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I've been wondering the same thing...I was vegetarian for about 30 years and just in the last year or so have started eating small amounts of chicken and turkey (I don't really like but can tolerate them) to pacify my two adult sons that I'm getting enough Protein. I'm wondering about the Worthington, Loma Linda, or Morningstar Farms meat substitutes...anyone have any thoughts to share about them? I use them occasionally now and am wondering if I'll be able to after I'm banded. They don't seem to chew up very well even when I'm really concentrating on chewing. I do use Beans...lentils are a super source of protein and others are good, too. Refried beans and salsa are one of my staples, and I'm thinking I'll be able to use that when I get to mushies. Thanks for startingthis thread...it will be interesting to see how many of us there are. Emily

I'm not a vegetarian but I can eat just like I did before banding. Why would you not be able to eat veggies? I love my salads and veggies. You can always chop / puree your veggies to your liking.

Hi all, Newbie here. I am considering the Lap Band and I'm also a vegetarian. SO my protien sources will have to be different etc. I'm also concerned about not being able to eat the veggies due to Fiber, etc. What CAN'T you eat now that you could before? ALso, I think it would be great to give pre and post op food recommendations for vegetarians listed so we can shop and have the liquid and the mushie foods ready.

I am in Matawan NJ, exit 120! ;-p I am looking into going to a support group as we speak. Actually two, because I am checking out two different surgeons. Dr. Chau and Dr. Mehta. I am afraid of the surgery, I am afraid I won't wake up or have complication and dying is not worth it and it sounds strange, but the thought of having something foregn inside me, wrapped around my stomach is a little scary. What scares me is what it will be like afterwards. i don't really know. I don't want to get the band and then freak out about what I have done because I was not prepared for the changes. For example, I bolt down my food, I don't know how to eat slowly. I have read things about people eating broccoli and almost fainting from the spasms, etc.. I am a vegetarian too by the way. It frightens me that I could not chew well enough and have to go to the ER because of it.

I know you have been given a lot of advice here and they all sound logical, but if you havent had success maybe one more wont harm.. When I met my DH he was a total vegetarian. Not even lactle ovo, and He was loosing his hair and he thought that it was just early male pattern baldness. After living with a real meat eater he couldnt stand it anymore and slowly started eating chicken and then beef. There was no change in his hair untill he began to eat beef and then he started to have baby little shoots that were quite fine. They appeared where the front of his forehead hairline was and they continued to grow in completely. He was very happy! When we talked to his DR. he commented that the beef has certain aminoacids that cannot be acquired through even the carefullest combinations of ohter protiens. I think he called them essential fatty acids or something like that. Anyway he still has that hair 23 yrs later. Do you eat any beef? I just was wondering.

Thank you for explaining that to me. I feel stupid. I have not had any PB's yet, but I am only seven weeks in. I think I am paranoid and still kinda stay on foods that can be mushed up with a fork and foods that don't clump up. I'm sure my day is coming because I have only had one fill (1.2cc) and don't have a lot of restriction yet. My husband says I am turning into a health freak, but he kinda likes it because it makes him eat better too. I really stay on vegetables most of the time because they go down easily. I have also started experimenting with a totally organic diet, however, that is not the easiest thing to do because I live in a small town and organic items are hard to come by. I have to grocery shop about 30 miles away for my organic things. I started using organic because I am prone to miagraines and processed foods have preservitives and additives that are major miagraine triggers for me. After being banded and trying to stick to a semi-vegetarian/organic diet I haven't had a single miagraine. I am so glad I have been able to treat my headaches with a diet change. I had tried it before, but not to this extent.

Not sure what I'd do. Probably try to be rebanded. If that wasn't an option, then I'd definately turn back to full on vegetarianism, if not veganism. I agree that I refuse to have my innerds rearranged, so any of the other surgeries are out for me. I would probably look into the gastric pacemaker thing too.

