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Breakfast is the meal I struggle with everyday. I need suggestions. My NUT has told me to move on from shakes (11 weeks post op). Every morning I feel like toast. But if I eat a piece of toast, it sets me off on a bad road for the day where I crave carb/snack foods all day. I need high protein/low carb suggestions. What do you eat for breakfast?

Congratulations and best wishes for all the December surgeries. I had mine 12/2/15 and feel wonderful. My belly doesn't feel "normal" yet but I don't expect it to for a while. At this point, I'm just tired. Protein drinks......I've had some horrible experiences. I bought a bunch of samples and am working my way through them. Today I had strawberries and cream with soy milk. I always refrigerate for as long as possible because it does help with the taste. I took the shake with me while helping a group assemble holiday gifts. It was horrible. I had to hold back gags and ended up drinking it as quickly as possible. I try to drink one 28 gram protein shake/day. I'll have 15gram chicken broth and yogurt. I just started cottage cheese so that's adding to the daily goal. I know I need to get in more protein but I should be able to have pureed Soups tomorrow (post op visit). I make a mean lentil Soup that'll be delicious and protein packed ala pureed. It's interesting to read the differences in post surgery diet phases. I was on small amounts of Water the first day and then straight into Protein shakes the next. My food tray would come with one Protein Shake, Jello, broth and a big water. Nice choice! I'm supposed to stay on protein shakes and clear liquids (sf popcycles, sf jello etc.) until my post op follow up. I added cottage cheese a day ago (have to remember not to shovel it my mouth) and did fine with it. I have also started eating high protein oatmeal. It's very liquidy and there's really nothing to chew. Not the best oatmeal I've had but it's high in protein and doesn't make me gag. I also found a high protein bread for down the road. It's got 28 grams of protein / 2 slices. Good reviews too. I'm a vegetarian so I've been looking for tofu recipes. Tofu is in the same bracket as Protein Drinks with me. But, I'm going to give it a shot. I think if I get it really crispy and use a tasty dipping sauce, I'll be good. Pam

Hello, friendly neighborhood vegetarian here. TVP is a good sub, lentils are not bad. I really like using the Explore Asian bean based pastas. The net carbs end up coming out fairly low.You can then make a veg ragu or meat sauce. Easy and tasty. Ricotta bakes are good. Basically just the filling from stuffed shelled baked in ramekins topped with cheese and sauce. Not sure how low you consider low carb. I honestly don't worry about low carb. If it's plant based ( from Beans or veg) it doesn't seem to effect my weight loss at all. I do avoid "white carbs" such as breads, crackers, traditional pastas and white rice. On the rare occasions I do eat rice I eat brown or black. I think if you make a basic dish for him you can make any lean Protein for yourself and then just add that to your meal. I don't use a lot of recipes, I just kind of wing it in the kitchen. For healthy veg recipes I would try pinterest and then adapt.

Just a quick response since I am not pescatarian or vegetarian. There are vegetarians on this site who can help you. You might get more responses if you post in the food and Nutrition Forum. I THINK there is a vegetarians subforum. As to how much fish is safe to eat I think it varies depending on the fish and where it comes from. The Environmental Defense Fund has some good information on their website. Also, I live in Kentucky and our Department of Fish and Wildlife has info on their website about locally caught fish. If you eat local fish you might want to see if your state has something similar. Best of luck.

I know my nutritionist said to not get on the scale for a bit and I waited 4 days. Yesterday was 3 weeks post op. I'm jogging in the pool for at least an hour every day (I did skip Monday due to bad weather.) I gained 7 lbs post op, lost that, went down 10 then up 5 over last weekend and still stuck there. So with 2 weeks pre op diet and 3 weeks post op I have lost 5 stinking lbs. I did this surgery because I tried everything the last two years. I gave up booze, diet soda, bread, Pasta. Tried mostly vegetarian, juicing etc. and the same thing keeps happening. I lose a couple of lbs and then stop. Last time it took 4 months to lose 10 lbs. What is wrong with my metabolism. I know its a sin to compare but most everyone here is posting that they've lost at least 20 lbs in the same time frame. Did anyone else have this type problem? I need some support today before I lost my mind!

