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LOL OMG THAT IS SOME FUNNNY FUNNNNNY STUFF!! Candra you need to type more often lol, you always help put a smile on my face. Im planning on telling him, because its either a panic attack on the way, me hitting menopause at 24 lol, or some stupid diabeties that uhm SHOULDNT HAPPEN AFTER LOOSING!!!... Im super emotional, so i believe the first two.. for instance.. who went to the fair lately and visited the pigs?? well i did, and i cried the whole time, those poooor piggies.. already set up to die:( they were only 6 months old! Yeah sob story of my life. But candra you crack me up!!! DOnna.. DO NOT be nervous! Seriously! You are AMAZING, you make us all feel better, and you are a wonderful woman! Tina.. hmm wish i had the reading power you have.. time to write your own book. Pam. that guy is it the same guy from a while ago that was supposed to go to i believe its six flags?? Hey atleast you know your daughter is going to get an A!!! And your kids are ADORABLE! Heather.. your new teacher is about to have a heart attack, get out now! Candra thanks for the nutshell helps me respond:D I do see how people become vegetarian though because seeing those piggs, its so sad they are so inocent and so happy. All they want is their food damn it. Then you got these 4h kids cryin cause your cryin, and they are layin in the pen with their pigs.. yeah poor piggies. No i didnt go to the cow area next.. that was enough.. OH but i did see the horses from TV...

Promise?!?!?!?!``:thumbs_up: WRONG WRONG WRONG!!! Trixie didn't; I did! :grouphug: Deeeeep breaths, SlimN....I dont know who the quote is from but the jist is: God gives you your family members b/c you would never choose them as friends! I have traveled every T'giving and Christmas of my life. My cousin asked me what I was cooking. I said, "I travel; I don't cook." Heaven forbid they ever travel. :grouphug: My surgeon wanted my first fill to be this week. I lied and said I would be out of town all week. That's all I need; to PB in front of my extended family who know nothing about Trixie (my band). Wayyyyyy too much work! My brother is a vegetarian and it can drive me batty at times. Sorry, SlimN. Did we really need to know about Dr. Nosepicker? Ewwwwww! My brother drooled over hamburgers one July 4th. Y'all really want meat; yer just too stubborn to admit it! :thumbup: and kidding! SUPER MULTI-POSTER!!! BUWAHAHAHA!

Hi Angel, I do so hope everything goes smoothly for you with the removal of the band, and the delivery of your baby. It is fantastic that another band doc was willing to help you. I read on this site all the time about doctors refusing to take on other doctor's patients. This especially happens in the United States of litigation! Bronnie, how are you? Try not to stress to much. Swallowing problems in MS only really happen to patients with long standing disease namely primary progressive MS.These patients have a very high lesion load in the brain especially. It is unlikely to occur in patients such as ourselves that have RRMS. Yay I say! I ate my first sushi handroll today!:biggrin1: I chewed it really carefully, and it took me 30 mins to eat, but I feel my life is worth living now. I am not really eating much meat. I am not a vegetarian, I just have never really eaten a lot of meat. I like minced beef and chicken sometimes. I like tofu and fish, and chickpeas and beans, more than meat. Susannah

I wouldn't worry too much about the fat. Someone posted about fat grams per day recently and I shared my thoughts then, too, that it's less important to track fat than it is to track Protein and calories. We don't want to go all out and give ourselves heart disease but let's be realistic here: even on a day when we feel like we've had a lot of fat post op, it's likely nowhere near what we were eating pre op. We need the fat now more than ever because we're not getting it from other sources. It's very tough to go low-fat on a protein based diet! I relied heavily on cheeses when I first got here to Bishkek. We had no good source of meat so we were living the vegetarian lifestyle. I have no easy access to prepared or convenience vegetarian foods in this country. The best I could do was make my own soy milk and tofu, or order vital wheat gluten online and make seitan! And yes, tofu and seitan are good ways to get protein but let's not lie to ourselves and say they're as dense in protein as meat is - you have to make up that slack somewhere. There are only so many bean dishes or hummus spreads I can make and only so many ways I can prepare eggs before I'm tired of them! cheese was critical in reaching those protein goals. I even ate a lot of Peanut Butter, something I don't really care for normally. I still get one Protein shake in each day (two scoops of protein, about 50 grams) because I could not possibly hit my protein goals (90+ grams/day) otherwise. I eat as much cheese as I can. I'm still mad that my lactose intolerance makes cottage cheese impossible for me. I'd eat that day in and day out if I could! As it is I eat a few ounces of hard cheese each day. If you're really concerned about your fat intake, record your food on a site like myfitnesspal and be sure your fat intake isn't too high. So long as I'm not "in the red" on my fat totals when I track, I don't let it bother me much. The people that super-restrict their diets DO get results, but then they get to goal and have to figure out how to eat like normal people. Just eat a balanced diet now and save yourself the trouble. ~Cheri