Some days I think I eat a lot too, but I weigh myself a few days later and I lose more weight if I feel like I eat a little more than when I think Im doing great. I do get worried sometimes, but I know that tomorrow is a new day and I can try harder. On a normal day I usually drink a slimfast, eat chinese food (only sauted), and then a little for dinner of whatever is cooked or if we go out to eat then I order something sensible. Since I have some trouble eating poultry breast, I order fish or some kind of grilled beef, or even a vegetarian dinner. Its all about what works for you. Signs you have eaten TOO MUCH! Or just the wrong thing: *You feel sick to your stomach *Your next bite WONT go down (like a dull knife stabbing you between your breasts) *You feel lathargic *You feel bad for eating it

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!!

i was told by my DR.s office that we couldn't have meat (unless it was fish) for five weeks after the surgery. that is what is the hardest on me, i do not like fish. so i am basically a vegetarian for right now and i'm going bonkers!!!! is it ok to eat meat if it is soft or chopped up then? that would solve alot of me troubles!

Pork is wonderful if you are doing low carbs. I have a love/hate relationship with pork. My father cooked nothing but port for 1 whole week. Breakfast was bacon or sausage and for dinner he cooked pork chops, ribs, pig feet and to top it off pork roast. By the end of that week I was sick and disguested with pork. That was several years ago so I am over it now. But now my 12 year old wants to be a vegetarian. I wasn't buying that much pork because we primarily do turkey everything. Turkey burgers, spaghetti, chili and so on. Now I have to get my pork with an attitude, like I've done something wrong. I WANT A BIG FAT HAM FOR THANKSGIVING.....it's too big, I need help eating it....

NJChick=====> I feel a vegetarian lifestyle is far better for me than consuming meat due to the fact it is loaded with chemicals and just how it puts a burden on the digestive system. I could go into finer detail but it would take awhile.

Sorry I'm not a vegetarian but I LUV veggies can I ask why you want to change?

Thanks, I had a lil organic chicken broth and bought 3 bottles of Odwalla juices from the Whole Foods to sip on. I will dilute them with a lil Water though. I feel a lil better today. I need to go to GNC to get me some Isopure. I was wondering were there any vegetarians on here since their surgery, I am considering making that transition by the time I get into my solid stage.

yes theres more.. lol NOW.......... credit for ALWAYS STOPPING eating at first band signals and avoiding PB, slime and all that. ALWAYS! High on control...(hate and ego..feeling real good though) (need new verbs) I refused to let my band control me... I would one up it by stopping eating before it made me.. NOW thats credit and control and power to the max. I simply just stop the second it feels weird.. I know I can eat more, lots more even...but I dont. I STOP before the band has to do anything. I mean, I wont chew slow and carefull and deal with some little feelings to get down more food... NO WAY, thats my band controlling me. NOT WORTH IT. I still like food and want to eat and have to stop before I wanna and wish I could feel saticefied and full more often, plus I really want more juice and to GULP it...(the one thing I cling to and want to still do) But I stop... I can stop at my first signs, no matter how little I get to eat and avoid all pb and such.... Um, thats like so cool and all I have to do is stop at that first sign and I am sure that will protect it from happening... ever.. and my goal is NEVER.. (well for now) I know I need the band, I know I need to know it will stop me if I tried to go too far.. restriction is my salvation... The band a necessary tool for sure. But right now, I am in control of my food. Ok.. kinda.. I still have problems, I need to control.. But this is the most I have ever had or ever thought Id come close to.. so I get all giddy and dramatic.. EXAMPLE: I cant imagine I would ever want to eat a Protein, veggie and carb meal as regular and eat healthy vs. junk. But I know I will.. I even see being a vegetarian and NO milk as possible in my life. P.S. I was ready for this, I knew I was. I argued I was to skeptics. I felt I was not mentally messed up just cuz I was 400 pounds still... I felt I was basically healthy a number of years ago.. BUT the beleife is we are fat for a reason and when you fix the mental. you will be able to fix the obesity.... This being able to happen to me like it did.. PROOVES i was right... This disease does deep....some arent even close and think they are, some are close and feel so far..... its hard... everyone is different.. But somehow I KNEW.... ITS NOT whats eating me, DR. PHIL! lol The reason I knew this was cuz I heard it all... did it all.. nothing was ever new to me... and I had thought of every angel to every option.. Nothing, not even Dr. Phil had anything to tell me I didnt already know or explore or try and such... I wasnt skepticle.. THERE was nothing new. IN YOUR FACE (assholes who analyze me as a way to critisize and condem and dissmiss my surgery options and my mental state!) (about weight) (I do have mental issues on other stuff.. lol) ha ha ha ha I have more to report in about a week, changes..challanges I dont wanna say right now, things are happening faster than I can type and post. THANK YOU FOR LISTNING!