Did not get this talk at my program. I recall one woman mentioning she was "stalling" at a support group and the NUT saying some do experience them but honestly I assumed it was an anomaly. I had one of those programs that provided a comprehensive handbook. Like many others it had an overview of the 3 major bariatric surgeries (lap-band, sleeve & bypass), sample menu plans with both omni and vegetarian options, sample menu plans, list of Vitamin options, list of protein supplement options and step by step calories goals and menus for each stage from pre-op up to a year post-op. The first few months post op this was my bible. I refereed to it at every stage. When I was shopping for Protein shakes and vitamins, I took those pages out and carried them with me to the store. I've heard of people who ere self pay Mexico saying the nutrition packet was a separate fee so they declined it and used the forums to figure out what to eat/drink.

Last night I had a vegetarian schnitzel for dinner. It was quite dry compared to what I usually eat which is more casserole consistency. I am 10 weeks sleeved. After I ate it I checked MFP and was only at 50grams Protein. I decided to push through and eat a second schnitzel (around a third of the size of what a meat schnitzel would be). I had only slept three hours the night before (kids) and after being at work all day I was buggered. I was feeling very uncomfortable, but didn't vomit, which was probably because the food was quite dry. So I went to bed feeling not very well. An hour and a half later I woke up and couldn't breathe. I was trying to take a breath but everything was closed up. I was making this horrible wheezing noise and by chest/throat was burning. It only lasted for about 30 seconds until I could breath again, but it was terrifying! I sat upright for 30 minutes until the burning subsided and then slept on 5 pillows so I was slightly upright. I have never had acid reflux before so I am so glad some of you had posted about it before or I would have thought I was dying. Lesson learned, I will never eat just before bedtime ever again!!!

It may be the quality of the food you are eating. If you aren't doing Protein Shakes how are you getting your protein in? I would have a sit down with your nutritionist. My guess is the 2 ounces of food included protein shakes and the reason you are getting weak is because you are skipping that. You need a plan to make up for that lack of nourishment. Personally I found that early on I needed at least 3 meals and 1 snack. It was also helpful for me to brainstorm with my NUT on ways to work around my vegetarianism and food allergies.

@@Indieflickers - I've always been super regular. Prior to surgery I would go 2 -3 hours after eating so I often went 3 times a day. I read all the constipation horror stories on these boards and I feel bad for folks. The only difference I can think of is I've been vegetarian for nearly 20 years so my diet is really high fiber.

I weighed again this morning and still up 5 lbs. I know I can't have really gained that weight but it is soooo frustrating. I have in the last two years leading to surgery tried juicing, going almost vegetarian, exercised and my body seems to stall every time. I mean I gave up bread, Pasta, sugar, booze and still can't seem to lose weight. That is why I finally broke down and got the surgery. The doctor cleared me for the pool and I told the nutritionist and she seems fine with everything I am doing. I was putting cheese on my refried Beans so I'm going to cut that out and try to get in a little more Water and see if that helps. I just had a very reasonable goal weight for Christmas and if this keeps up I won't make it. Feeling a little bummed out.

