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Usually I become either a vegan or vegetarian since I'm no longer eating any red meats after my surgery last year. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yes, follow Garth Davis, the bariatric surgeon. I do, he is heavily onto the vegetarian/vegan thing. I am quite close to vegetarianism. Influence of a lot of vegetarians I work with (some do eat chicken, they are from different Indian states, so I don't think it has to do with that).

Micah, I had the gastric bypass and eat a predominantly vegan diet... though I do occasionally still have some lean chicken and dairy. My surgeon (Garth Davis) advocates a mostly vegetarian/vegan diet... and recently wrote a book call proteinaholic. If you're on facebook, I'd recommend liking his page, and also joining the WLS Vegetarian group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1646059515642538/

I am getting there. I recently watched Forks Over Knives, and came away disgusted. My grandpa was a farmer, and even though I knew that our meat and dairy does not really come from family subsistence farms anymore, I had my head in the sand about the brutality it takes to get meat and eggs to the table. My goal is to get to where I don't eat (or wear) anything that comes from a creature with a mother and a face. This is a total upheaval of the way I have eaten all my life and seems to be bariatric heresy. But I am learning about plant based Proteins and how to get my Protein requirements from those. My new diet includes more Beans, spinach, and nuts. The next step will be to experiment with tofu, that thing which I hate. There must be some creative tasty ways to make it taste like something. I had never peeked in on the vegan/vegetarian forum, but I think it's time.

Hi Micah, There is a vegetarian/vegan group somewhere on this site. I was almost vegan (ate cheese but no other dairy) when I had the sleeve on 4 april 2016. For the first 6 weeks I drank milk to reach required Protein levels, plus lots of parmesan cheese. I am first week on solids now and have dropped the milk but still eating dairy for protein, eg yoghurt, cottage cheese, cheddar and eggs. I hope in time I can move back to an almost dairy free state and then finally a vegan lifestyle. I have had to make compromise in order to give my body the best chance at healing. No complications or sickness at all but I only get 40g protein when I should have 60g protein a day. Introducing tofu, lentils, Beans etc into my diet now.

I am wondering if there are other vegetarians/vegans who are getting or have gotten sleeved? I was sleeved 04/18/2016 and found the process a little more difficult because I am a vegetarian. I am also a nurse and thought that it would be a good research project. I would love some input and anything that I use would be kept anonymous. The direction that I am heading with this is to provide a guide for pre and post op vegetarian eating with the gastric sleeve. Feel free to answer me on this board and I will give you contact information. Maybe this can benefit someone you know who is getting the sleeve and is having trouble knowing what they can and cannot eat. Micah

I honestly have been floating all day because I'm in such shock that I've been approved, if you have seen my previous postings about BS/CA then you know why. Needless to say, while I'm ecstatic about this, my nerves are on an all time high! I don't know what's come over me, I just suddenly feel nervous almost to a point where I want to back out. I'm asking myself "Are you SURE you want to do this???" Will I be another successful story? or will I fail? I am also afraid to tell my family (mom, dad, sisters) because I know they are against any wls as they live, GF, fat free, sugar free, vegetarian, lives....so they wonder why I cant as well. While my goal is to use this tool to eat better and get to a somewhat healthy weight, they don't get it. Also I still haven't gotten down to the final weight my Surgeon set my goal for before surgery. I explained to them on today that I was concerned about that and felt that I needed more time before scheduling the surgery but I was assured that I am fine as long as I haven't gained weight, they wont turn me away on surgery day. My date is set for June 16th, pre-op June 8th. Has anyone felt like this before, prior to surgery? I'm shaking as I typed this lol

My Dr is a strong believer in fresh fruits and vegetables (i think if he had his way he would turn me into a vegan/vegetarian!).. and cleared me to eat them cooked or raw either blended/mashed quite early on - with the skin off on fresh fruits of course

@@OutsideMatchInside I don't agree. If I had an allergy to something - I wouldn't expect my boyfriend to stop eating it as well. My sister is a vegetarian - it doesn't mean we don't eat meat in front of her. I'm the one who is morbidly obese - not my boyfriend. I eat healthier (pre-surgery) and he doesn't. I have no problem with this at all - he's certainly not trying to sabotage me (I am the one who usually buys the food he's eating). I need to take responsibility for my own issues and you can't always expect others to eat the same way. Last night for example - my BF ate 1/2 a bag of potato chips while I ate tomatoes and mozzarella. I understand there are people who deliberately sabotage others - but this is not always the case.

