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Its not just recommending it but I've seen all of them in this area be like NO. I'm like, how is it that people who eat vegan/vegetarian survive without meat? So how can you without any shred of evidence for (and lots of it against) claim that you have to eat meat? I can manage chicken at times and right now turkey. I'm still alive. Apparently some with healthcare degrees need to read. Dr. Garth Davis is the bomb. I have problems with meat, told to knock it off, so I did and found other ways to get Protein in. That includes other things making it hard on top of that. So the problem is in someones' head and it doggone sure isn't mine. I've seen more veg people and they're all doing fine.

I was hesitant to bring salads back in as well. I started slowly. I was 6 weeks out and I made a simple salad of romaine, Beyond meat chickenless strips and olive oil. I took my time and ate it slowly. I'm now 4 mths out and I do still have a Protein shake for Breakfast but that was my routine before WLS. I'm now back to eating pretty much all the same foods I ate before WLS. The only exception is I haven't re-introduced pastas and "white" carbs back into my diet. I've had brown rice once. I'm now re-introducing whole grains like farro and quinoa back in. While my nutritionist is no pro-vegetarian. She cringed when I told her I've been thinking of going vegan eventually. She is not against me. She has been really good about working with me to figure out a balanced diet.

I have been a vegetarian since I was 11 and was sleeved 10-27-15 will follow to know what to eat . I do eat eggs if they are in a like which but not on their own

@@Bufflehead This sounds delicious. I am trying to stay away from red meat. I was a vegetarian for about 10 years during my 30's and now just cutting red meat from my diet. I'll do this with chicken! Thanks for the tip!!!

Hi, I fluctuate between a 36 and 37 bmi and this is the biggest I have ever been so I have elected to self-pay for my surgery since insurance will not pay for it unless I have a bmi of 40 or co-morbidties....I am going to Mexico on the 26th to get banded by Dr. Joya. It's a personal decision, so many of my friends are like, just eat less and exercise! I have tried and tried and consistently lose and gain back more..I DO STILL exercise A LOT but it seems to just maintain my weight, don't really lose because it is SO hard to control my appetite and to eat the "right" things. I am a vegetarian and do eat a lot of veggies and healthy stuff, however, I also eat a LOT of carbs and cheese which are my downfall....

My Dr gave me an Rx for the nausea, and I had an extra day in the hospital because of that and other issues. I did have a rough time with the surgery. I got some vegetarian broth down a little while ago but I'm still hiccaburping after every sip. My Dr suggested the CPAP might have something to do with it, so i figured maybe someone else here also had a CPAP and the same issue. My Dr knows about these issues I am having but there isn't anything he can give me to treat my stomach turning at everything I smell.

so, i havent been exercising, aside from the walk to and from my office and here and there on campus. im a graduate student, and with classes having just started and my part-time job, i havent had time. today, however, i will be headed back to curves. hopefully it will help restart the weight loss. as far as what i eat...a lot of what i ate before, only less. having spent 15 years as a vegetarian, im accostomed to eating hummous, tofu, etc. i have been on a mashed potato kick...ive had them at least every other day. today, for provided lunch, there were sandwiches. so, i just picked the tomato, onion, cheese and turkey off of the bread. for me, i think its just going to be a change in quantity that should lead to weight loss. the quality of food ive always eaten isnt crap. i rarely ate fried foods...drank mostly diet sodas...and wasnt a candy addict. yet, no matter how i tried, i was always overweight. in the past, i even tried alli...without success, as it rids the body of calories from fats...which i never really had any excess of.

Morningstar Farms just began production again on their veggie dogs. Still on liquids, so no dog for me yet, but my spouse is a vegetarian and loves them!

and so it is why ppl that have had wls doesn't tell everyone. apparently i just don't care what other ppl think. prior to surgery i worried what ppl thought about what and how much i was eating for a obese person so now i can care less what ppl think about me. iam thinking a long your line of thinking. after this last fill meat doesn't have the appeal it once did. i have books ordered to help me understand vegetarian Protein choices and how to cook and prepare them. and hummus is so good. certainly your co workers know what that is. i loved hummus even before i had surgery. yummy. and hummus can take on any flavors you want it to have. cheryl has great ideas on vegetarian dishes. good luck and no apologizing for what you eat!!!!!

