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I am not vegetarian, but I was raised as one for religious reasons. As such, I grew up eating commercial meat replacements (TVP). One thing I found in the first few weeks after I was released to full diet is that meat sat VERY heavy in my sleeve, but TVP was VERY well tolerated. Some of the options are very high in fat and sodium, but there are some healthier options. And of course, on a high Protein low carb plan fat isn't an issue as long as it's healthy fats. So definitely try lots of different protein sources. Beans and lentils worked well for me from puree phase on. And if you're lacto-ovo of course cheese and eggs are good protein sources. My surgeon warned me that some people don't tolerate eggs right off the bat even though they're typically listed in the puree/soft foods lists, and I was one of those people. I didn't tolerate eggs well until I was several weeks into full diet. But now they're no problem. So even if something doesn't sit well right off the bat, don't write it off completely until you try it again later. Bottom line, it may be a bit more challenging to do a high protein diet with no meat sources, but it's definitely do-able. If you've been eating that way for a while already you already know about how to get a complete protein and that's the biggest challenge in learning to do vegetarian/vegan. Lacto-ovo is easier than complete vege/an but even that's doable if needed for whatever reason. Good luck!!

You can definitely do it. I am. I am not a vegetarian, but I generally only eat meat/chicken/fish once a day and about 2-3 oz at most. I have a non-meat source twice a day. It would be quite easy to swap out that last meal and still hit my Protein goals. In fact, every 6 weeks when I travel, I generally do not eat any meat during that week (for simplicity) and it works out well. I eat a lot of Soups - split pea, bean and lentils based. I make big batches and freeze then for lunch. This is all part of my surgeons plan. He asks his patients to eat at least one non-animal protein meal a day. I have also found I've lost quite quickly (disclaimer: I'm male). I'm down 185 lbs in 10 months. And I've been in maintenance for the last 6 weeks or so. From 333 to 148. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Read proteinoholics. It is a great book by Garth Davis. Excellent resource. He and his father are bariatric surgeons in Houston. Garth advocates a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle . Sent from my VS987 using the BariatricPal App

I am a pescatarian, but eat a lot of vegetarian meals. There is a Facebook page you can ask to join: WLS vegetarians. There are quite a few people on that page who eat completely plant-based diets after surgery. I have gotten a few ideas there (though I am still struggling with meal planning 6 months out). I haven't found anything that my sleeve does not tolerate in small portions. I definitely eat beans (and some rice) without any issues at all. I can only eat tiny bits of some raw veggies (cucumbers, carrots, and cauliflower) because they fill me up super quickly, but I can eat lettuce and arugula without any issues. I can eat about half a tangerine or apple before feeling full, but no problems at all with digesting/tolerating any of it. You also can add veggie meat substitutes back to your diet after surgery earlier than you can add meat (if you eat it). I have been eating veggie burgers (half of one fills me up), Boca crumbles, etc. for a couple of months now.

There are a multitude of reasons people choose not to eat meat, or certain kinds of meat, and all are valid. She stated that she is a pescatarian, which means she eats fish. She may also be lacto-ovo which would mean she drinks milk and eats eggs. But even if she's not lacto-ovo, I don't think we should be trying to convince her to eat meat when she has religious/moral/health reasons for not. I am no longer vegetarian, but was raised that way for religious reasons (we were lacto/ovo/pescatarian in practice) and I can assure you that there are MANY ways to get plenty of protein without eating meat. There are a number of high protein foods that are not animal-based. http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4771/10-Vegan-Sources-of-Protein.html To the OP: I have been trying to find meal planning help with my own food issues, and have found that in general the options are not very good. There's tons of recipe ideas here in the recipe section and on Pinterest, but not a lot of information about how to plan meals especially if you're planning to do once-a-week or once-a-month cooking. There are resources for OAW/OAM cooking, but it's with their recipes and doesn't offer a lot of insight as to how to put your own recipes in place of theirs. If you search once-a-week or once-a-month cooking, and read enough of the books/resources, there are basic principles you can apply. Like which kinds of food freeze well, which are good for make-ahead, etc. I personally have found it very hard to implement from scratch. But if you dig enough you can find them. I will offer that if you're doing low-carb, you shouldn't worry overmuch about fat. The concept of low-carb requires a higher fat content than in a "normal" diet. I wouldn't go overboard, but since you don't eat red meat, your fat options are going to tend to be the "healthy" fats, so I really wouldn't worry much about that. Also, I advise getting some clarification around "only 3 meals" a day. Post-op, your intake at a sitting will be so little that I don't believe only allowing 3 meals a day is wise. My instructions are to eat every 3-4 hours. Many of the people here who have 3 meals only as instructions, were allowed 2-3 Protein Drinks outside of those 3 meals as "snacks". Others are told 3 meals with 2 or 3 low calorie high protein Snacks. Good luck! If I remember when I get home (feel free to PM me to remind me) I can post some of the OAW/OAM resources I've found. I would love some of those resources. I had not considered looking for once-per-week/month / foods that freeze well, etc. I definitely will look for that. I am supposed to have three meals with Protein shakes in between (I guess as "snacks" but they said, "No snacking" -- I guess just another way of saying the same thing!).