I'm almost two weeks post op and have been doing well. Over the past three days I've noticed that whenever I drink a protein shake I'm feeling nauseous and extremely tired afterward. These don't seem like traditional lactose intolerance symptoms but I'm wondering if that could be the problem. I do have some almond milk and vegetarian protein powder I can switch to but I won't get as much "bang for my buck" in terms of protein. Has anyone else had this problem? I'm meeting or exceeding protein and water goals so I'm not dehydrated. The nausea does go away with Zofran. I don't have this problem with yogurt.

Are you vegetarian? If not, my dietitian told me i could have chicken breast (as long as it isnt dry and can be thrown in a processor if needed), or ground beef. Mashed potatoes too!

Heather I, yes quite a similar scenario. That's useful, and I like the idea of looking at it like a vegetarian would need to in terms of sourcing all Protein from veges......thereby getting the fibre at the same time as the protein . Definitely food for thought. Probiotics, yes. We've always moaned about the cost of the unsweetened natural yoghurt that I absolutely adore. And couldn't see much cost benefit in sachets for the easiyo set ups. Duh!! Dopey here hadn't thought about making my own yoghurt simply using dregs of the last brew. It took my chemist to mention it to me. ....as probiotic capsules are not in the budget. So just a couple of days ago I found a complete easiyo set up for $6 from the local op shop and am practicing. So happy about that. Kefir came up when I was looking into systemic candida. I'd forgotten to follow that line of thought so thank you for bringing me back to it. Just before replying I had a quick squizz at a couple of sites. I'll look more into it. If it's more like a yoghurt in consistency I'd give it a go. If it's more like a milk consistency I'd likely gag. I've been a milk baby for over 40 years and am so proud of myself for culling the quantity of milk that I drink. It's a massive achievement and shows dramatically on the scales. Whenever I've tried any other "milky" substitute. .....I gag. I'm used to the sharp tang and texture of natural yoghurt. I'll definitely go do some research and have a play. Kefir does read like a power house food though. Many thanks, Ladies. Sent from my GT-I9300T using the BariatricPal App

My husband got diverticulosis in 2012 and is diabetic, so all the vomiting (crazy! Like 24 hours nonstop where he couldn't catch a breath to puke again!) REALLY made an impact on us (could have stroked out with sugars all over the place). He needs to be on a low(er) carb diet due to diabetes and avoid sugars and carbs, but like you has to balance it all out. This is just HIS situation, FWIW, I went to the dietician with him (after he vomited a week almost a week nonstop and lost 30 lbs in a week! Seriously, he looked like the Auschwitz pics when he got home -- face totally sunken and shriveled.) Anyway, I digress, his dietician recommended kefir every day for the high probiotic count, Greek yogurt for yet more Probiotics, and she said they don't know WHAT causes diverticulitis/diverticulosis, that there was a study done on cadavers and, basically, everyone has the diverticula inherent in their body, but they don't know exactly what triggers some people to flare up and others to have no issues. My husband LOVES nuts and apples (fruit with skins,) and many other so-called no-nos. His dietician said she's a big believer in if it hurts/causes vomiting/cramping/diarrhea/etc., stop. She doesn't discount anecdotal evidence of people saying things like popcorn or nuts do them in, but she said give them a try slowly, one at a time, and see what causes problems. Well, like most guys, he didn't adjust his diet at all in terms of removing items, but he faithfully starts EVERY DAY with kefir and 2-4x a week has a really high quality Greek yogurt. It's been almost 4 years and he's had zero issues. So, again, I'm no dietician, but those were the guidelines given to him by his NUT who specializes in diabetes. Also, again, anecdotally, my brother-in-law is from Poland, where they eat tons of cabbage and pickled vegetables. Ever since coming to the States, my BIL has had TERRIBLE GI issues. My sister makes her own kefir and has started cooking the Old World way with all the cabbage/pickled food he is used to, and voila, his GI issues are GONE. Kimchee (sp?) is a pickled Korean cabbage, I believe, and it's getting tons of great buzz for GI digestion stuff, too. I cringe, but my old boyfriend loved the stuff. Again, maybe adding some of these probiotics will aid you? I forget who is on here is a vegetarian, maybe JamieLogical? But anyway, there's a couple vets who are vegetarians, and they are making the legumes work for them in terms of Protein. Maybe pick their brain, or start a vegetarian thread? Good luck! Hope your NUT gets back to you quicker.

