Search the Community

I'm actually not doing a liquid diet. Mine is vegetables, fruit and since I'm a vegetarian I've been okayed to eat fish. But it's tough.

Unjury has a vegan pea protein. Just be sure if you use pea protein you buy a bottle of supplemental amino acids, because they typically don't have them in the shake mix. (Unjury sells those, too). There is also rice protein on Amazon. Do not recommend though. LOL. I use https://www.amazon.com/Sports-Protein-Isolate-Chocolate-2-Pound/dp/B001DNV53E/ref=sr_1_11?keywords=soy+protein&qid=1553623000&s=gateway&sr=8-11 Totally delicious - not sure if vegan or vegetarian though? I think it's totally vegan.

Oh wow thanks. I was a vegetarian for 4 years and I loved it. I'm considering going back and I'm happy to hear that you did well. I will definitely make sure I talk to my doctors and stay hydrated. Yes I would like to join your group I will check it out on Facebook now.

Thank you @@goblue9280 It is good to have another friendly face here. I have already joined Dr. Garth's FB page. About a year ago, I realized that I really could live as a vegetarian. It was a surprising revelation. As surgery gets closer and the importance of nutritional diversity more apparent, I would like to try it again. As I have Primomo, the FB resource and my nutritionist will be important to stay the path. Feeling blessed to be surrounded by y'all and such a kind group of people. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I never had a problem with constipation but I am vegetarian. I was put on a stool softener 2 x's a day for the first month. Thinking back to my pre-op days what made a difference was green leafy veg and plenty of Water. As mentioned try to get in a salad each day and drink plenty of water. even then you may need to take a stool softener regularly.

I am not currently a vegetarian, but I was one for nine years. And I don't eat eggs (I just hate them with a passion- no idea why I do, but I do), and I also do not eat any chicken because I do not like chicken. Its a texture thing and I have sensory issues. I actually substitue fish for chicken in some recipes. Or I use fake chicken. One thing I recommend is getting an issue or two of vegetarian times magazine. I still get it, even as a meat eater, because it has a lot of good healthy recipes in it. Do you like fruit smoothies? When I make them I add benefiber and sometimes other stuff too like Protein powder. And splenda to sweeten. My husband can't even tell. Because I am lazy I sometimes buy fruit that is pre chopped. I also buy frozen vegetarian stuff. One brand, Amys I think it is, will also have some vegan stuff. Our grocery store sells these veggie stirfry kits. Really easy since it is all in the bag already and pretty tasty. I also tend to be a fan of the south beach diet Protein Bars. Salads are good I think- not necessarily lettice salads but bean saldas and so forth. I have gotten some great recipes for various ones from my veggie times over the years. They are also good to bring to potlucks or to stick in the fridge. I love seafood- and this includes tuna for me. Its a pretty versatile canned food. I also like to make stuffed peppers. Only I don't put sausage in mine. I make my mixture with either Beans and corn or with the fake sausage. I prefer the soy sausage to the real stuff. I also throw in some feta. We have a food sealer. So when I make a meal I usually put extra servings into individual sealed things and those can go in the freezer and stuff. Tofu really does rock. You can almost sneak it into everything too and not even notice sometimes. One snack I've discovered are soy crisps. They are healthier then rice cakes and I think they are pretty yummy. Especially with hummus. Only I forget to buy hummus or whatever. But the soy crisps I can just reseal with the food sealer and they last and last whereas the hummus goes bad.

If you eat meat (I don't), I have heard lots of people say that they like the Wendy's chili while on the road. You could blenderize it or just be sure to chew it really, really well and eat slowly. You could also do mashed potatoes, but you are better off focusing on protein. Soups are great during the puree phase. I am a vegetarian and I really like the Morningstar protein products--the vegetarian meatballs and vegetarian breakfast "sausage" especially. Those early post-op seem to find that they set better than animal protein and they are easy to heat up if you are going to have a fridge and microwave. I like to heat the protein "meat"balls with a little ricotta and marinara plus some parm and/or mozz cheese (just a bit for a protein and flavor boost). Also, Greek yogurt is a great source of protein during the puree stage. You can add half a scoop of protein powder to boost the protein. Laughing Cow soft cheese wedges are a lifesaver too. You can also do refried beans topped with some cheese. Even Taco Bell has them if you need to do fast food while traveling. Good luck and have a good vacation!