If whey is a problem, look at vegetarian options like Vega Sport or egg protein like Jay Robb.

Early on, meat did NOT sit well in my sleeve, even when it was moist and shredded. I grew up vegetarian so vegetable Protein (TVP) was something I was already used to. I ordered some meat substitute products I was familiar with off of Amazon and found that they actually sat VERY well on my sleeve (Loma Linda canned products). Now everything but steak sits pretty well, but some days my sleeve is being a little tetchy and I'll still break out a Loma Linda Big Frank instead because I know it will be well tolerated. Play around with different protein sources and find out what your sleeve likes.

I'll be 4 weeks post op but hope to have a sprout! Love them and a bit of roast parsnip, I'm vegetarian too, haven't decided on our main yet. Just made the mince pies and some shortbread, they're smelling amazing! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Yeah, me too. During pre-op, I think they were messing with me on purpose, telling me I might not like beef anymore, or smoked meat, or bacon, blah blah blah. I was worried I might turn into a vegetarian, start wearing Birkenstocks, and buy a Prius. None of that happened. Does it really cause you pain, or do you just feel really full? Early in my soft food phase, I would get full very quickly. One more bite, and I was uncomfortably full. And I mean literally, one bite would do it. As time progressed, I was able to eat more, but I can still cross that line between full and uncomfortable if I do not pace myself and pay attention.

To answer your question, no my doctor did not tell me to count calories. They wanted me to get at least 60g of Protein and less than 50g net carbs per day. At first you can eat so little you don't need to worry about calories. Be careful with the carbs though as you can eat a lot more than you think as they are "slider foods" As you get further a long calories will matter, I stay between 800 and 1000 calories per day and maintain the protein and carb goals. Also as you get further a long it will matter what you eat not how much you eat too. On your vegetarian diet I would eat the foods that give you protein first, then veggies and then carbs. Same principle just different foods. P.S. most diet trackers will let you change your "measurements" to track what you want. The one I use let me change my settings to track my protein, carbs and calories so I don't go over. All though you do not need to track your numbers, knowing what you ate helps you later on if you have a stall.

yeaa its sooo odd im 12 weeks out and have lost 44lbs since surgery im like WOAH howww did that happen. i still go to dinner socialise with friends im not drinking yet though im leaving that for xmas eve (my birthday) i like trying new healthier options im trying that like salads and vegetarian dishes im loving it. i still see the fat girl though its very strange i cnt shake her off. Highest weight recorded: 319lbs surgery weight: 276lbs current weight: 232lbs im pretty happy with that!!! all we can do is keep trying Sent from my SM-G935F using the BariatricPal App

The doctor at my clinic wrote a book. The title is Proteinaholic by Garth Davis. He's had his patients following a MOSTLY vegan/vegetarian diet for years, and the look amazing! It is their choice if they want to become a FULL vegetarian/vegan and fully embrace the lifestyle. In the book, since I read some today, he basically stresses that in today's society, Protein has became too much of a major issue. Animal meats have it, there are supplements and powders and it's basically killing people. He had a health scare and it woke him up to this reality. He stresses there is no reason to add protein to your diet if you eat the right vegetables and fruits at the proper amounts for your body. The food is the fuel. All of us have different doctors, each doctor is different. What works for one person won't for another. My doctor's want me to ONLY worry about losing weight and choosing right foods and exercising as much as possible. As mentioned above, someone stated fruits, veggies, and raw nuts. All things in my diet as well. Forks Over Knives was a book they stressed to me. There are new approaches now that doctors are taking that use more earthly ingredients. And one of his patients is 3 years out and looks absolutely gorgeous! Other patients have raved about the success on his diet program. He gives you the ultimate choice to fully become vegan/vegetarian; if you still want small portions of meat, then it is fine. Carbs are a choice to have occasionally, not an every day basis. So now that I have studied his plan more and looked at lots of vegetarian cookbooks, and seen his patients results, I will definitely give this my all. I'm not even 3 weeks out yet and already had puréed Beans w/ jalapeño peppers. I love my spicy food and I had no trouble with it. Granted this doctor is not my doctor, but he works in the same clinic with his father, who founded the clinic, and my doctor partnered with them at the clinic and recommends the same diet because of the results and how healthy it is. I'm hoping it all goes great and will continue with confidence. I wish everyone luck with whichever diet you may be on. But please keep in mind not everyone will follow that same plan, as this is a newer approach that has been proven to work as well. We should all follow what our own doctors tell us to do. Happy Holidays to all!!!

