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Hi! I am 6 months post sleeve. I have been having protein shakes for breakfast since I was sleeved, but my dr isn't a fan of shakes and wants me to try to eat real food. He also believes in low carb and no white stuff. I get sick of eggs quickly. And while my sleeve and I are getting along fairly well she gets a little testy in the morning so I can't eat anything too heavy. Also my dr doesn't want me to eat anything mushy like oatmeal or yogurt. Anyone have any ideas? I am nut-less because the one I had was useless. Thanks.

Valentines Chalange: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/291848-valentines-challenge/ I am a vegetarian too, and managed to lose to goal on veggies, dairy and eggs(a few). It can be done. I also went through a period of time where I was gaining... and it took a while to really turn it around, but I did, and am now at goal after 3 years. I find I really have to cook to get the best quality vegetarian food, with the occasional meal out. So many restaurants serve Pasta or french fries and such for vegetarians, really junk food. I had to really get creative to get enough Protein in, but it can be done. Pasta does have some protein, but really most of it is not that great for you. I pick out Dreamfields or whole wheat pasta and measure out 1 oz if I want pasta. how about: low fat cheese sticks, soy and regular milk, yogurt, seitan products, TVP, tofu, Dried tofu sheets (yuba) Beans, nuts, nut butters, seeds, tempi, eggs, egg whites... there are so many veggitarian sources of protein to choose from, morning star has some great products. I make my own "turkey", meat loaf and beef steaks from great recipes I have found along the way. It does take work, but you can make and freeze in individual servings. I cook on sunday for the week. Really use those veggies too, most of them are low calorie and so delicious, raw or cooked. I make a pot of veggie Soup sometimes every night of the week (then its on to stir fries and casseroles...) You can do it! Just stay away from sugar, white flour and the like... dump it out or give it away! Set yourself up for success by planing ahead, shopping for success, figure out your favorite foods and modify them to fit your protein and lower carb needs. I like mexican food, but could not eat that every day or fat fat fat!!!! I do make pots of tomato veggie soup, with chili and cumin, sliced onions,"groun round" and a tiny bit of sweet corn... really so good, and leaves me feeling like I just ate a big mexican meal. My husband likes it too. You can do this! Use Myfitnesspal, measure or weigh the food for a while, then test again now and then... weight yourself, and measure yourself too! Its a new start. Get out there and move, find something you have always wanted to try, or learn... I started birdwatching, and go out the the local "wilds" 2-3 times a week for a walk and a look. I don't even know I am exercising, its just so fun and beautiful! And last by not least, hang out here, the support is great!

Hi Deedee Here's how you get off the depression train. Jump off!! Don't let yourself continue to slip down that slope because the farther you fall, the longer the climb is back up. You say you've given yourself a second chance. Well now it's time for your third chance, fourth or fifth... whatever! The important rule here is to never EVER give up. The day you give up is the day you fail. Until you do that, keep it moving. I can't really give any vegetarian idea advice but anything you have to do to kick start your new day is what you should do. Anything short of something unhealthy. Best wishes on your upcoming nuptials!! Use that as your motivator to get back to it. I don't think there is anything wrong with having that proverbial carrot leading you in the right direction. Take care!

I too have experienced the same treatment. My BMI is 37 and I'm 5 7 surgery date 3/18. For some strange reason I feel obligated to tell my close friends and most have been astonished. Like I said I was going to the moon to visit an alien! I guess shock and disbelief. Most said I was not big enough. I may have lost a new friend who is a vegetarian workout addict although that would not make her a friend. Luckily I had one Dr. Friend whose first response was "good for you" and my boss who likened my struggle with food to her nicotine habit. Although I've had a few positive responses most say I'm not big enough or if I'd just eat better and workout. I've resorted to telling them that I have no willpower and I will use this as a tool. I'm not sure how healthy that statement is or the fact that I have to persuade them to try on my shoes. I've decided not to tell most others until after the surgery because then I would so hope not to hear that same statement. Bottom line we are doing this for ourselves to live a longer happier life and for me to lead by example to my young children. I'm so glad I'm not alone on this journey and you all are my tribe you validate my decisions viewpoints! Rock on!

Thank you for all the info! I haven't started any vitamins yet. I am a Vegetarian, so prior to the surgery I was taking several vitamins. But my doctors nurses said they would be to big to swallow, so they took me off of them for the time being. I am having 2-3 Protein shakes a day. Water, snapple crystal lite, and hot tea when I am feeling extremely hungry. I can't wait to move onto the mushie stage, I am starving. haha.

