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Hi! You know, I decided long ago to join the ranks of a vegetarian, one person advised me to start, for my health and lose weight. Read more: http://happybody.tv/vegan-diet-and-weight-loss/ I'm just trudging on the fact that I do not eat fish, meat and seafood. I started to cook, for what I did not like before, and cooking is now a pleasure, and it turns out magically delicious.

Hi! You know, I decided long ago to join the ranks of a vegetarian, one person advised me to start, for my health and lose weight. Read more: http://happybody.tv/vegan-diet-and-weight-loss/ I'm just trudging on the fact that I do not eat fish, meat and seafood. I started to cook, for what I did not like before, and cooking is now a pleasure, and it turns out magically delicious.

On a vegetarian diet, vegan diet, there is NEVER ANY recognition of protein deficiencies. B12 yes, but never protein. I have no idea why people can say there is no protein in anything but red meat or poultry. If you look up the makeup of foods, there is protein in a lot of things.

A great book to read is Dr. Neal Bernard's book 21 day kick start or breaking the food seduction. And dr. Furhmans book eat to live is good to. Just to clarify vegan is someone who uses no animal products, food,clothing,etc. A plant based diet is centered around plants and means you dint eat animal products. I wasn't a fan of stone odd the recipes so I use happy herbivore and oh she glows. Minimalist baker is good too. She also had vegetarian options. He explains it in a scientific way. Like neal degrasse Tyson says, the thing about science is its true whether you believe it or not. A plant base diet is base in proven scientific research. The leading cardiologists in the country recommend it. You don't hear about it because the meat industry is more profitable, big business. They make hundreds of thousands if not more a week. Why would they want you to stop? Always do heavy research then come to your own conclusion. It's not a cult, lol, when somethings different uneducated people assume the worst. Good luck!

I know! I was a vegetarian for many years and used it then often but forgot all about it. It smells a little funky, but so does cheese... Also amazing stirred into sautéed spinach.

I have looked into weight loss surgery three times in the last 18 months. Vacillating between types of surgeries, buying new gym equipment, or trying to find a new diet. I have a small room full of exercise equipment and every cookbook from Atkins to Zen diet. Finally, while up at an abnormally late hour with my dog, I took an online seminar required prior to a free initial consultation with a surgeon. It was the beginning of a new year and what did I have to lose? If they called me to schedule I could just say "no thank you" if I decided this was a middle of the night pipe dream. The next day they called and instead of avoiding the call, like I almost always do, I answered it. I scheduled my free initial consultation during the second week of February and I went. It was a pleasant meeting with the surgeon and the insurance specialist. I walked away with a lot of fears eased - specifically cost. The surgeon even said that I may be a good candidate for outpatient surgery if I did well with program compliance to help ease any out-of-pocket expenses I may incur after my insurance limit. While this is something I'm not banking on, it's encouraging to say the least. I walked out with a checklist of things do schedule and orders for blood work and an initial home sleep study. I was motivated to get started on this journey that has been years in the making. I have struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember. I was billed "chubby" by my own overweight mother as a child or "big-boned." I slimmed down significantly in high school while maintaining some sharp curves and slimmed down even more in college when I found intramural sports I enjoyed playing. I think it's valuable to briefly share my journey from the past 10 years to show how I reached my decision to have the surgery. An accidental pregnancy at the age of 22, just as I had started graduate school, was a major turning point. My now husband and I made some significant lifestyle changes to welcome our baby into the world, only to discover at around 20 weeks my placenta had abrupted and our boy lost his life. I had to undergo a D&E and find a way to move on. Moving on proved to be another pregnancy very shortly after the loss. Becoming pregnant with my daughter made it seem to my body as though I had been pregnant for well over a year as opposed to a typical 9 months. I was watched very closely and modified activity throughout my pregnancy. She made her appearance several weeks early in late January of 2008. Healthy, but small. I had not emotionally recovered from initial loss and I suffered from post-partum depression for a time. Breastfeeding proved difficult due to her tiny mouth and poor latch and a serious case of mastitis did our breastfeeding journey in. So, I didn't reap the benefits of weight loss from breastfeeding, as I would my son later and I just settled for being heavier. I was too busy with work, being a new young mom, and generally finding myself to really take care of myself from a physical standpoint. I was just stuck as a heavier person. My weight creeped up very gradually and would occasionally yo-yo when I would put in effort with a new diet here or weight watchers there, or that time I bought a new treadmill and a month in it became a new clothing rack. It was frustrating never seeing the results I wanted to see. My husband and I married when my daughter was nearly 4 in late December of 2011. It wasn't what I had in mind, I had visions of eloping. But, family wishes got in the way of my plans and we were married in a very small church service with immediate family present only. My fondest memory of that day is the way my daughter looked and her tight grip on my hand as she helped my dad walk me down the aisle. Pictures of myself from that day are kept hidden. I tried to become smaller in the months leading up to my wedding, but it was frustrating and I couldn't even be proud of what little weight I had lost. My wedding bands stopped fitting about 4 months after our wedding and they still don't fit. I've never had them re-sized because I was always hopeful and trying to lose weight. I became pregnant with our son and another difficult pregnancy ensued. This time I developed tachycardia and spent 80% of my pregnancy sitting or on bed rest. I remember first noticing the issue at my sister-in-law's wedding, just 6 weeks pregnant or so. The room became extremely warm, my heart felt like it was beating out of my chest and I was so dizzy. I sat at a table and I thought about how I didn't feel right. My son was born healthy and strong 9 months later in December of 2012. During that time, I gained and gained because I was limited on mobility and I filled emotional voids with food. My husband lost a lot of weight while I was pregnant and that was so frustrating for me. I nursed my son for a year and during that time, weight melted off of me. I got down to a weight that I was able to feel good about exercising again, so I took up running again. I don't remember exactly why I stopped, but I did. I also gave up the mostly vegetarian diet. I yo-yo dieted for the next few months, waking up late and making up excuses as to why I wasn't going to go to the gym one day to the next. In the summer of 2014 I had my gallbladder removed and I seemed to pack on the pounds even more afterwards. I thought something was wrong with me. I requested my doctor do lab work for thyroid. Everything always came back fine. I was sent to an Endocrinologist to make sure, but it turned out I was just obese and needed to "try harder" at losing the weight. I feel like I've been trying hard to lose weight for years. In 2016 I started to read about people who had lost weight through bariatric surgery. Twice I half-heartedly looked into it, but would choose instead to take a spin class for a few weeks or go on a new diet like Whole30. I would lose a few pounds, but nothing that motivated me to stick with it. This year, a few weeks away from turning 33 as I write this, feels different to me. I need to lose weight. I feel the weight of my body more than ever. I'm in pain physically and emotionally because I'm stuck in a body that limits me from living my fullest life. My kids are 9 and 4 and I want to do things with them that my large body makes difficult. Making that initial "free" consultation I'm hoping will pay me back in dividends. I'm so confident in this decision and look forward to a healthy new body by the end of the year.