If its just high Protein low cal, why not eat meat? Or are you on a liquid pre-op? If you aren't a vegetarian or a vegan, eating meat is going to keep you more satisfied. Also when you only have 800 calories to work with, you don't want to blow 300 on Breakfast. I have learned that the hard way. You could have a protein shake that is around 160 calories for breakfast, then another one at mid morning instead of spending 300 calories at breakfast. Think of your daily calories like money and you are on vacation. You have 800 a day and you need to make it last. Do you really want to have lobster and crab followed up with a visit to spa all before 10am? Space your calories out, if you eat every 2 hours, not just Jello. Head hunger won't be such an issue.

Thanks girls, u have put my mind at rest, I've binned the scales now. Can't be starting to evolve into a scales warrior lol. I have been on clear fluids, I'm vegetarian so broth wasn't on the menu. I was having weetabix with lots of milk, Water, marmite drink, Heinz Soups, decaff coffee, lolly ices. All in small amounts. I've gained 3 pound since I tried eating over 2 days. I don't actually know how much I should eat each meal, I'm kinda winging it. Today I'm going back to clear fluids and starting again. I'm not hungry so keeping hydrated is a good start x Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Definitely talk to your NUT. Carbs are what I was supposed to avoid completely during my pre-op diet. Since you are vegetarian that is going to be hard to do. Can you do shakes (like premier)? Can you do sugar-free Popsicles, crystal light, decaf tea, etc.?

I'm currently doing my pre-op diet. I am not supposed to have more than 60 grams of carbs a day. I am constantly over this because of all the veggies I eat. If I don't eat a bunch of veggies, I stay hungry. My NUT didn't really explain if carbs from veggies count. Do you think it will be OK to go over the 60 grams of carbs a day as long as it's from veggies? Broccoli and Brussels sprouts are the only thing saving me from hunger and since I'm vegetarian, I'm eating meatless "chicken" strips which has a small carb count as my protien. I'm at a loss. Sent from my XT1254 using the BariatricPal App

I was down 125 lbs. at month 5. My loss has been on the high side compared to a lot of people. I attribute this to exercising most days 45-50 minutes and also being a vegetarian. I also did precisely what the doctor told me to do concerning Protein and calorie intake.

Look up how much protein is in Plants. It is a lot more than meat & milk, plus plant protein will not cause cancer. Remember where do animal's get protein? Yep PLANTS! The protein is not a problem. Ever meet anyone sick from not enough protein. They marketed this to get us to eat meat & milk. It worked. Somehow the rest of the world get there protein with no issues. Jack There are some very valid points you make. But if you look at the teeth of humans, we evolved to be omnivores. Animals have specialized teeth. Look at what cows and horses eat, and how they eat and chew. Humans have teeth for grinding up food but also for ripping and tearing flesh. Millions of years of evolution can't be wrong. I am not saying you are wrong, it is probably not a bad thing to reduce the amount of animal Proteins in our diet. But (I am not going to look this up) are there other benefits to a omnivore vs a herbivore diet that humans need such as certain amino acids, etc. that maybe a balanced plant based diet might not be able to replicate? This will probably light a fire under the backsides of some vegetarians. I am not criticizing your lifestyle, that is your choice. I just will remain an omnivore but maybe with less animal based protein.

Dub that's a great plan. Google whole plant base doctor's in your area or vegetarian. I have two in my area. Since Doctors do not get any nutrician training in med school, most do not know about this. When you tell them you can fix something by diet, you will get a smirk sometimes. While you are at it look at other Doctors on YouTube. Look up milk & cheese. Those two were my biggest surprise. Good health to you.

