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Glad to be able to be able to help! I also love Ken's Asian. Yes, I imagine a lot of people do do that. I'm not vegetarian, but I did it for one year on a bet (long story) and got to try alot of stuff I normally wouldn't have. I love tofu and eat it pretty regularly, now, and even I don't usually care for straight up raw tofu, unless its in a strongly-flavored Soup. Its really bland like that and reminiscent of very bland, unsalted cottage cheese.

I am almost a vegetarian. I used to live a veggie lifestyle but gave it up to get fat. I am finding that I can't stand much meat at all. Chewing steak to a paste is gross and revolting and I just don't want it anymore. If I wanted baby food I'd buy baby food. (Gahhh) As you know the one big issue you get from dead critter is Protein. One protein = 23 amino acids. You can get the required amino acids from a variety of veggies vs. one piece of meat. As long as you eat a good variety you should be good to go. Most of the time the people that don't get full on fruits & veggies are simply used to getting full on meat. If you are already good to go on a veggie diet you shouldn't have a problem being banded. Do you eat any fish at all? Or are you a strict, full time vegetarian? For some reason chewing fish bandster style isn't as revolting to me as chewing meat bandster style. I'm quite sure eventually I'll give up fish completely, it's coming soon. In the meantime, I do like Orange Roughy.

I'm not a gourmet cook, like Judi. (Though, I'd love to have dinner at her house! Yum!) I thought I would share this little thing that has been working for me in hopes of helping others. I'm only a few days away from my two week band-iversary and mushie phase, but I've been hungry all the time, SICK to death of sweats and Soups, and have head hunger for every greasy, cheesy, meaty sinful food on earth! The one thing that saved me is I went to the store yesterday and got a can of Rosarita vegetarian refried Beans. I smoosh them really good, add a little Water and cheddar cheese and pop 'em into the microwave. I then dab on a bit of fat free sour cream and they are the best beans I've had in my life! I'm not hungry or craving anymore! That's it. That's all I wanted to share. They have worked like magic for me

That's good to hear. The though tof never having a salad or raw veggie was a little hard to take. When the "nutritionist" was talking about stage 2-3, she kept saying chicken salad, tuna salad, beef chili...... I reminded her again I was a vegetarian. She didn't even know what stevia was. I really appreciate the input. It makes it easier to adjust. Barb

Think of what you are hungry for, then toss it in the blender with some fluid that would thin it. I wanted Mexican, so I tossed some FF refried Vegetarian beans, salsa, Greek Strained Yogurt (I use it instead of sour cream b/c it has good protein) and some cheese queso in the blender, it satisfied the Mexican craving. on the Fourth of July I tossed a small can of baked beans and a hot dog and some BBQ sauce and a little catsup with it to thin it and pureed that. I pureed some cucumbers and dressing, I pureed some crab and mayo and Greek yogurt and onion. I pureed chicken and grapes and Greek yogurt and mayo and a little apple for a chicken salad. I pureed eggs and mayo and onion and a little pickle when I wanted egg salad. Get creative!!!!!

:whoo:Hi Everyone, Has anyone that is a vegetarian had the surgery? My surgery is a week away and the nutritionists at my doctors office is less than educated about it. I know more than she does. Just curious what you ate during each phase that went down ok. Thanks Barb:clap2:

Hi Barbara! Welcome! Best wishes on your upcoming surgery. Unfortunately, I don't know much of anything about being a vegetarian. I do know that I haven't regretted my decision to get banded. The weight I've lost so far has already gone a long way toward helping me feel healthier. Good luck!

I am not a vegetarian perse, but do mostly eat vegetarian. I eat meats very, very infrequently. I LOVE tofu, it works well with the band so far. I even have had some deep-fried tofu (I know, baaaad) and it went down great. There is a thread here in the food section about Tofu recipes, good stuff there. I love the Imagine soups, you can find them at many grocery stores. Trader Joe's has many foods in their frozen section for vegetarians that will work post-op. I found that I really enjoyed vegetarian refried Beans (fat free) mixed with some salsa and cheese and greek strained yogurt instead of sour cream (more protein) in the mushy stage. unjury has some wonderful non-flavored Protein powder you can sprinkle in just about anything to increase your protein intake.

