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@Floridays- is that when you first started? Where you hungry? I really don't think I'm eating enough protein- I'm a vegetarian and eat some seafood (pescatarian if you wanna get fancy )

I’m looking for other women like me that will share their weight loss experience! I’m nervous I won’t lose as much as I want to. I’m a lifelong vegetarian and already work out three times a week. I’ve been athletic my whole life but have an extremely hard time losing weight. I did strict keto for a year between my pregnancies and lost 48 lbs but plateaued and was never able to get below 248 no matter what I did. Im 5’10” and I’ve never been thin or even average. At 12 years old I was 5’9” and 205 lbs. I wore a size 16 pants. I hadn’t even gone through puberty yet. I can’t identify with women who were thin when they were young and then gained a lot of weight. I did gain weight gradually but at 205 I was a size 16 and at 296 I’m a size 20. I honestly feel like I’m exactly the same size as I was back then; my body just feels older, but I still / always felt like a big person. Being tall contributes to that. I’m approved for surgery but need to hear that there are other women out there like me, who have been big their whole life but are also strong and athletic. My goal weight is 200 lbs. I’d love to be a solid size 14 and feel like clothes today are better for pear-shaped women like me.

June 11, 2008 Today I had my pre-op appointment at the hospital where I will have my Lap Band done. I was there for 3 and 1/2 hours. Wow. I had blood tests, a chest x-ray and an EKG. I also went through preadmission for the hospital and preadmission for the Ambulatory Surgery Center. I met with the financial person and also spent a great deal of time with the nutritionist. This was most interesting. I was given a booklet to read followed by a 20 question, multiple choice quiz. The nurse went over the quiz with me and we discussed all the answers. The nutritionist gave me a two-week pre-op diet I will start in two days, Friday, the 13th. Oh my. It will be a combination of Slim Fast protein drink, lo-fat cottage cheese, yogurt, vegetarian vegetable soup, oatmeal and no sugar puddings and jellos. She also gave me a protein powder drink to mix in with my food. Their main concern is my getting the necessary amounts of daily protein. The reason for such a strict eating program prior to surgery is to clear the liver of as much fatty tissue around it as possible. This will help ease the process of the procedure and later help with the absorption of the vitamins and minerals I take in. I think there is more to it than that, but I will need to go back and read my materials again to be more knowledgable on the matter. The surgery is scheduled for June 27th. Then I will be on a clear liquid diet for 2 weeks followed by 2 weeks of pureerd food and finally work my way slowly into solids again. So, I'm on my way. I'm still upbeat and have never been so excited about quitting eating before. I also met a former patient from the weight loss center. He has lost 125 pounds since his Lap Band last July. That's a great loss for less than a year. How excited he was. We had a good conversation and he shared some of his eating habits with me. Guess that's it for now. I'll keep you posted on the soft diet program stating Friday.:wink:

That 2/4/2014 ticker keeps following me around. I do not know where it came from but September 5th 2018. is my true date. On the other date, as far as I can remember, I was fat, depressed but still working for Wal-Mart. My late husband was hostile toward me, it turns out he was in process of dying, I thought he maybe had Alzheimers, well I did promise in sickness and heath, so I tried to not let,people know my daily sorrows at home, because I did have my pride. He ad me convinced I could not do much of anything right. I was a horrid housekeeper,, my cooking was so horrendous that he was conviced I would kill him for his,insurance. He would tell me he didn't,want any,of my foul cooking, then after half an hour of me leaving,he and my son would go to China Buffet or another local restaurant. You know how it feels to be held at gunpoint? My life was pretty much like that, which way do I move to keep him calm and quiet? Luckily we had no guns or ammo in the house, or I might have been shot. And still I tried to hang on, he would threaten " When I know for certain I am going to die, I will kill both our son and you because you are such inept failures and couldn't survive without me!" As it turns out, the hereditary kidney disease rampant in his family was also killing him. His doctor had warned him a couple of years before that without,proper specialist assistance he was surly going to die. About this time or shortly before he started not letting me accompli to doctors appointments. Usually if someone in our family had to see a doctor the rest of us would go for moral support.I had no. clue all this was going on, found the paperwork among his personal effects after his death. Why did the doctor not tell me or my son? Well we have a nasty little health manifesto called HIPAA, if someone requests another person. not know such information, the doctor is bound by law not to tell. I had been married to him 44 years, you would have thought I or our son would be his next of kin and should been told, well it Fi,dnot happen. And,he had also convinced me that no one really liked, loved or could put up with me. I was merely an extension of him and had. the personality of vanilla blancmange pudding. I could not possibly be liked by someone,in their,own mind. Well to swich the subject I have,now shrunk down to 224 from a High Weight of 365+ in October 2017 and if my,caculations are correct 95 pounds lost in, just 8 months. I am currently losing 1 of your kg a week so there is a strong possibility I may be under 200 pounds by my one-year anniversary, that would leave me approximately 25 pounds from goal which I originally thought would be March 2020. I had an appointment at my Bairatric clinic yesterday, I went in feeling I was resembling Road Kill, but they honestly believe I am doi,g well. My pouch is no longer showing signs of rampant gastritis, stoma still small but no longer a pinhole from all the swelling. Alas the jejunal ulcers still abide, she suspects they are causing the recurrent emesis, they keep the lumen of my RNY smaller so things above pureed move slower. Yes I am digesting,the foods but it is farther down where my bile and pancreatic juices come back in. So,continue as I have been but go ahead if I make vegetable soup, don't strain , try to chew up the veggies if they are smallish size. I am fated for one more endosvopy, they will let me know when but unless there is great improvement I may have surgical intervention done by my Doctor Needleman. I don't have anotherWell Bariatric scheduled until August 15th but endoscopy late June or somewhere in July. Right now, and kind of pinned her down on this, told her I come from a wagering background, 8to5 😸👩 I will get surgery, said this usually resolves by 6-8 months. But there was No Way that ,this had been in my forecast. Keep on with vitamins and minerals that will fill in the nutritional gaps, protein of course , try to find a kind my pouch,will accept, vegetarian is still okay if milk and animal meats fail me. And she is very pleased to see how good I look! I have gone from Looking like my mother, my Aunt Grace, her older sister and this week I look like Grandma Cora their mother, a big surprise because she was physically much shorter than me. So I don't know who I will finally resemble at goal, I just hope I look good and don't frighten small childre,months footpath. And I have absolutely no H Pylori, they keep testing to make sure it isn't a complication. But James, I have had 12 endoscopies, 9 at Ohio State University Hospital. The workers at the Hepatology/Endoscopy section now call me by name instead of a #. One time Dr Noria, my Dr Needlemans associate had an unexpected something come up so asked her chief resident to do it. I'm lying on the gurney , he comes in and says " Assume the Position" that meant to slide up to the top of the gurney and flip onto the Left side. Yeah I knew what he meant!

Some people turn vegetarian for just that, the smell of meat repulses them, and that is quite a change. Mind you, we have had many on Bariatric Pal, many are lacto- ovo or pescetarian. But things may change still, that's a whole new world we are now living in now.

Usual day is protein shake in morning (EAS carb advantage 110 calories); string cheese light (50 calories) around 11 - light carb master yogurt at 1:00 (60 calories); another string cheese at 2 or 3:00 (50 calories); another protein shake at 4 or so (110 calories); lien cuisine or equivalent for dinner (270-300 calories); snack at night varies - around 100 calories. I drink vitamin 0 water (0 calories) or crystal light (5-10 calories) throughout the day as well. I'm vegetarian. I have a cheat day about every 7-8 days where i'll go to 1200 calories or something - will have an ice cream or candy bar or something sweet.