Hi all, I was sleeved on Dec 1. I realize that everyone's experience is going to be different, but I hope that by sharing my own observations, maybe I can lessen some of the anxiety for someone else. I did a lot of research on the sleeve right up until the day before I got it. Even with all that, I felt unprepared and pretty nervous about what was going to be a permanent change. My friend dropped me off at the front of the hospital for my pre-op check-in. My family all lives out of town and I didn't tell a ton of people what I was up to. So I texted a few well-wishers from the waiting room and then the party started. There were a lot of questions, a fancy air-warmed paper gown and skidproof socks to change into, and some vitals and blood taken. So far, so good. I didn't get really, really nervous until the anesthetist showed up during the prep and I think it was because that was the first time I'd been left alone since arriving, so I had time to consider what I was about to do. I was dialing my friend to ask him to come back and take me home, but then the team swept in, being all efficient and professional, and I just kind of let it go. You know, I'm kind of ashamed to admit that I wanted to go home so I could eat. I was THAT hungry. I don't remember much after the IV was started. I think I was transferred from the surgical gurney to my bed on an inflatable mattress, but I could have been imagining that. I didn't have much pain at all -- more discomfort than anything. I intended to stay one night, but ended up staying two because the air from the procedure wouldn't er... move out. They said that's common. I also wasn't getting enough fluids in -- also very common. I packed according to lists I found on here. The clothes I wore to the hospital (t shirt, loose jacket, fleece pants, underclothes, warm socks, boots that I could just slide on) Phone charger with a looong cord An electric throw (this was GREAT!) A comb, face soap, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, and hand lotion Aquaphor (or Chapstick) A copy of my healthcare directive I braided my hair while it was damp the day I left for the hospital because it tends to tangle a lot. The band was fabric, so they let me keep it in and it held the mess together pretty well for a full day. I didn't touch the magazines or the washcloth I'd brought along. I was given an inspirometer the week before my procedure and I brought it with me as instructed. After surgery, they gave me another one, so I just left the first one in my bag. I also brought a heating pad on the advice of a friend who'd previously had the surgery, but I ditched it for the cozy throw. Plus the throw was nice to use in place of a pillow for the ride home. I left a bottle of Water in the car for the ride home as well. This provided a good distraction from the bumps and turns. I wish I'd brought along an extra set of underwear, pants, and socks shampoo and conditioner something to keep all the paperwork in an MP3 player -- my roommate was inconsiderate my FitBit to track my steps I wore the fleece pants to cover up my bottom while I trucked around the halls, but I was strongly urged to keep the hospital gown on because of the IV. I had a couple of friends visit later on the day of the surgery and can't recall much about the time except that they brought me a sign calling me a loser and some shakes and I was really, really tired. I remember the surgeon stopping by, and a LOT of other people checking in. (I was at a university hospital, so I expect I had a few residents inspecting the surgeon's work.) It's all kind of fuzzy and I just have an impression of people popping in to ask a few questions and look at my belly. The staples came out the day after the procedure. It hurt a little bit, but not unbearably and it was over quickly. I was allowed to shower after that and they only gave me a couple of trial-size bottles of Johnson's, which doubles as a body wash. So it took a bit of work and a lot of energy to get my hair combed out afterward. I had a lot of choices for "meals": vegetarian, chicken, or beef broth (all too salty); juice; Gatorade; lemonade; oatmeal; yogurt; popsicles; teas; coffees; and sherbet. I fixated on the sherbet and popsicles because for some reason, cold felt better than hot. I noticed right away that the artificial sweetener chemical aftertaste lingered and lingered and lingered. Through several cups of water and Gatorade. The lemonade kind of helped, but I couldn't drink enough to get rid of it completely. I sucked on ice chips whenever I had them handy. I was encouraged to walk as much as possible, and I got in a few laps. I had to pee in a bowl that fit under the toilet seat to monitor my input/output. That was kind of weird. But when you're drugged up, you get a little less self conscious. Since this is about the hospital, I won't detail the liquid phase or any of that stuff here. I will say that I came home, put a pillow under my knees and an extra one under my melon and I slept like a frickin' princess. (I'm a week out and just now able to start sleeping on my side again.) I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but hopefully this will give you some idea of what to expect when you go. I don't think I was well prepared by me surgical team as far as what to expect after the surgery and I plan on sharing that feedback with them. But I was prepared enough and always felt like I was in competent hands. Welcome to the adventure, you Losers!

Well I have had my second half for 23 years... so the dating part isn't applicable for me! I can say that in real life everyday situations people are NOW: dieting, losing weight, working out, lactose intolerant, gluten free, Vegan, Vegetarian, Paleo, Low Carb, etc... so it is a normal thing. If you don't know someone well enough to divulge your surgery, then don't mention it. By about 2 months you will be able to sit with a wisely chosen plate of food and pick at it, and eat the protein and no one would be the wiser. No explanation will be necessary. People pay FAR LESS attention to what you are eating than you might think. If you really do get questioned, it is very simple to say you "had a late lunch" or whatever... there is no need to feel like you are lying or hiding something from someone you don't know that well.

