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Ever since ive turned 50 . i cant eat like i used to i just dont want it.. For breakfast Ill eat tomatoes and banana peppers and some vegetarian bacon 2 slices and im good..before i would eat cereal bacon toast with jelly and butter drink big thing of juice..i cant even imagine eating like that again . just dont want to Sent from my LM-X220PM using BariatricPal mobile app

Unfortunately I have tried any dairy free protein shakes but perhaps look in some of the vegetarian/vegan posts on here, there may be some recommendations in them.

I'm currently in pureed stage and refried beans are great so far. Chili is also on my list, so I second what SummerTimeGirl mentioned about finding a vegetarian/vegan chili. My hospital also recommended blending up some soups for pureed stage (adding in some protein powder if needed). At the hospital I had some pureed green beans and they were super yummy. The texture didn't bother me as much as I thought it was going to, so maybe cook and season some veggies you like and then puree into a mash potato sort of consistency? I also did a ricotta bake. It has ricotta, parmesan cheese, basil, salt, and pepper in it. Then a bit of marinara/pizza sauce over the top. I don't usually like ricotta cheese on it's own, but the bake tastes more like lasagna to me. Really nummy option -if- you like lasagna but maybe don't like ricotta solo. Just throwing it out there as I'm not sure if it was just ricotta that you hated, or if ricotta in things was also a no-go.

Agree with the suggestions above with the addition of maybe some vegetarian chili? I know I had chili with meat and beans several times now (we were allowed it in puree and now in soft foods). Vegetarian lentil soup (I ate this blended down in the liquid stage). LOVED the refried beans in these stages too.

If vegetarians cut out refined sugar, white flour, and breaded/fried things...it's a lot harder to overeat. I'm not 100% vegetarian, but I eat meat maybe twice a week. I've found that eliminating those three things from my diet...refined sugar, white flour, and fried stuff.....makes controlling my calories a LOT easier. But oh yeah....you can be a very chunky vegetarian if you have an unquenchable love for fresh bread, desserts, unlimited nuts and dried fruit....easy ways to make calories skyrocket and your weight can easily get out of control. That said...fiber is your friend and vegetarians eat more fiber, generally. Fiber slows the natural sugar down and increases the good gut bug diversity.

I'm pescatarian, but my diet is mostly vegan. I hate soft cheeses like ricotta, and generally, things like soft cheeses, mayo, etc. I see a lot of this type of thing suggested for the pureed/soft stages. I'm wondering what are good vegetarian/vegan options during this time?

Doesn’t matter what diet you follow, vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, etc., if you eat more than your body needs to function you will put on weight. It’s a sad but simple truth. It doesn’t matter where your calories come from a calorie is a calorie (of course some calories come with better nutrients). You could eat a 2000 calorie burger, fries & soda meal & nothing else for the whole day or eat 2000 calories of lean protein & vegetables but if your body only needs 1500 calories to function the extra 500 calories will be converted & stored as fat & you will put on weight.

Already a vegetarian been for 10 yrs and im still 300 pounds Sent from my LM-X220PM using BariatricPal mobile app

Restaurants are usually more than willing to accommodate substitutions and understand that people have complex diets. I have seen vegetarian, diabetic/keto friendly, gluten free, etc menu categories. I have also looked up menus prior to going places. When ordering I either ask for everything on the side or without everything I don’t want. My BF says that I do *appear* high maintenance at restaurants. But I have always been that way because I am kosher, sometimes I was a strict vegetarian/vegan and have a shellfish allergy too so cross contamination is dangerous for me. WLS was just one more layer. If all else fails I order salad or ice water, tea or dessert 🤣

Thanks, I know D deficiencies are common, but just worried that I had B12 deficiencies before as a vegetarian that did not respond to supplements...they only normalized after I started eating eggs and fish. Just wondering if I may be more inclined toward deficiencies and may run into a problem if I don't absorb supplements well...