I also try to eat mostly whole, unprocessed foods, including organics. I do eat meat, but am trying to move to locally raised, pastured animals-- but I'm moving slowly on that one because it is SO expensive to buy. I've added my name to a CSA list for a farm nearby that raises all its animals in a pastured way (like in Michael Pollan's book- The Omnivore's Dilemma-- GREAT book.) I was vegetarian for years, and even vegan for a short time, but without the whole foods focus. I would say I was a macaroni-and-cheese-atarian- and fat as ever. :smile: Have you read Tosca Reno's "Eat Clean Diet Book?" Don't buy it- but check it out from the library-- she has lost a lot of weight by eating only a whole food diet, with a ton of strength training. The approach is basically to not eat anything processed- whole foods, foods with only one or two easily recognizable ingredients. They do use supplementation, though, and there is no eastern philosophy behind it at all. Decent recipes in the books, though.

Yep, that's it. She has severe GERD. I told her that high carb diet is one of the causes. "I might have to give up my favorite italian pastas?" She needs to give up more than pasta if she wants to have a healthy retirement (she just retired at age 62). She has been vegetarian all her life. So diet is lots of bread, pasta, muffins, bagels, potato casseroles, milk, flavored yogurt, cereal and veggies. Also, has had severe sleep apnea for at least 10 years but refuses to get help because doesn't want to use CPAP. All six of us have small airways. She is the only one not on CPAP. So she hasn't come to the point that her health isn't impotant enough yet to make lifestyle changes. Sent from my SM-T580 using BariatricPal mobile app

I've been going through the same thing as you -- I have been snacking on things that are basically the only things I can eat in normal portions (ice cream; pound cake). The thing is, I only had one stall and I've consistently lost 1.5-2lbs every single weak since my surgery in July (I've gone from a size 22/24 to a size 12). I've also had extreme fatigue when I get in less than 800 calories -- to the extent that I cannot get out of bed. I don't want to complacent because I know this will catch up to me, but I don't want to lie to myself and say that I'm going to do something completely untenable like go on a liquid fast... My plan is to let myself run out of the Snacks and to let go and not buy them again. I also want to plan meals around Protein from fish and vegetarian (soy) options.

I bought a sampler pack from Revival. Do you mix yours with water, milk, or something else? Because I'm a life-long vegetarian I've been drinking a soy protein drink everyday for many years. I was really looking forward to the Revival Peach, but I was disappointed. My mainstay has been Universal Soy-Pro in banana, but it wasn't very tasty. I have now been adding DaVinci SF syrup in caramel and it is much, much better.

I talked to a person 3 years post op this last week. I am so confused because everything that has been told to me up to this point has been stick with the diet, excercise, blah, blah, blah. Ok, so I have. What she told me changed the ball game. We have surgeons out of the same clinic who are very pro-vegetarian. Her surgeon told her that her weight loss had become too excessive. She needed to up her calories and fat intake. What?! He told her it was ok to eat ice cream, up the Peanut Butter (which I still can't eat at 7 months) and eat fattier meat. All of which I can't eat or have been told is not on the plan. She scared me a bit. Unfortunately I just saw my surgeon recently or I would ask at my next visit. The things this woman told me have stopped me in my tracks. I have not been scared to lose too much. I have been excited even walking in to stores and buying off racks that are not in the plus size section. However, now the fear that the goal I have been working towards may be exceeded and things like being able to control portions, make better choices and the dreams of maintaining a healthy weight have been waivered. I am curious what your PCP and surgeon say.

How is your process going I hit a stall after the first week. My tummy feel yucky after each meal. Do that mean I am eating the wrong things or am I eating to much or am I now a vegetarian? I have no idea. Can you help me out? I am three weeks out.

LOL. Well I am not big on Micky D's but I hear ya. I was scheduled to have lap band last month and my surgeons office was shut down by the hospital, 1 week before surgery and I had been on a liquid diet for 8 days at that point, I was so angry, and upset I killed an entire bag of chex muddy buddys. And, the sad part is it didnt even feel good, it just made me disappointed in myself. So this time around if I want a piece of candy I am having one, but just one and that way I don't go crazy from deprivation but I still get to taste the candy so it is better than nothing and its working so i am sticking with that. As for this weekend I know I can do that since I made it 8 days on the last one, so I am not sweating it and just doing the best I can. I know you will too, quitting fast food is awful at the time but it makes you feel so much better. I quit in 2010, when I decided to try an all natural vegan diet and I lost about 50 lbs, but then I just gradually started to eat cheese and dairy and was like ok, I will just be vegetarian....lol Needless to say, I have lost 24 lbs and kept it off since I started in July with the weight loss guidance of the nutritionist, and eating low cal only chicken and fish veggies and limited dairy. It helped me to go into my appointments and get weighed and have someone else see it, and either be happy for me or steer me back in the right direction.