Hi, everyone! As a vegetarian sleever, currently in India, I currently find myself strapped for Protein options. I mainly do Protein shakes, Protein Bars, lentils, yogurt, Peanut Butter, and cheeses (including paneer, which is sort of like cottage cheese). On some days, I might have a maximum of one ounce of cheese. On other days, however, I catch myself eating maybe 3 ounces of paneer, 1 to 2 ounces of cheese, and 2 tbsp of peanut butter all on one day. This is partially my fault, because I see it happen on days where I don't drink my Protein shake, or on days where my fridge is not well stocked with protein options. Today was one of those days! In my head, this all sounds like way too much fat. So, the question is, how much cheese is too much? While the paneer may be a smidgen lower in fat than cheddar or peanut butter, it's still fatty, I assume.

That's great! @@sarahb309 ... not about the throwing up, i mean about the scale. I'm too scared to eat stuff too because i don't want to feel dumping syndrome again. I felt it once while i was on liquids. So I'm terrified to try anything that might not be good for me. I haven't been cleared for chicken, so I've pretty much been a vegetarian since 2 days before surgery. Ugh... I'm dying for some tuna.

Me too! I crave fruits and veggies all the time. Not doing well with meats so kinda being forced to be a vegetarian . Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk / surgery date March 5, 2013

I would not suggest it. I was a vegetarian with the band. Soy products are only good for you in small amounts. You really should not live off them. Also think about how much they have to process soy to get it to taste and feel like different meats. I still eat soy products from time to time, but it will effect your hormones. They threw me out of wack and made me crazy.

I was a vegetarian for about 10 years (Which, ironically is when I gained all my weight.. mostly from Pasta and chocolate) during HS and College. I got "You don't LOOK like a vegetarian" all the time. I can laugh about it now.. but it was kind of annoying back then. :-) Anyhow, I"m a full fledged meat eater now... so sorry I can't help to much.. but I'm sure you can still eat a good veggie stir fry or veggie burger post-op.

I'm still eating my oats too! I've been following a modified vegetarian diet lately. I'm going to go on the 21 day Detox diet that Oprah went on. It's 100% Vegan and you're supposed to lose 7lbs a week. The calories are 1200-1600 a day. Lower version fat, good carbs and adequate protein (60grams) - I love those soy products and currently I'm eating lots of fruits and veggies! So this shouldn't be difficult! But first on Sept 1st, I'm doing a research project for Dr. Kuri's Lap Band Coordinator - she's studying the weight loss results with the different Liver Shrinking Diets. I'm going to follow Dr. K's LSD for 14 days. After that, I'll do the 21 day Detox! I hope I lose weight! I've got to get this poundage off!!!

A fetus is a human in the making...do we have tails? Do we have flippers? No...You are demanding people not destroy cells that are "living", but not yet alive. When you are dead the blood has to be drained from your body. Are you a vegetarian...animals have blood. Have you killed a bug...they have blood. A lot of things have blood....that doesn't make them illegal to "kill". This is like trying to destroy skin cells or hair folicles...you are making this a religious issure because otherwise you would have no way to argue your side. You hide behind your God and you wrap him around you like a little protective coat, but you just end up looking like you're wrapped in a straight jacket...sorry, but that's how I feel. I do not press my beliefs on people at all...if you want to believe in your god that's great, but don't attempt to make me feel/look like a bad person because I don't.

