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I three years I have given up chicken, veal, pork, turkey, steak, burgers, seafood, Pasta, bread, toast, bagels, sandwiches, wraps,all cold cuts, pizza, chinese food, no hot dogs at a stadium or sausages. I CAN eat sashimi, seared foie gras, steak tartare, most fish if in a sauce and undercooked ( not salmon unless raw or sushi grade). Very crusty French bread, crackers, good hard cheeses, brie etc. Some Indian and Tai food that is unhealthy so I kinda avoid it. I can eat berries, watermelon, canteloup, honey dew but not fresh pineapple or apples or oranges. I can eat Mexican but without the soft taco or burrito...just the insides. I can eat fish tacos but again without the "wrapping". Can eat vegetarian tortilla Soup anywhere and CPK 1/2 order chopped barbecue salad with lots of dressing so it's pretty unhealthy. I consider Qdobo, Calif. Pizza Kitchen etc. like fast food places so it is rare that I eat there or take out from them. I can eat Wendy's $.99 chile in a pinch. With me it has always been a texture type thing with foods working or not working and not my chewing them up. Crispy but not fried will work. Chilean Sea Bass always works as does Sole, Flounder and Red Snapper. I don't feel that I miss anything and no one knows that I am banded. I eat all over the world but order what I know I can eat. I love Mediterrean Fish Soup that I lived on when we were in Nice in December. No one was the wiser either. BAD NEWS---all candy, ice cream, cheesecake, gelato, and most cake like brownies never gets stuck as do all the bad snack chips. I buy everything in the 100 calorie sizes and do treat myself to them on a regular basis however, I only eat one bag and not all the bags. If I opened and purchased a big bag I would be a dead duck. I have bought regular size and measured and made my own snack size but I cheat when I can open the Zip Lock bag too easily. I have thrown away all kinds of things that my husband has brought into the house such as donuts which get STUCK and are just not a food group to be eaten. I have found for ME that the band just doesn't do the work. I have to make the RIGHT FOOD choices daily or I can gain weight. I know that there are others who can eat everything and lose. I wasn't a high BMI but I do exercise daily too. It is a struggle to maintain and hopefully get to my unrealistic goal!!!!!!! BTW, I eat a ZONE bar every day for Breakfast and travel with them in my pocket book everywhere. I also carry the Crystal Light individual packets to for Water bottles. I know that my eating habits may not be your norm but it works for me since you asked!

Check out Robin Robertson's vegetarian cookbooks. REALLY good.

Hummus, YUMMY! I love, love, love the Portugese soup I found in the Liquid Phases thread. It's got skinned mashed potatoes & mashed carrots, olive oil, garlic and vegetable broth (my variation since Im a vegetarian). Once you mix it all together the veggies break up in the broth but it gives a thicker consistency to the liquid soup diet I'm on right now.

Hi! I'm a vegetarian too! I'm so glad someone posted this thread. I need ideas to up the protien and fill me up. My weight is stalled.

2 packages lean ground turkey (3 grams fat or so) 2 cans vegetarian refried Beans (0 fat grams) 1 block of spinach 1 taco seasoning mix package 1/2 of 8oz can of tomato sauce seasonings as you like microwave the spinach for 3 minutes or so. brown the ground turkey. break it up really well into taco meat mush. don't drain. add everything to the ground turkey and stir well. let simmer for about 20 - 30 minutes. this makes lots of servings, and it is pure Protein and veggies. so, so tasty. let us know if you try it!! ETA: Mpvo8961, we were thinking the same.

