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Following bariatric surgery, it can be difficult to get the required amount of protein following from foods alone, so many patients supplement their diets with liquid proteins shakes. While this may surprise you, people develop sensitivities or intolerance to traditional whey protein drinks and don’t even know it. I was one of them! Following bariatric surgery, it can be difficult to get the required amount of protein following from foods alone, so many patients supplement their diets with liquid proteins shakes. While this may surprise you, people develop sensitivities or intolerance to traditional whey protein drinks and don’t even know it. I was one of them! It came to pass that I suffered extreme gas and bloating within 30-minutes of consuming a whey protein shake, even high-quality whey isolates. It took a while to this figure out because I’d consumed whey protein shakes for years without a problem. But I have observed that as time goes on, I develop more and more food sensitivities. As well, people have reported low-grade chronic head colds and stuffy nose or mucous-coated tongue after consuming whey protein shakes. These are possible symptoms of food sensitivities. Recently, I stumbled upon two really good protein powders that are not made from whey. They’re now staples in my bariatric pantry. Protein Powder That Repairs Joints, Too The first product is a collagen hydrolysate from Great Lakes — a powdered form of gelatin made from collagen with 11 grams of protein and 43 calories per tablespoon. I buy Great Lakes Unflavored Gelatin Collagen Joint Care on Amazon for about 50 cents per serving. Its also available to order from the Great Lakes gelatin website. Since I’ve been using this product as the protein base in my shakes, my knees no longer hurt when I run. I’m on my third container now and have noticed a major health improvement to my hair and nails, too. Read my full product review on MyBariatricLife.org. Protein and Amino Acids for Vegetarians and Vegans The other product is a vegan protein powder. It is low in carbohydrates and packed with amino acids. This is important because most plant-based proteins are void of certain essential amino acids that our bodies cannot produce. So what this means is that in order to get all the amino acids that are needed, plant proteins will have to be strategically combined. Read my full product review on MyBariatricLife.org. Garden of Life has done all the work for us with their Raw Fit Protein for Weight Loss. Each scoop packs 28 grams of protein and 12 carbs. I buy Garden of Life Raw Fit on Amazon for around $30 for 16 oz. It’s also available at my local health food store. Living life larger than ever, My Bariatric Life

Following bariatric surgery, it can be difficult to get the required amount of protein following from foods alone, so many patients supplement their diets with liquid proteins shakes. While this may surprise you, people develop sensitivities or intolerance to traditional whey protein drinks and don’t even know it. I was one of them! It came to pass that I suffered extreme gas and bloating within 30-minutes of consuming a whey protein shake, even high-quality whey isolates. It took a while to this figure out because I’d consumed whey protein shakes for years without a problem. But I have observed that as time goes on, I develop more and more food sensitivities. As well, people have reported low-grade chronic head colds and stuffy nose or mucous-coated tongue after consuming whey protein shakes. These are possible symptoms of food sensitivities. Recently, I stumbled upon two really good protein powders that are not made from whey. They’re now staples in my bariatric pantry. Protein Powder That Repairs Joints, Too The first product is a collagen hydrolysate from Great Lakes — a powdered form of gelatin made from collagen with 11 grams of protein and 43 calories per tablespoon. I buy Great Lakes Unflavored Gelatin Collagen Joint Care on Amazon for about 50 cents per serving. Its also available to order from the Great Lakes gelatin website. Since I’ve been using this product as the protein base in my shakes, my knees no longer hurt when I run. I’m on my third container now and have noticed a major health improvement to my hair and nails, too. Read my full product review on MyBariatricLife.org. Protein and Amino Acids for Vegetarians and Vegans The other product is a vegan protein powder. It is low in carbohydrates and packed with amino acids. This is important because most plant-based proteins are void of certain essential amino acids that our bodies cannot produce. So what this means is that in order to get all the amino acids that are needed, plant proteins will have to be strategically combined. Read my full product review on MyBariatricLife.org. Garden of Life has done all the work for us with their Raw Fit Protein for Weight Loss. Each scoop packs 28 grams of protein and 12 carbs. I buy Garden of Life Raw Fit on Amazon for around $30 for 16 oz. It’s also available at my local health food store. Living life larger than ever, My Bariatric Life

As a vegetarian I struggle with supplementing. Ultimately I wanted to do this in the most effective way possible. My compromise is the Isopure clear drinks. I only drink the black tea, green tea & coconut flavors, but it's 40 grams of protein/ 160 calories. I often dilute it with my Water in order to kill 2 birds with one stone. I can then eat a normal vegetarian diet and met all my nutritional needs. Going back to your first post. I wonder if you need to adjust your expectations a bit. May of us quickly hit our Protein & Fluid goals. However for some it's more of a build up. I've seen many newly sleeved people end up in the ER with dehydration. Yes protein is important for healing as well as safe & effective weight loss, but if you are struggling, aim for that fluid first. Then as soon as you can start focusing on getting in that protein.