BariatricPal Newsletter#subject#> body,div,dl,dt,dd,ul,ol,li,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6,pre,form,fieldset,input,textarea,p,blockquote,th,td { margin:0; padding:0; } table { border-collapse:collapse; border-spacing:0; } fieldset,img { border:0; } address,caption,cite,code,dfn,th,var { font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; } caption,th { text-align:left; } h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { font-size:100%; font-weight:normal; } q:before,q:after { content:''; } abbr,acronym { border:0; } address{ display: inline; } html, body { background-color: #d8dde8; color: #5a5a5a; } body { font: normal 13px helvetica, arial, sans-serif; position: relative; } h3, strong { font-weight: bold; } em { font-style: italic; } img, .input_check, .input_radio { vertical-align: middle; } legend { display: none; } table { width: 100%; } td { padding: 3px; } a { color: #225985; text-decoration: none; } a:hover { color: #328586; } div.outer { margin: 0 auto; padding: 14px; } table.wrap { max-width: 800px; margin: 0 auto; } td.logo { background-color: #0f3854; padding: 8px; } td.content { background-color: #fff; font-size: 14px !important; color: black !important; line-height: 150% !important; padding: 8px; } ul { margin-left: 25px; } Hey BariatricPal Members! The holidays are nearly upon us, and that can mean hectic times with family, shopping, and cooking. But before all that happens, we still have a few days. That’s a good time to take a deep breath and refocus on health and weight loss. Here’s what to look forward to in this month’s newsletter to keep you grounded. The BariatricPal Store and Other BariatricPal News Member Spotlight: Meet MichiganChic! Notice: The Holidays Are Coming! Sit back, relax, take a few deep breaths, and enjoy the newsletter. Then come talk about it on BariatricPal before dashing off to the busyness of the season! Thanks for all your support. Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal The BariatricPal Store and Other BariatricPal News We’re still excited about the launch of The BariatricPal Store. More importantly, so were you! We are thrilled with the success we’ve had in just the first few weeks since the store opened. Elsewhere in the BariatricPal world, BariatricPal was at Obesity Week in Los Angeles in early November. The BariatricPal Store: Your Nutritional Needs We’ve got you covered with the bariatric nutritional supplements and meals you need at the lowest guaranteed prices. Be sure to stop by for: -Protein powders, bars, and shakes -high-protein, low-carb Snacks -high-protein, low-calorie hot and cold breakfasts and Entrees -bariatric Vitamins Check out the store blog for the latest store news plus the occasional coupons and recipes. You can also save money by earning points through BariatricPal Rewards. Come by the store if you haven’t already. We hope you’ll be a regular customer and let us keep supporting your weight loss surgery journey success. Obesity Week: The Front Line of the Fight Against Obesity Obesity Week took place November 2-7 in Los Angeles, California, and BariatricPal was there! The conference is jointly sponsored by the Obesity Society and ASMBS. The purpose is to discuss new research on causes of obesity and obesity solutions, including presenting the latest research on bariatric surgery techniques, follow-up care, and other guidelines. BariatricPal had a booth at the Exhibit. We were able to reconnect with surgeons and other leaders in bariatric surgery, and meet new ones. We got caught up on the latest in weight loss surgery, and came away with a ton of new ideas…keep watching for improvements on BariatricPal! Insure Nutrition We are always thrilled to welcome a new newsletter sponsor into the BariatricPal family, and this month, Insure Nutrition is giving us the pleasure of doing just that. Our latest sponsor, Insure Nutrition, is an online company that specializes in getting health insurance coverage for nutritional supplements. Its Post-Bariatric Surgery Nutrition products includes Premier Protein Shakes in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors and OptiSource High Protein drinks in caramel and strawberry flavors. Checking if you are eligible is easy. Insure Nutrition encourages you to use its online form to find out if you qualify. Our sponsors help make BariatricPal newsletters and other services possible. We encourage you show your thanks by considering them first for your bariatric needs. unjury and Opurity BariatricPal is proud and excited to announce two new sponsors for our newsletters. The new sponsors are Unjury, a supplier of wonderful tasting, highest quality protein supplements, and Opurity (from the makers of UNJURY), highest purity Vitamin supplements for bariatric surgery patients. Their support lets us keep BariatricPal newsletters coming to you each month. Unjury was founded by a master’s degree dietitian who has been helping patients since 1974. It is committed your health. You know the importance of getting enough protein after weight loss surgery, but you also know that meeting your protein goals can be challenging. Unjury makes your task not just easier but actually enjoyable. Product flavors include Chocolate Splendor, Chocolate Classic, Vanilla, Strawberry Sorbet, chicken Soup Flavor, and Unflavored. These ready-to-use protein powders come in single-serve and multi-serve containers, and contain high-quality whey protein to keep you full and nourished. Launched in 2007, Opurity is dedicated to using the purest ingredients in its supplements. Opurity Bariatric Multivitamins have two unique big advantages: First, each multivitamin requires only one tablet per day*. Second, Opurity is so dedicated to