Yes, lots of research is definitely the key and it's so encouraging to hear that this definitely can be done vegetarian or vegan. I also get that "not that big" statement because I'm considered "thick" and I'm tall and curvy. What people don't understand is no matter how "not that big" they think you are they'll never know or understand how you feel in your own skin. When you can't fit something at home or in the store, or when you feel tired because your body has to work hard to carry fat. Like in my case I'm a vegan and I excerise and I'm over 250 so I'm making a decision that natural or surgery a change has to happen.

I'm vegetarian and dairy free, and I'm looking to get sleeved this summer. I have a friend who's been vegetarian for her whole life and was sleeved 4 years ago, she's healthy as a horse and has kept off 130lbs. It's definitely possible, so do your research and good luck! Also, I sympathise about the whole "easy way out" perception. I'm 100 pounds overweight, but my friends say I'm "not that big" and I have to defend my decision with the myriad of health benefits it offers. Don't let other people's perceptions keep you from doing what you think is best, but data can help quiet them down. Sent from my SM-G920P using BariatricPal mobile app

I think it would be very hard to stick to a vegetarian much less vegan diet and get in your protein and other nutrients. (You may be saying...but you don't really need as much protein as people think....I know that's what I said in the beginning...but it's not as much of anything.) Having practiced both vegan and vegetarian for a short time, I can't imagine adding that restriction on top of the restriction of volume. Please do lots of research before moving forward. [emoji173]

I'm 4 months post op and curious as to winning meal options for the fish eating vegetarians out there? Sent from my SM-G900F using the BariatricPal App

My mom is like that too. I just stand there and look at her until she remembers. She is always worried i haven't eaten or something and is always pushing food on me. Happens any time im on any diet or "way of life" change. I'll say im becoming vegetarian and come home to smothered pork chops or a whole ham or some delicious meat that i love. I dont know that it's completely to derail me but it certainly is conveniently timed ???? Sent from my SM-G925T using the BariatricPal App