I'm 52 and just had the surgery in August, glad I did even though the weight is coming off pretty slow (my fault for not exercising). My reason for the surgery was health, which is a thread with those of us who are older it seems. After 50 I was so tired I almost couldn't function, years of a highly compeditive stressful job, combined with packing around 100 lbs made me feel like I had a couple of years left (at the most). It was just one health problem after another including sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, asthma, back pain, knee pain, and mobility problems (1/2 block I was out of breath). I hope to loose 100 lbs but will be happy with 80, and I plan to take early retirement in 2 years (as soon as I am eligible). Can really afford to start over with something new, but can't take the pressure of the corporate environment either. I'm just sorry I didn't wake up years ago, but grateful I did wake up. Even though the weight is coming off slowly, my life is improving. I can walk almost a mile (slowly), I eat primarily healthly (white bread, white rice, white flour and white sugar, has become a thing of the past), mostly vegetarian, some fish. I don't feel bloated all of the time, and I don't feel like a glutton when I eat. I feel better when I take my vitamins, but I forget alot. Drink alcohol alot less, 1/2 glass of wine is the most I have. Before surgery 2 dark beers followed by a large glass of wine with dinner was the norm. I guess what I'm trying to say is the surgery won't cure everything, I do have to work with good healthy choices too, but the band helps to make me think everytime I eat and drink. I too think it's the best thing I've done for me so far, retirement just might top it however in a few years.