quality that it is unique in using no ingredients from China. Choose from chewable orange-berry multivitamins for gastric bypass and gastric sleeve patients or for lap-band patients.Opurity also sells chewable calcium, vitamin D and folic acid/vitamin B-12 chewables. All supplements come with a 100% satisfaction guaranteed. They return policy is: “Yes you can return it.” Support from Unjury and Opurity helps us continue to bring you the services you enjoy on BariatricPal, so please support these two brands! When looking for your bariatric surgery supplements, first visit Unjury.com and Opurity.com. Purchasing from these companies helps support BariatricPal. Thanks to Unjury and Opurity for your generous sponsorship, and thanks to BariatricPal members who support our partnership! *You still need calcium and sublingual B-12. Back on the Boards… Meanwhile, back on the boards, there’s always a lot going on! BariatricPal members have been asking about getting back on track, going back to work post-op, and the pre-op diet. If you’re looking for some motivation, consider joining an Exercise Challenge or a Holiday Challenge. And, for a little light reading, why not check out the WLS Magazine with recent articles on Lap-Band Myths and The Good Towels? Get involved – it may even help you lose more weight. (That’s science talking, not us). Member Spotlight: Meet MichiganChic! This month’s spotlight is on MichiganChic. MichiganChic had been overweight most of her whole life, and morbidly obese for 27 years. At 5’4” and 325 lbs., she could feel the threat of health issues. Her blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol were all creeping up. As a registered nurse, she knew what was coming, and didn’t want it. She also wanted to “fit in” – whether into a chair or into a group of people. She was sick of standing out in a crowd, and found it embarrassing. She dreaded social situations, knowing she’d be the one to be noticed. She got the gastric sleeve in December of 2012, and is thrilled with her choice. No wonder – she’s lost 144 lbs. and is down to 162 lbs. and a BMI of 27. Now, she can look forward to social situations, not dread them. Her life does not revolve around food; instead, food is something to nourish and to be enjoyed – but not as the “main event.” It hasn’t been a completely smooth journey. These are a few of the challenges MichiganChic experienced. -a surgical infection that took seven weeks to heal. -the struggle coming to grips with the fact that the lifelong change is…for LIFE. -getting over an “all-or-nothing” mentality when it comes to weight and eating. -accepting her body at a healthy weight, even if over a BMI of 25. The highs have outweighed the lows, though. The feeling of freedom overrides everything. She can do what she wants, without her weight holding her back. And beneath that is the knowledge that she earned that freedom for herself. One instance that stands out for her is her job offer from 2 years ago. She would not have even considered responding to the recruiter at her high weight…but 100 lbs. lighter, she interviewed and got the job! She’s also proud of her completing her first 5k recently. MichiganChic uses the BariatricPal forums every day to stay focused by talking to like-minded members. She doesn’t want life to “get in the way of success.” She knows that there’s sure to be others who are thinking about the same things she is, and she loves interacting with “people from all walks of life, and varied experiences and opinions.” For members who are struggling with their weight loss, MichiganChic reminds you to be honest with yourself. It’s hard to break years of habits like overeating and mindless eating. For herself, she knows she needs to track every bite of food. At the same time, it’s important to forgive and forget when necessary: nobody’s perfect. MichiganChic, congratulations on your weight loss surgery success. You have really earned the freedom and happiness you now have. Thanks for sharing your story and journey with us. If there’s anyone you want to see in our member spotlight, please let us know in the Member Spotlight Forum! You can also PM Alex Brecher with your nomination – just put “Member Spotlight” in the subject line. Don’t forget you can nominate yourself, too. A Little Soup…Because You Deserve It When the weather gets chilly, there’s nothing like a warm bowl of soup to warm you up inside and out. If you’re not careful, a bowl of soup can turn into a bariatric nightmare. A bowl of full-fat broccoli and cheese soup with a breadstick, clam chowder served in a bread bowl, and cream of tomato soup with grilled cheese can have hundreds if not thousands of calories. That can leave you feeling guilty and worse than before you had the soup. Instead, go for a soup that’s just as satisfying, but healthy at the same time. That way, you’ll feel warm from the soup and from your pride at nourishing your body. Here are a few easy ideas. -Vegetarian chili with Beans, diced onion, tomatoes, bell peppers, and celery, and chili seasoning from a packet. Optional: lean ground turkey or soy crumbles, with shredded low-fat cheddar melted on top. -“Asian” inspired soup with chicken broth, ginger, soy sauce, and garlic, plus tofu, napa cabbage, Water chestnuts, broccoli, green onions, and mushrooms. -Squash or pumpkin soup with cooked pumpkin or butternut squash, black beans, cilantro, chili powder, and vegetable broth. Puree it for a good meal on the Pureed/Mushies Post-Op Diet. Thanks for reading the newsletter and for all of your support. BariatricPal is continually getting bigger and better, and that wouldn’t be possible without our members. A sincere thanks for your inspiration and for all you do to keep us going!