Ok so first of all "psychprof" No one has an issue with comprehension and yes I do take that as an insult. I believe that I am aka, HUMAN and like other people jump to conclusions when I hear certain things a certain way, my mind jumps to "Okay so, I'm going to get sick an die if I don't do it this/that way soon!" And no my surgeon did not set up my diet although he agrees as well with my nutritionist and the team that I work with in regards to my bariatric lifestyle. The nurses I work with highly advise against protein powders, so while you're trying to imply that I'm somehow full of ****..learn to becareful with your words. I'm not a liar, I exaggerate at times, or misinterpret things but I'm not going to make crap up, or do things based off another surgeons advice/rules because I for one believe in following my surgeons program, when I do things a little different its because I WANT TO. Like taking Protein powder for example, which was recommended against! And Yes I know the obvious, I get vegetarians get protein. I ment to the extent of a meat eater because for one I was a vegetarian for YRS and have veggie friends as well! To top it off even going back to meat, my family and I have never personally ate meat all that much, so once a day most of the time was enough.

Who said anything about dying? This is what makes me think there may be an issue with listening skills or comprehension. You keep saying "they" but it's not clear who "they" is. I doubt very much that your Bariatric surgeon told you to avoid Protein supplements, and if so, you need to seek a second opinion. You are not physically capable of getting your minimum protein requirements on food alone with a sleeved stomach. If you got this advice from another doctor, you need to realize that no doctor, no matter how skilled, is trained in bariatrics unless they were trained in bariatrics. Bariatric patients have special dietary and nutritional requirements that non-specialist doctors likely will have no familiarity with. And vegetarians do get protein. That's a pretty well-known misconception. Are you getting any nutritional guidance? Where did you have your surgery?

I'm confused by this. Vegetarians don't live without protein. We just get it from mostly plant based sources.

Ok some people are freaking me out with all the dying talk lol, just being real. I am trying to focus on liquids at this time until my next apt but i'm second guessing it. I spent all day sipping yesterday and got in 6 1/2 cups of liquid. By the end of the night some of it even kept coming up. Soo would focusing on my liquids at this time (next 3wks) be such a bad thing? And I know protein is important for muscle mass and in general, but vegetarians can clearly live without it. Its not like I'm not getting any? how safe would it be to focus on liquids right now? This journey is not easy and I do not have all the resources. At this time I'm trying my best, my stomach can only hold so much. I've talked to them about protein powder and shakes before being approved. They recommended getting protein from natural sources because they feel it helps create a better and healthier lifestyle later on, and natural protein isn't processed like protein powder/shakes. I personally could careless about that but thats their reason, and I think I'm gonna go pick up some premier as soon as I get the chance. Ps thanks for the suggestions kindle!

I am a hardcore, healthy eating, nothing canned nothing boxed girl. And tell six months ago I did not even own a microwave. I know my diet is better than yours but guess what? I still can't loose and have a difficult time with maintaining my weight. I am not sure what it is, lack of protein perhaps? (I am also a vegetarian" no one has the perfect way to eat. If they did they would be billionaires. My weight-loss surgon said it best. If there was a single diet in the world that actually worked... He would be out of business!!