DONALI 1. You are NOT hungry - hunger is not the problem for you. You have NOT been hungry since surgery. girl) well I get hunger pains at times.. but I have never cared about them much at all in my life.. I have gone days without eating in the past and just dont care.... Its just a little weird thing about me. 2. Your sole purpose in getting the band was so that you would not be able to eat - ANYTHING, period. Because if you can eat, you will - hunger or not. girl) NO.. smaller amounts of food.. but it doesnt work that way. but yes, I will eat whether I am hungry or not. 3. Whether you can eat or not, there is absolutely no hope whatsoever that you will make healthier, more nutritious choices. IF you can eat, you will eat more cheetos, more Cookies, more chicken nuggets, more milk, more juice, more soup. If you CAN'T eat, you will subsist on less milk, less juice, less soup, less cheetos, and less cookies. girl) yes I KNOW, There IS 'help' what so ever".. but I am not willing to keep trying when I have been trying for so long.. trying everything and with 100% effort. and failing.. WHY WHY WHY keep doing that.. I BUT KNOW I STILL DO IT!!!! I HAVE NOT GAVE UP>> I STILL TRY DAILY.. I just have no hope.. or tiny bit I will ever be able to do itt 4. You have already had so much therapy regarding your head issues with food that you "have a degree" in it. girl) I have a bachelore degree in psychology.. Thats what I meant. I said that just to show I have a tad more experience in the mentallity of it all than usual. 5. Prior to banding, you lost 48 pounds. girl) 41, yes 6. You want more consistent/stable restriction so that you can have liquids/cheetos/cookies throughout the day, not just at night. girl) lol... I guess so... I dont see it was want.. I flipping HATE them.. lol Its OUT OF CONTROL. I tell everyone to NOT to allow the crap, I write it on my grocery list "NO CHEETO"S".. I tell my kids they can never go buy any for me no matter how much I beg.. ect.. I TRY! Just out of curisosity, how did you lose the 48 pounds? girl) Low carb.. under 20 carbs a day.. its eAsy. Do you really have absolutely no intention of migrating yourself to a more healthful way of eating? I have EVERY intention.. I want to be a vegetarian too.. I want to cut WAY down on milk products mostly.. (I joined peta)...I do I do I do. Do you really intend on subsisting on milk, juice, cheetos, soup, cookies and chicken nuggets for the rest of your life? No.. I hope and I will try to get UNDER CONTROL.. as I lose weight and I get surgery I need and my life becomes "easier", I really think as I can get fit and my life together that will include the eating and diet as well.... we'll see.. I believe once upon a time you said you were a nurse - am I remembering that correctly? Are you supplementing your daily intake with a good multivitamin like Alex hopes? lol, nope.. my17 yr old daughter is a sophmore in college trying to get into nursing school. I take a flintstone chewable.. maybe theres more I need though. I do understand about eating when you are not hungry. I do understand about eating as much as possible, as often as possible, stopping only because I am out of food or because there is literally not room for even one more bite. I dont do that.. I never have... I mean I have pigged out.. but it wasnt common for me to do. Like For lunch I would have a 99cent plain cheese burger or a small KFC snacker and tons to drink. and be full. I just drank like gallons a day. What I don't understand is your inability/unwillingness to include more healthful/nutritious choices in your menu.I'm not talking about cutting out any of your current choices altogether - I'm talking about choosing to eat lean Proteins and veggies first, and then (if it's physically possible), indulging in the less nutritious stuff. ..not unwilling.. I am trying... see my first post.. I have NEVER ate meals and I just cant seem to want to or get any discpline to do so. I honestly don't know what to tell you - everything I know about banding success hinges on people being able to modify their habits at least somewhat. This is something you wouldn't have to do all at once - make the changes one at a time, in a gradual way. I think its modifying that I dont cram food into my mouth or try to eat whe my band says no.. or dozens of other things. If you are able to be successful going about this "your" way then I am happy for you. But it doesn't seem to be working for you too much at the moment. I lost 30 pounds this last two months so all the crying about not losing weight was for nothing.. I did.. AND YET I am not all fine and dandy.. INFACT I am MORE motivated to NOT eat the crap at night and try to do it better. If you had nothing but healthfood foods in the house, you wouldn't eat them? Even if there wasn't anything else? It is not your children's responsibility to resist your pleas to bring home junk food - I cannot lay the blame at their feet. And they dont.. I try to tell them but ultimately they do as I say. and or I get it my self. They help as much as possible.. All the blame is mine.. Throughout my life I have often wished I could be locked in a room for a year or so where the exact amount/quality of food I needed to be my perfect weight was slid under the door - nothing more, nothing less. That I didn't even get to see or interact with people - the sole purpose was to have my diet managed for me. It sounds like you might benefit from that kind of fantasy situation. for sure..lol, I still wish I had like a cook who could cook delious food that was low in fat and sugar so I didnt notice It was "yucky"..lol Unfortunately, I am unaware of any place like that (I still wish there was one for me!). I have only myself to rely on for my choices. When I choose well my life swings towards health - when I don't, my life swings towards sickness. Sometimes I'm healthy, sometimes I'm not. But I try and make it easier on myself by limiting what I have available at home, so that my choices are a little easier, at least in that one place in my life. I know.. I do limit what I have at home.. its too easy to go out to fast food or the corner store, that "whats in the house" means nothing... I buy all decent stuff when I grocery shop.. I have made sure my kids NEVER got fat.. (thats the biggest reason) Hoping you can make a place in your life where making more nutritious choices is a little easier, and that once you make that place, that it grows throughout your life until you come out on the other side a more healthy, nourished soul - inside and out. ((hugs)) THANKS SO MUCH... you really did listen VERY WELL!!! Good advice too!! (as always