for me the veg/vegan thing is a non issue. WOnt go there, dont like it at all. first reason? SUGAR, vegetables are loaded with sugar, sugar is the enemy, vegetables are loaded with carbs and sugar, yes it not processed sugar but that is irrelevant. if i eat more veg, Instant stall. Now that being said some vegetables are wonderful, like broccoli, but its hard to eat such fibrous vegetables and fit in my normal caloric intake. Vegan/vegetarianism relies on a lot of sauces which are typically created with oils etc. also not great for you. Everyone has a flavor of the month in weight loss, and i avoid fads an populrity contests. For me personally i advocate turkey chicken fish and much less beef. Also staying away from starchy vegetables like rice and potatoes, which are two huge staples of the vegan/veg diets. Oh and fyi i know a couple of very obese vegan/vegetarians.

Have they mentioned a rationale for pushing a vegetarian lifestyle? I've never heard of such a thing. Sent from my SM-T357T using Tapatalk Well, my bariatric surgeon (Garth Davis) has become a big vegan advocate as a means to curtail the obesity epidemic in this country. He became a vegan a few years back, saw health benefits and has since looked into deeply and feels it's the best diet. He has a book that just came out called Proteinaholic which (my understanding is as I have not read it) goes into detail about the science behind us eating too much protein and instead moving to a plant based diet. That being said, he is not pushy about it with his patients. His dad is also a bariatric surgeon at the same practice. The handouts they give and the nutrition class are not vegan/plant based but rather focus on eating protein first (getting 70-80g per day.) In fact when you walk in the front door, they have an entire storefront of Bariatric Advantage protein powders and Meal Replacements. I don't recall seeing a single vegan Protein powder in there. I eat meat/dairy everyday, but not every meal. I always have a premier Protein shake per day as well (30g.) I'm not entirely sure how to get in 70-80g of protein per day on my restrictive diet of 3-4 small meals of 1/2 cup if I were to go vegan. It might be doable when I'm up to 1 cup of food per meal, but not right now. I've asked my NUT that exact question, but did not get much of an answer. I'm going in for my 2 month followup next week, so I'll be sure to ask. Based on his book, I'm guessing his response is that down the road when I'm maintaining, I won't need that much protein. Again though, I wonder how I could possibly build muscle on a caloric restricted vegan diet with little protein... doesn't seem scientifically possible. I've visited his facebook page, and he often posts links about vegan fitness buffs and bodybuilders... but I suspect many of them became vegan well after the muscles.

I agree... how do you get all your protein in, on a vegetarian diet?

Have they mentioned a rationale for pushing a vegetarian lifestyle? I've never heard of such a thing. Sent from my SM-T357T using Tapatalk

I feel like I have the energy to start lifting weights 3 days a week. I have a weight bench at home and a set of powerblock adjustable dumbbells that go from 5-50lbs each. I've been poking around online for a beginner dumbbell workout. I'm worried about being able to build muscle due to the caloric restriction. I've asked my Doc/NUT and have not received much feedback. Online resources regarding building muscle after gastric bypass are scarce. Furthermore, my Doc actually encourages adapting a vegan/vegetarian lifestyle... which further complicates things if I go that route. Currently I'm eating meat, and getting around 80g of Protein a day.

Sounds like me. I worked out pre-op. I swear having a stronger core made recuperating easier. I felt sore, but not in any real pain. I was able to get out of the bed to use the bathroom in recovery. I was an "active fat" I did Water aerobics 4 -5 days a week pre-op. Returned to the pool on week 3. I was and am a vegetarian. Eat clean a good 80 - 90% of the time. Can't do artificial sugars or food dyes and don't drink sodas or a lot of highly processed foods. Yes I was still fat. In part to to hormonal issues, in part due to health conditions (pituitary tumor), in part due to meds that make weight loss a challenge and in part to disordered eating/skipping meals/not eating enough one day, too much another day. I'm not a weight lifter, but I have made great effort to increase my protein. For the first year I supplemented. My goal this year is to have supplements decrease to no more than 10% of my daily intake. I will say as long as I met my Fluid and protein goals I never felt weak or tired. One thing I will say is key; find a program that meets your needs. That includes post op life. Part of what I liked with my program is they listened to me. Once my nutritionist understood I knew what I was talking about, her manner of speaking to me changed. I like feeling I can approach them with questions and get answers. They tend start at a low, basic level because that's where most people are. I like feeling that there is more of a give and take in the discussions.

I personally eat tacos routinely with my family...just less the shell. I cook with either ground turkey or 90% lean ground beef. I eat the meat, low fat cheese, lettuce, tomato, vegetarian refried Beans, avocado, and FF sour cream. I can eat the equivalent of 1 taco...or like 1 cup....just in a salad form, not taco form. i like it because there is usually leftovers for the next day.