I'd love to get some new vegetarian recipes, too! I make scrambled tofu that's like scrambled eggs...even my kids love it. And I use the Morningstar Farms soy Protein meat substitutes, too. Most are good and fairly good protein sources. Emily

Boy, that would make it tough for me, too! Do you do OK with chicken and fish? That would be my suggestion...or get some of the Protein powders that seem to be all over. I bought some that was recommended on here called unjury that is unflavored and can be mixed with Soups or almost anything to up the protein content. I use Atkins Protein shakes for Breakfast every morning. I'm semi-vegetarian so don't eat red meat, but I do use things like Morningstar Farms "fake meats" that are available in the breakfast items section at Wal-Mart and most grocery stores. They're pretty good protein sources. Good luck! Emily

I'm vegetarian, but lacto ovo and I have no problem at all getting in my Proteins. I start my day with a high Protein yogurt (Total Yogurt has 13 grams) and 1/2 serving of Kashi (7 more grams). Sometimes if I'm not in the mood for yogurt, I have cottage cheese, or even an egg, with the Kashi instead. For lunch, I often have a morninstar soy patty (150 cals, 9 protein) with whatever veggie I cooked that week (this week is roasted red peppers stuffed with spinach, couscous and just a touch of feta -- 120 cals and 5 g protein). I eat a fruit or veggie for a snack around 4:30, or sometimes a piece of string cheese. dinner is often a tofu stirfry that runs about 15 g protein and 300 cals. I usually hit 900-1100 cals (usually on the low end of that) and 60ish g protein. I'd love to exchange vegetarian recipes with you, particularly high protein, low cal main meals! Good luck with your journey.

I am going to be banded August 8.:clap2: I just don’t know what I will be able to eat when I am allowed solids again. I am a big pasta eater. Can some one give me some ideas? Thanks

We eat out alot. Every family function is centered around food. We all get together to eat out when someone is in from out of town...we go out to eat for every birthday. My son-in-law is a vegetarian in a family of extreme carnivores...now I have the band...we don't obsess over where we are eating...other people do. We can find something everywhere we go. appetizers are great for me, or I eat something from my husbands plate. I'm a really cheap date....well inexpensive. Enjoy your vacation....don't obsess...there is something anywhere you go.

Okay, I saw you on the vegetarian recipe thread so I know you are out there! LOL How are you? How was the Upper GI?

Wow! Thanks so much for this!!!! We banded vegetarians are sometimes overlooked! :-)

Although I'm not a vegetarian, my best friend is, and I spend lots and lots of time at her place cooking veggie Indian food (she's from Bombay). Indian food has some unbelievably delicious choices for vegetarians. I love Paleek Paneer (spinach with cottage cheese) and all of the yummy nutritious veggies with exotic herbs and spices. One of my favorite dishes that she makes isn't strictly "Indian", but a variation on the British Beans on toast. Let me tell you, I thought beans on toast would be extremely horrible, but I am here to say that the way my friend makes it, ALL of our friends, including me, beg for it on a regular basis! It is literally one of the most delicious foods I've ever eaten. It's also super high in protien and Fiber and super low in fat and calories! And it's extremely fast and easy to make. Here's the recipe: Two cans Vegetarian Baked Beans (Heinz) 1.5 or two fresh green Chili peppers, chopped 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped Two fresh garlic cloves, minced One onion, chopped One turn of the pan of olive oil Sliced whole grain bread Directions: Pour about one turn of the pan with olive oil and heat. Sautee garlic, onion, and chili peppers together until all are somewhat soft. Pour baked beans into pan and cook on low to medium heat for about ten minutes to let the flavors sink in. Add in cilantro and lower heat. Simmer for five minutes. Serve over toasted whole grain bread. Let me know if you try it and how you like it if you do!

Trust me - you don't have to like meat --- I was 'born' to be a vegetarian - I never liked meat as a child - always had a hard time eating it - the 'only' meat I eat now is turkey and chicken. The one concern I see you might have is making sure you get protein into your body with the band - you are absolutely right about that - carbs gone is a good thing! I am not banded, as I've said before, but I read 'everything' in LBT --- if you haven't already you will want to consult with a dietician about healthy vegetarian choices when you can eat regular food after a few weeks. Best wishes - I'm so excited for you - 4 days wow!