I'm a vegan rather than a vegetarian. I can eat all the same stuff I could pre-op, though not nearly as much. I can only take small bits of things now. Sometimes, I can't fit in as many raw vegies as I would like and I try to make the most nutrient dense choices. I'm surprised your nutritionist did not go into vegetarian options. How remiss! All my sheets mentioned meat alternatives & legumes. If you have any specific questions, please ask. There are quite a few vegos on here. Post-op liquid phase, I had different vegie Soups, strained. I put hommous in them for extra Protein. Later I made thicker soups like lentil and minestrone. I also had raw fruit and vegetable juices. Since you eat dairy, you will have options like yoghurt and whatnot. The main thing is that, later down the track, you will still be able to eat all the healthy types of food you like and will not die from protein deficiency. You can just eat about a third of the amount of food (or less) than you do now. By the way, I was banded a bit less than three months ago so am still learning but I have already lost 44pounds/20 kilos. I hope the other vegetarians come out of the woodwork.

HI Barbara and welcome to LBT , I have asthma and took prednisone too and blew up, well since I have lost weight the asthma has all but disappeared and havent taken anything like prednisone or antibiotics or anything since Dec 06 and I used to have to take it all the time. Blood pressure meds are gone too. I m not a vegetarian . Good luck and welcome!

Hi Everyone, My name is Barbara and I live in NJ. My sirgery date will be next week, Sept 7th. After struggling many years, especially due to health isseus and several years on high dose Prednisone to stay alive due to autoimmune diseases, my weight soared, and I am now taking my life back. I have lost weight prior to surgery and continue to lose but am really looking forward to stable weight loss with the lapband. . Now is my time. I have 7 autoimmune diseases and founded a non profit organization to help people like me about 2 1/2 years ago. My whole life revolves around helping others and now is the time to take care of myself. I look forward to hearing everyone's stories. If I can ever help just yell. Barb PS..... Any Vegetarians have the surgery? I ask because eating as a vegetarian after surgery will be different than it is now. Home

Good Morning everyone, My surgery date is set for Sept 7 for LapBand. The nutritionist at my surgeons office is less than helpful. I know more than she does. My question is, has anyone who is a vegetarian had the surgery? What did you eat after? Everything says chicken, ground beef, etc. I have been a vegetarian for 9 years and won't give that up. Looking for ideas. Thanks Barbara:whoo:

Anyone notice that their stomach muscles are SOOOO WEAK??? Before surgery I could do inclined situps, after surgery I can barely do one on a flat mat! I have been doing crunches on the ball to try to work the strength back up! It is quite the uphill battle though. Next, I get stuck last night on soup!!! Granted it was escarole soup with mini meatballs and pastina - but seriously! I was heaving and hiccupping for an HOUR! I think it was the meatballs. I get stuck everytime I eat meat or grilled chicken. Anyone else with this? I am practically going vegetarian and not by choice. I can only deal with tofu, beans, tuna with lots of vinegar and mayo to make it liquidy, some eggs, some soft fish, and chicken if it's mushed up or in sauce. I can't eat any solid meat at all or I am stuck for a long time. I am finally losing more weight so I"m not willing to get unfilled. I think it's just the price I have to pay to get to goal!

And I'm not a vegetarian, I just like it. Here's my personal favorite tofu recipe, and the one that always knocks the socks off of my non-tofu-eating friends! Baked Thai-Style Tofu The Marinade 2 tablespoons tamari soy sauce 1 tablespoon oriental sesame oil 1 tablespoon canola oil 1/2 teaspoon minced gingerroot 1 garlic clove, minced 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 pound extra-firm tofu, cut into 3/4-inch cubes and patted very dry 1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips, 1/4 x 2 inches The Sauce 1 tablespoon natural-style Peanut Butter 2 tablespoons lime juice 1 scallion, very thinly sliced 2 teaspoons chopped fresh basil, or 1/4 teaspoon dried 2 teaspoons chopped fresh mint, or 1/2 teaspoon dried 1. Combine the marinade ingredients in a large bowl. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the tofu and red pepper to coat them evenly with the marinade. Let sit 30 minutes at room temperature, or up to 8 hours chilled. Toss occasionally. 2. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place the tofu mixture and any remaining marinade in a large, shallow baking dish so that the tofu rests in one layer. Bake 15 minutes, tossing once with a spatula after about 7 minutes. 3. Meanwhile, make the sauce by stirring all its ingredients together with a fork. Remove the tofu from the oven. Spoon on the sauce, then, using a spatula, toss the ingredients together until everything is well-coated. Return the dish to the oven and bake undisturbed for 10 minutes. Let the tofu sit at least 10 minutes before serving it, for it is better when warm, not piping hot. Notes: Be sure to use toasted or dark sesame oil– they also sell a regular kind that doesn’t taste as good. I used the mint once, but personally, I’m not a fan. I omit it and use double the basil. I also usually make this with two peppers instead of one, because there is enough sauce to go around and it fills it out nicely. I usually make a simple cous-cous to go with this: 4 parts chicken stock to 3 parts plain cous-cous, with extra chopped basil and garlic thrown in. 4 non-bandster servings