As a vegetarian with severe food allergies I do the same things I did pre-op. Check the menu online before going, order sides and ask them to bring them out with the main dishes for everyone else. Unless it's a steak house or seafood restaurant I can usually manage something. As a single person a doggy bag means I don't have to cook for a few days so I'm happy to take advantage of that.

@ - I'm on coupon clippers but I never buy coupons. They are too easy to get for free. You can even email or write manufacturers and many of them will send you coupons. Hip2Save and YesWeCoupon post sales and coupons all the time. Naturally Savvy is another one I use but it's more organic and vegetarian friendly. I get many of my coupons to use at Whole Foods from them.

Make Sure There’s Something for You to Eat The worst-case scenario is sitting down to eat, looking around the table, and not seeing one semi-healthy food that’s on your WLS diet amidst the mounds of candied sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes and gravy, dinner rolls and butter, green bean casserole, and sausage stuffing. Don’t let this happen to you! Whether you’re hosting or you’re a guest, you can always make sure there’s at least something for you to eat. Just make a big enough batch to share with the table. You can never have too many salads, sides, and desserts at Thanksgiving, so consider one or more of the following. Acorn or butternut squash roasted with garlic, rosemary, and chicken broth for seasoning. Roasted Brussels sprouts or green beans with Dijon mustard. Spinach salad with cranberries, chestnut pieces, and cubes of cooked sweet potato. Cabbage and roasted beet salad. Fresh fruit salad. Baked apples with cinnamon and sprinkled with chopped walnuts or pecans. These dishes can save your diet and dignity, and they’re pretty simple! You don’t need to aim for fancy dishes and give yourself any extra headaches in the kitchen at Thanksgiving. Protein and Veggies…You Know the Drill You know how to eat right after WLS. Thanksgiving dinner is no different. Protein comes first, then come veggies. A serving of starch can fit in, and watch out for the condiments. That sounds easy enough, and it’s what you do every other day. Ready to put it in place on Thanksgiving? Your lean protein is probably skinless turkey breast, unless you’re vegetarian or having a non-traditional Thanksgiving. Whether you have tofu, crab, chicken, ham, or venison, you can make a small serving of lean protein the center of your meal. Take mustard and only a dollop of cranberry sauce, which is high-sugar. Veggies come next. Load up on green salads, sautéed broccoli or kale, and anything roasted, such as carrots, green beans, and onions. Watch out for creamy corn and green bean casseroles and buttery vegetables. Finally, garnish your meal with a little bit of starch. Sweet potatoes are healthiest, but you can also opt for a small serving of mashed potatoes, half a dinner roll, or even a spoonful of stuffing. Pick One Special Treat You don’t need to deprive yourself completely on Thanksgiving. If you don’t let yourself have any treats, you might eventually break down and eat way too much later. Better to enjoy a few bites of pumpkin pie now and feel good about it than to cave in to the entire pie later and feel sick and guilty. Give yourself permission to choose a special treat that you love and look forward to every year. Whether it’s your mom’s sausage and apple stuffing or your brother-in-law’s homemade biscuits, let yourself have a few bites of that special treat. Savor every bite. Think about its flavors and texture, and what it means to you, and how proud you are that you can enjoy it and be satisfied with that portion. Practice Eating Slowly Eating slowly is essential on the bariatric surgery diet. Thanksgiving is actually the ideal time to practice your skills. When else do you get the pleasure of good company sitting around the table for hours? Take advantage! Engage in the conversation, and focus on the people, not the food. If you stick to the rule of not talking with your mouth full, and you put your fork down and make eye contact when you’re listening to someone else talk, Thanksgiving dinner will fly by, and you may find you enjoyed it more than ever while eating less than ever. Good deal! Don’t Let Leftovers Weigh You Down The dinner’s over, everyone’s left the table, and the house is quiet again. It’s not yet time to let your guard down, though! The leftovers can be even more dangerous than Thanksgiving dinner itself. Pack them up and get rid of the ones that are trouble – like chocolate cream pie. There are plenty of healthy ways you can use leftover turkey. One is to simply freeze it in small portions and defrost them when you need them. You can also try any of these ideas. Turkey wraps with shredded turkey, mustard, and leftover roasted veggies wrapped in lettuce leaves. Turkey soup with a base of chicken broth, onions, carrots, and celery, plus any veggies you want. Turkey curry with cauliflower, eggplant, peas, and Indian spices. Turkey salad with cooked cubed turkey, halved cherry or grape tomatoes, nonfat plain Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, diced pickles, and black pepper. Green salad with turkey, avocado, and black beans. There are so many healthy ways to use turkey, you may not even be sick of it after you finish the entire turkey! With these hacks and a little discipline and creativity, you can get through Thanksgiving dinner and beyond feeling healthy and confident, not stuffed and weighed down. That confidence is worth a lot, and it can carry you through the holiday season as you keep working towards your goals.