Some ideas: Sweet Potato Chili Instant Pot Tacos (made with lentils) Cauliflower Tacos with black beans, cabbage slaw, cilantro & Yum Yum Sauce Vegetarian chili Spinach salad with red onion, Falafel “Scotch” eggs and Garlicky Lemon-Tahini Dressing Egg topped Sweet Potato/Onion Hash, Sautéed Mushrooms & Kale with Parmesan & Almonds Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms, Pear Salad with Balsamic and Walnuts Veggie Quesadilla with black beans, spinach & mashed sweet potato Vegetarian Stuffed Cabbage Whole Masoor Dal, Quinoa, pepitas Southern Veggie Plate Vegetable Kofta Curry Baingan Bharta Lahsuni Bhindi Muttar Paneer Palak Paneer Aloo Gobi Chickpea Curry Avocado toast topped with egg Cheese Stuffed Poblano Peppers Lentil Soup Briam & Greek Salad Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas with Fresh Dill and Parsley, Horiátiki Salata Vegetarian Enchiladas Suizas Zucchini-serrano fritters with black beans, avocado, fried egg, salsa, & queso fresco (a.k.a. lower carb Huevos Rancheros) Falafel wrap (can use butter lettuce if you don't want pita) Vegan Chickpea "Crab" Cakes, tartar sauce, butter lettuce & apple salad Veggie Stuffed Roasted Portobello Mushrooms with Salad Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato Chocolate Mole Soup Rajmah dal, Saag Paneer, Vegetable Pakoras Gatte Ki Sabzi, Palak Paneer Aloo Gobi, Palak Paneer, Rice Vegetable Manchurian, Chana Masala, Bhindi Ki Sabzi Grilled Portobello Mushrooms with Spinach and Manchego Malai Kofta Curry Cauliflower, Egg & Potato Curry, Palak Paneer Shakshuka, Spinach, Berry & Pistachio Salad Veggie Quiche & Side Salad Pisto Manchego, Fried Egg Coconut Cauliflower Curry Moroccan Stew with Chickpeas & Sweet Potatoes, Quinoa Huevos Rancheros & Papas Fritas, Avocado & Cilantro Vegan Sweet Potato & Black Bean Burger with shiitake mushrooms (Served on an whole wheat English muffin) Caponata, whole wheat pita chips & lentil soup Baked Sweet Potato with Moroccan Style Lentils Vegan Burger patty & Sweet Potato Wedges Moroccan Shakshuka Eggs With Lentils Menemen Veggie Enchiladas with Chile Verde Roasted Veggie Grain Bowl Spicy Sweet Potato Soup with Harissa & Sourdough Bread Vegetarian Mulligatawny Collard Greens & Black-Eyed Pea Soup Veggie Stuffed Grilled Portobello Mushrooms, Pear & Walnut Salad Soba noodles with spicy tofu and cabbage Loaded vegetarian quesadilla (use low carb or whole wheat tortilla) You'll notice there's a lot if Indian foods. I love things from the Indian sub-continent and there are thousands of vegetarian options to choose from. Same goes for many other "ethnic" foods.

Add guacamole to the list. yummy! Egg salad, any bean soup eaten very slowly and chewed well. No-meat chili with Beans (not the canned junk...real vegetarian chili). Enjoy your fork!!

You don't have to eat the jello or any of the artificial food subs. It's more challenging but you can do it. I don't eat jello. I am allergic to several things and vegetarian. Besides the fact that I dislike jello, the artificial food coloring is also an allergy trigger for me. However, you have to have a frank discussion with the nutritionist about alternatives. Post op I was give ProSource no carb, I was also allowed tea and veg broth. I also used Isopure unflavored whey Protein powder and added that to veg broth and greek yogurt. One of the few flavored protein powders I could tolerate was CVS brand whey protein. It comes in vanilla, chocolate canisters and also Cookies n' creme and strawberry packets. Additonally I drank Kefir (a yogurt drink). It was 2 long weeks but I made it. Thankfully I didn't have a pre-op diet.

I have actually gone vegetarian and then vegan in the last month. I eat pretty much anything I want that does not have animal in it. Today I had a bowl of high fiber cereal with soy milk for breaky, a vegan waffle and banana for snack, a veggie sub 1/2 of a 6 inch from subway) and a little salad for lunch, peanut butter on toast and chocolate soy milk for snack, and dinner will be a veggie burger with salad. I pretty much feel like I am eating all day but the weight is coming off again.

I am not a vegetarian, but after being banded I have much trouble eating meat. The protein shakes get old and I have tried many types. I drink a protein shake for breakfast. I also eat Atkins protein bars sometimes. I found some consentrated protein "shots" at bariactric choice that have more protein than many of the shakes. I take a shot every day and get 18g protein in just 1 ounce. They taste bad, but it is like taking medicine. One gulp and you get all that protein.