Hi all: One of our fellow Bandsters, called me yesterday excited about an awesome and informative show on "The View" yesterday. There was some excellent information and the featured guest was Joy Bauer, who wrote several cookbooks and nutrition books, the latest being "Cooking with Joy". Read below what the show was about! She said it was EXCELLENT and wished she had taped it!!! Maybe we can catch the re-run. ******************************************* The View Tue., Aug. 16: "Weight Loss" special Tuesday, August 16th (Originally aired 6/20/05) Today's show was all about getting in shape! Since recent studies have expressed that eating dairy may actually help you lose weight, we recruited nutritionist Joy Bauer to explain exactly what that entails as well as to disclose other foods that also vow to assist in shedding those extra pounds. Below you will find a brief description of the topics discussed on this morning's program. For more nutritional advice, pick up a copy of Joy's latest book Cooking with Joy. This publication is now available through the ABC TV Store. Fiber Insoluble fiber takes a longer time to chew and provides volume to food without adding a lot of calories. All-Bran Cereal Low-Carb Bread Wheat Bran Soluble fiber helps to stabilize blood sugar levels, which ward off hunger and cravings. Strawberries Apples Pears Steel-cut oats oatmeal Chickpeas Black Beans JUICY FOODS Fruits and vegetables with a high Water content "built in" helps to fill you up resulting in eating less collectively throughout the day. Drinking straight water separately does not have the same effect since it leaves the stomach more rapidly. Watermelon Lettuce Tomatoes Cucumbers Mushrooms Grapefruit Cantaloupe LEAN Proteins Lean proteins can slightly rev up your metabolism after ingestion. To calculate your daily personal requirements, multiply .50 x your body weight in pounds to find out how many grams your intake should be. chicken breast Canned light tuna Shrimp cocktail Turkey breast Tofu Turkey burgers DAIRY There is some evidence that ample dairy can help promote weight loss. Stick with low-fat or non-fat sources and reap the other benefits from Calcium as well, bone health, colon protection, alleviate menstrual cramps and help manage blood pressure. Non-fat yogurt Part skim string cheese Skim milk Low-fat or fat-free cottage cheese Low-fat or fat-free cheese SPICY FOODS Capsaicin has been shown to increase fat oxidation. However, studies have yet to prove that hot spice can promote weight loss. On the other hand, studies have reported that people are often satisfied with less food when the meal is spicy hot. Plus, you automatically eat slower and drink more water. Chili peppers, jalapenos Habaneros Hot salsa Spicy vegetarian chili Stir-fry veggies with chili peppers DIET SODA A study from The University of Texas has shown that people who drink diet soda are more likely to become obese because they are over compensating and give themselves permission to eat high caloric foods. Bottom line is you must be accountable for the calories you intake and drink water! Next, Jorge Cruise, weight loss expert and author of The 3-Hour Diet, showed us how the things we do in our daily routines, such as brushing your teeth and going to the mall, can actually burn calories and help us lose weight. Below you will find a brief description of the topics discussed on this morning's program. For details on how to set your metabolism in motion and for a free weight-loss profile ($40 value), please visit 3hourdiet.net. Furthermore, The 3-Hour Diet is now available through the ABC TV Store. The Ultimate Calorie Countdown Brushing Your Teeth 2x a day = 46 calories = 322 calories per week Getting Dressed 10 minutes of extreme activity = 100 calories maximum a day = 700 calories per week Pushing a Stroller Working with the stroller (i.e., opening, closing, picking up the baby) 3x a week for an hour = 1,800 calories per week Sitting and Eating If you eat 400 calories of food per meal you will burn 100 calories from chewing and digesting, 3 meals (at 400 calories each) and two Snacks (at 200 calories each) per day = 2,800 calories per week HOUSEHOLD CHORES Vacuuming 3x a week for 10 minutes sessions = 300 calories per week Doing Laundry Vigorous activity once a week = 600 calories per week Cleaning House Deep cleaning for an hour once a week = 600 calories per week Grocery Shopping Vigorous activity for an hour once a week = 600 calories per week THINGS YOU DO FOR FUN Playing with your Kids 3x a week for 30 minutes intervals = 1,400 calories per week Sex 2x a week for 10 minutes = 200 calories per week Shopping at the Mall Actively moving around the mall once a week = 400 calories per week THINGS YOU DO FOR EXERCISE Swimming Biking Jumping Rope Running Pilates or Yoga Weight Training Each individual activity 3x a week at 30 minute intervals = 900 calories per week Then we met two women, who each lost more than 130 pounds through weight loss surgery, who felt that while the physical results were what they expected the emotional results put a whole new weight on their shoulders.