In all honesty, my dad, probably same generation? Would have said, this is what's being made, eat it or not, your choice. It's what their parents did, some even born during depression years when if you had anything to eat, it was a blessing. Having said that, I have vegetarian sibs, one veg child, one super clean eater, one only organic, free range etc.. So, I do the best I can, but sometimes, all it takes is asking, could you set aside some sauce only for the vegetarian, sauce and organic or free range etc... And it works out. The other option is bringing your own version and not missing out on quality family time. I see my sibs about once a year, and it always saddens and disappoints me, when the one who is strictly organic refuses to come, possibly because something was prepared incorrectly. Part of the problem was so many family functions revolve around food, because let's face it, everyone has busy work, school, athletics, etc... But everyone needs to eat, and feed our relationships too. Good luck to you, you are right in that it gets easier the longer you are on your path to health!

I am completely plant based now, but I could not have done this at only 4 weeks out. There is too much volume in a WFPB diet, and too many concentrated calories, with whole grains, nuts, and seeds. I still cannot even start to eat the vegetable volume that many WFPB people eat. I would suggest that you start by moving to plant based protein drinks and powders. Use plant based "milk" and yogurt, but don't try to get all the veggies in right now. You really do need to focus on healing, getting your protein, liquids, and advancing your food list. Move to well cooked legumes and very well cooked veggies when you are allowed. My doc did not allow any veggies at all until 8 weeks. Of course, you can make protein smoothies that are easy to get down - and when allowed, add greens and berries. I am using a pea based "milk,", oat milk yogurt, soy tofu and tempeh. I stopped soy milk and soy yogurt, as it looked like I was getting an allergic reaction in my esophagus. I really do think it was all the whey protein I was using, so I made the total switch off whey protein and dairy products about a month ago, after my last endoscopy. I have much less bloating and gas now, so I think I had also developed a lactose intolerance. But I was relying too much on soy, so switched to alternate plant based milk and yogurt. I have a very strong gluten intolerance as well - have been gluten free for about 5 years. No big deal there, but taking away all dairy and animal products has been a big change. I am doing fine and feel good, but it has been a bit hard for the family. They want to cook, but don't know how. Going out to eat is very limited. I was at a wedding a couple of weeks ago and there was NOTHING I could eat except some limp salad. The GF items had dairy, and the vegetarian dish had wheat! I made the mistake of not being prepared with my own protein drink and snack. I am convinced that WFPB is a very healthy way to eat and I believe it will be a long term change for me, but there are definitely challenges. There are so many great resources, however, especially some of the cooking ideas on YouTube. My two favorite videos are "The Game Changers" and "Forks over Knives." The evidence is pretty compelling. I found a magazine with a ton of really good recipes, but you are still way too early to use this stuff. Be patient. It will come. I did not add whole grains, nuts, or seeds until I was at goal weight, and then it was to help me maintain my weight while I was starting to exercise pretty hard. Keep in touch, I look forward to following your journey. PS: I have an appt next month with a medical doctor who has switched himself personally to WFBP, to rid himself of his own medical problems. He now helps patients with the same. After I get my 1 year labs done, I have an appt to see him. Hopefully he can help me navigate the WFPB world in a healthy way that takes into account my WLS and also my exercise goals. I want to do it right, and I hope he will be able to supervise my progress.

I don't have food allergies but I have a kosher diet which is super restricted so I became a vegetarian/vegan. Then just back to kosher after surgery. So I started with several unflavored proteins but couldn't tolerate it, I found I could only tolerate one brand so far and it's not vegetarian lol, premier protein, so I leave that as all the artificial ingredients I have in my diet, otherwise everything else is scratch made, well except for cheese. I can't make that... Yet lol

The difficulty was lack of hunger and capacity at that stage. I have no real problems now. If you can find a protein powder you can use, pure plain and unflavored like Cabot whey protein you can add it to everything. I believe that one is mostly used for cooking so you can add it to soups etc. Eventually you will be asked to try to get all if your protein requirements from food. I only have trouble with this because I still cant handle meat because I really am better off a vegetarian or some flexible version of it. So I add premade shakes to coffee to easily meet my needs.