The food is made to get you hooked. Our tasted & pleasure section of the brain has been hijacked by "Fat, Salt & Sugar". It is not our fault. The gave rats sugar & cocaine. Saw both light up the same section of the brain. Then gave them a choice & each time they picked sugar. Sugar is in 95% of the food in our stores. Here is my story: I have posted it in a other sections; I was sleeved almost 5 years ago. I love it. But I my weight was climbing back up. I was up to 203 from 172. I was having nightmares about my weight coming back. I notice some people would look at my belly before making eye contact, like before. Well my wife came back from her check up in Feb and was told her cholesterol was 345. Her Cardiologist ( from India ) told her she was a heart beat away from a heart attack or stroke & needed to go on a vegetarian diet. Well our daughter told us to watch "FORKS over KNIVES" made in 2011. It saved her friends life. So we watched it on Netflix. We were stunned. First thing you think of is "why is this information not getting out to us?" You are taught If you put good stuff in your body, the body will fix itself. The problem was we did not know what the good stuff was. My wife got up & we cleaned everything bad out of our kitchen & went to the store. ( No gimmicks to buy.) We went back to the Cardiologist 2 months later. He told my wife was in STAGE #2 of Heart disease. We told him we were following the Forks over Knives way of eating. He stated this, "THERE IS NOTHING I COULD DO BETTER THAN WHAT YOU ARE DOING. YOU WILL CURE YOURSELF." Then he wanted to take blood work to see the changes. RESULTS: Wife Numbers WAS 345 New 171 Cholesterol, Her BAD cholesterol was 233 New 71, Lost 25 pounds. Mine: 190 old New 134 weight was 203 now 175. If your cholesterol is below 150 you are heart attack & stroke proof. The doctor took my wife off her meds! Two friends are doing this after I gave them the movie to watch. The are losing weight & both were taken off there diabetic meds. IT CURED THERE DIABETIC PROBLEM. There blood work will be done this month. This is a healthy lifestyle to eat. You eat all you want. No counting. No worrying about anything. Just eat the healthy stuff as much as you want. ​There is a second DVD on Netflix "PlantPure Nation". The doctors go to a town in NC and put volunteers on the Whole Plant Base food for 20 days. The results of blood work in 20 days will surprise you. The body fixes itself fast. This is information that should be taught in school.

I had posted this in the Lap band section. This is my story. ​ I was sleeved almost 5 years ago. I love it. But I my weight was climbing back up. I was up to 203 from 172. I was having nightmares about my weight coming back. ( started out 298 pounds) I notice some people would look at my belly before making eye contact, like before. Well my wife came back from her check up in Feb and was told her cholesterol was 345. Her Cardiologist ( from India ) told her she was a heart beat away from a heart attack or stroke & needed to go on a vegetarian diet. Well our daughter told us to watch "FORKS over KNIVES" made in 2011. It saved her friends life. So we watched it on Netflix. We were stunned. First thing you think of is "why is this information not getting out to us?" You are taught If you put good stuff in your body, the body will fix itself. The problem was we did not know what the good stuff was. My wife got up & we cleaned everything bad out of our kitchen & went to the store. ( No gimmicks to buy.) We went back to the Cardiologist 2 months later. He told my wife was in STAGE #2 of Heart disease. We told him we were following the Forks over Knives way of eating. He stated this, "THERE IS NOTHING I COULD DO BETTER THAN WHAT YOU ARE DOING. YOU WILL CURE YOURSELF." Then he wanted to take blood work to see the changes. RESULTS: Wife Numbers WAS 345 New 171 Cholesterol, Her BAD cholesterol was 233 New 71, Lost 25 pounds. Mine: 190 old New 134 weight was 203 now 175. If your cholesterol is below 150 you are heart attack & stroke proof. The doctor took my wife off her meds! Two friends are doing this after I gave them the movie to watch. The are losing weight & both were taken off there diabetic meds. IT CURED THERE DIABETIC PROBLEM. There blood work will be done this month. This is a healthy lifestyle to eat. You eat all you want. No counting. No worrying about anything. Just eat the healthy stuff as much as you want. ​There is a second DVD on Netflix "PlantPure Nation". The doctors go to a town in NC and put volunteers on the Whole Plant Base food for 20 days. The results of blood work in 20 days will surprise you. The body fixes itself fast. This is information that should be taught in school.

