find.. Kept at the calorie counting and exercise,, felt sluggish, went back to docs,, 260 in 3.5 weeks.. I told them I wanted off the HRT,, they said no, we need to up the dose, thats your problem.. I started having hot flashes, mood swings, panic attacks and headaches.. went back to the docs at 6 month mark,, I weighed in at 289:scared2:, I was devestated. I told them I was going off HRT and every med I was taking to stop the gaining. They disagreed with me and said it would make it worse,, I did it anyway and never gained another pound... but never lost any either.. I have been fluctuation between 283 and 289, but never less in 1 yr 9 months. So here I am, considering and being considered for the lap band.. I don't know where this is going or how it will end, but I do know that with 304 cholesterol,, bordering sugar levels, apnea, gerd, hiatal hernia, incontinence when coughing, back and leg pain, potential heart risk, I have to look into this.

Denise, you're not grossing me out! I've been contemplating going vegetarian for a while now and it's mainly for health reasons and the fact that I am sick to death of meat. Renewed, you are doing so well with this! I'm happy for you! If you keep this up, you will be at goal before you know it! I have to say, I love my new eating plan. The only bad thing about it is that I don't say full very long. But I am eating 5-6 times a day, so it's good for my head issues. It feels like I get to eat more. The best part is...I get to eat the type foods that I love. Ya'll keep up the good work!

<TABLE class=tborder style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px" cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR title="Post 868921" vAlign=top><TD class=alt2 align=middle width=125>dyannamelia</TD><TD class=alt1>Has Anyone Had Any Trouble With Watermelon </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Not a bit!!! Watch the seeds, suck the juice eat slowly like we are suppose to do. <TABLE class=tborder style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px" cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR title="Post 860839" vAlign=top><TD class=alt2 align=middle width=125>HarleyNana</TD><TD class=alt1>Call it what you want, but I KNOW my band has changed my "going" habits. Prior to the band, Correctol was part of my daily diet. Now 3.5 years later, the least bit of fat, ie..chips, cheese crunchies, and heaven forbid I should eat some of a bloomin onion, lol. Thank goodness my issues are the next day and not like diarrhea. My doctor, Lap-Band doctor not my MD, wisely gave me some superb advice when I called complaining that, basically, my back end had a "tail" if you catch my drift. Since then, I have a regular habit of using Bath and Body Works Moisturizing, Anti-bacterial soap in the pump (Coconut Verbena) added on to TP for a comfortable end to my visit with Johnny. In less than a week the pain was gone and things cleared up. Now for the dumping syndrom. There is a culprit in your diet that sets this off. Process of elimination (pun intended) will help you zero down to what it causing it. For me it is certain combinations of meat and cheese mixed with something else. If I have milk product with meat I can expect a TWO MINUTE WARNING...what we call it in my house (dumping). It's trial and error. Eventually you will hit a good combination in your diet that will slow this down. My nutritionist at my doctor's office recommends fitting an all vegetarian meal into your day once in a while. I've done that. That helps. I also drink Protein in Blue flavored raspberry mixed with Propel fit Water, Kiwi-strawberry for a fruit punch amped with 25 protein grams and loads of Vitamins. That is my favorite meal. I seldom have two minute warning moments these days and sitting doesn't hurt. Hope this helps!!:thumbup: </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

That is really funny pamela! I work for International Poultry Breeders and actually live here on the farm where I work. So I have seen it all. But I LOVE chicken! LOL Good luck on going vegetarian, my sister is one and has done it for around 9 years!

WTG girls! I'm hoping this vegetarian diet kickstarts my weight loss again, so we'll see!

There's no way I could pass up meat and fortunatly I can eat most any of it. I know I eat too much red meat, but it's so good. When it comes to chicken trucks, we have plenty here in Douglas. Pilgrim's Pride has a plant here so numerous times a day they go straight through town. I've taught myself to not look at the chickens. I think one thing that helped me is that when I was young my family fished, hunted, plucked and cleaned chickens, and you name it we did it. After saying that it sounds like I'm a country girl, but really I grew up in a very large city. Good luck on going vegetarian - I sure couldn't do it.

During the mushy phase, I lived on three staple items: (1) Annie's Organic O's with soy meatballs (a vegetarian alternative to traditional Spaghetti O's with beef meatballs); and (2) Baked sweet potatoes with Smart Balance 'butter' (3) Steamed/mashed cheesy cauliflower prepared with Campbell's Cheddar cheese soup.

Ewww...I could not eat fish either after seeing that! I just got back from the store and I stocked up on fruits and veggies. I am willing to give the ovo-lacto vegetarian thing a try and see how it works. The thought of meat (especially chicken) is making me shudder...

Let me first start out by saying that I've never been a big meat eater to begin with. chicken is just about the only meat I like. Ok, so yesterday I was on my way to the YMCA to work out, here in Moultrie. I was sitting at a red light and a Sanderson Farms Truck pulls up beside me. It's loaded with chickens. Well, the red light was soooo long and I was looking at these chickens and two things disturbed me. 1.) I knew these chickens were about to die! 2.) These chickens looked terrible! Most of them had no hair on their rears and just looked so unsightly. My parents have chickens (only for eating the eggs), so I know they peck at each other and that's why they had no hair there. This just made me feel sick... I've tossed around the idea of becoming an Ovo-Lacto Vegetarian since being banded and I think this was the last straw. One of the most successful bandsters I've met on LBT is an Ovo-Lacto Vegetarian (who's name is Chickie- no pun intended). Hopefully ya'll don't think I'm too much of a weirdo, but I had to share. It was almost like an epiphany. As I'm sitting here reading my post, it's kinda funny, but I can't help it. Anyway, just wanted to get it off my chest.