I'm having B12 issues myself at the moment and yes, I have the pins and needles tingling sensation in my arms and legs. I'm also pretty dizzy (I've fallen 3 times in the last week) and my heart is pounding. I've even lost my voice due to paralyzed vocal cords. B12 deficiency can cause a lot of different neurological symptoms. In my case, I was only directed to take B12 once a week and for two years that was sufficient. But lately I've been eating less and less meat (not vegan or vegetarian, I just don't have much taste for it). And all of a sudden, I'm B12 deficient! I take it daily now.

Hi, I'm trying to decide between sleeve and bypass, and I know the vitamin requirements are more stringent with bypass. Are the vitamins you need to take after bypass all available in chewable/liquid/small tablets, or do you have to take capsules or large tablets? I can't swallow capsules and struggle with larger tablets. Also, how common are vitamin deficiencies after bypass? If I've had B & D vitamin deficiencies before (I had a B12 deficiency when I was vegetarian that did not improve with supplements...had to start eating fish and eggs to correct it, and have to take at least 10,000 IU of Vitamin D daily to have normal levels), am I more likely to develop vitamin deficiencies if I get bypass? I'm afraid of the malabsorption if I may not respond as well to supplements...

Lying or choosing just not to tell others? My life, my body, my choice. I am not a poster child for bariatric surgery. The reactions - It's like telling someone you're vegetarian. They think they have to go out of their way to accommodate you. No, just cook what you normally cook and I'll choose what I want to eat and how much I want to eat. Then there's the doubters. "Do you really think that's necessary, can't you just diet? Such a drastic thing to do! You're putting yourself at risk going under anesthesia!" Blah, blah, blah! At a business dinner one time a coworker told the waiter, "I've had bariatric surgery so I can't eat much. The table dinner conversation following was all about her and the surgery. She kept the conversation going even though the rest of the table was well done talking about it which was real quick. This is a business dinner not an all about me and my bariatric surgery dinner. Well, she gained all the weight back she had lost plus a few more. Maybe she should have kept that information about her bariatric surgery to herself? Now, if I want to tell and talk about it with a friend or acquaintance who seems could benefit and it comes up in conversation I will tell them and talk about it and ask for their confidentiality. Long term weight loss is not guaranteed so let's not sugar coat it. Some people fail. A lot, well most of us have eating disorders. Or relationship with food is the problem. It's like a drug it calms and sooths us until after we're done eating too much. We don't listen to our bodies. You can't necessarily fix a mental problem with a physical solution. So, you be you and let others be them.

I went through a lot of those same feelings. I was especially sad about not being able to drink sparkling water, and have water with my meals because I've always been a huge water drinker. Having to eat so much protein was hard at first, because I have a goal of being a vegetarian at some point in my life, but I did this so I would have a chance to live a healthy life, and I was willing to do anything. I still miss being able to eat all the veggies I used to, because I'm a huge veggie lover, but I can eat more than I did.at first now. I'm still in the weight loss phase, but I do have a treat once in a while, and for the most part I'm still enjoying the foods I loved before. I've tolerated pretty much everything I've eaten so that helps. I just make sure to get my protein first always and if I have room I enjoy the other stuff. I have definitely had to give up some things, but I have gained SO much more. Every aspect of my life is better now that I've lost almost 150. I don't spend time thinking of food much anymore, so I really don't miss eating like I used to. Sometimes it will hit me, like last night we went out for sushi at a place that has all you can eat sushi. Well, all I can eat is about 4 pieces now, so I just have to order off the menu instead of all you can eat. I miss being able to try all the different kinds, but I fill up so fast that I don't really care once I'm full. It is definitely a lot of change, but I'm so happy I did it. For me, the feeling of getting full is the best thing in the world. I never really felt satisfied when I ate before, no matter how much I ate. I know I'm getting long winded here, but I'm just trying to say that it has all been worth it. There is a mourning period, but it was brief for me, and I'm not sorry about any of the changes I've had to make. It's so worth it for the way I feel and the life I'm living now. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I’m doing great I’m at a stall I lost 54 pounds after surgery and been at a stall for 2 weeks grrrr. I hit my protein almost daily with chicken, beans, nuts, and of course protein shakes. Water is becoming so easy to drink now think God but I’m not at 64oz yet more like 30-50 a day. Calories are 600-700 a day sometimes it’s less if I’m craving veggies. I’m thinking about going vegetarian when I’m in maintenance I’m starting to hate meat. I can no longer eat artificial sweeteners so I invested in monk fruit extract and drink water which is a bit boring. I’m trying to find a good gym. I am very thankful for God getting me through because there were times I was in so much pain and dehydrated. I regretted the surgery at one point because I couldn’t drink water but now it’s improving! How much have you lost since surgery? It’s good you haven’t hit a stall 😞

