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I became somewhat lactose intolerant after surgery as well- for me I was nauseated, vomited and had terrible cramping.. totaly wasnt worth it- I made the switch to almond or hazelnut milk as I dont care for the soy and since becoming a vegetarian as well beign post op I only eat cheese and or yogurt once a week. But becoming lactose intolerant seems to be a common thing with this procedure- My surgeon forwarned me ahead of time as well of the possiblity- I was never a milk drinker per say but I loved me some cheese.

Whey protein comes from cheese, so it should be fine for your lacto-ovo vegetarian dietass for vegan-based protein sources, they generally lack certain essential amino acids. And the sources tend to be things higher in carbs that sleevers are supposed to avoid...beans, legumes, grains, etc.

If you needed to take these vitamins: Multivitamins, Calicum carbonate 600mg 2xdaily, Vitamin D-3 1000iu 3xdaily and vitamin B12. And say that you are able to take one of these, which one would you take, I rather take one of the bottom ones. Thanks. Alive! Womens Energy Multivitamin High Potency: Complete Multivitamin High Potency - Whole food Energizer 26 Fruits & Vegetables plus Resveratrol & Lutein Alive! Women's Energy rovides Vitamins, Minerals, Fruits, Vegetables and Antioxidants specially formulated for womean's needs and helps support: Energy Heart Health Bones Colon Health Eyes Immunity Plus hair, skin, nails and Breast Health Take 1 tablet daily, preferably with food. As with any supplement, if you are pregnant, nursing or taking medication, consult your doctor before use. Not formulated for use in children. Do not exceed recommended use. Warning Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. Keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately. Does Not Contain: sugar, yeast, wheat, corn, dairy products, artificial flavoring and preservatives. All colors used are from natural sources. Read more: Alive! Womens Energy Multivitamin High Potency by Nature's Way - Buy Alive! Womens Energy Multivitamin High Potency 50 Tablets at Vitamin Shoppe __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _______________ Nature's Way Alive!Women'S Multivitamin & Mineral 90 Tablets Product Label Whole Food Energizer Vitamin & Mineral Fruits, Veggies, Green Foods, Antioxidants, Ensymes, Mushrooms, Amino Acids, Herbs, Lutein & More! #1 Mega Nutrient Optimized for Women The most potent & complete multi-vitamin for women #1 Energy Multi with more energizing nutrients from more natural sources than other supplements 25 Vitamins & Minerals 24 Fruits & Vegetables 18 Amino Acids 12 Digestive Enzymes 14 Green Foods 12 Mushrooms (Organic) 40+ Antioxidant Sources Whole Body Nourishment for Bones, Skin, Muscles, Joints, Digestion, Immunity, Heart, Vision, Nerves, Cellular Energy and Metabolism Extra Nutrients for Womens Health Bones: extra Vitamin D (1,000 IU) and Vitamin K, plus plant-based Calcium and Magnesium Breast Health: extra Vitamin D plus Flax Lignans Hair/Skin/Nails: extra Biotin plus Horsetail Grass, MSM and Tru-OPCs™ Reproductive: extra Folic Acid and Vitamin B6 Urinary Tract: CranRx™ anti-adherence Cranberry Superior Absorption Rapid Disintegration Tablets Natural, Vegetarian Formula No Yeast, Milk, Lactose or Sugar Directions Take three tablets daily. Warning Accidental overdose of Iron containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. Keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call doctor or poison control immediately. Does Not Contain: Yeast, milk, lactose or sugar Read more: Alive!Women'S Multivitamin & Mineral by Nature's Way - Buy Alive!Women'S Multivitamin & Mineral 90 Tablets at vitamin shoppe __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________ Nature's Way Alive! Once Daily Women'S 50+ Ultra Potency 60 Tablets Product Label The MOST COMPLETE ONCE DAILY MULTI-VITAMIN FOR WOMEN Alive! Ultra Potency is nutrition you can feel with more energizing nutrients from more natural sources than other multi-vitamin brands. Extra B vitamins for energy 1,000 IU of Vitamin D3 Plant-Based Aquamin® calcium Potent citrus bioflavonoids Flax Lignan, Cranx ™ and Hair, Skin & Nail support blends. Directions Take 1 tablet daily, preferably with food. Warning As with any supplement, if you are taking medication consult your doctor before use. Not formulated for children. Do not exceed recommended use. Does Not Contain: Salt, sugar, yeast, wheat grain, dairy products, artificial flavoring, colors or preservatives. Read more: Alive! Once Daily Women'S 50+ Ultra Potency by Nature's Way - Buy Alive! Once Daily Women'S 50+ Ultra Potency 60 Tablets at vitamin shoppe

