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Im a vegetarian and my nut encouraged me being a vegetarian!!! There's a lot of other ways you can get protein in not eating meat!! She also told me that people are often forced to become vegetarians post op because they cannot tolerate meat. There's no way in hell I'm eating meat lol pre op, post op, no op lol no meat!

I use MFP. I count calories, and eat more if I exercise more. I try to keep my diet balanced, I generally use the numbers recommended by MFP, but up my Protein a bit, and follow the 5:2 semi fast 1-2 days a week to maintain. I am 3 1/2 years out, and have found if I don't do this most days/weeks, I will gain weight. I am a vegetarian.

I’m doing great I’m at a stall I lost 54 pounds after surgery and been at a stall for 2 weeks grrrr. I hit my protein almost daily with chicken, beans, nuts, and of course protein shakes. Water is becoming so easy to drink now think God but I’m not at 64oz yet more like 30-50 a day. Calories are 600-700 a day sometimes it’s less if I’m craving veggies. I’m thinking about going vegetarian when I’m in maintenance I’m starting to hate meat. I can no longer eat artificial sweeteners so I invested in monk fruit extract and drink water which is a bit boring. I’m trying to find a good gym. I am very thankful for God getting me through because there were times I was in so much pain and dehydrated. I regretted the surgery at one point because I couldn’t drink water but now it’s improving! How much have you lost since surgery? It’s good you haven’t hit a stall 😞

There's no way I could pass up meat and fortunatly I can eat most any of it. I know I eat too much red meat, but it's so good. When it comes to chicken trucks, we have plenty here in Douglas. Pilgrim's Pride has a plant here so numerous times a day they go straight through town. I've taught myself to not look at the chickens. I think one thing that helped me is that when I was young my family fished, hunted, plucked and cleaned chickens, and you name it we did it. After saying that it sounds like I'm a country girl, but really I grew up in a very large city. Good luck on going vegetarian - I sure couldn't do it.

That is really funny pamela! I work for International Poultry Breeders and actually live here on the farm where I work. So I have seen it all. But I LOVE chicken! LOL Good luck on going vegetarian, my sister is one and has done it for around 9 years!

I found his book excellent. The only problem I had was that I am on a low FODMAP program so can't eat legumes and some vegetables. I must be getting enough protein as my six month post op checkup didn't indicate a protein issue and my hair is now growing back. His pound of cure program is for everyone, not just bariatric patients. Vegetarians who have bariatric surgery are able to get enough protein post op so I believe it can be done. Saying that, if your program says no, then you should follow your plan. You can also schedule a skype appointment with Dr Weiner to get his opinion. Good Luck and God Bless

http://www.bariatricpal.com/groups/314-vegetarian-sleevers/

Hi! My NUT thought I was crazy for wanting to become a vegetarian post op. I pressed her for info and she recommended unflavored soy Protein powder in everything. GNC sells it. She also said Beans, beans, beans. I'm not into eating dairy (I think that I may be lactose intolerant), eggs, pork or much beef. I can eat some chicken and fish sometimes, but I feel sick when I eat many animal Proteins. I also got kidney stones and don't want to overload my kidneys with animal proteins and Calcium. Soy does contain estrogens so that's something that you need to keep in mind. Testosterone is created from cholesterol (and other fats) in the middle of the night. If you want to keep up your free testosterone levels eat a Brazil nut six times a day (according to Tim Ferriss in the six hour body). I asked my NUT about this and she agrees. I think that getting off grains (refined carbs especially) is the number one thing that is helping me lose weight. Not having my body constantly feeding me hunger signals what I'm most looking forward to post-op. Good luck on your journey.

Hello ladies - this is so great to have a forum for different age groups! I am being banded on August 15th - can't wait! but am getting nervous thinking of all the changes.Anyway, I was told to go on optifast and veggie diet for 2 weeks before surgery. I started friday and was successful so far until today. I was out shopping longer than I thought I would be and ended up eating some vegetable sushi from the grocery store.:thumbup: I didn't have any sauce on it. I know I should have brought veggies with me - have I really wrecked my pre-op diet? Also I went to ticker factory and designed one but how do I get it to here?

That is awesome! I am also a vegetarian! How did you like the profession???

Hey yoo incredible people here!! I am really so happy for being here with u, everytime i ask something u just give me the best advice! My question today is about shakes,I just got three different shakes i want to know what do u think about them and i wanna know how and when i should use them and what exactly is their benfits first one: WellBetX "weight loss shake" appetite control and Glucose banance with PGX Second one:Jarrow Formulas: Gentle Fibers Soulble and Insoluble fibers vegetarian/vegan "Rich in Antioxidant flavonids and lignans Third one: Lewis Labs: Fabulous Fiber :instantly dissolving granules and contains psyllium seed corn and milk So what do u think of them and if u dont like them please tell me anyway what is the benfit of shakes, can i replace them with a whole meal like lunch and dinner? what is the best way to prepare them? thanks a lot:)