Well, I am one week shy of my 3 month post-op date. Everything is GREAT! I am so loving life. I love my sleeved stomach. I've lost 45 lbs, well actually a bit more, so far - which I think is absolutely terrific. I can now look down without leaning forward and can see my toes and...my pubic area (it has been several years since I've been able to do that). I have 6 garbage bags full of fat clothes to give to a charity. I don't have many clothes left that fit and don't look like I'm still wearing fat clothes. I'm only buying an item here and there to stretch my now sparse wardrobe. Someone called me skinny today!!!!! WHAT!?! I'll take that, even though I am still over 200lbs. Can't wait to get under 200lbs. I'm eating anything I want - a bite here and there. I'm certain I need to get more protein in though. I've backed off on the protein shakes lately, but need to add those back in. I'm eating a 90-95% plant based vegan diet and the other 5-10% is a vegetarian diet. The part that is not vegan is dairy - milk for my coffee, a little bit of cheese, and there is often butter or dairy or eggs in a few other items I consume, like in certain breads. I've been working out 6 days a week - yoga, kettlebell class, ellipitcal, hiking, spinning classes, boot camp classes, etc. I feel freaking fantastic! I also feel like I don't take up as much space. Love that feeling. Life is GOOD! If you are wondering if getting sleeved is right for you....DO IT!!! It will change your life for a fitter, thinner tomorrow. Yes, you still have to work at nourishing your body with healthy food choices, but the sleeve is a terrific tool to help with that. Your food life will never be the same. The sleeve allows you to live your life around other important things other than around food and all the pressures and cravings a morbidly obese person deals with minute by minute. I know, I've been there and been there in a LARGE way. One Love.

i'm a vegetarian. I get plenty of protein. tofu is my best friend. so are green smoothies.

I need to look up which is better for my vegan/vegetarian friends. Tofurky versus Field roast.

I did not have to do a liquid diet before surgery. I had to do 100% vegetarian, very low fat, and low calorie. So no birthday dinner at the Brazilian steakhouse. Of course I could not eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery. I was at 40 BMI and I have the five incisions (that are mostly gone already, thankfully).

None of my college friends know about my surgery. At first I felt bad but I'm kind of loving it and also find it ironic to be known as the strange sassy vegetarian with a small appetite. I was once the shy fat girl that no one knows much about. Part of this journey is finding the identity you want for yourself and having the courage to know you deserve it. This is a second chance, and although I'll never forget my past I don't want my past to become a part of my future.

I've always guessed that I have some food sensitivities - but, being the snack-fiend that I was, I largely ignored them and ate whatever the heck I wanted anyways. In the years before surgery, I struggled with frequent, painful edema in my hands and feet (sometimes to the point that I could barely open doorknobs, containers, etc), itchy skin after eating, weight gain, general fluid retention.... A couple of timeperiods, I became frustrated and cut out entire food groups in an attempt to find some relief: wheat, corn, dairy...these were popular. I had really hoped that post-op, I wouldn't have to deal with these issues. After all - I was going to be eating a fraction of the amount of food that I ate before, I would have no reactions to worry about! WRONG. I have already documented numerous places my new and total intolerance of anything vaguely dairy related. Even butter and hard cheese are consumed in small quantities at my own peril. But what is really starting to annoy me is the exacerbation of reactions to miniscule amounts of corn and wheat. The scale says I've now lost 43lbs since surgery, which is great! But there have been days where that painful, warm edema has returned to my hands and feet, making sleeping an uncomfortable and fruitless proposition. Finally realized I was drinking a ton of Crystal Light...which uses maltodextrin, which comes from....corn. Drat. Cut out the Crystal Light, switched to tea. Better. I'm finding that eating food out is a challenge. I had some mashed potatoes (and a smidge of gravy) from Boston Market, and puffed up like a Macy's parade balloon. Logged on to their website to peruse ingredients: Milk solids, wheat starch, corn starch.....wtf. Got desperate for variety at one point, and had a Morningstar Farms Chik'n Patty, which at various semi-vegetarian times in my life I loved. I was able to eat all but 2 bites of the patty and felt very satisfied! ....until about 30 minutes later, when my hands started to puff up and my skin began to itch. Ingredients? Wheat gluten is pretty high on the list. Dammit. I have no idea why my body has become MORE sensitive rather than less so since surgery. But all I can say is that I am annoyed and frustrated beyond comprehension. I feel like I'll have to become one of those neurotic people that read every package label and have no fun with life. Small favors, body....that's all I'm asking of you.