I'm big on beans ... refried or just smashed. Lentils, split peas, quinoa. Maybe because it's been cold and I like something simmering? Baked tofu is tasty too (FYI I am not exclusively vegetarian... occasionally I'll eat chicken.) My band has encouraged grain protein far over any other product

you are right, it is NOT the easy way out. I think all the PRE stuff is to make sure our mental approach has changed and is ready for new beginnings. I am curious what was on your supply list? It's funny because I am hear researching types of Protein for vegetarian Snacks etc.Supply list I hear is a mustJello Medical protein Vitamins Gas x strips Jello cups I need to find a drink I like. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App k out Trimino protein Water, loaded with protein and no carbs or sugar. Tastes pretty good too! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App Thank you will try ! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Yes ! At least we know other are feeling the same good to talk about it Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Wow thanks great tips will check it all out Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

you are right, it is NOT the easy way out. I think all the PRE stuff is to make sure our mental approach has changed and is ready for new beginnings. I am curious what was on your supply list? It's funny because I am hear researching types of Protein for vegetarian Snacks etc. Supply list I hear is a must Jello Medical protein Vitamins Gas x strips Jello cups I need to find a drink I like. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App k out Trimino protein Water, loaded with protein and no carbs or sugar. Tastes pretty good too! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

you are right, it is NOT the easy way out. I think all the PRE stuff is to make sure our mental approach has changed and is ready for new beginnings. I am curious what was on your supply list? It's funny because I am hear researching types of Protein for vegetarian Snacks etc. Supply list I hear is a must Jello Medical protein Vitamins Gas x strips Jello cups I need to find a drink I like. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Miso is a paste made of fermented soybeans. There's all kinds of miso - white, yellow, red, and black, although yellow and red are by far the most popular and available (I've never seen black miso). It's kind of high in sodium, if that's a concern for you. Most people know miso from miso soup, which is miso paste made with a broth called dashi (seaweed and dried fish or shiitake mushrooms (for vegetarians).) But miso can be used in many other ways, like using it as a marinade for fish or chicken (not that that helps you right now), or as a salad dressing, etc.

you are right, it is NOT the easy way out. I think all the PRE stuff is to make sure our mental approach has changed and is ready for new beginnings. I am curious what was on your supply list? It's funny because I am hear researching types of Protein for vegetarian Snacks etc.

So I saw my nutritionist for the first meeting pre op. She said I eat very healthy for a vegan/vegetarian but she wants me to do a protein bar and shake every day to get me to 80grams a day before surgery so I can get used to it. Only issue I'm having is now I don't feel hungry ever and I feel like I'm forcing myself to eat to get the protein in. Is it really necessary for me to be eating so much? Sent from my SM-G930T using the BariatricPal App

I've never craved sugar until surgery! UGH!!! I want it, and I want it in cookie form! Im now trying to eat a more plant based diet which includes fruit, that's how Im going about killing the craving...hopefully eating more vegetarian will help, so far so good, and I feel better without consuming whey, I prefer to get my Protein via Vegan options such as nuts, lentils, Beans, etc...

Try non-spicey Butter chicken (it's not high in fat like it sounds), it's SOO good. I make it by hand but there are some fair grocery store versions. I'm in CA though so it's easier for me to get indian food. Really, if I were you I would start looking at vegetarian recipes. before the surgery I purchased a number of these books and most of them have vegetarian sections. All of them are high Protein low carb centric obviously. Stay AWAY from the crackers!! lol! They will sabotage you so fast your head will spin. These have some great vegitarian recipies: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=bariatric+cookbooks&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Abariatric+cookbooks My favorite is: https://www.amazon.com/Eating-Well-After-Weight-Surgery/dp/1569244537/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484957153&sr=8-1&keywords=bariatric+cookbooks You can probably find them cheaper elsewhere, this was just a good way of finding all of them for you to see.

Okie Dokie... Thought I could get away with!!! What about Vegetarian French Onion??????? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

15 weeks out from VSG, DOS 10-5-17 SUSHI RICE Rice, seasoned miran, soy, avocado, cucumber, ebi (shrimp) furikake sprinkles (there are various kinds if you prefer not to eat seafood), sesame seed, carrot, sriracha, Korean savory roasted seaweed snack sheets. Mmm Mmm good! PHOTO: https://www.instagram.com/p/BPDrMtCBzR8/?taken-by=bridgescrossingbridges You can add baked tofu instead of the Ebi if you dont consume seafood.

Hi! I am doing great still, down over 220 lbs from my highest weight (434 lbs, now 207), and still a vegetarian. I still try to keep my diet as protein-heavy as possible, using veggie "meats," cottage cheese, eggs, greek yogurt, and Protein shakes made with unsweetened almond or soy milk. Going back to meat was never an option for me. I haven't eaten it in over 20 years, so I wasn't about to start lol The amount of food I can eat greatly depends on what it is. Denser stuff like eggs I can't eat a lot of, but when I do have salad or veggies, I can eat more. Still nowhere near the typical amount for a vegetarian, I'd bet, but it is still nice to have a salad on occasion. One pleasant surprise is that I still enjoy food and eating. In fact, probably more so since I savor every bite. Before surgery, I ate lots, all day long. Now, it doesn't take much food to satisfy me, so I make sure every bite is as tasty as possible! Getting the sleeve was probably the best thing I've ever done for myself. I thought I was a relatively "healthy" person at 400 lbs (no comorbidities aside from very mild sleep apnea) but I didn't realize just how much my weight was holding me back until it was gone. Besides the obvious finding clothing (size 34 pants down to 14/16, shirts 5x to XL), it is just generally easier to do everything. I'm even jogging now, slowly working up to a 5k. Good luck on your journey! It can be tough at times, especially in the very beginning. But it is SO worth it!