:hungry: I really wish I could eat meat, I really do. I'm so scared of it. It repulses me. Sometimes it smells good, but I just can't. I feel if I did eat it then it would kick start my metabolism and I would eat so many less carbs. I am still on pre-op diet but I'm reflecting on what got me here. I am really looking forward to the band and not being able to eat bread and pasta anymore, due to what I here about the dreaded PB's. I think that alone would keep me from doing it, but who knows what the dreadful mind will do? Well, 4 days to LB surgery...I wish I would wake up and tomorrow would be the day...

Heck, Leener, I'd go Full liquids, or maybe very soft mushies. It's hard for me to advise because I don't know about your vegetarian diet...but I'd do pureed cream Soups, egg drop Soup (you do eggs?) and thin mashed potatoes and maybe very smushed guacamole...very soft diet, mostly full liquids. Anything you could pull through a straw (guac would be hard) but you get the idea. And sloooow. Can you eat like this for 3+days, or until this starts to improve? Listen, you are NOT one who can compare the journey of others with your own. Just beacuse you SHOULD be able to eat solids this far out, it's obvious your band is telling you no. Don't fight your band. (yes, Ms. Queen of pushing-my-band is telling you this). You aren't doing anything wrong by not being able to eat "normally, just less" at this point. I'm sooo glad your endo was fine. I'm betting your Upper GI is fine, too, but slippage may still be a possibility? Surely your gastro doc would be able to see slippage, but if you have it, it will show upon your Upper GI. I'll keep checking in.

My advice is to call the nutritionist at your doctor's office and explain the difficulty you're having. When I did this, the nutritionist told me she'd rather me eat 4 oz of solid Protein (chicken for most, soy for vegetarian me) than to full fledged cheat. I still lost 12 lbs and even at a high BMI, my surgery was a snap. See if you can break the rules with your doc's permission. If you can't, you WILL make it through this. The band is SO SO worth this sacrifice. I'm thinking about you!

There are several of us who are vegetarians...we have shared some recipes on previous threads, which you can find by doing a search. I was vegan for many years but then started eating milk and eggs and now occasionally eat chicken orturkey but no red meat or seafood. I use Morningstar Farms meat substitutes as well as Worthington and Loma Linda stuff and have no problems as long as I chew well. I also use cheese, although less than prior to banding. One of my staples is fat free refried beans with salsa and a little cheese. I probably eat that 2-3 nights a week for dinner. We also use a meat-loaf like roast quite a bit...but it has cottage cheese and eggs in it, so if you don't like those you wouldn't like it, probably. An average day's menu for me would be a vanilla Atkins protein shake for breakfast (in the car on the way to work)...a few multi grain wheat thins midmorning if I get hungry. For lunch I might have green or chicken enchilada from our whole foods co-op across the street (about 3/4 c. total) or half a turkey breast wrap from Subway. If I'm getting hungry be 5 p.m., I'll have a small can of fruit jucie or V-8 on my way home so that I'm not STARVED when I decide to have dinner (if I get that hungry, I will probably overeat and feel miserable all night). For dinner maybe refried beans, salsa and cheese or maybe cottage cheese and broccoli or an omelet. I often make soups and take those for lunch, too. My dietician suggested not eating a lot of potatoes, but we can certainly eat some of them. And chick peas should be fine, too. it's a process of trial and error for most of us...some of us can eat things other people can't...everyone's band is different in what it accepts. Good luck with your upcoming surgery!! It's the best thing I e ver did for myself, even tho I'm only 4 1/2 months out. Emily

Hi, I've been a vegetarian for about 25 years now. I have not ate ANY meat in that many years, don't even remember what it tastes like! No Meat, Chicken, Fish or anything. I am due to be banded in 8 days. We'll have to stay in contact and compare progress and share band vegi recipes.

I am going to be banded in July (honestly, I am totally nervous about it!) and do not like meat very much. I eat hamburger, meatballs, sausages, all the bad meats but the only chicken I like are chicken nuggets from McD's. Also, I hate eggs and milk. I will drink Soy milk with espresso added (yum!) So I am in search of advice from other veggie banders! Can we eat cheese, veggie meats, etc? What do you eat on a typical day? Thanks!!