Heres the thing; The only time I've both felt healthy and was able to maintain my weight, I was vegan. I miss it. My first priority RIGHT NOW is to lose weight (40lbs by October), but I'd like to do it without eating meat and my system is sensitive to dairy, so while I can eat certain things (hard cheeses, yogurt and cottage) without too much problem, I can't have a lot of it. The surgeon wants me to go on a ketogenic diet. I'm ok with that but really upset with the amount of meat they are suggesting. I don't want to drone on and on, because I don't want people to think I judge them for their dietary choices, it just really bothers me to eat meat and the amount that they are suggesting is ENORMOUS! (most meat has no carbs and is high protein) I spiritually can't do that. I'm willing to give in and eat meat several times a week in order to add variation and follow the diet more easily, but that is the most I can do. Does anyone else on this diet have any suggestions of other things I can eat? Because right now the list is dark leafy greens,mushrooms, seitan(if made with vital wheat gluten and not flour) and tofu. I can do a lot with these, but if any one has anything to add, I'd deeply appreciate it.

I agree that it's not too young for her to check out possible hormonal disorders. I started to gain a little around that age (going through puberty). I was diagnosed with PCOS at 14 when I ended up in the emergency room due to abdominal pain; I had so many issues with cysts that one of my ovaries was removed. But being young, I never took the time or effort to research what PCOS meant. My weight gain increased in my mid teens when I became a vegetarian and ate primarily processed carbs like breads, rices, and pastas. With insulin resistance this was not smart, but again I was clueless and never followed up with my doctor. 20 plus years later I'm finally getting my health under control. I sincerely regret not learning more about this disorder back then. It wouldn't hurt to see an endocrinologist in my opinion!

This is one of my favorite warm-weather recipes. The prep's a bit tedious, but you can cut up all the ingredients at once and store them in the fridge in tupperware for several days to make fresh rolls in 2 minutes whenever you feel like it. You will need: grilled or boiled pork tenderloin, thinly sliced, with each slice cut lengthwise once again cooked shrimp - shelled and cut in half lengthwise cucumber - cut into matchsticks carrots - cut into matchsticks fresh basil - just the leaves fresh mint - just the leaves cooked rice stick noodles rice paper peanut sauce - you should be able to find this at any Asian grocery store or in the International Foods aisle at Walmart or other big grocery stores. You can also make your own, it's fairly straightforward, just Google it. Get a decent-sized working space, arrange all the ingredients within reach, and fill up a big bowl with warm Water. Put a sheet of rice paper in warm water for about 1-2 minutes until it's completely wet and pliable. Be careful handling them, they can tear easily. Spread the sheet of rice paper on the table and arrange all the ingredients (minus the sauce, of course) lengthwise. Example here: chicken and shrimp, just chicken, grilled fish, or you can make vegetarian/vegan options and add avocado or grilled tofu. If you are going to make a bunch ahead of time and store them, it's best to wrap each individual roll in saran wrap - otherwise, the rolls will stick to each other and tear when you pull them apart.

Here's an example day I created with a vegetarian, but not vegan diet. And even then it's not easy as you see

I am almost 4 months post op and started off with good intentions to stick rigidly to the plan ... not that my surgeon or nut actually gave me a full eating plan, just one for the first 5 weeks and then "guidelines" to help with a healthy lifestyle moving forward. What I have found since surgery however, is that surgically reduced stomachs don't read nutritional plans. So you may have a plan that states x amount of Protein per meal and x amount of vegies etc, but that doesn't mean your stomach is going to agree with it. Since my surgery I have found protein is the hardest thing for my stomach to cope with. I try and make sure I have some at each meal, but I doubt if I manage the number of grams that some plans recommend. ( I should perhaps mention I was a vegetarian pre op so that might make a difference to protein tolerance). Having said that I have had my first lot of blood tests and everything came back normal. My surgeon says my weight loss is on target - whatever that means since he never gave me any solid goals to meet. I eat healthy, yes once or twice tried something I shouldn't and instantly regretted it and am moving on with an eating plan I find I can cope with on a daily basis. I stick to mainly fresh fruit and vegetables, chicken and fish and a small amount of dairy (limited by lactose intolerance). I don't stress about numbers - not calories nor nutrient grams. I am learning to listen more to my body and finding I feel much healthier for it as well as the weight coming off easily. This suits me and my body ... yours might be different and require different things.