Whether you’re hosting or you’re a guest, you can always make sure there’s at least something for you to eat. Just make a big enough batch to share with the table. You can never have too many salads, sides, and desserts at Thanksgiving, so consider one or more of the following. Acorn or butternut squash roasted with garlic, rosemary, and chicken broth for seasoning. Roasted Brussels sprouts or green beans with Dijon mustard. Spinach salad with cranberries, chestnut pieces, and cubes of cooked sweet potato. Cabbage and roasted beet salad. Fresh fruit salad. Baked apples with cinnamon and sprinkled with chopped walnuts or pecans. These dishes can save your diet and dignity, and they’re pretty simple! You don’t need to aim for fancy dishes and give yourself any extra headaches in the kitchen at Thanksgiving. Protein and Veggies…You Know the Drill You know how to eat right after WLS. Thanksgiving dinner is no different. Protein comes first, then come veggies. A serving of starch can fit in, and watch out for the condiments. That sounds easy enough, and it’s what you do every other day. Ready to put it in place on Thanksgiving? Your lean protein is probably skinless turkey breast, unless you’re vegetarian or having a non-traditional Thanksgiving. Whether you have tofu, crab, chicken, ham, or venison, you can make a small serving of lean protein the center of your meal. Take mustard and only a dollop of cranberry sauce, which is high-sugar. Veggies come next. Load up on green salads, sautéed broccoli or kale, and anything roasted, such as carrots, green beans, and onions. Watch out for creamy corn and green bean casseroles and buttery vegetables. Finally, garnish your meal with a little bit of starch. Sweet potatoes are healthiest, but you can also opt for a small serving of mashed potatoes, half a dinner roll, or even a spoonful of stuffing. Pick One Special Treat You don’t need to deprive yourself completely on Thanksgiving. If you don’t let yourself have any treats, you might eventually break down and eat way too much later. Better to enjoy a few bites of pumpkin pie now and feel good about it than to cave in to the entire pie later and feel sick and guilty. Give yourself permission to choose a special treat that you love and look forward to every year. Whether it’s your mom’s sausage and apple stuffing or your brother-in-law’s homemade biscuits, let yourself have a few bites of that special treat. Savor every bite. Think about its flavors and texture, and what it means to you, and how proud you are that you can enjoy it and be satisfied with that portion. Practice Eating Slowly Eating slowly is essential on the bariatric surgery diet. Thanksgiving is actually the ideal time to practice your skills. When else do you get the pleasure of good company sitting around the table for hours? Take advantage! Engage in the conversation, and focus on the people, not the food. If you stick to the rule of not talking with your mouth full, and you put your fork down and make eye contact when you’re listening to someone else talk, Thanksgiving dinner will fly by, and you may find you enjoyed it more than ever while eating less than ever. Good deal! Don’t Let Leftovers Weigh You Down The dinner’s over, everyone’s left the table, and the house is quiet again. It’s not yet time to let your guard down, though! The leftovers can be even more dangerous than Thanksgiving dinner itself. Pack them up and get rid of the ones that are trouble – like chocolate cream pie. There are plenty of healthy ways you can use leftover turkey. One is to simply freeze it in small portions and defrost them when you need them. You can also try any of these ideas. Turkey wraps with shredded turkey, mustard, and leftover roasted veggies wrapped in lettuce leaves. Turkey soup with a base of chicken broth, onions, carrots, and celery, plus any veggies you want. Turkey curry with cauliflower, eggplant, peas, and Indian spices. Turkey salad with cooked cubed turkey, halved cherry or grape tomatoes, nonfat plain Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, diced pickles, and black pepper. Green salad with turkey, avocado, and black beans. There are so many healthy ways to use turkey, you may not even be sick of it after you finish the entire turkey! With these hacks and a little discipline and creativity, you can get through Thanksgiving dinner and beyond feeling healthy and confident, not stuffed and weighed down. That confidence is worth a lot, and it can carry you through the holiday season as you keep working towards your goals.

Go for it! Am a lifelong vegetarian sleeved on 11/5. Have found it easy to get enough protein from shakes, beans, dairy, eggs.