Apples, I think you did a great job of catching up...it took me three posts to get there. Linda, yeah, how did we live without the cell phones...are truly are we better off being that connected? Sometimes I wonder. Of course I love my computer, but I don't want my email on my cell phone either. Charlene, it's great to hear your DH is doing well too. And I too am interested in if it's any easier with both of you doing the WLS thing? Janet, I'm so sorry you had such a crappy day. Isn't it weird that all the stuff seems to pile up on one day and we end up losing it...especially after a short night. I'm not going to tell you food isn't the answer, because you already know that. I also don't know if I can say anything that will help. Going to the gym will help you burn off some of the negative energy that is building up....maybe try a completely different exercise will get your mind off of it for a while. This too shall pass. Lori, sorry to hear you are having a bad day too. Yeah, that trying to do the right thing and being squashed really pisses me off too. I hope that everything works out for you. Fritos are a good fire starter, but not one for you. Anybody you need to have us knock off for you? Hey, that's really cool that you get to talk about your weight loss. It's not easy to do and you excelled at it. Cheri, glad your second fill is going alright. You may be right about the hotel....there may be a small hotel that we can book a bunch of rooms. I usually don't want to share a sleeping chamber because I snore. I really don't want to torture everyone else. Laura, no we didn't get the extra insurance on the Volvo...but we did the following week on the HHR. Go figure. Really happy to hear your Dad is doing better and may get to go home soon. I bet your Mom is ecstatic. Cracker Barrel is one of my MIL's favorite restaurants. I always cringe when we go there for anything but Breakfast. Last breakfast I ate there (in Arkansas with the dented Volvo) I actually was able to order 1 egg and toast. My DH ate the rest of the toast. That worked out well. Julie, I hope you are feeling better. So sorry everything feels bad. Well, today was a full day on solid foods again, and I don't have much restriction. I will be making another appointment for next month when I'm in San Diego again. I will have to do this on will power....yuck, I'm just not very good at that for extended periods of time. Tomorrow is the last day of house sitting for a while. All I have to do tomorrow is put the trash out for pickup and my friend will be home tomorrow night. My friend went to Spain for two weeks and sounds like she's had a great time. She's emailed a couple of times. We have a bi-monthly Friday night gathering and I'm hosting Friday. I'm thinking of taking the day off and going to Willcox to pick some fresh veggies at a u-pick-it place. We'll see if that actually happens. I have a recipe for an eggplant dip from Andrew Weil that I think I'll try. I might also do a stuffed poblano chili...stuffed with zucchini and mushrooms with wild rice (this is for my vegetarian friends). We'll just have to see how far I get and how busy I am at work. I hope everyone has a good evening (although most of you are already asleep) and a better tomorrow. Eva

Good Morning everyone. Once again I've been MIA because I've been trying to get everything done before my little trip and get set up for Christmas. I've been doing Christmas cards after work and I can't do that and read posts for some reason...I'd end up responding to a post on a Christmas card and who ever got it would really think I've lost my marbles. Apples, when we go to Florida...I'll bring some tamales. I threw the extra ones in the freezer so they'll ready to go. They are NOT low fat food, but one isn't going to kill you. These are vegetarian tamales, no lard. Made with butter and vegetable stock. Your baking is amazing...I can't even imagine making that much stuff because I don't have anyone around to eat it. Janet, I still love reading your posts....you still are an inspiration and thank you. It's helping me get back on track. Julie, I'm so glad to read you are sleeping better. You sound so much more positive and happy. A good nights sleep is a great mood elevator. I've noticed that myself. So you don't want to work at a day care do you? I think (as my sister says) it's great to be a grandma because you can love the little ones, then hand them back. All the previous posts on steel cut oatmeal got me inspired to make some....just took it off the stove. I'll have a late breakfast before heading off to Phoenix to catch the plane....yum...I add dried fruit and cinnamon to mine too. Sometimes I'll eat is as a savory dish, a little salt and pepper on it. Lori, I'm thinking of you during your surgery. I know everything will go well, you have a great attitude and that is a great part of the healing process. Laura, I'm so sorry you have to go through this with your parents. I understand the sadness is overwhelming and your concern for your Mom is difficult. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Hi Joann....glad to see you back. Sounds like you've been very busy. Congrats on your 1 year bandiversary. Both of my sisters are quilters too. It's an amazing skill and art. Both sisters have long arm quilting machines too...one has a giant Gammel and the other has a much smaller Jewel. Of course, I benefit from their art....no complaints there. Meredith, your picts are amazing. You look fabulous. Good luck with your end of semester and the house. Yipee, home ownership soon I hope!! Laura K....glad to see you here again. Your carmel corn recipe looks good, might have to try that some day. Linda, you are so upbeat and positive. How's the hip doing? 1 day....sorry about the really long shifts...I understand about being busy. I'm not sure we have anything planned for Florida beyond the rooms. I believe there are tons of things to do and with as many of us as there are, I'm sure we will be doing something and/or you'll find one of us willing to do what you want to do. When I visited Janet, I found just sitting around talking worked too....we really had a lot to share. Jewel, once again, sorry about the issues with your family. They are tough. The band will not make you lose weight. Only you can do that. I'm speaking from a little bit of experience here. I was banded in July and am totally stalled out right now because of MY poor food choices....not failure of the band. The band is working, but it doesn't stop me putting crap into my mouth. If you want this "system" to work you will have to make it work. Absolutly follow your doctor's advise. I was on liquids for three weeks after banding and a very strict diet three weeks before banding. It really helped shrink my stomach, settle my blood sugar levels and helped immensely with the hunger issues after banding. It was worth every minute of it. Arlene, I tried polent a couple of times and didn't like it, but now I really like it. It's yellow corn meal...don't know the difference between cornmeal and masa, but it may be the proecessing. I've made polenta, let it firm up, cut it in squares and saute it (basically to warm it) and put a poached egg on top with a little pesto. Yum. Okay, all the chores are done...it's taken me 4 hours to write this post. I just need to get dressed and head out. I'm going to San Francisco to meet my DH who is at a geophysics conference there. For me, it's any excuse to travel. I have someone coming in to watch the animals and I think all is set. I have to drive to Phoenix to catch the plane, it's saving me over $100 even with the gas to drive there and parking. I was supposed to be wrapping presents this morning, but I'd rather catch up with all of you. I miss being here. So I'll be gone again for a while, but hopefully will be able to be more regular after Christmas. I don't have any big plans after Christmas dinner. Have a good weekend.....(maybe I'll be able to use DH's computer and check in while I'm gone...ooohhhh, hummmm....what an idea!) Eva