No, unfortunately I don't get all my Protein in. This is because I try to avoid the high-protein vegetarian foods because they are usually high-fat/high-calorie (like cheese, nuts, peanutbutter, etc). I do supplement meats with veggie meats though. The best veggie burger I've ever had is the Morningstar Grillers Prime. I should probably substitute with shakes, but I just can't stomach the taste.

I am starting to think I need to become a vegetarian! Thank you for your comments. I am booked in to see the consultant this evening but since I wrote this, I am less worried as I have been on liquids for a few days and it seems to have calmed down, so fingers crossed it is just a tightening as you said KateP. Thank you again, you really helped.

Hi all, Well, a wee bit of history ... I'm 35, I've lost over 100 lbs twice before, and of course, gained it back. Always had a weight problem. I was anorexic in high school. Do NOT wanna go that route, again. I had a complete hyst due to endometriosis when I was 26. The slam in to menopause did not help my weight struggle. Around 30, I was diagnosed w/fibromyalgia. :bored: I went vegetarian 27 Dec 2008. Lost 2 whopping pounds, since! :eek: I'm not vegan ... I've thought about going vegan, but I live in a small town, outside of New Orleans. Going vegetarian is hard enough in this area! I work full-time and am a full-time student. I really don't have the time to cook as I should. I get one day off a week, if I'm lucky. I usually spend that day curled up in the fetal position, recovering. Or, cramming for tests. I am want to teach biology and the classes are grueling. I know if I loose the weight, my pain levels will go down. Right now, due to the pain, it is hard to stick to an exercise program. And there is a battle between my pmc doc and ob/gyn whether I should be on HRT, or not. Managing weight is easier when I am on HRT, but my PMC is worried about breast cancer risks. I've tried about every diet there is. My doc first brought up the lap band about a year ago. I balked at the idea, at first. So did my hubs. But, now that I am ready, my doc isn't so enthusiastic about it. I have tricare-prime. I found a surgeon in our area that accepts in it in my area and is certified to do the lap-band surgey. Now, I just have to get my doc to un-dig his heals. If tri-care approves the surgery, I have to schedule it around college breaks ... Sorry for the novela ... :thumbup: Kristine

Congratulations, Deb! Have you tried unjury chicken soup? It is 90 calories, 0 fat, 0 carbs, and 21 g. Protein. It is actually not made with chicken, btw, in case you are vegetarian, but it tastes good! It has helped me get protein in when I can't do another shake. You can get it on their website, Unjury.com. Good luck!

LB4me, I'm not a vegetarian but those sound yummy and am going to try them.

I'm looking for suggestions and information from other vegetarians or vegans about their experience with lap band given the limited protein intake with the lifestyle.

Sister C it occurs to me that you may be feeling hungry early because you are eating foods that are able to slip through the opening to your larger stomach. You really need to be concentrating on getting enough hard Protein (chicken, fish, beef, pork or legumes if you are vegetarian). The softer foods like yogurt, Jello, puddings are not going to stay in the upper stomach long enough for you to feel full. You may want to touch base with your clinic dietician to review your intake - and then get another fill if you are still not reaching satiety. Good luck - it does take time. Cindy

Wheres the veggies? Im a vegetarian, so I have to shake it up to get my protein... I eat all kinds of beans, baked dishes like ricotta, pasta sauce and parmesan.... veggie meat balls, veggie meat loaf sandwiches (with half of a low cal ww bagel), bean or split pea soup, refried beans with cheese, three bean salad, tofu with a little teriyaki, homemade ricotta raviolis -I use super thin won ton rappers and make two or three raviolis with ricotta and basel. I decided I would become even more of a foodie, and that means having to cook for myself a bunch...