Marcy, You are too much, lol! You crack me up! I am sooo glad you were able to lose, but there is no way I would be able to eat the chicken after I harvested it!!! I have trouble with fish, because when I was younger I spent an entire day cleaning blue gills for my dad and 3 brothers!!! Venison is another one, ate it when I was young, but now, can't do it ... get awful images of my dad and brothers butchering them!!! I wish I wasn't that way, but if I think about any animal, I won't be able to eat the meat!!! Even milk can turn my stomach! I eat meat, but I could sooooo easily become a vegetarian, lol!!!

Marcar, you're not considering becoming a vegetarian are you! LOL JC

:omg:I was banded in May of 2005. No loss until 2007. That's right no weight loss until May 2007. I was tortured with my sense of failure. I kept throwing up the protien--I followed faithfully what my nutritionist said to do. Then I began to think--this happened to me before I was banded. I followed Weight Watchers before that and I followed everything my nutritionist said and my doctors. Finally my heart doctors wanted me to go back to the surgeon and find out why I was not losing. I gave up and did not and kept praying and praying. I kept coming back to this site. I did contact the support person through my surgeons office and she kept encouraging me. I began to think radically. My health was in radical trouble and I needed radical change. I thought the band was that radical change but it didn't matter. I exercised every day. Soooooo I went total vegan. Yes Vegetarian. I have not lost my hair. I learned to eat the things my body needed especially protien in the form of nuts and veggies and since May 25, 2007 I have lost 25 pounds. I do not eat sugar, I do not drink any caffiene in any form, I do not eat dairy in any form, I do not eat soy in any form. I juice 5 pounds of organic carrots per day to receive nutrients that my body must have that translates to 1 quart ever two days. I follow the Hallelujah Acres Diet which you can google and get it for free. I truly know that my body was so dieted out that it could not possibly loose weight no matter what I did. I will never ever let doctors treat me like a liar again. I doubted myself for so long I lost hope. I hated myself. I was desperate. I am none of that now. But I will never buy into the doctor mentality that ignores my sincere efforts again. It takes consistent work and it will come around. The band works but doctors and nutrionists do not have all the answers. I juice or eat only one fruit a day. The rest is vegetables and 3 starch servings per week only. I love the band now it tells me when I am full but I do not throw up any more. Only you can do it. The band will help but you must participate in your care. Self hate does not accomplish any thing except keep you where you presently are. What I do is not a cure but another way to becoming the beautiful person God meant me to become. Do not give up hope ever. My heart goes out to those who don't dare to say they haven't lost. I was one of those people. Speak out now do not hide, I thought I was the only one who ever did not loose maybe I am not please speak out now.:clap2:

I think technically I am allowed to have oatmeal and mashed potatoes, however, they say that you are supposed to have 50 grams of protein a day so my nutritionist said you need to eat the meat/protein stuff first and then eat the rest of the stuff and then it should be eaten in moderation. I am not really craving carbs. I just want to find protein stuff that doesnt gross me out, as I was kind of a vegetarian preop (not a strict veg, but I would eat mostly non meat stuff and eat steak once every 6 mos).