Though the nutritionist at my doc's office doesn't believe that you should force yourself to eat breakfast if you don't want it, I do eat it even though I'm not hungry per se in the morning. I eat it because if I don't, I always come in under 1000 cals for the day, and I need to stay above that because I have so much weight to lose. Also, i'm vegetarian and if I don't have 3 meals, I can't get in the 50+ g Protein my doc recommends for my height. So, I usually eat either (1) 80 cals of FF Total Yogurt with 1 c Kashi (total of 220 cals and 26 grams of protein, which always sets me up to meet my caloric/protein goals), (2) 1 morningstar veggie sausage patty (80 cals) or (3) 2 wedges of laughing cow cheese sandwiched between 2 pieces of Kavali crackers (140 cals). lunch is usually my biggest meal.

I posted this yesterday and had such loving, great feedback, for the first time I think it really sunk in that this is a SUPPORT sight and I love everyone " :help: So, after I have ballooned to a size where I look in the mirror and am so saddened to see this formerly (I thought) attractive lady look like a good year blimp. :omg: Can't fit into any of my clothes, have double chin, no waist anymore, etc. I have heel spurs, back pain, and no energy. Finally after lots of research and exhausted tries at getting my insurance to pay for surgery, decide to get lap band. I then elect to pay for surgery, scheduled date for the 26th of this month, etc. To have optimum results, and speedy recovery I KNOW I have to quit smoking, I KNOW I should be doing pre-op diet, however I have ABSOLUTELY NO SELF-CONTROL. I do good for a few days, then blow it, smoke a cigarette (i'm not a big smoker to begin with but I have been trying to quit for month's sometimes 3 - 4 days no smoke, then bam, 2 in one day) I went no cigarette this time for 5 days, then bam, today bought a pack, smoked two and just now threw whole pack in garbage and poured water on them. Also, for only ONE day I did liquids. Did okay yesterday second day, then came home and had a BOWL full of brown rice with chedder cheese, butter, green beans and then a chocolate bar (I'm a vegetarian so this is like my favorite meal):hungry: Then today, I say okay, back on the horse, drink liquids and protein shakes for breakfast and lunch, then bam, I'm starving so eat a little macaroni and cheese from a fast food place. I am so miserable and so upset that I'm wondering, if I can't control myself now even for a few days, how can I possibly be successful with the band? Am I such a loser that I will be the one person who only loses 10 lbs and that's it and I will have flushed almost $10 g's down the drain? How do I stick to anything if I fall for everything???? My friend at work says she doesn't get how I can manage to always hit lofty sales goals and quotas, yet the simplest lifestyle change that I need to do, I fail miserably....She (a size 4, lol) says Alysha, Your probably setting yourself up for failure because you love bread and cheese too much to ever give it up. Am I a fool for desperately wanting to believe in the band and that when I get hungry I will not shove toxic waste down my pie hole????" ________________