I'm an aspiring vegetarian. I get a heavy hit of protein from my morning shake. EAS Carb Control only has 100 or so calories for around 20 grams of protein, so if I have a very low protein day, I can always have a second shake to round it out. I also eat beans, tofu, etc. without a problem. Had a problem once with cooked spinach, but not since. It's all about getting to be friends with YOUR band. There were things I couldn't eat at first. Now I know how to eat anything, but some foods just aren't worth the trouble, so your tastes and desires change a bit. I struggle with shrimp so I just don't bother with them anymore...but I eat crab without a problem. I eat raw salads every day. After awhile, you just get used to your band and how much each food needs to be chewed. And you do little weird things to adapt. I made cooked cherry tomatoes last night...popped one in my mouth and realized they had a really thick tough skin. So I chewed, took out the skin, and swallowed the rest, rather than risk it. You get good at doing that stuff so no one sees, and it becomes second nature. You may stuggle at first but you'll be fine.

I've had a really bad few days. I just don't know if I can do this and I've been on the verge of calling up to cancel surgery. I have no doubt that this will benefit my life Healthwise, but will I be more miserable than I am now because my social life will be suffocated by not being able to go for drinks/meals with family and friends? I fear as well that I won't be able to cope on eating only certain foods. I'm a vegetarian, and I read it's difficult to eat rice and Pasta, basically my two staple foods right there! I just really don't know what to do

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

Try GENEPRO Protein (available at Amazon). It's been a life saver for me. Mixes into anything without changing the taste or the texture and you only need to add 1 tablespoon to get 30 grams of protein! Also, if you have a Trader Joe's in your area, tgey have yummy vegetarian thin Soups like carrot ginger, roasted red pepper and tomato or butternut squash. Good luck!

I had surgery 5 days ago and am not having a lot of problem with the amount of liquid I'm consuming (drinking more and more everyday), but am having quite a difficult time finding something savory to drink. My taste buds are very different from before surgery and the things I bought are not good to me anymore. I'm a vegetarian, which puts a little more of a restriction to broths and Soup, but I'm very sick of all the sweet liquid already and have another 8 days before moving on to puréed foods. Any suggestions to a vegetarian non-sweet liquid? I've tried strained cream of mushroom, vegetarian French onion soup and veggie broth. None of them are delicious like before. Thanks!

HI, I have recently started my journey. I went to my first seminar and from there I recieved a call that explained that my insurance will cover the surgery up to 90%. My first Dr.'s appt is scheduled for May 23rd and I am very excited about starting this journey. Just to let you know a little bit about myself....... I am 31 years old 5'4 and 275 lbs which is the heaviest I have been in my entiiiire life . I have always had weight issues starting from middle school . Even though I wasnt the smallest growing up I was very athletic and with my father being a physical ed teacher and a basketball coach I stayed busy playing basketball and volleyball . Moving foward it seemed like once I reached my twentys I started piling the weight on....I think my problem is that I am an emotional eater and I eat when I im bored or upset . I find myself over eating alot . My father passed away 4 years ago which was a wake up call for me . My father had hypertension, diabetes, kidney failure and congestive heart failure which majority runs in my family. I have tried everything under the sun to aid in my weight loss. I tried weight watchers, working out and even tried out being a vegetarian which lasted about 3 mnths my latest venture was weight loss pills which did take off 36lbs and at that time brought me down to my lowest which was 219lbs but as soon as I loss my job which forced me to be home more than I liked i gained it all back plus 20 addtl. I am now at my breaking point. I find that is getting to be a task at doing the simplest everyday things like taking a shower. I recently had a biometric screening at my exsisting job which notified me that I have high blood pressure which prompted me to make an appt with my pri DR. which suggested the lap band as an option. I know alot of people at my current job(which is a call center posistion) that have had the lap band surgery both successfully and unsucessful. The succesful ones told me that they follow the lifestyle change to a "T" and the unsuccessful ones admitted that they have found ways of going around the band or that once they reached their goal they started back in their old ways and gained all the weight back. I am now at the time in my life where I reconize that i need to make a major change in my lifestyle, hence the option of lap band. At first my mom and two sisters were against the surgery and stated that I can do this on my own. But you see where on my own has gotten me . I took my mom ans sister to the seminar with me and now they are supportive. I am now looking foward to the process and the surgery in the future. I understand the lap band is a tool and is up to me to make the changes in my life necessary. I haved read a numerous amount of blogs and posts which have become very helpful...........Wish me luck !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think people get so lost in the protein first rule that they forget that vegetables are a vital part of our diet. They have so many good nutritional qualities and aid in good brain function & memory. Yes, protein is essential for helping us feel fuller for longer, aiding in muscle and tissue repair etc, but I'm a true believer that our diets should be varied and include fruits, vegetables, and healthy, natural whole foods. (Just look at all the sleeved vegetarians getting their protein sources from veg etc). Your body may not like the fruit? But I can't imagine you would gain weight from non starchy vegetables. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It bothers me how little people check into this stuff. Its heart warming to see those who did. Yes, that is dead on - some of us need different types of supplementation. Having a dairy issue, and a few other things, I need something different than what some of the others I've seen get. The problem comes in the ability to get doctors to test per person and not just some standard lab panel, not just the regular stuff. I've had high copper levels before and borderline high. That would make 0 sense given my eating. Deficiencies are common but not high ones. That's why testing and supplementation should truly be unique and not blanket. As the above shows, I think people can get in their food but again, its WHAT they get in that makes a difference. I eat more fresh veggies, fruit, and lean Proteins than the vegetarians I know. However, the large combo of problems and the specific problems I have gives me a greater risk for some things. The other item that hasn't been thrown out here is our athletic endeavors. Now that I'm sidelined, I don't need to eat certain things, do certain things, because of that. Those who do, need extra help.