MY STORY: ​ I was sleeved almost 5 years ago. I love it. But I my weight was climbing back up. I was up to 203 from 172. I was having nightmares about my weight coming back. I notice some people would look at my belly before making eye contact, like before. Well my wife came back from her check up in Feb and was told her cholesterol was 345. Her Cardiologist ( from India ) told her she was a heart beat away from a heart attack or stroke & needed to go on a vegetarian diet. Well our daughter told us to watch "FORKS over KNIVES" made in 2011. It saved her friends life. So we watched it on Netflix. We were stunned. First thing you think of is "why is this information not getting out to us?" You are taught If you put good stuff in your body, the body will fix itself. The problem was we did not know what the good stuff was. My wife got up & we cleaned everything bad out of our kitchen & went to the store. ( No gimmicks to buy.) We went back to the Cardiologist 2 months later. He told my wife was in STAGE #2 of Heart disease. We told him we were following the Forks over Knives way of eating. He stated this, "THERE IS NOTHING I COULD DO BETTER THAN WHAT YOU ARE DOING. YOU WILL CURE YOURSELF." Then he wanted to take blood work to see the changes. RESULTS: Wife Numbers WAS 345 New 171 Cholesterol, Her BAD cholesterol was 233 New 71, Lost 25 pounds. Mine: 190 old New 134 weight was 203 now 175. If your cholesterol is below 150 you are heart attack & stroke proof. The doctor took my wife off her meds! Two friends are doing this after I gave them the movie to watch. The are losing weight & both were taken off there diabetic meds. IT CURED THERE DIABETIC PROBLEM. There blood work will be done this month. This is a healthy lifestyle to eat. You eat all you want. No counting. No worrying about anything. Just eat the healthy stuff as much as you want. ​There is a second DVD on Netflix "PlantPure Nation". The doctors go to a town in NC and put volunteers on the Whole Plant Base food for 20 days. The results of blood work in 20 days will surprise you. The body fixes itself fast. This is information that should be taught in school. So enjoy your journey towards health.

I was sleeved almost 5 years ago. I love it. But I my weight was climbing back up. I was up to 203 from 172. I was having nightmares about my weight coming back. I notice some people would look at my belly before making eye contact, like before. Well my wife came back from her check up in Feb and was told her cholesterol was 345. Her Cardiologist ( from India ) told her she was a heart beat away from a heart attack or stroke & needed to go on a vegetarian diet. Well our daughter told us to watch "FORKS over KNIVES" made in 2011. It saved her friends life. So we watched it on Netflix. We were stunned. First thing you think of is "why is this information not getting out to us?" You are taught If you put good stuff in your body, the body will fix itself. The problem was we did not know what the good stuff was. My wife got up & we cleaned everything bad out of our kitchen & went to the store. ( No gimmicks to buy.) We went back to the Cardiologist 2 months later. He told my wife was in STAGE #2 of Heart disease. We told him we were following the Forks over Knives way of eating. He stated this, "THERE IS NOTHING I COULD DO BETTER THAN WHAT YOU ARE DOING. YOU WILL CURE YOURSELF." Then he wanted to take blood work to see the changes. RESULTS: Wife Numbers WAS 345 New 171 Cholesterol, Her BAD cholesterol was 233 New 71, Lost 25 pounds. Mine: 190 old New 134 weight was 203 now 175. If your cholesterol is below 150 you are heart attack & stroke proof. The doctor took my wife off her meds! Two friends are doing this after I gave them the movie to watch. The are losing weight & both were taken off there diabetic meds. IT CURED THERE DIABETIC PROBLEM. There blood work will be done this month. This is a healthy lifestyle to eat. You eat all you want. No counting. No worrying about anything. Just eat the healthy stuff as much as you want. ​There is a second DVD on Netflix "PlantPure Nation". The doctors go to a town in NC and put volunteers on the Whole Plant Base food for 20 days. The results of blood work in 20 days will surprise you. The body fixes itself fast. This is information that should be taught in school.

I think everyone who sells things is out to make the most they can…I’m thinking about food, now. When you look at food costs, the foods that are specifically marketed as “healthy” are way more expensive, even if there’s no necessary reason. One of my favorite examples is soy protein: it’s used as a filler in meat products because it’s cheap, but if you buy vegetarian “meat” with soy (like veggie burgers), you’ll pay a ton for soy protein.