I am just beyond annoyed at my family at my friends hell, I am annoyed at Strangers! YOU CANT get weight loss surgery! YOU CANT cut your hair!! YOU CANT have a baby!!! YOU CANT be a vegetarian!! YOU CANT get gas at night... no really.. I guess when I was fat I was not going to get raped and killed and thrown in a ditch but now it is open game?? lol EAT MEAT! GAIN WEIGHT! YOU LOOK GAUNT! YOU SHOULDN'T LOSS ANYMORE! YOU CAN'T MOVE UP NORTH YOU NEED MORE SUN! I HOPE YOU DON'T PLAN ON BEING A TREE HUGGER. SHUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT UPPPPPPPPPPPPP! You guys are stressing me out, I just want to shove red vines in my face... and they are delicious so the joke is on you. Just let me live in the forest away from humans with my tofu pho and my kids and my cat and maybe my husband, I dunno he annoys me too lol I am eating super healthy and clean I am not starving I am full and I am happy, does this look like not enough food for me?? And you baby haters, who said I can't have one and if I do they will die or be sick or I will die, she is healthy and happy and so am I! I may even do it again, then what will you have to say? Leave me alone, I have tired of the comments. Opinions are like assholes, we all have one but I do not need to hear or see yours... Kat, OUT! p.s I love you all, you are amazing I need more red vines lol

I am a vegetarian but 2 years ago on Pintrest all my friends were posting paleo diets and I was just like Hehehe I cook meat for my family but my pouch refuses it adamantly !!!

We have all these storms moving in and I find myself leaning more towards Soups and casseroles which can be very rich and fattening. Since I am a vegetarian (my family is not) and I am a from scratch fanatic (I only buy canned Beans and peas nothing boxed or frozen) I have been making my own recipes. This is today's. It is a white bean and cabbage crockpot Soup with leeks and other goodness Since I will be eating it for a few days I added it to myfitnesspal You could add broth but it would up the sodium I plan on seasoning to taste as I slow cook it over the next 10 hours. I just added Water for now. I add tofu to each bowl for more Proteins. I cut it in chunks and sautatee it. It gets too slimy if you toss it in too soon.

Don't engage...it is the first of the year everyone is dieting and exercise...New Years resolutions....weight watchers ,Oprah,Jenny Craig,Gyms.....Paleo,Vegetarian,Reducing carb...not too much info...

I had to become a vegetarian after surgery. Not because I love animals and I think killing them is wrong. My pouch simply will not tolerate it. Feels like a brick going down my neck then THUD it sits there. My stomach feels like it is between my boobs. I literally have had to take my bra off at dinner because any pressure pushing on it made it a million times worse. I do assure you my hair grew back. Not sure the gold standard in guys but I would rather be bald than getting pulled out of my house via crane lol

I've been a vegetarian (no eggs or fish) for the past 30 years. Plenty of ways to get protein: tofu (I bake or saute it till it's crisp and using a dipping sauce of soy, ginger and rice wine), lentils (soup or curried), vegetarian chili (crumble tofu), chick pea salad, pea soup, veggie burgers, etc. There's Protein bread, protein Snacks (100 calories/pack and 19 grams of protein), high protein Cereal,( soy or milk based-- lf cottage cheese, lf cheese, nf yogurt, etc) Protein is protein. The difference with some plant based Proteins is they can also be starches. In the case of Beans, a serving would count as one protein and one starch.

Your friend gave you awful advice. I can't speak for bypass patients but as a sleeve patient I can eat whatever I want. The difference is the amount of what I can eat. Because that amount is small I choose to make sure that what I eat is quality. I go for real food; fresh veg, and because I am vegetarian Beans, eggs and cheese. I don't reach for junk food. However I can eat pretty much anything I want. Yesterday I had chocolate chips Cookies. That's not a typical choice, but I can have it if I want. My thought process is different. Now it's why would I regularly eat chocolate chip cookies when I went through surgery, and then 6 weeks of reintroducing food back into my life (2 weeks all liquid/2 weeks purees/2 weeks soft foods)? Why would I eat chocolate chip cookies regularly when I spent the past year exercising to loose 115lbs? It's about making good choices and not being a slave to food. The holiday's are over. Get rid of those leftovers. You don't want to go into surgery still having cravings from all those sugary carbs.

I've been going through the same thing as you -- I have been snacking on things that are basically the only things I can eat in normal portions (ice cream; pound cake). The thing is, I only had one stall and I've consistently lost 1.5-2lbs every single weak since my surgery in July (I've gone from a size 22/24 to a size 12). I've also had extreme fatigue when I get in less than 800 calories -- to the extent that I cannot get out of bed. I don't want to complacent because I know this will catch up to me, but I don't want to lie to myself and say that I'm going to do something completely untenable like go on a liquid fast... My plan is to let myself run out of the Snacks and to let go and not buy them again. I also want to plan meals around Protein from fish and vegetarian (soy) options.