I'm glad that you didn't leave. You've supported me countless times, and have always done it with a smile. You're one of the most selfless and caring individuals on this board, and WE NEED YOU HERE!!! I feel your pain about the numbers not moving. Even when I was exercising 4 days/week and eating a healthful vegetarian diet, those dang numbers wouldn't move more than a pound below what I am at right now. It's frustrating, infuriating, and downright tisses me off sometimes - but then I stop to think about how far I have come from my heaviest weight. I think about how I can chase my son around without thinking that I'm going to drop over dead, and I think about how I am at least one size smaller than what I used to be. Keep reminding yourself of how far you've come, and it'll help keep your mind off of how far you have to go. (I have to give myself this pep talk ALL OF THE TIME!) Good luck my sweets. I know this journey isn't an easy one, but the important thing is that we are doing it, and we are better people for that reason. Lots of Love to You!

I dont mind a liquid diet, I have been on several of those because I have TMJ. Lemme tell ya something, chicken broth from a straw is not appetizing lol. I say life is beautiful because it is something new I have learned, I used to think it was horrible that I wanted it to be over, but now I want to live, I just want to be healthy. I LOVE to exercise, when I was on the road to anorexia in about 6th grade I would walk 5 miles or more a day, I loved it. I have my exercise equipment, I just cant use it. I just dont understand why every time I get on here someone new is getting the band and I am still sitting around waiting and dissentigrating. I used to have gorgeous skin, but now it is dry and pasty since I cant do anything. I used to play golf, was on the golf team, was number one in the school for girls golf. I went to District leading, guess what? I tripped over a root on the most gorgeous day to play golf (all the other tournements were in thunderstorms and massive rain), and my knees havent been the same since. I had to quit the golf team because I was useless, and was denied my letterman because I didnt finish the district game because they wouldnt let me with my injury because it was running the score up instead of keeping it down. Now I am completely inactive and I hate it. I thought I had gotten better my sophomore year so I started going to the gym 6 days a week conditioning in hopes to start golf again. Well... I was doing good for about a week and a half, then all of a sudden my body stopped working, I couldnt get out of bed my muscles wouldnt lift me. So I figured I was just sore and was overdoing it (I was walking up to 3 miles a day). So I didnt go for a week. I went back and couldnt life anything over 5lbs with any of my muscles and everytime I got on the equipment my bones and joints would go all wacky and crooked and stuff. That is why I was sore, I didnt know other peoples' shoulders couldnt go over the top of their head when they did the stand up crunches. I didnt know that other peoples' elbows did bow out when putting pressure on them. And I sure never realized that other peoples' legs didn't bow backwards when they were walking on the treadmill. I would get done exercising and be even more limber, which is great if you weigh 100lbs and are a cheerleader. Not great when you are 240lbs. I cant do what I love. I cant even write anymore because my hands hurt too much, I erase and redo too much to do it in a recorder then play it back into the computer for it to type. I dont know, seems like weight is ruining my life. You all know why I quit weight watchers? Because the lady got on to me for not eating enough, when I was perfectly satisfied at the portions that I was eating. She was incredibly rude to me because I couldnt eat enough for the diet. I quit vegetarianism because I almost passed out after almost a month from not having enough nutrition. When I was doing the vegan thing, I felt wonderful and light all the time, I felt good, until I got fuzzy eyed and light-headed in San Antonio. I dont always take my adepex because I will stay up for 2 days straight, without being tired at all. I quit the Birmingham diet because, well it was nasty lol. I dont do Atkins because I dont like a lot of meat or cheese (I cant taste the cheese, why add the extra calories?) I quit counting calories because I have Dyscalculia and couldnt count the calories lol. I quit subway because I got burnt out on sub sandwiches (still cant order anything I used to eat). Quit not eating because I got to Jr. High and there were better food choices and I lost all my friends when I started eating again. I dont remember being on any other real diets, hmmmm....... cant think og anymore, but I have done the same things over and over since I was like 3 and mom was doing them for me.