I posted this yesterday and had such loving, great feedback, for the first time I think it really sunk in that this is a SUPPORT sight and I love everyone " :help: So, after I have ballooned to a size where I look in the mirror and am so saddened to see this formerly (I thought) attractive lady look like a good year blimp. :omg: Can't fit into any of my clothes, have double chin, no waist anymore, etc. I have heel spurs, back pain, and no energy. Finally after lots of research and exhausted tries at getting my insurance to pay for surgery, decide to get lap band. I then elect to pay for surgery, scheduled date for the 26th of this month, etc. To have optimum results, and speedy recovery I KNOW I have to quit smoking, I KNOW I should be doing pre-op diet, however I have ABSOLUTELY NO SELF-CONTROL. I do good for a few days, then blow it, smoke a cigarette (i'm not a big smoker to begin with but I have been trying to quit for month's sometimes 3 - 4 days no smoke, then bam, 2 in one day) I went no cigarette this time for 5 days, then bam, today bought a pack, smoked two and just now threw whole pack in garbage and poured water on them. Also, for only ONE day I did liquids. Did okay yesterday second day, then came home and had a BOWL full of brown rice with chedder cheese, butter, green beans and then a chocolate bar (I'm a vegetarian so this is like my favorite meal):hungry: Then today, I say okay, back on the horse, drink liquids and protein shakes for breakfast and lunch, then bam, I'm starving so eat a little macaroni and cheese from a fast food place. I am so miserable and so upset that I'm wondering, if I can't control myself now even for a few days, how can I possibly be successful with the band? Am I such a loser that I will be the one person who only loses 10 lbs and that's it and I will have flushed almost $10 g's down the drain? How do I stick to anything if I fall for everything???? My friend at work says she doesn't get how I can manage to always hit lofty sales goals and quotas, yet the simplest lifestyle change that I need to do, I fail miserably....She (a size 4, lol) says Alysha, Your probably setting yourself up for failure because you love bread and cheese too much to ever give it up. Am I a fool for desperately wanting to believe in the band and that when I get hungry I will not shove toxic waste down my pie hole????" ________________

Just do the best that you can do and don't worry about trying to be the poster child for the band. If it was easy to diet, we wouldn't have this band around our stomachs! And trying to tackle multiple bad habits at once in a short time is just asking for trouble. You call it failure. I think trying to do it all at one is gearing yourself up for a letdown. Rice and bread and Pasta. Once you get the band and are restricted, you will not eat very much of them again. Have you checked out any vegetarian websites for people that have WLS? You may want to check them out, to see how they are doing with eating Proteins, etc.. Here is one link, but I am sure that there are others: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/vegetarianbandster/ I do have to say, that the sooner you get off of the carbs, the easier you will have it after surgery. When you first stop eating the carbs, you kind of go through a withdrawl. It is MUCH better to go through that before surgery when you can eat other things, than after the surgery when you are on liquids. But do the best you can and really, go easy with yourself. Do what you can and the rest will follow... Hugs!

:help: So, after I have ballooned to a size where I look in the mirror and am so saddened to see this formerly (I thought) attractive lady look like a good year blimp. :omg: Can't fit into any of my clothes, have double chin, no waist anymore, etc. I have heel spurs, back pain, and no energy. Finally after lots of research and exhausted tries at getting my insurance to pay for surgery, decide to get lap band. I then elect to pay for surgery, scheduled date for the 26th of this month, etc. To have optimum results, and speedy recovery I KNOW I have to quit smoking, I KNOW I should be doing pre-op diet, however I have ABSOLUTELY NO SELF-CONTROL. I do good for a few days, then blow it, smoke a cigarette (i'm not a big smoker to begin with but I have been trying to quit for month's sometimes 3 - 4 days no smoke, then bam, 2 in one day) I went no cigarette this time for 5 days, then bam, today bought a pack, smoked two and just now threw whole pack in garbage and poured Water on them. Also, for only ONE day I did liquids. Did okay yesterday second day, then came home and had a BOWL full of brown rice with chedder cheese, butter, green Beans and then a chocolate bar (I'm a vegetarian so this is like my favorite meal):hungry: Then today, I say okay, back on the horse, drink liquids and Protein shakes for Breakfast and lunch, then bam, I'm starving so eat a little macaroni and cheese from a fast food place. I am so miserable and so upset that I'm wondering, if I can't control myself now even for a few days, how can I possibly be successful with the band? Am I such a loser that I will be the one person who only loses 10 lbs and that's it and I will have flushed almost $10 g's down the drain? How do I stick to anything if I fall for everything???? My friend at work says she doesn't get how I can manage to always hit lofty sales goals and quotas, yet the simplest lifestyle change that I need to do, I fail miserably....She (a size 4, lol) says Alysha, Your probably setting yourself up for failure because you love bread and cheese too much to ever give it up. Am I a fool for desperately wanting to believe in the band and that when I get hungry I will not shove toxic waste down my pie hole????