Hello! So I was banded June 30th, and while it started out ok on the liquid diet, I haven't lost any weight since the week of July 10th. Before you go on your rant of telling me "don't lose hope" I've been working out 5x a week and I am following the plan perfectly. I have gone vegetarian and carb-free for the last 3 months, and I haven't lost or gained an ounce. NOT ONE. What I want to find out, is there anyone who had the band fail and went for bypass or another option that actually worked? I have insulin resistance and PCOS, which they tell me are factors in losing weight with the band. If you want more details, you can view my blog here: http://daily-katie.blogspot.com/ Any information or suggestions of what has worked for others when the band didn't, would be great. Thanks! Katie

Who is your surgeon? What is your BMI? Lapband takes more work and motivation. There are pros and conswith both. I also felt that push towards gastric through kaiser bit I decided on the band knowing I would have to work harder at it!! My BMI was 40 and the band tends to work better with BMI of 42 of below according to my surgeon. Kaiser just wants you to be sure you know the stats and only you know how much work your willing to put in.........I have been banded only two weeks and have lost 10 pounds. But I lost 25 pre op........I was afraid with gastric bypass of the malabsorbtion and getting sick since I am vegetarian!! That was the deciding factor for me......

Personally I would send a meeting request and reserve a conference room so this meeting will be private. I would tell him that you are very uncomfortable with him policing your eating habits. That you do your very best to eat healthy and if you end up having to eat a unhealthy meal on RARE occation; it is not his place to comment. Also that he does not know how you will eat when you get home to make up for a higher calorie lunch. If after you have this meeting he continues to comment on your eating habits go to HR. What he is doing is bullying you. Tell them you've spoken to him privately and he is continuing to harrass you. It is their job to deal with work place bullying. Trust me an HR generalist/manager does not want you going to their boss (HR Director/or VP) because they've failed to deal with work place bullying. I had a boss that would comment about everyones lunch. She was a vegetarian and no matter how healthy your lunch was she would say gross/disgusting there's meat in there! She would have vegan soup for lunch that had 35 calories and make sure EVERYONE knew about it. She also however would talk endlessly about her alcohol fueled orgies on the weekend! NOT kidding. I had several thin coworkers comment to me how annoyed they were about the way she commented about everyones food habits, yet she was a high functioning alcoholic. Oh and by the way she would go to the company store at the other end of the building and buy cookies and eat them when she thought no one could see her. Priceless. This is why I don't tell coworkers that I've had WLS. You can be guarenteed that every though I have skinless chicken breast and raw veggies (no dips/dressings) everyday for lunch; the day I have a 1 inch square piece of birthday cake someone will comment about it. For other readers esp. if you work in an enviroment with HR you boss does not need to know what surgery you are having. That is the beauty of HIPPA. A manager does not have the right to determine what medical proceders, ordered by a doctor are neccesary. The notes my doctor gives just say the gastro/intestinal dept; says nothing about WLS. I had a coworker have breast reduction surgery and was out on disability for 6 weeks. Some might argue the company should not have paid her to be off 6 weeks after breast reduction. Clearly WLS is more health oriented that that.

I am also a teacher and since it is summer I love to sleep in. If I eat breakfast too early I'm really tight but if I wait till mid morning 10ish I can eat something small like the sausage I ate this morning. bR: Small smoked sausage link with a spoon of grits(cooked for hubby) Lunch: 4 oz of vegetarian chili(I got some nutrisystem meal at Big Lots, suprisingly good an a couple of crackers but it took me a minute to work it down Snack: sugar free icecream serving Dinner: 4 chicken wingettes(the drum only)

I’m out a year and three months post op gastric sleeve, I’m a vegetarian whom has hit a slump. I can’t seem to get passed 100 lbs weight loss..... can anyone give me any advice on how to jump on the weight loss Wagon again I need help......

I eat the same things all of the time. Chicken tenderloins and steamed broccoli. Dannon fit and lite. I make a great vegetarian chili. Sometimes I will eats whatever at a restaurant if we go out but just lost interest in food when I had the surgery.