That's hilarious! Thanks for the ideas. I'm a long-time subscriber to Vegetarian Times magazine, and have several (some untouched) veg cookbooks. I did just pull out my copy of "The Whole Soy Cookbook" by Patricia Greenberg, and see a few recipes I want to try. My reasons for elimating meat and dairy are not only to better my health. I am appalled at the conditions under which animals are bred, kept and slaughtered for our eating pleasure. It's inhumane and it just freakin' filthy! When I learned that beef cattle are given antibiotics to prevent the diseases they become susceptible to because of unnatural feed (high carb to fatten them up fast) and over-crowded feed lots, I was just sickened. Add to that the environmental consequences of feeding and raising animals for food, and to me...it's just not worth it. I can do without steak and chicken patties. (Sweet Italian sausage has been a bit difficult, but I'm evolving.) Sorry to rant. Bea, I'll check out the chorizo the next time I go to the supermarket. Thanks!

Hi Veg! I'm not a whole hearted vegetarian, but have been forced to take on some of the practices. I have a kidney disorder and it's better for me to limit my intake of animal Proteins. Now that I'm banded, I've found that chicken does not agree with me and I really don't want to eat nothing but red meat, so I'm getting myself back on track with a more "vegetarian" diet. I've bought probably 10 books over the last year. I've tried a bunch of products that I was not familiar with. Some were great, some not so great. My favorite find was Melissa's veggie chorizo. I find in the produce isle where you would find tofu. It's so delicious. I put it in everything from Soups to Beans to eggs. It also has a great texture. I'm also a fan of Gardenburger Portabella burgers and veggie crumbles (all in the frozen food section). My two favorite books are the "Clean Eating" books by Tosca Reno. She's not a vegetarian, but she makes some really great veggie recipes and she does a lot with tofu. Most of the books I bought have some really inventive ways to get in tofu. I love soybeans and eat them all the time. I also enjoy soy milk. My kids also like it. I sneak soy in where ever I can and my family doesn't even know. Bottom line, I will never be a hard core vegetarian, but I find I feel better limiting my animal Protein. If you want some of the titles I've already bought, just let me know. I also pick up some of the vegetarian magazines when I'm in the bookstore. They always have interesting articles and recipes. Good luck and share any interesting recipes and products you might find.

I'm looking for someone who can advise and support me on becoming a vegetarian and through the Lap-Band process. I am at the beginning of my Lap-Band journey. I've attended an information session, done some research on the web, and read hundreds of posts here on the forums. I want more. I am 43, 5'10", and live in NH (USA). I have over 150 lbs to lose and am looking forward to using the Lap-Band experience to completely revamp my relationship with food and eating. I am a budding vegetarian. I currently eat very little meat, and am weaning myself off dairy and most cheeses. (I'd like to keep goat cheese on the menu.) I do eat eggs. I am a novice at tofu, tempeh and soy Beans. I am also trying to buy organic as much as I can. I'm looking for someone who can help me learn about the intricacies of an (ovo-lacto) vegetarian/Lap-Band diet. I want to hear how you make it work and what pitfalls you have encountered. And....make a new friend. :biggrin2:

Thanks guys! Hi Cami ::waves:: The swift corporate office lost it's roof a few blocks from my house, which made me giggle since I'm a vegetarian..lol. But about a mile north is Windsor, :wink2: I tried to go volunteer but they never called me back! Thanks for the kind words, what part of A town are you in? I have family on Colfax and 225 and also New Aurora E470 and Quincy.

Super interesting thread. I'm wondering if Jachut and RugmanForever aren't, perhaps, both talking about the same level of carbs in one's diet....No one has specified what is meant by "low-carb". From my research, (Admittedly, not as extensive as Rugman's) I've found that Atkins and the like are virtually "NO-carb" diets, whereas the low GI diets are "low-carb or NO-refined-carb" diets. If you aren't a vegetarian, you are eating loads of meat and its companion fat on the Atkins diet, so are at risk of high cholesterol, heart disease, etc. Would a lap-band surgeon or dietician tell a patient to follow this type of "meaty" diet for any length of time?? Just one last comment...I think it is extremely important for bandsters to follow their doctor's diet guidelines (pre-op & post-op). We are all very different, so sweeping recommendations are not appropriate. And, isn't it our poor nutritional choices that got us here in the first place?! (No offense intended)

This has been a concern of mine as well. I don't have many business lunches, but I know when I do go out for lunch or dinner with friends, they can't seem to grasp the idea that I can't eat meat, (I've gotten around this by simply stating I'm vegetarian) and I eat a very small amount. I hate giving a 30 minute explanation to people in what I eat and why I do. I've also found it easier to just say I ate before I left home, or I have dinner waiting for me at home.

I'm glad I found this thread. I have found a vegetarian broth that's called No Chicken Broth. It tastes like chicken broth, but has no chicken in it. It's very good and that's what I use to cook my Quinoa in.