Changes in diet can sometimes lead to hair loss Tuesday, September 13, 2005 By Tara Parker-Pope, The Wall Street Journal Dieters hoping to lose weight are discovering they're losing something else -- their hair. The little-talked-about secret of the dieting industry is that a successful diet can also trigger hair loss. As Americans struggle with obesity and tackle countless fad diets, some dermatologists say they are increasingly hearing complaints from perplexed dieters about thinning hair. After Esther Sokol, a New York City records manager, lost nine pounds on the Atkins diet a few years ago, her hairdresser noticed her usually thick hair was beginning to thin. It was only after talking with doctors and hair experts that she learned her diet was the likely culprit. "Diet was the only major change I'd made," says Ms. Sokol. Hair loss can be triggered by a variety of factors including pregnancy, stress, surgery and age-related hormonal changes, to name a few. But few people realize that weight loss can also cause hair to shed, likely due to a nutritional deficiency. Although iron deficiency is often associated with diet-related hair loss, a range of nutrient deficiencies can result in thinning hair, dermatologists say. Changes in levels of zinc, magnesium, protein, essential fatty acids and vitamins D, B and A can all trigger episodes of shedding hair. The problem affects both men and women, but women are more likely to notice it and seek treatment, say doctors. The fact that so many different nutrients can be the culprit in hair loss means any diet can take a toll on the tresses. The threat of thinning hair shouldn't discourage patients from losing weight, but it should convince them to avoid fad, quick-reduction diets, says Wilma Bergfeld, head of clinical research for the department of dermatology at the Cleveland Clinic. Such diets often lack proper nutrition, and rapid weight loss in itself is a stress on the body and can also trigger metabolism changes that affect hair growth. For hair health, doctors say the best weight-loss plans are reduced-calorie diets that promote gradual weight loss with healthful foods from all of the food groups. Diets low in protein and iron, such as vegetarian diets and very-low-fat diets, often result in deficiencies. But high-protein diets like Atkins that initially discourage fruits and vegetables can also trigger hair loss, says Dr. Bergfeld. The typical patient complains of thinning hair after losing about 20 pounds in a relatively short period of time, she says. "We see it all the time," says Dr. Bergfeld. "If you start eating only one thing and you're not well balanced, you get into trouble." A spokesman for Atkins referred questions to the company's Web site, which addresses hair loss in its frequently asked questions section, noting that any weight-loss plan can trigger hair loss. The site contends the Atkins diet is the "least likely" to cause hair loss. However, dermatologists say no scientific study has ever determined whether certain diets are more or less likely to cause hair loss. In a healthy person, hair typically grows about an inch every two months. Hair has a three-phase life cycle -- the growing phase can last two to five years. A second, less-active phase lasts only about six weeks. A final resting phase lasts three to five months, before the hair falls out and new hair grows in. About 15 percent of hair follicles are in the resting phase at a time. Abrupt changes in nutrition can disrupt the hair-growth cycle, causing hair follicles in the growing phase to convert to the resting phase too soon. This can mean a 20 percent to 30 percent or more increase in the number of daily hairs shed. For many people, diet-related hair loss is temporary and may last only about two to six months. Once a person starts eating a more balanced diet, hair eventually comes back. In some people it may take one to two years to regain a full head of hair, dermatologists say. Some dieters aren't even that lucky. A hair-shedding episode triggered by dieting may become a chronic problem if the dieter has a genetic predisposition for thinning hair, says Dr. Bergfeld and other doctors. In addition, hair loss triggered by dieting can be exacerbated by hormonal changes, stress or medications -- sending patients into a chronic cycle of hair shedding. Ms. Sokol says she stopped the diet and has since regained the weight -- but her hair has never recovered. She says that if she had been aware of the link between weight loss and hair loss she probably wouldn't have tried the diet. Dermatologists say they often advise dieters to take a multivitamin with iron and keep weight loss to a pace of one to two pounds a week. Dieters with a family history of thinning hair or baldness should be especially careful about proper nutrition and slow weight loss. Patients considering obesity surgery, which often results in rapid weight loss, should also talk to their doctor about ways to protect their hair. In addition to nutrition supplements, patients who experience thinning hair after dieting or for other reasons are advised to avoid chemical treatments like bleach or permanents that weaken hair. Minoxidil, the active ingredient in the topical treatment Rogaine, is often recommended for chronic hair loss, although it doesn't work for everyone and has to be used consistently or the hair shedding will return, notes Brooklyn dermatologist Morris Westfried, medical director of the New York Hair Loss Center who published one of the first reports on minoxidil. For men, the oral medication Propecia may also help improve thinning hair. Hair extensions and transplants are also an option, but they can be expensive.