Hi everybody. I'm 8 days post-op and my doctor wants me to start a diet consisting of protein shake, then soup for lunch and dinner. She wants me to eat a pureed soup with chicken and vegetables. She mentioned pulsing it in a food processor so that it's not totally pureed, but said that if I wanted to, I could. She suggested chicken thighs as they are juicier, but man, I am a quasi-vegetarian and am basically forcing myself to eat chicken. She did say I could use breast if I insisted. So, I'm asking if any of you have tips. Would a completely pureed CHICKEN soup seem bizarre, or do you think that I can get the chicken breast in small enough pieces? Ideas? Can I do something like this photo, or are the chicken pieces too big? Thank you.

I certainly have some major issues with this discussion. For one I don't think it takes into account that weight loss is slower for women than it is for men, it's also slower as you age, and if you haven't changed the habits that caused you to be obese in the first place, your results will most likely be less than someone who has. To me, African American refers to a cultural group, and like Lawanda mentioned Africans and many other black people around the world do not have an obesity issue. I think the obesity issue for African Americans is because we live in a culture that promotes excess. And when you take into account the socio-economic element of it all - African American's tend to be in the lower end. So what it boils down to if you have 5 dollars for lunch it might make more sense to get fast food or soul food then spending it on a high priced vegetarian option. And lastly, if you live in an urban environment it makes it even more difficult for to you exercise. My point is one that has been expressed thoughout this thread, I'm not being judgemental, but the band is a tool, one that needs to accompany exercise, healthy eating choices, and a strong support network. The idea that my band has failed because I'm black doesn't sit well with me at all. Kin

There is a veggie meat called smart ground that is a good source of Protein and tastes great. I'm not vegetarian but I like it and cook with it frequently. Nobody knows unless I tell them Sent from my VS920 4G using RNYTalk

I should mention that when I say "diet" its not a bad thing. I am asking what everyone is eating also refereed to as a "diet." Even if it is just I eat whatever I please. That is still a form of diet. Just so everyone has an idea of what I am talking about. di·et1 ˈdī-it/ noun 1. the kinds of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats. "a vegetarian diet" synonyms: selection of food, food, foodstuffs; informalgrub, nosh "health problems related to your diet"