Morning from the frozen southwest. The lowest I saw it last night was 25 degrees. I'm sure some of my plants are going to be mush, but I did set up lights and covers for a lot of them. I have quite a few plants....not as many as I used to but still I have indoor plants and outdoor plants in pots. A lot of them are frost sensitive....not sure how well they will survive a hard freeze even with protection. Brrrr. It's still only 31 degrees out. Yes, I am a wimp. Went shopping yesterday and bought a new MP3 player...it's so tiny and all it does is music, no video or anything else. It can do radio but you have to add a radio card. My old MP3 isn't recognized by the computer anymore and I really like to take my stories with me while I work. I also bought some outdoor fabric to redo my cushions on the front porch chairs. Every one of them is ripped and I don't like what is commercially available as replacement cushions. They won't be fancy, but they should work. Then I went to the sushi bar for lunch. That is always nice and relaxing. So yesterday I didn't get much done but shopping. Of course I'd be up for a trip to Chicago. Right now I have nothing on my schedule except a trip to NC or OH at the end of September. Cheri...you are too funny. It's almost nice to see someone post stuff that is "taboo". I have to monitor myself so I don't blurt out inappropriate things. My DH has no problems in "that category". He will take me any way he can get me as long as he can. It keeps him happy. I'm almost at the point I don't care either way, but I do like the intimacy. My arthritis is acting up. My fingers and hands are sore, my back and hips are sore, and my right hand keeps going numb. I started with the ibuprofen yesterday and think I may have to stay on it for a bit to stay moving. It's still low dose so I'm hoping I won't have to go on the high dose stuff again. I'm also very stuffy today. Hope it's just allergies because I don't want to be sick. We are going to a pajama party tonight at my friends house. She lives half a mile away so no problem with driving. I made posole for it both vegetarian and regular so people have something to absorb the alcohol. She is also providing many beds for people to sleep over. Happy New Year's Eve. I'll try and check in later as I don't have much planned for today either. Wow. Eva