Msro, I think you will definitely be able to enjoy seafood again. I think my real life diet is similar to yours -- vegetarian on & off, mostly fish when an animal Protein, chicken occasionally, although I wouldn't mind getting away from chicken altogether-- it's just so convenient and readily available. Anyway, back to fish, during my psych evaluation, the psychiatrist was very happy to know I loved fish, because it's very easy to digest and it's a good way for sleevers to get protein and all the other good stuff that comes from fish. Not everyone likes fish, and other animal protein can be hard to digest. So we have that in our favor. Your preop diet sounds great! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@bananashake my doctor had told me most of his patients tried the Protein shake and raw vegetables diet and lost weight. I added seafood and chicken to mine which I put in salad and broth. I pray that after my surgery I will be able to still enjoy fish and chicken. If not I don't mind being vegetarian I have been one before and lost 54 lbs Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I do know there are many vegetarian bariatric people out there because I've read many articles, but it is a difficult way to get Protein. But they said I didn't have to become full vegetarian, just to make sure my "stars" on the plate was veggies, fruits, and Beans. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Thanks. I always heard the Protein was a big deal. But when all of them said counting protein was unnecessary and "malarkey" (their word lol), I was shocked. Other people were shocked when I told them my program. They said any fruit I want, any bean I want, but black Beans were best, and they didn't get into vegetables much, but I'm going to assume potatoes are a no, as I can't have white bread or wheat/whole wheat bread. Luckily, I'm not much of a bread eater, and Pasta is only on occasion. I assumed it was contradicting to several programs, which is why I had questions. But apparently from what I gather, he (the main doctor) has had lots of success with the program (he's vegetarian himself, but I'm still going to enjoy fish/seafood and a few other lean meats). I hope I do get good results. I mean, it will be nice to not have to count, but I had literally tons of low carb recipes saved up because that was my plan. Now I have to put time into researching this one. I just basically want to see if anyone else had heard of something similar to this. I did, however, get GENEPRO to add to fruit/veggie smoothies to cover my bases! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I had the Sleeve surgery on 11/23/16. As of now, I'm still on purée foods. On January 4, I will advance to a regular diet. Now, before I say this, I want to be clear that I am going to follow the doctor's food plan. All three doctors at the office have told me the same thing, so it must be a plan that works. With all that said, I am curious how many of your doctors' have told y'all not to count Protein or calories or worry about numbers? My doctors all said to focus on Beans, fruits, and veggies....or as they also said, Fiber FIBER FIBER (lol). I'm still allowed to eat meats, as long as long as beans, fruits, and veggies take up the majority of the meal/day. Also, I can still have rice, Pasta, bread, and tortillas (all whole grain, with the exception of corn tortillas occasionally). They recommend the program (which has 3 books, 1 being a cookbook) called Forks Over Knives, which is a plant-based meal program. Some of the recipes look awesome, but from what I've skimmed through and seen, it is vegetarian. I don't have to go by the book totally. But they said absolutely no counting because it is not necessary and they don't want this to feel like a diet because looking at it as a diet can cause failure, so not to stress it. What plans do you follow? Is anyone's similar to what I will be following? Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

A lot has been going on since I started this journey. Good and wonderful things. My ex husband and I got remarried a month ago having a ceremony Sept 22 2017. I am officially a GLAMma My first granddaughter was born December 5th. My first couple of visits with my surgeon weren't that great. He put me on a Protein shake raw vegetable diet. The first month was good the second month in I was getting nauseous so I added fish and Chik'n (vegetarian chicken) to my diet. Invested in a fit bit which has came in handy. Lost 16 lbs so Far. I have my Pre op meeting on the 13th Meet with the surgeon on the 14th My surgery date Jan 24. He decided the sleeve which is what I wanted in the beginning Nervous and anxious. As always leaving it in Gods hands Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I wanted refried beans, however, my physician reminded only vegetarian style was acceptable because all the others contain LARD. Which is definitely not part of the lifestyle change. Tamales are nothing but LARD and use masa which is a carby component of tortillas. I'm never going back to my old body so I'm adhering to the rules. There are low carb and low fat alternatives out there. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I use a vegetarian chili recipe that chops up chickpeas in a food processor that gives it a meaty like texture. They make chili paste out of dried peppers and Water instead of chili powder. It's awesome. And around 100-120 cal per half cup. I make a big pot almost weekly since surgery. http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2012/01/best-vegetarian-bean-chile-recipe.html Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

There is a for him somewhere nestled in all of these rooms on this app for a post up vegetarian diets. It is not the busiest for him but there are a few people down there who are really good at this and can help you with specific ideas. I think being vegetarian in the first few months is a little difficult because the restriction is extreme due to swelling, but I think down the road it's much more realistic to have a vegetarian diet and get everything you need from it. Good luck! I have considered this myself. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Almost 6 months out 65 lbs down started at 308. Learned that I can get a good amount of carbs down if I eat them slowly. Need to get back on track. Dont love meat. In fact get repulsed when I Cook meat or fish. Sick of eggs. Anyone k ow of ways to get off of carbs while being satisfied with other choices. Or bean recipes that are good sources of ptotein? Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

I'm a vegetarian! You can find a Facebook support group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1646059515642538/

Watching a documentary and considering it. What do you eat or cook? sleeved November 8th. 27yrs. HW 273 SW 233 CW 215. IG @macon_me

Thank you folks for your responses. In an effort to go vegetarian a bit, I significantly reduced the meat from my diet and perhaps that was the mistake. jilani