OK, so I'll pick up on the eve of my surgery.... At 3 a.m., Maria came in to check my vitals and she was accosted by the warmth in my room. I was totally perspiring and could not sleep. The street out front of the Clinic is like a drag strip. Seriously. So on top of the heat, the noise, my period, AND the I.V. in my right hand...I won't lie, I was second guessing the wisdom of my decision! Maria was surprised to find me awake and even more surpised that it was 80+ degrees in my room. She did an about face and was back in 5 with a fan. Hallelujah!! I actually cried. Gracias Maria, Gracias! Si.... I must have fallen asleep to the soothing white noise and breeze very shortly after because the next thing I know, it's 7 a.m. and the shift change has happened. I have a new nurse, Dilynn (sp?). She spoke very little English too, but she was quite the firecracker. She's about 22 and working 2 jobs to pay for nursing school. Yes, nursing school. It did send up little red flags that she wasn't already a nurse...but she really was not doing much more throughout my stay but emptying my drain, adding things to my I.V., taking vitals and changing my dressings post-op. OK, let's be honest...this was something that I just wouldn't let my mind dwell on at the time. Never in America, right? Maybe I got it wrong and maybe she was a nurse going to med school to become a Dr. It's possible. So...surgery morning. Sorry, I seem to be easily distracted. Dilynn brings me a fresh "tent" to wear and a clean towel and orders me to take a shower. Most of this is done via an ongoing game of charades. HA! They eventually started to understand what it meant when I tapped my nose I take my shower and wait for further instruction. Dr. Kelly arrives and reviews my labs and tells me that all is good. I had had my labs done the week before going to Mexico because I am anemic. In one of my consultations with Dr. Kelly, he had said that if my hemoglobin was 10 or less, I would need to have an Iron infusion. I had met with my personal physician in the states on the Friday before Mexico, and my labs showed my hemoglobin was 10.5 After discussing it with my physician, he expressed his preference that I not get a fusion because of the high rate of allergic reactions and asked me to "request" that I just continue with my recommittment to oral treatment. In the 3 weeks leading up to surgery, knowing this concern, I had returned to adding iron to my regiment. By the time the labs came back on surgery morning, my hemoglobin had improved to 11.1 I was cleared by Dr. Kelly (thank God) and was now awaiting a meeting with the Cardiologist. Enter Cardiologist whose name escapes me. Let's just call him Gadget guy, OK? Gadget guy shows up and he is a man on a mission. He speaks excellent English, and if I am right, he clearly is very Americanized...possibly American trained. He's is very thorough in a review of my health history, has seen my Xrays and my labs, is able to take shorthand notations of my responses...ask rapid questions, handle 2 cell phones...AND seem to not lose track of where he was in his physical. I'm not sure I am "used" to the way the Dr.'s take calls in the middle of a conversation with you...but it seems to be cultural...because the nurses start speaking and asking questions also in the middle of a Dr. consultation. It's sory of weird. Here in the states, the Dr. walks in and everyone shuts-up to hear what he has to say as the "expert" in the room. lol Anyway, Gadget guy wires me 8 ways to Sunday, listens to my heart, runs his little gadget (I was half expecting to get electorcuted lol) and seemingly surprised, say's that except for the obvious morbid obesity, I am in remarkably good health. Gee, thanks Gadget guy--what a nice thing to say! heeeheeee He shakes my hand and wishes me well and as quickly as he came, he left. Meanwhile, my dad has vamoosed to the cafeteria to give me some privacy and to grab some "healthy food" as they call it while I am in my pre-op holding pattern. Dad returns to report that the food is EXCELLENT, albeit vegetarian. But he raved about the Avacado salad and can't wait to try to recreate it at home! Finally, a gurney with gowned up strangers arrives at my door. It is time. They ask me to get in my Mospital (Motel/Hospital) bed and they proceed to raise it to the gurney level. I'm then asked to "scooch" over, all by charade, onto the gurney. I couldn't help it...I started to giggle as some little voice say's yet again, "not in America!" hahahaha So, over I scooch...obviously trying to maintain some modesty and all the while trying to explain that I am having my period. Someone got the drift and one of the semi English speaking persons in the room (my God, it was a full house production) assured me that, "OK, we deliver babies too." In hindsight, I'm glad it didn't occur to me that there may have been a mistaken message and I wasn't going to have a baby!!! My new charges now wheel me down the corridor and through a set of double wooden doors. We stop at another gurney (yes, mid hallway..just outside a janitors closet I think) and I'm asked to "scooch" to the other bed. Stop me now, because the giggles just wouldn't be contained as the chorus in my head was no longer in a low voice but a full blown boom! "NOT IN AMERICA!" :lol: I was practically guwaffing...I'm sure they were all talking about the loco seniora.. Oh, but wait. Then I'm wheeled into the Operating Room and me and my styling ride pull up next to the stainless slab. One look and I knew what was expected. Yup, I scooched my big old naked fat but over onto the less than warm O.R. table. Everyone was gowned and masked and speaking English. It was a very vulnerable moment as they started undoing the velcro on my 'tent' gown. I teared up at this point and looked around at the HUGE picture windows overlooking the parking lot on my right and the back alley in front of me. I asked to no one in particular, "are you going to shut the blinds?" No one seemed to notice. I realized that the buidling was covered in reflective glass that nobody could see through, but it was the thing that seemed to slam the message home, "NOT IN AMERICA!!!!" The anesthesiologist looked down at me...he was upside down and I couldn't see his mouth, but I think he has a beard and I got a faint sceent of cigarette smoke. Then he spoke to me in a very soothing voice and kind eyes and I drifted off to sleep.