Sandy, good luck on your run!! Wow, you should really be proud of yourself. Can't tell you have braces by your pictures. I bet you can't wait to get those off. Don't forget to drink Water during your run and take care of yourself. Apples, I bet it is hard to get good help. The work you do (DH & DS too) is physically very hard and not everyone wants to work that hard. My mom did a lot of physical labor to earn money because she had little education. I didn't not want to follow that path and I suspect it's hard to find people that do. Poor mouth, the chili might be a little too spicy for it...but should be soft enough. Julie, so you are just now starting to use a dough hook? I guess I never make those big batches so I can usually use the dough hook. Sorry you are not feeling well. Janet, glad your sister agreed about water under the bridge....no point in holding on to resentments now. So is your trip before T-day or after? Lori, sounds like you are going to have a fun time in Memphis. My sister and I are going to go to Paducah, KY on our way to OH...it's not very far from Memphis. Depending on time, we might stop there so I can get another state in. I have been very busy with retirement. I do little things everyday and don't get huge things accomplished, but do get many small things done. We have FNSC tonight and I'm making empanadas. They are savory meat or veggie filled pie dough pockets. We ate them frequently in Argentina, so I wanted to try my hand at them. We also had wonderful tomatoes, but I doubt I'll find any of those here. I'm going to go to Whole Foods and see what I can find. The vegetarian version will be made with portabello mushrooms and boiled eggs. My "job" is getting easier. Actually, I don't have anything to do right now because my friend needs to supply some information before I can finish up the packages. He won't be back until maybe Sunday. So no work for me right now which suits me just fine. I connected with my stamping ladies and am getting inspired to do cards again. I'm going with them to Phoenix tomorrow to a stamping convention. DH lent me some money so I can buy stuff. He's a good DH. We are going to Elton John tomorrow night. It was a last minute decision and we got nose bleed seats, but I've never seen him in concert so I'm looking forward to it. I got most of the house cleaned, just need to do the kitchen floor this afternoon. I haven't tackled my bedroom/office/stamping room. It needs it badly, but is so filled with stuff, that it's going to take a week to clean it. If I'm going to go to all that trouble, I think I want to paint also. So this may wait until after Thanksgiving or I'll do a quick cleaning and paint after Christmas. I have to go walk this morning and pick up doggie dodo and finish the laundry so I better get started. I'll try and be better and check in periodically during the day. It's much easier to keep up that way. Later Eva

Aww, Glou, I'm such a guru...did you get it figured out? I know this is WAY too late, sorry! Me *hearts* Excel!! I worked til 9pm last night and drove home in the worst storm ever! I never get spooked driving but the lightning was so close and bright; it was crazy. The Atlanta airport got hit and lost power. Airplanes were diverted all ovah the south!!! I just watched a Tivo'd Oprah where they showed a product called Baconnaise that's vegetarian and kosher. The company also has flavored bacon salts, etc. I remember some folks drooling over all things bacon so I thought I'd share! Whoopee - Robin Thicke's on Oprah!

Hi Jackie, I'm finding the low fat diet ok, have had the occasional slip-up but nothing major. I am taking the milk thistle tablets when i remember!!! I didn't get a diet plan to follow but i am vegetarian so most of them don't suit me anyway. How are you feeling?x

[quote name=Lisa ' timestamp='1328508884' post='264084] I was not required to do a pre op diet other than clear liquids 24 hours prior to surgery and nothing after midnight. The reason my surgeon doesn't require it is because she requires 10% weight loss leading up to surgery. This is to ensure patients prove they are committed AND to shrink the liver. I think the pre-op diet depends on several things, but like you posted, I also had to lose weight leading up to the surgery, although not 10%. Insurance required that I lose 5% of my body weight before approval, and I didn't have as high of a BMI as many, so my pre-op diet was simply two weeks of a low-fat, vegetarian diet, and no food or drink after midnight before surgery. This foiled my plan for a birthday steak dinner, but it was worth it!

Salad Shooter: Vegetarian after eating ex-lax brownies.

I am another really lucky wife here, my DH has ALWAYS provided well for us. I went to work when I did, as a proactive move with the lay offs looming. It allowed us to pay down some debt, pay off our car, and eliminate some payments, just in case he does end up on unemployment. He has resume's out---and an interview on tap. Fingers crossed. My best friend has ALWAYS had to be the bread winner. Her DH---is a nice guy---but as lazy as the day is long! He works for awhile, and gets hurt. Then has to wait out the injury. He DID get hurt the last time, unintentionally, he actually seemed to be liking that job. But he milked that for years! Then bragged it up that he had a settlement of over $100K. Uhhhh yeah I told him, but how many years did it take? 5? That means it was worth 20 grand a year? Meanwhile my friend works steady, has been at her current job for a dozen years---same with the one before that....while he does crap! He does not cook and clean while he is at home, she has to take care of the house too. He hurts too bad to work, but he can hunt and fish (although hunters like him are how vegetarians came to be)---and he can ride a motorcycle, but loading the DW hurts his neck. Yeah, my a$$!!! DH knows I would have kicked him out years back! If I was going to do it alone, I'd damn sure DO IT ALONE! I can totally understand where you are at Beth, and I would imagine all that time, allows for the other old problems to rear their ugly heads---with all the computer time. So sorry you are dealing with such crap! Ebony----are you documenting all this? With responses to the allegations, that are not listened to in the meetings??? I would, and you know there are REASONS some people file harrassment lawsuits or discrimination lawsuits---there ARE people who abuse the right, but there are people who deserve to be treated fair and you are NOT being! In the meantime, enjoy your time off! Well I am off to enjoy my jammies and my book!!! Night all!