@@PixelToph How are you doing now, being almost a year out from surgery and being a Vegetarian? Im eating more and more of a plant based diet, I see many Vegans esp raw, eat a LOT of produce, there is no way I could eat a 1/16 of what they eat so I know I wont get to enjoy the vast amount of produce that I even once did. Looking to be inspired!

Hey all! I've been wondering how and where everybody is at from the same time frame as myself. I had my surgery Oct 5th, I was between 263 and 266, I didnt want my exact wt the day of surgery. Today I am 224 but I have seen 223. For the last week and a half I have bounced between 225 and 227. Kind of like when I was at 254, I thought the scale would never move again. I dont even remember seeing the 230's, we were moving and the next thing I knew they were history! Looks like the avg is about 40lbs in loss for this far out. Isn't that great?!!! I am starting Snap Fitness 24hr this week, very excited, I've always loved the way I feel after working out! Now, other things... I feel flabby, eeeew! My boobies have fallen and they seriously cant get up, unless I'm in a sweetheart plunge line brazier! The back side of my undies fall down, butt has deflated! Oh and I have this bit-o-skin under my chin, like a turkey! Now for the food, unfortunates...I backslid during Christmas, boy those Cookies are so easy to get down! Whereas I've never had much of a sweet tooth, apparently the surgeon left that part of my stomach behind, because I have one now! Im trying to get more fruit in and dates, so that I dont eat any baked goods. I also dont do so well with whey any longer so I've chosen a vegan Protein... In fact I eat more vegetarian recipes as well. Beef goes over well (if its cooked soft, so I usually use my Power Pressure Cooker XL, or similar to that is an Instant Pot) but chicken, no so much. At times I crave carbs because my body will feel depleted even if my head doesnt think Im hungry...so I try to eat a healthier carb, such as potato salad made with avocado and no mayo, an egg and seasonings such as cilantro and green onion, etc., or a grain salad.. I think fast food tastes like crap and is a waste of calories (if I feel gross after eating something I try to engrave that into my brain!), but I do crave pizza now and then so I try to not have it in the house except for on a rare occasion. Some weeks are way harder than others, but I find if I eat two egg white bites nearing 4oz from Starbucks in the AM, along with a fruit or PB and banana two hours from that, a smart lunch, dinner and another snack Im good. Eating a hearty Breakfast with a lot of flavor helps me a great deal and it sticks to my bones. For the longest time I could only get between 2-3oz in weight in my belly, now depending if its a slider food that is still more on the solid side and not a Soup I can get between 3-4 oz in, 3oz is the best though, for me... thats if I havent had a muscle meat in my belly that day. Soups and purees are almost like Water to me, I can drink up to 12-15oz, not all at once. Whereas I once loved ice cold water, it now feels hollow and odd in my tummy, so I probably get 32 of unsweetened ice tea in and the same amount of water per day.... this is not acceptable and I can tell by the dizziness that sets in and how dark my urine gets, I need to get more water in. Lately I have been dizzy on occasion, more water helps, I usually add sugarless Propel powder to my water and that helps even more! I do have more headaches than usual and as of this past week my IBS is bothersome after the first meal of the day, poss because Im sensitive to eggs and thats what Ive been eating in the AM. HOW ARE YOU FEELING PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY??? Not everyday is great but we can make tomorrow, or even later better! Don't focus on your failures, meal plan instead, read inspiration and watch healthy cooks on YouTube for inspiration, don't watch MUKBANGS! What I ate today: Two egg white bites Apple slices with peabut butter and a date Sushi Rice 1 Peanutbutter cookie Non-fat greek yogurt, made locally, with a sliced banana and mashed strawberry sauce & granola What I ate yesterday: 2 egg white bites - 13g carbs 13gr protein 170cals 3oz split pea soup (was still full from egg white bites) 1/2 pc pizza (no end crust) 2oz yogurt with granola, half a small organic banana What I ate two days ago: Thai Cashew Slaw ( I LOVE IT) cheese wedge and almonds More Thai Cashew Slaw (no mayo) Pot Salad - 1 baby red potato cooked and chopped, with 1 egg, 1/2 of an avocado, cilantro, herbs, green onion other seasoning. Mashed avocado with herbs and other seasonings to make a dressing Raspberries KEEP ON KEEPING ON! <3 Shana