817 calories for today. I'm back to drinking lots of water inbetween meals - it really does help. Don't know if I can keep up the 800 calories for more than a week tho - it sure is not much is it? It seems tho, that I really have to go low at this stage of my "journey" to loose. Julie, I'm very close to being a vegetarian - I do eat fish tho..........and once in a while make a pot of turkey/chicken chili. How long have you been veggie? I've really thought about going full veggie lately! No wonder you have cheese around..............see, I would never think to have a piece of fish/chicken as a snack - cheese - now that's a different story! Sorry to hear about the date - thought it might be the "friend" you had talked earlier about - maybe it's time to "move on" and open yourself up to seeing what/who else is lurking about the vicinity - put out that bright, outgoing, gorgeous Julie to some lucky guy! OK all - in a couple of months, when we know what's happening in our lives in the fall - we'll plan your trips to the NW. We'll see the sights, and go to all my NIA classes. Start saving for the air - all else provided by the Betty/Alan Bed and Breakfast.

Beans, legumes and cottage cheese are high in protein.... and that's where the vegetarians get their protein. You can also add powdered protein to all of this for high protein. It will get easier.

I ate wonton and vegetarian vegtable soup, quite often at one month post op. They both have some substance though.

I'm just happy to see more action in the vegetarian section!!! I love hearing about the proper ways to eat different foods, to maximize their nutritional intake. Very interesting topic!

Has anyone here done this and been successful at it? If so, can we hear your story? I'm fascinated. Alan

@@vegbeth, Are you vegetarian? If you are, what protein powder do you use?

I had surgery 1/31 and am terrified to start mushies, but I have a meeting this Tuesday at a mexican restaraunt that I have to go to. As a vegetarian I have a hard time with 99% of mexican restaraunts. Do you think its ok do do mushies a few days early? Also how did you guys tolerate beans(I am hoping their black Beans or refied beans are vegetarian friendly)? I am terrified of moving to this new stage. So far so good with my WL, 22# in about 2 weeks I am already halfway to goal as I only wanted to lose 50#. Thanks!

Miracle Whey Protein Powder | Six Flavors They also carry a pea protein powder for those who are lactose intolerant and/or vegetarians. Links to that are at the bottom of the page contained in the link above. I just checked with them Lis and they will still honour the special pricing and free shipping that are in the promotion.

Hello. Well, I never thought I'd get to the 8wk post-op point, but tomorrow will be 9wks post-op! I am now finally able to eat pretty much anything I want, although I've been taking it easy with every thing especially raw foods, i.e., salads, raw veggies. I will incorporate more salads this week. I've also tried to stay as vegetarian/vegan as possible, although I have had a couple bits of salmon and chicken. I'm not vegetarian for animal rights purposes, although I totally support it, I want to be vegan for health purposes. I am finding it difficult to be vegan but I just need to dedicate time to it and make dishes ahead of time so I have some good food to eat when I need to eat. What is it they say about preparation....?. Time has not been plentiful recently, but I need to stir some up! When my head hunger is stronger than my new sleeved tummy hunger is when I overdo it a bit and, yes, I've been nauseous many times. Haven't thrown up in a while, but came close. You just can't put much food in a little tummy and be comfortable. It just doesn't work. It is so strange to go to a restaurant and order a meal and take 3/4 of the meal home with me, or order an appetizer and even share it and be satisfied. Prior to my sleeve, I would have ordered a couple appetizers a meal and would have been thinking about the next meal right after. I figure the $ I save on food, will get me an outfit here and there along the weight loss journey. I haven't weighed myself in several days but will do that tomorrow morning and update my ticker. Hopefully it is down a few more lbs. So, I know I'm not suppose to drink alcohol for one year after vsg. Well, I blew that this weekend - and I paid for it all weekend! I was at a Reggae event this past Friday evening that we hosted and the bar had a drink special called a "Catch a Cab". It was a largish shooter of what tasted like a Watermelon Jolly Rancher. They asked me if I wanted to try it and I gave my standard answer..., thanks much but I'm not drinking tonight. Well, i caved under peer pressure and had a sip. I then ordered one (it might have been a total of 1.5oz and I sipped on it for a while. I then got a refill, and then another and another!!! I had 4 of them - a total of 6 oz. I must say, I did not catch much of a buzz, but....I was down and out on the couch not wanting to do anything but drink water both Saturday and Sunday. Needless to say, I won't be drinking any time soon as I just can't recoup. I don't know if it is because of the sleeve or just that I haven't had anything to drink for several months. I am loving this weight loss and looking forward to more of it! One Love.