I three years I have given up chicken, veal, pork, turkey, steak, burgers, seafood, Pasta, bread, toast, bagels, sandwiches, wraps,all cold cuts, pizza, chinese food, no hot dogs at a stadium or sausages. I CAN eat sashimi, seared foie gras, steak tartare, most fish if in a sauce and undercooked ( not salmon unless raw or sushi grade). Very crusty French bread, crackers, good hard cheeses, brie etc. Some Indian and Tai food that is unhealthy so I kinda avoid it. I can eat berries, watermelon, canteloup, honey dew but not fresh pineapple or apples or oranges. I can eat Mexican but without the soft taco or burrito...just the insides. I can eat fish tacos but again without the "wrapping". Can eat vegetarian tortilla Soup anywhere and CPK 1/2 order chopped barbecue salad with lots of dressing so it's pretty unhealthy. I consider Qdobo, Calif. Pizza Kitchen etc. like fast food places so it is rare that I eat there or take out from them. I can eat Wendy's $.99 chile in a pinch. With me it has always been a texture type thing with foods working or not working and not my chewing them up. Crispy but not fried will work. Chilean Sea Bass always works as does Sole, Flounder and Red Snapper. I don't feel that I miss anything and no one knows that I am banded. I eat all over the world but order what I know I can eat. I love Mediterrean Fish Soup that I lived on when we were in Nice in December. No one was the wiser either. BAD NEWS---all candy, ice cream, cheesecake, gelato, and most cake like brownies never gets stuck as do all the bad snack chips. I buy everything in the 100 calorie sizes and do treat myself to them on a regular basis however, I only eat one bag and not all the bags. If I opened and purchased a big bag I would be a dead duck. I have bought regular size and measured and made my own snack size but I cheat when I can open the Zip Lock bag too easily. I have thrown away all kinds of things that my husband has brought into the house such as donuts which get STUCK and are just not a food group to be eaten. I have found for ME that the band just doesn't do the work. I have to make the RIGHT FOOD choices daily or I can gain weight. I know that there are others who can eat everything and lose. I wasn't a high BMI but I do exercise daily too. It is a struggle to maintain and hopefully get to my unrealistic goal!!!!!!! BTW, I eat a ZONE bar every day for Breakfast and travel with them in my pocket book everywhere. I also carry the Crystal Light individual packets to for Water bottles. I know that my eating habits may not be your norm but it works for me since you asked!

Mandy---I Love Market Day! Is there something that you can recommed that is bandster and vegetarian friendly??? Good Luck with your IEP meeting!!!!

Be careful, though-it looks like Newme17 is vegetarian, not vegan. Not judging or calling her out, just letting you know.

A day of cooking for me. Guess I was in the mood! So dinner is now in the oven. It’s a new recipe I’m trying from budget bytes, vegetarian. But you can omit to cheese and make it vegan or use vegan cheese, I should think. Very rare that I make a recipe twice, so imagine doing mostly plant based for almost a year now and having a different dish almost every single time! Lots of variations. Anyway, back to the recipe. It’s a vegetable polenta casserole. I picked at each of the layers, pretty good taste separately, so I’m anticipating a good turnout with it all put together. Here it is: https://www.budgetbytes.com/2014/01/vegetable-polenta-casserole/ imagine the veggies being poured on top of the polenta/spinach mix and then the cheese spread on top. Sorry, I didn’t bother with a pic of it put together. Anyhow, it’s in the oven now. Smells pretty good in here . 😊