I'm confused by this. Vegetarians don't live without protein. We just get it from mostly plant based sources.

Hi dears, I been a vegan since my surgery... i was a vegetarian for a long time, and after vsg i decided to start a new life, what help me: the most was finding a surgeon specialist in bariatric that recommends veganism to his patients, Dr. Garth Davis, i found some youtube audios and interviews that really help me a lot, and his fb page too. I also realize that if im trying to take my fat out, i cant have more fat in.. so im doing a low fat vegan menu, with great results legumes, fruits and veggies with no ad-don fats, oils or seeds for the moment till im closer to my goal. Ahh a great thing about my new vegan nutrition is that i havent get any gastric problems, no nausea, no pain, no vomit ... have a great day!!

I will admit that I'm somewhat of a picky eater, but it's not because I just don't like whatever it is that I'm picky about. There's certain textures and flavors that simply make me gag, to the point of vomiting. It's a little hard to force yourself to eat something when it can literally make you vomit. Fish, for example, I can only eat if it has a firmer texture and doesn't taste like fish, because "fishy" flavors make me gag. Shrimp and other seafood/shellfish is an absolute no-go, due to the flavor and the texture (like old Jello that's been allowed to sit uncovered in the refrigerator and develop a hard film on it). Anything with a thicker layer of fat on it or a greasy texture is a no-go, due to the texture of the fat (thicker bacon, rib-eye steak, chicharrones, some sausages, etc.). I am better about it than I used to be, though. I now eat some types of Beans, mushrooms, and ground meats, and those were no-gos a few years ago. Vegetables are generally pretty safe for me, to the point where I've actually considered becoming a vegetarian.

Who said anything about dying? This is what makes me think there may be an issue with listening skills or comprehension. You keep saying "they" but it's not clear who "they" is. I doubt very much that your Bariatric surgeon told you to avoid Protein supplements, and if so, you need to seek a second opinion. You are not physically capable of getting your minimum protein requirements on food alone with a sleeved stomach. If you got this advice from another doctor, you need to realize that no doctor, no matter how skilled, is trained in bariatrics unless they were trained in bariatrics. Bariatric patients have special dietary and nutritional requirements that non-specialist doctors likely will have no familiarity with. And vegetarians do get protein. That's a pretty well-known misconception. Are you getting any nutritional guidance? Where did you have your surgery?

Hi All, just checking in. I have another food Story to Tell. First let me give many THUMBS UP to everyone. One of many things we all agree on is the decision to get the Band. I do not regret it at all. But I wish I had gotten it sooner. But as we know things happen in it's own time. Juli my prayers to you on your surgery. I could only image the amount of skin you describe. But when all is done you're going to be fine. All just in time to show off this summer. Although we may all at some time want to give up we don't. For we keep coming back here with a new attitude and a plan. So let's keep being here for each other and we'll all get through this. Now for my Food Story. I wanted to give the vegetarian way a chance. It all started w/ a 9day detox. With no meat, fish included of any kind for nine days. Okay, that was easy. Then I wanted to see how long I could do this vegetarian eating. All was going good, I started this in February 16. Well, thinking for what I was eating I was getting all the Vitamin, minerals and nutrients. Not realizing I had put myself on a low fat/no fat diet. Why, because I wasn't using any butter or oil in or with my food. Well, a few week ago I had eaten two sardines and felt a little funny in my tummy. I let it pass. #1. Well, on Tuesday nite I had a grilled eggplant and zucchini wrap for dinner. #2. For lunch Wednesday, I had more eggplant and zucchini wraps with cheese (more oil). #3. The big one for snack/lunch on Thursday I had sardines made with mayonnaise and crackers. Needless to say, I was so glad I decided to leave work that day. A few hours later I was no good to myself. Oh, to top it off, I had began a detox cleansing. You see where I'm going w/ this. I was a mess. In talking to my daughter who is a vegetarian, I was informed that I had deprived my body of fat. That this is the theory of the Atkins Diet the first 2 weeks. So,I had put body in fat overload. So, now that I'm back on my feet, I'm feeling much better and I'm now back to eating fish again. Lesson learned, do more research before I try this again. Thanks for taking the time to read all this. Be well and plan a great week.

You will find that it is very hard to get enough protein as a vegan. I'm sure it can be done, but it is much easier as a vegetarian as you might know. I was a vegetarian for 3 years, and found it easy to get my protein in, but I ate 5-7 cups of food per sitting then. I think I could do it now on a cup of food as long as I supplement with eggs, mock meats, and protein shakes. I will make it back there soon enough. I loved the benefits of being a vegetarian. I recovered super fast from workouts, and my nagging shoulder injury healed within a few months of switching over. There are many threads here devoted to vegetarians/vegans. Do a search.