Look up the user BLERDgirl (you can use the search function). She is a vegetarian with strong vegan leanings, and she is making incredible progress on her weight goal.

Sweet Earth makes really good vegan & vegetarian burritos. High protein as well. My fav is the Tiger Curry and the Anasazi burritos. Protein ranges from 11 - 18 grams of protein.

I went to the vegetarian butcher today. I bought some polenta, sundries tomato and basil sausages. I think I ha w found an awesome breakfast food!

Has anyone just veered to vegan style eating? My surgery is on Feb 10th, very excited but nervous about the psychological reasons I over ate all those years. I'm thinking it would be a gereat time to start to eat the way I should have all these years: mostly vegetarian, very very little sugar, anything white or processed OUT. Any thoughtsz?Z thanks, pedro

Today was a really good food day for me. I'm vegetarian but if you adjusted it, you could easily hit over 60 gms and keep calories low. Breakfast - 1 large egg, ¼cup shredded cheese, Cup of coffee using vanilla Protein powder instead of creamer - 286 calories 38gm protein. (I wait a ½ an hour between food and coffee) lunch - ½ cup frozen chopped spinach, ½ tbsp of rotel diced tomatoes with chilies to season, 3 ounces diced chicken breast - 126 calories, 20gms of protein Snack - Nuts Pistachios are my nuts of choice. Good protein, healthy fat, nice bit of crunch. Try the Wonderful - Roasted and Salted Pistachios- Single Serving Pack. Nuts are my weakness so I only buy the single serving packs and I only buy them 1 at a time. 1.25 Oz - 100 calories, 4 gms of protein dinner - ½ cup of romaine, Target - Market Pantry - Corn & Black Bean Chunky Salsa, 1 Tbsp, 3 ounces of Grilled Chicken Breast, dressed with ½ tbsp of olive oil - 13 calories, 18 gms of protein Totals for the day: 626 calories 16 carbs, 80 gms of protein. In between drink all the Water you can. You could also swap out the egg from breakfast for something more filling like steel cut oats and add the protein powder in that. It will easily keep you full until lunch. I'm not a big early morning eater, so light meals work best for me. Things like steel cut oat and romaine lettuce will also help prevent constipation. Especially if you make sure to get in a minimum of 64 ounces of fluids. I used to aim for 24 ounce in the morning 24 ounces in the afternoon and another 24 ounces before bed. I carry a water bottle everywhere I go and sip all day long.

Am also vegetarian and ended up with a weight issue by consuming too many bad carbs and too little Protein. Since being sleeved 6 weeks ago, I've completely changed my habits (as we all should) and now focus on getting Proteins in first with fewer carbs and almost no snacking. Current proteins include -- refried Beans, Protein shakes, Soups w/ added Protein powder (unflavored), eggs, yogurt and a little cheese. I'm down 40 lbs since starting the pre-op diet 2 months ago and really happy with that. I just started a Facebook group for vegetarians who have had bariatric surgery that he (or you?) may want to join -- I found very few bariatric resources out there for vegetarians so am hoping this will help us share ideas, recipes, etc: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1646059515642538/

The boyfriend of my friend's mom may be thinking of getting the sleeve. The problem is that he is vegetarian and nearly all of his food is carbs. My biggest fear for him is not being successful because of his inability to replace carbs with Protein. Are there any vegetarians and/or vegans here who have had success with the sleeve? If so, how do you manage to make the switch and how difficult has it been for you?

I eat a vegetable omelet most mornings. One egg, shredded cheese, black Beans, mushrooms, red peppers, spinach, Frank's hot sauce, and a chopped up Morningstar vegetarian "sausage".

Talk you your nutritionist. Different programs allow raw veg at different stages. I had salad at 6 weeks once I was out of soft foods. I am vegetarian so my body is used to processing raw vegetables with no issues. Also be clear on what you define as salad. For me I like dark, leafy green veg with a bit of Protein. I do not however need a bunch of sugary salad dressing. My salads are dressed either with olive oil or salsa. I then add all the crunchy veg I want. I just make sure to have some protein to balance it out. For me that's typically black Beans and a hardboiled egg with a bit of shredded cheese. I also find that what many are missing is just something with crunch after so many weeks of liquids and soft food. Try topping your Soup with some nuts or baked cheese crisps and see if that doesn't satisfy the need for crunch