I wish I'd taken a picture for you guys! @Apple1 and @Newme17. I just made the most delicious lunch that is a riff on Eggface's Ricotta Bake--only I gak over the texture of ricotta, so I used low fat cottage cheese (Daisy brand). We grew up eating cottage cheese in lasagna because we were poor and very white bread and it's what Mama thought was 70s era authentic. LOL. To this day I lasagna made with cottage cheese! I had some leftover dry sauteed mushrooms and super greens trio and leftover yellow squash/zucchini along with an open jar of Central Market Taste of Italy Marinara (no added sugar, super low carb, 5g carbs 2g fiber per 1/2 cup). So I made quick lasagna. I don't know how you would alter it to be vegan. But it's awesome as lacto-ovo vegetarian! Quick Lasagna Bowl 113 g, 2% Cottage Cheese 1 large, Egg 1 cup, Roasted Yellow Squash 0.50 ounce, Onion 1 clove, Garlic, raw 2 ounce, Mushrooms 2 fluid ounce, Super Greens Trio 0.12 Tbl. chopped, Fresh Basil Leaves 0.12 tsp, Oregano Leaves 1 tbsp, Cheese - Parmesan, shredded 0.50 oz, Cheese - Mozzarella, part skim milk 0.25 cup (120g), Marinara, Taste of Italy (RG) 1 tsp(s), Cheese - Parmesan, shredded Combine the cottage cheese with the egg, leftover cooked squash, onion and garlic. Add dried basil, oregano, and 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese. Stir to combine. Cover bowl with a glass plate and nuke in 1 minute intervals, stirring between each addition, until egg is mostly done. Add leftover cooked mushrooms and greens. Stir to combine. Top with Marinara and mozzarella cheese. Cover and nuke until melted (about 1 additional minute). Sprinkle with the last tsp of Parmesan cheese and some cracked red pepper if desired. Enjoy! Pre-WLS this makes 1-2 servings. Post WLS, this would likely make 4 meals (once you can eat cooked veggies again). 1 serving: 359 cals, 30g protein, 18g fat, 20g carbs, 5g fiber, 15g net carbs It's so good you don't notice the lack of pasta or meat.

It is totally possible to be vegetarian!! I'm 16 months post-op, vegetarian, and very healthy! I don't do the fake meat stuff, but I do eat lots of natural foods including lentils, nuts, dairy, and eggs. It does take planning, however. I plan my entire day out in the morning, and pack my lunches. I also look at menus before going to restaurants, and call ahead if I need something special. I'm eating a meal as I write this: an apple with PB2 powder! 150 calories, 20 grams of Protein - all natural and low fat.

I looked to see if there was a thread created for healthy vegan/vegetarian recipes. I didn't see any on the first page, so I created one here. Notice I noted HEALTHY...because we all know there are unhealthy ways of eating vegan/vegetarian diet. We can share our meals and pics (if you have any) with all those who are looking to follow a whole foods plant based diet. Happy sharing ya'll! Don't forget to follow the thread!!!

After three fast days without any loss, I changed my aproach a bit, lower carbs on fast day (around 60- being a vegetarian makes it a little harder to keep it low), more raw and nothing before dinner... and lost a pound.... VERY happy to see this. lowering the carbs really helped the Water weight to come off. Still there, and fasting tomorrow... so hope this is a sign the stall is over and I'm heading south again! Good job ladies! Stick with it!

If its just high Protein low cal, why not eat meat? Or are you on a liquid pre-op? If you aren't a vegetarian or a vegan, eating meat is going to keep you more satisfied. Also when you only have 800 calories to work with, you don't want to blow 300 on Breakfast. I have learned that the hard way. You could have a protein shake that is around 160 calories for breakfast, then another one at mid morning instead of spending 300 calories at breakfast. Think of your daily calories like money and you are on vacation. You have 800 a day and you need to make it last. Do you really want to have lobster and crab followed up with a visit to spa all before 10am? Space your calories out, if you eat every 2 hours, not just Jello. Head hunger won't be such an issue.

I think you need a new doctor. I think the advice you're being given is dangerous and sets you up to overeat and stretch your sleeve. It also sets you up for low blood sugar, hunger, fatigue, and fainting...that can be downright dangerous if you have to drive and difficult to have a productive day. It's not teaching you to eat the right foods. It's not teaching you to consume sensible portions. It's not teaching you much of anything other than starvation. Re-educating yourself how to deal with food is essential to long term success. I just don't see how this is a sustainable "forever diet". And if it's not....how and what will you transition to when you haven't been given any skills? My clinic sets a goal of 1200 calories and 60+ grams of protein per day during weight loss phase. We can either eat three 400 calorie meals, or six 200 calorie meals...or any combination we'd like as long as net calories are 1200 per day. I personally prefer to do three tiny meals during the day, a bigger meal for dinner, and another tiny meal around 8pm (usually it's got a desert vibe, like fruit or cupcake yogurt, or a chocolate protein bar.) This is how my day usually works: 200 breakfast (oatmeal and coffee with protein shake for creamer/an egg and half a slice of whole grain toast/fruit and yogurt/etc) 200 lunch ( 3 ounces of pork chop or chicken breast with green beans/sweet potatoe with pecans and salad/BLT wrap/chef salad with hard boiled egg/homemade veggie soup and slice of homemade bread) 200 midday snack (protein muffin/half a cup of potato salad/veggie and hummus/etc) 400 dinner (Crab boil/steak salad with eggs and swiss/protien pasta with salad and homemade wholegrain bread/chicken stir fry/stuffed pepper/ vegetarian chili and cheese on a baked potato/etc) 200 after dinner snack (strawberries with chocolate sauce/watermellon/frozen grapes/cupcake yogurt/oatmeat with pecans and cherries/chocolate protein bar) I like a little sweet after dinner, and usually do this after I finish my 12,000 steps for the day...sort of my reward. I eat a lot of really satisfying delicious food. I'm getting an education about portions and making healthier choices. I'm eating a ton of fruits and veggies, lean proteins and complex carbs. I LOVE my diet. I feel better on it. Tons of energy. Exercise is a big part of my day, too...and I have the energy to enjoy doing it. Weight loss has been slow and steady:) Getting close to goal:)