Next time you happen to notice the brand name of the veggie chili would you make a mental note and post it? Do you know if it was a Walmart brand or other brand? I used to be a vegetarian and I'm completely ready to go back to that lifestyle. Chewing meat to a paste is grossing me out. Thanks!

I totally panicked when I read the article after it came out. Half of what's in it, she dammed well made up herself! And I started running well before I hit 70kg. I actually really regret it. The funny thing is, she contacted my doctor asking to talk to me, and I was silly enough to say yes. But at least its better than another one I read a few weeks earlier, where they said they could only eat a couple of mouthfuls of food. I actually had an anxiety attack over the mistakes. I feel like I was misrepresented. Like I didn't work till I got down to 70kg. That and she mentioned lean meat. Exactly where in the vegetarian diet does meat fit in? I remember correcting that too. Ahh well. In a weeks time, everyone will have forgotten. I do have to ask, what did the doctor frown about?

My 11 year old wouldn't have a clue what a proper portion size is, nor what a calorie really is, or how it breaks down in his body. It's my job as his parent to give him what he needs to fuel his body for the day. What we *have* taught him is that to grow up strong and healthy, he has to eat his veggies, Pasta and Protein (we are vegetarian) and NOT drink fizzy crap. We have taught him that he has to move his body every day (for example, walking to school, or the shop to do the shopping, or to the library rather than driving) A great way to set kids up for obesity, and eating disorders is to put too much pressure on them to be thin. And by forcing a *child* to comprehend the workings of a calorie, how to burn excess energy off, and all that sort of thing, we are setting our kids up for paranoia and failure. Children are children for a reason. At 8, 9,10, 11, or even 12 years old they are still children, and still need their parents to guide them. Children can be incredibly mature, and still be a child. Society treats children like mini adults, and it's not right. They are children. As for the school lunch thing... Well, the simple solution to school lunches is to send along a healthy lunch. Not just give the kid money and expect that they will make the healthy choice. Because children do not have the reasoning power to understand that a packet of chips, and a can of coke are a crap choice, and will leave them feeling like garbage half way through the day, but the salad sandwich and skim milk will keep them feeling fantastic, fuel their brain and help them have a better day at school. That is why the parents should ultimately responsible for what the child eats. I am not attacking, just trying to explain my point of view.

Hi Gang... I've been gone for a while and even though I rarely comment, I read just about everyday. I just got my first fill on Monday, back in TJ with handsome Dr. Ortiz!!! I have 2cc's in a 4cc band and I feel great. For the first time since my surgery, I can eat TINY portions and feel full!!! I had a supersmoothie from yoplait and felt full for hours. A fellow bander that got banded the same day as me, is on her THIRD fill...she still has only limited restriction. I hope that doesn't happen to me... Anyway, thanks for all the comments on here. I'm back on the wagon now. I had a rough time emotionally adjusting to LB and I've been mourning food for the last 2 months. :whoo: I'm OVER it now. :clap2: This is a life changing experience and I'm going for it!!!!! I've made a decision to become somewhat of a vegetarian...only fish...it's a healthier choice for me and I'm gonna see how it goes... I ordered the protein from www.unjury.com, so thanks to whoever suggested it. My hair has been falling out, because I wasn't eating enough protein. I'll use legumes and that supplement to keep up my intake. Well, friends, that's all for now. I'm going to sincerely try to figure out how to work this, so I can get a ticker and all that stuff. Be Blessed, Stacy

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 am an Ovo Lacto Vegetarian. But most of what I eat is organic and whole (un-processed foods). I try to eat muesli, fruit and yoghurt every morning. Some salad, and veggie based Protein at lunch, and something similar at dinner with fruit for afters. I also exercise daily (I run 5km a day, and weight train about 3 days a week) And I honestly think that the way we exercise is as important as the way we eat. Actually, aside from me being veggie, Jacqui and I are very similar in the we we approach banded life.