Hi, I have been doing good all but Friday was bad, when I was so constipated it was horrible. They should have told me to take the Mirilax instead of waiting to be constipated from the pain meds. I know about the sipping part, I am a fast drinker or should I say was... but every now and then I forget. Other than that it’s been good. So weird not hungry at all. I see you are Vegan. That is awesome! My oldest has been for about a year and a half. I was Vegetarian for many years. I am not now but still haven’t had beef since a kid. We eat a lot of homemade veggie dishes, I am going to try and go back to vegetarian at least. My downfall is cheese. Nice to see weight come off now with this surgery it is really amazing.

I have had a misconception of fruit & veggies with the band. I thought that veggies had to be cooked to mush first and have been totally afraid to try fruit. I recently was told by local fellow bandsters that fruit and veggies are best eaten fresh/raw. My doctor said the same thing the other day when I went to see him. He said that a lot of folks adapt a vegetarian lifestyle with the band. As far as what things I have tried (because I was afraid to try anything) have been apples no peels, I can't eat the skins off tomatoes either. I have successfully eaten grapes and mandarin oranges from the can. I haven't tried fresh oranges, although they were my favorite this time of year prior to banding. My problem has been that I've been scared to death to try anything, primarily eating Protein, Beans and crackers (to have with my tuna salad etc.) I went to the store yesterday with some new ideas and bought some romaine, cucumbers and radishes to get started on trying new things.

THat would be hard for me to be a vegetarian.. but I can see your dilemna! Do you like Tofu and Beans...that's Protein.. What are alot of the foods that you like that you won't be able to have now? I could live on just meat, eggs, and cheese..lol What is btdt??

I'm able to eat normally (5.5 months after) although I still try to chew meat more carefully (and overall prefer to have fish/vegetarian foods) but I can eat everything just far less. I can also eat a meal pretty quickly (which I sometimes have to) but I would strongly recommend that you try to stick to eating slowly and chewing well just because you have much less chance of overeating/doing any damage. On the few occasions I have overeaten, although you would think it would be uncomfortable and then ease over time, in fact it got worse over time (30-45 mins) until I was sick. I think eating slowly will most prevent this. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I recently found this recipe for buffalo cauliflower and will be trying it once I get onto solids! http://www.thecurvycarrot.com/2012/08/18/buffalo-chicken-vegetarian-style/

Great to hear! I too love steak, and the other day I met a girl who had the sleeve the same day as me and she said that she was practically a vegetarian now, I'm so glad I'm not in her position!

I really don't eat rice. I do eat quinoa. I like the taste, and I like that it's a complete protein. I also eat corn tostadas and soft corn tortillas (low in calories, and great with my homemade vegetarian crock pot pinto beans!).You shouldn't have any problem meeting your protein requirements if your daily caloric intake is at least 800 calories. Mine ranges between 800 and 1000, but I always make sure to eat my Proteins first.

Hello guys, so I had surgery September 1 2017. I am currently under no food restrictions other than eating slow and no drinking while eating. I've noticed as I've introduced certain foods back that some really cause issues for me like all dairy products and occasionally meat. I was wondering if any one else has had similar diet issues and what they are doing/ is anyone vegan or vegetarian after surgery and is it helping? My fear is getting enough nutrients and food for fuel during the day. Thanks in advance for the help!