Look on line at the calories/nutritional value. I am pretty sure their beans are seasoned with bacon, but that is still your choice. I would eat about 1 TB of refried beans when eating out, and some times they are 'vegetarian' and some times they are not. I did eat FF refried beans at home with a sprinkle of 2% cheddar in them. Yum!

Same at my house... and we were vegetarians on top of that! My brother and I asked for Twinkies for Christmas one year. My downfall was in college where I discovered Ben and Jerry's and fried chicken strips!

I think give it time, I couldn’t tolerate chicken, tuna, sardines during the soft phase no matter how slow or how wet i made it but honestly my body was having a tough time with meat And fats prior due to my gallbladder and food allergies. I did tolerate beef better but grass fed organic beef, and vegetarian organic chicken (green wise Publix store brand) I would just buy and eat less or when chicken went bogo. It depends on the quality meat. But for now I’m working on high protein veggie burgers that have pea protein and vegetables. never cook things dry, keep meat portions smaller too. also can I suggest getting a good digestive enzyme like garden of life chewable, something with a range of enzymes that will help you with the hard to digest foods. I buy from vitamin shoppe or vitacost. I dislike our local gnc it’s a franchise ... but if you have a good shop you can ask about digestive enzymes. also as I said, give things time and try them in small doses even with sleeve. (I had bypass) digestive enzymes can help with preventive for developing GERd.

Need advice from vegetarian or mostly vegetarian sleevers out there. I met with the Dr yesterday and he said that I should research vegetarian diet compatibility with VSG. liquid Protein is fine for the first 4 weeks but he feels a SOLID protein like a bite of chicken that will basically sit in your post-Op stomach for a long time is what helps people feel full and not overeat. Vegetarian substitutes like Beans or tofu or seitan apparently just get processed by the stomach acids and move into the intestines fast.. Making you feel hungry again. I am mostly vegetarian. I eat eggs, dairy etc. Will occasionally eat chicken or fish in restaurants but I do not cook meat at home. For the weight loss phase when I am losing weight, I am willing to do what it takes to get the protein in but I would prefer longer term diet to be mostly plant based. Is this unrealistic with the sleeve?

And that is why I am a vegetarian, you would be so surprised of all the junk, some I'm sure we aren't even aware of, that are fed to animals.:rolleyes2:

I was never a frosting girl but I'm a serious baker. Usually I can sample a small bit of whatever I make and give the rest away. But I made these banana rum cupcakes with a brown butter frosting last week and oh my word - that was the best frosting I have ever tasted. When I have a little left over at the end I normally just give each kid a little taste and then toss the rest...but I stuck this in a small bowl in the fridge for later. I've never understood the spoonful of frosting thing before this, but man...I could really just eat that frosting with a spoon. I wound up frosting some butter Cookies with it and giving it away. It was okay to have a taste here and there but consuming two cups of frosting over the course of a week or two isn't good for me. And my husband has always maintained that I'm un-American because I absolutely hate both Peanut Butter and ketchup. Luckily the peanut butter jar and the Nutella jar hold absolutely no temptation for me. But I do see what you guys are saying about the constant struggle. And I can see how maintenance can make it easy for us to forget that we still really love food. It's easy to get cocky and say we made it to goal and now we know how to eat better, etc. But if I'm not careful it is easy to dismiss a handful of candies or a not-so-healthy snack between meals simply because my choices are really good ones 90% of the time. I never really see an impact on the scale, but I wonder if that's a bad thing. I mean, it gets easier for me to dismiss my food behaviors if I'm not seeing an impact...but then, if I'm not seeing an impact is there an issue? I mean, am I simply worrying and punishing myself because I'm not a "perfect" eater? What's a particular challenge for me is this pregnancy. I am repulsed by meat and my lactose intolerance is worse than ever while I'm pregnant. I don't live in America: I live in the land of grilled lamb, bread and plov. There aren't solid vegetarian options here to sub in for the Protein I'm missing. I eat far more carbs than I've ever eaten since surgery. I don't mind that...but they really do feed the carb monster and they do make it harder to choose good foods. But there are only so many ways I can make Beans and lentils or prepare eggs before I'm going nuts because I'm so bored with my diet. I had my husband's coworker bring me some tuna from the states...ugh. I can't even eat it. This child is making me insane! It's like the first few months post op all over again. All food smells or tastes terrible and I can't eat what I really want! The only two foods I really want and cannot stop eating are chickpeas (which I can't seem to find locally, even though I know they have to be somewhere) and quinoa. I'm out of quinoa and chickpeas now. I actually ate garbanzo bean salad every day last week with both lunch and dinner. What a bizarre food to eat as a craving! And it's easy to say the reason I gained weight last month is the pregnancy. I can't be sure how much of it is my choices and how much of it is the baby. I know I'll lose weight afterward. I know that it will be the same as it was in the second year post op. I'll still have restriction, I'll just have to make the right choices. But somehow it feels like I'll be starting all over again, in more ways than one. After all, my twins are now five and like a crazy couple, we're having a newborn now of all times. Ugh. Anyway, I just got my flights back to the states because they don't let us deliver here. So my time in Central Asia has come to an end. I'll get about a year and a half in the states before we go overseas again. You better bet the first thing I'm doing is shopping at a Whole Foods once I get back! I'll be hitting that salad bar for some chickpea salad and every other vegetable I've missed for the last two years. ~Cheri

I think that as we get the protein/fluid intake more in balance, our bodies will release the weight. It seems to take a long time to get the protein/fluid intake levels to what they should be. I do find that every day I am able to increase the amount of fluids and proteins. Here are some high-protein ideas I am using: (1) obviously protein shakes, such as Boost (2) Progresso's vegetarian, low-fat lentil soup: pureed. At first I had to dilute the puree with water but now I don't. This is very high protein and I find it easy to get down. You can mix in some protein powder to increase the protein. Adding some chicken broth can enhance the flavor. It took me 1.5 days to finish a can offering two servings! (3) unsweetened soy milk - it seems to offer 1 gram of protein for every ounce of fluid. 8 ounces = 8 grams of protein. Plus it's liquid. There are some other Progresso soups that are high in protein. The advantage of the lentil soup is that it is low in terms of sugar grams. Some of the high-protein Progresso soups have more sugar grams. So I'm sticking mainly to the lentil soup. Does anyone know of any other Progresso soups that are high protein but low in sugar grams? I've found that exactly 7 days after surgery, I have lost exactly 7 pounds - a pound a day. I am happy with that weight loss. I remain bloated. My abdomen is very bruised. But each day I feel a bit better. Wishing everyone success.

@@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.

Oh my gracious no beef or pork for a year??? I would have been struggling. I eat them a lot. I wonder what the reason is?? What about trying some plant based protein options. Besides beans what about vegetarian meat substitutes? This may be a good opportunity to broaden your food preferences as your taste buds can be a bit off. Things you didn’t like before may be more palatable & you may find you enjoy them more now. Worth a shot.

You are going hard for carbs lately. Keep it up. I think that, in the future, we will look back on our current anti-carb obsession with the same derision as we look back on the anti-fat nonsense of the 1990s. It's a fad. It will pass. Nutrition science is in its infancy, and every single nutritionist I've ever met, and most I've followed online for any time, have been dogmatic. There are dogmatic vegetarian/vegan nutritionists, dogmatic anti-carb nutritionists (bariatric teams seem to hire them disproportionately often), dogmatic "three meals/no snacks" nutritionists, dogmatic "eat small amounts all day" nutritionists. More than one nutritionist I've had the misfortune to deal with has been entirely ignorant about the research surrounding BMR changes brought on by diet, probably because their paycheck required them to stay ignorant. They all (all of them I've met and nearly all of them whose websites I visit) cherry-pick their sources, ignoring the things they don't want to integrate into their practice. Nutrition "science," as practiced in client-facing situations, is just survivorship bias writ large. "Well this all works for ME." MEH! ... Hi, I'm CrankyMagpie, and I didn't know I had a rant waiting to get out, but here we are.