swrktp, I am so impressed that you have managed to remain vegetarian through this! I used to be (OL) vegetarian, right up until the day after orientation! There seemed no way around eating chicken and fish both on the 1200 and post-op for me. I'm mostly eggbeaters and tofu and cottage cheese and soy or brown rice protein powder, but I am doing chicken and fish (get this, I have to eat it "canned" so it does not remind me of carcass!) to get extra protein and avoid losing muscle as a lose weight so fast. My goal is to be vegetarian again when the rapid weight loss stops - hopefully when I am on full food again. I also heard (actually, read) that Robin specializes in vegetarianism, isn't that great!?! Anyways, way to GO girl!! And keep the faith . . .you are right if you are at goal weight sooner you will be banded sooner. I posted earlier about my friend who was at goal and they called her to come see the case manager the next day, they gave her a surgery date and THAT day and then called her the next day to move it up by a whole month! I went with her to her pre-op Friday and they were talking about moving it up again to monday (today) but she said no thanks - she goes next Wednesday for RNY. And they were SO NICE in there! It's almost like if you could just walk in and talk to someone you could get appointments right away . . . . but they want to see that you are motivated, and losing the weight is what shows them that you are. Keep it up! Riley :scared2:

Halloween Challenge weigh-in...I'm at 237.5. Still. Hopefully I'll be in the low 220s (my goal is 15 pounds down) by then. Come on, Onderland...I am dying to get there. Hitting 200 means I've lost 100 pounds and damn won't that be exciting! I'm waiting to get a book but I think I'm going to do a vegan detox like Dee. She's my role model! I was vegetarian for awhile and ate a lot of soy, so I don't think it would be too bad. I definitely need something to kickstart myself and I don't really want to do Atkins. Jaime, I PM'd you about hotels because I didn't want it to get lost in the shuffle. :tongue2: Oh, the girls...well, they haven't been perky in quite a long time, but they are saggier than ever. It's so sad. One of my treats to myself for when I reach 200 lbs. is to visit Intimacy, this supposedly amazing bra fitting lingerie store, get fitted properly and get some new bras! My dream would be of course after we have finished having children, I could get the works, plastic-surgery wise. Especially the boob lift. And the bat wings. Sigh. But I have no idea if that will ever be affordable....

Hi there, I'm a fish-eating vegetarian or a pescatarian (I am not really a fan of that word). I've been so since October of 2008. I was banded last month. I, too, intend to go vegan at some point. I think it would be pretty easy to do it with the band. The majority of your protein would probably come from soy protein shakes. I found one organic whey protein but I think I might be lactose intolerant so I couldn't use that one. I ate a lot of vegetarian fat free refried beans, lentils and tuna on my mushy stage. For my liquid stage, I used mushroom stock and vegetable broth. If I were you, I might retain a solid protein - like fish - until you really have the hang of getting all your protein in without it. The band is pretty limiting at first and, for me, I had two years under my belt without meat so it wasn't too difficult to figure out how to use what I normally ate with the band. Best of luck to you! You might also want to post this on the post-op thread because I think you may get more responses. I've run across a few people here who are vegetarian.

I looked real quick about b-12 deficiencies and only find that people who have had gastric BYPASS surgery have that risk and that is because food bypasses their stomach which is where B-12 is absorbed. The body stores B-12 so that a deficiency is pretty rare, unless you are a strict vegetarian. B-12 sources are meats and dairy products. Deficiency results in anemia, causing fatigue, weakness and sometime stomach upset. So, I suppose it's possible....but I'd talk to your doctor more or get a blood test before supplementing. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-vitaminb12.html

Everyone's responses here have been so thought-provoking and don't know about you guys, but they have helped me explore stretching personal beliefs and goals. Thank you so much for taking time to give such in depth, thoughtful responses!! In doing this I found this most recent interview with Dr. Weiner that I wanted to share. And his thoughts on set points and weight loss are going to be confirmation to some and challenge others of us! I just thought it was interesting and real world from his practice. And wanted to share. (BTW, I don't hold with his vegetarian/vegan approach but do believe that we need the phytonutrients that are found in good consumption of leafy greens, low glycemic veg, and low glycemic fruits. So I cherry pick from his philosophy and from the low carb docs such as Dr. Stephen Phinney, Dr. Jeff Volek, Dr. Eric Westman, Dr. Jason Fung, Dr. D'Agostino, and many more.)