I'm right there with ya in Toast Town. I despise any and all Protein. I could easily be a vegetarian and for no other reason than I just prefer the delish carby side dishes. I am having a heck of a time getting my protein in. I cannot tolerate the Protein shakes AT ALL. And I, too, bought 3 tubs of the Injury powder. Everyone raved about the 'chicken soup' flavored one and I can't gag that crap down if someone had a gun to my head. I also bought the unflavored, which is not quite as bad but still intolerable for me. I had to wait till I could eat some real protein to get any in. I *think* I remember Tiff saying she could not get protein in till much later, too and well, we all see she turned out just fine. I've read many others here that couldn't get it in early on, and all their doctors said concentrate on liquids FIRST. Protein will become easier in time. No one is gonna waste away if they don't get all the protein in the first few weeks or month. Just do what you can, and like Tiff said, that protein is not gonna do you a BIT of good if you just upchuck it after you drink it. In fact, that will do worse damage to your staple line than not drinking it to begin with. Good luck, and when it's time, you can eat your Beans, cottage cheese, etc.

Im a vegetarian as well and having surgery on May 6th.. would love to hear ideas

I posted a wrap recipe in the Vegetarians board I started. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/123054-vegetarians-and-vegans/

Feel free to search for and join WLS Vegetarians on Facebook -- there are lots of great plant-based proteins!

The choice on whether to be vegetarian is your choice, of course. My response was to highlight that it’s not hard to be a vegetarian post-WLS, if that is what you want.

I started having problems with the high animal protein diet back in November of 2011. Apparently my gallbladder was deciding to go crazy. After the gallbladder was removed i was having bowel issues. One extreme to the next. I looked at what i was eating and then decided to eat a couple of weeks of plant based low fat and it was AMAZING. I bought Lindsay Nixon's (the Happy Herbivore) cookbooks and subscribed to her blog and have started phasing out meat and consuming a lot less dairy. Her cookbooks are amazing. The recipes are all from scratch and the ingredients are stuff you can find at your local grocery (even walmart). Made her pumpkin bread with Maple Icing last night (How good does that sound!). The Engine 2 diet is on my list to read but right now i am fully satisfied with recipes in my current books and my own imagination. I still eat seafood and low fat meat occasionally (like maybe 1x a week) but in much smaller portions (2 oz at the most) than the past. I tend to eat meat when i am rushed or didnt plan my meal. I love vegan boca burgers (at sams you can get 16 for $9) but eat them sparingly since they are processed. Same with Gardein products. Gardein has BBQ skewers (good with BBQ sauce on a bun), BBQ shreds, and buffalo wings. They are a little pricey but my Kroger's puts them on Managers Special and/or with a Q they come out real cheap. I hardly ever buy them full price. I eat a lot of beans, greens, and lentils, quinoa, grits. I incorporate bread, brown rice, and pasta and after that i am pretty satisfied. I eat a lot of "sides" but jazz them up to make a meal. Did you know you can sub oil for applesauce in baked goods and eggs for mashed bananas? This has been a gradual process and I will most likely never be fully plant based but my goal is to be 90% plant based. I have a hard time giving up yogurt and have not found a good substitute. There have been so many benefits other than the regularity. My skin is better, i feel less tired (especially after a meal), my hair is growing faster and my scalp is less oily. During this process I have also learned to pay more attention to ingredients (and not only in food either) and how my food is made. I watched Food Inc. and Forks Over Knives and read the China Study to get my will-power in gear. I stalled in weight loss after my gallbladder attacks started but if i stay on track with my new diet my weight slowly starts dropping again. I just have to make sure i stick to my allowed calories as well as watch what i eat. Plant based isnt a miracle cure but has become another tool to help my lap band journey. The other benefit is that buy cutting back meat and dairy you spend a lot less $$ at the grocery store! Would love to have a Vegan/Vegetarian board on this forum!

I was a vegetarian for about 15 years but introduced meat back in my diet about 2 years ago. I found that being a vegetarian I was only getting about 10-20 grams of Protein a day. I started out on the shakes and powders but gradually got off of those for no reason at all. This was the reason for my lack of protein. I was pretty lazy in that department. Some other foods that are good TVP (textured vegetable protein) edemame Eggbeaters refried Beans tofu soy These are just some of the things I ate early on when I became vegetarian. I found, later on, that my food choices were not the best and changed my diet. Best of luck!!