Hi Sizewize! Congrats on the 4lbs. I know they will have been hard fought for!! Regarding your PCOS. The best thing you could do in terms of eating with PCOS is to eat low GI. It keep your blood sugar stable, and that is what helps us PCOS'ers lose. There are quite a few good books out there in low GI. The best way to treat PCOS is actually diet and exercise, I am managing all of my symptoms through lifestyle change (low GI, plenty of exercise, Water, and so on) I was on Metformin for years, and lost and gained the same weight (plus a few Kg every time) It was only after my banding, and conversion to Vegetarianism, I started losing significant weight. Best of luck. Sam.

Hello All! I'm with Indio Girl 55--I'm looking at banding because I'm tired of being fat. I've tried everything except the prescription weight loss drugs and have minimal success. I have been a vegetarian for 18 years so in theory this shouldn't have happened but it did. I even went vegan last year and lost a couple pounds and that was it. I exercise at least 3 hours a week, too, so I seem to be doing all the right things but am not seeing any results. I see the surgeon on May 6th and we'll go from there. Thanks to whoever set up this board. It's an awesome resource.

You know, if she is a good friend then after the surgery you should take her up on her offer... It's always good to try new things and meat is murder, lol (coming from an on&off vegetarian)!!! Let her know that you will be changing your habits for the better, but you still need this extra help of the sleeve because reasons a ) b ) & c ) Healthy friends are a great thing! And I promise if you show her YouTube videos, doctors reports, this site etc she will be more informed. She wouldn't be a good friend if she approved of high risk abdominal surgery on a whim, educate her and she'll educate others! She may become a champion of WLS! You never know- Don't get fatigued by these attitudes, use them to reinforce your own decision! On the other hand, if someone remains stubborn give up the goose and find another friend

That's why we're preaching Fairlife! It's ultra-filtered to remove sugars and lactose, and it packs 14g of protein and 1/3 of daily Calcium in ONE cup. For me, someone who can be sensitive to higher amounts of lactose, it's a godsend. Almond milk had more carbs and less protein for me. How you manage to find so much success as vegan is AMAZING. It's hard enough as a carnivore trying to cobble a decent diet together! Thanks but I'm vegetarian. It makes things easier because I do eat milk based products like yogurt and I also eat eggs. Those 2 items make it relatively easy for me. I hope to go vegan once I get to a normal BMI. I'm currently following a few vegan athletes for when I transition. I also have to eat as unprocessed as possible, because heavily processed foods trigger my allergies.

Just take your wonderful family recipes and rework them with FF sour cream, cream cheeses cottage cheese, and FF Soups cooked in crockpot with chicken and spices. So many food combinations there. Make a lowfat Soup with FF chicken broth thickened with FF refried Beans and spices and veggies. Your kids might like to try new foods. Pizza is a killer, I would hate to have it near me Mona. If you have traveled this far you know you cannot keep eating pizza. Learn to make vegetarian pizzas and sneak in blended veggies in the sauce, your kids will not even know they are there. Your kids deserve eating healthier and I so wish you the best of luck! I know how hard it will be but you are on a MISSION~~~~~!!!!!!