Tough one. I am dating a new guy. We have done the naked time thing. He never asked about my scars but is freaked about what I do and don't eat. Jeez, I never make a big production out of eatting but other people seem to be so concerned. It reminds me very much of when I was a vegetarian. Didn't eat meat or anything animal for over 15 years. I never talked about it or made a big to do. When someone found out.....man, what a nightmare. THEIR nightmare! I'm not going to be responsible for other peoples dramas. Especially unfounded drama. I have found that it is too complicated to talk about my surgery and I am very laid back and don't like conflict. If I hear one more person say, "Oh, you had weightloss surgery. By pass?" No, not by pass. It's called the lapband. It's a band around............Oh God!!!!! I just can't!! "Yeah, by pass. I have an aunt who blah blah blah..... AAHHHHH!!

Hey Chunk! If you need any help with vegetarian things just give me a holler. I am a vegetarian by choice (and my husband and child) for 2 weeks now, and we are loving it. They make some very tasty fake meats (made by Bocca, Morningstar, and Gardenburger) and you could possibly get some of those to work for you. Yes, be prepared for a lot of stares and shoulder shrugging, and people not being supportive of your choice. It comes with the territory, unfortunately. You will find that you can get just as much Protein from the fake meats and different types of Beans, and dairy too, as you would've from just eating meat. And should you feel that you're still not getting enough, Protein shakes come in very handy too. I have listed some vegetarian food pyramids here on the food board, and that may help you out some as well. We are Ovo Lacto Vegetarians too, which means that we still consume eggs and dairy for now. If you need any help just let me know. ~Kelly

Three months ago I sat in a small sandwich shop and ate a huge turkey sub. Turkey, cheese, and a mountain of veggies covered with mayonnaise, that was delicious. It is also just a memory. I can no longer handle meat. My first experience was 45 days post op. My wife and I went to a steak house. I ordered a small steak and planned to take a few small bites to Celebrate liberation from the rigorous post-op diet my surgeon put me on. The steak was so juicy and tender. I chewed slowly in appreciation of solid food and swallowed the small fillet of heaven. I threw up the moment the steak hit my stomach. Not the best start to my new lifestyle. I was in plenty of pain for the next half hour. The next day I reported back to my surgeon for my first fill. He told me that some people just can't handle some things and to say goodbye to my old friend. A few weeks ago, I sat down with a small hump of cottage cheese and spinach with blu cheese. I sprinkled my salad lightly with tiny shreds of bacon. Again, the moment the bacon hit my belly I was in trouble. What a stomachache! I can eat all sorts of things: sticky rice, white bread, and any vegetable, but any type of meat just gives me trouble. The long and short of this story is that I am now a vegetarian. A couple days ago, my wife had some friends over - a gakle of 20 something grad students. As they giggled and gossiped in the living room, I rummaged about the fridge in search of cheese or some other lap band friendly meal. Sadly the fridge contained only party foods: soda, alcohol, juice (did I say food?), and fried chicken. I poked my head around the corner and asked my wife if we had anything other than meat. This caused a little commotion among the ladies in the living room. "What, he doesn't like chicken?" I heard one of them chide. My wife explained that I am a vegetarian. This pronouncement was met with a moment of angst as the room fell silent and all eyes turned to me, a 5' 10'' 25 year-old weighing almost 300 lbs even. I broke the silence with my own awkward chuckle. I guess you had to be there. -Chunk

There are alot of really good vegetarian sites. I was a vegetarian for 5 years. Can you eat eggs? If you can, don't worry eggs,cheese and beans you can get all the protein you need.

Ok, this is going to seem like a stupid question. In fact, I know it is. I hate meat. I was a vegetarian for 2 years and didn't even miss meat at all. Then I developed anemia so my dr told me to eat steak. So I ate meat, in limited amounts. When I never ate meat I never even thought about Protein. In fact, I begin to wonder if I was getting any at all. Now I am a bandster and I am told that protein is very essential for us. For someone who ate very little protein to begin with, what is the difference now that I have a band? Is protein needed to lose weight? Or just to be sure that my hair doesn't fall out? Please don't think I'm a dummy!! :cheeky I never took any nutrition classes in college so all I know is that bodybuilders need lots of protein. Thanks!!