Wow! Here I am in your shoes...going to exactly everything you’re going through (except I’m not married)... I find that it is very helpful to read,read,read on all your questions...I have been educating myself on plant based diets and why it is so important to incorporate veggies and more natural foods in our bodies...now granted this process or any good outcome doesn’t come over night...I have a year trying to be vegetarian...( I am at a point where I only eat chicken and fish) just recently I only eat a plant based breakfast and lunch ...dinner is chicken and whatever carb I love...so it’s really about getting our minds right before we get our refrigerator right... Please look up Dr.Vough he’s been my guide.

I’m in my third week of fish, eggs, low-fat cheese, and tofu (white flaky fish or crab, no shrimp or salmon yet), canned tuna fish, eggs (scrambled, egg salad, hard boiled), ricotta bake (yum), Babybell, fat free cottage cheese, Laughing Cow, Morningstar vegetarian sausage (tofu), etc.) Next week I can add ground chicken or turkey, canned chicken, salmon, and shrimp. I also get a tablespoon of cooked soft vegetable with each meal (I’ve had yellow squash, mashed cauliflower, and broccoli). A different program I looked at allowed chicken, low sodium/low fat deli meat (ex. Turkey), and etc. during soft foods, but my doctor is very conservative. No red meat (including ground beef) until day 65 for me. I’m at day 33 today.

I'm with you about the broth. The vegetarian broths make me gag and I've tried plenty too. As a once vegan then vegetarian and now seafood, eggs, and sometimes pork eater, it's hard to find decent broth. SummerTimeGirl and kellym1220 both mentioned strained/straining soups. That could really save you if there are soups you do enjoy. If you find something you can stand let us know. Hope you make it through your last week. Good luck!

There is a vegetarian board but it doesn't seem to be all that active. I'm not vegetarian but my PCP recommended Garth Davis as an alternative to high protein/low carb. He pushes plant-based eating but I have yet to find a post op plan from him. https://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/1101-vegetarian-or-vegan-eating/

I am getting my Surgery soon in May if everything goes as planned! In the mean time I was wondering if there are other Vegetarian WLS members who can guide me through or make suggestions for Post Op Diet especially in terms of protein and how they ate daily in the intial phase of their weight loss!

yes. Granted, I haven't eaten ground beef in about 20 years, but I started eating burgers occasionally again when Beyond Burgers and Impossible Burgers came out. Maybe if they're plain you'd notice a difference - but I put lettuce, tomato, ketchup, light mayo or light Thousand Island dressing on them, and they taste just like a burger to me. I've only had an Impossible Whopper at BK once since I don't do fast food, and I couldn't tell the difference (although those have a lot of "fixin's" on them, too). I have one friend who's been a vegetarian for 30 years who tasted one once and said she'd never eat it again because it tasted like beef to her, and she's lost all her taste for meat over the years.

My doctor’s office said white flaky fish (no salmon, no shrimp), low-fat or fat free cheeses (cottage cheese, Laughing Cow, Babybell, etc.), eggs and tofu (Morning Star, etc). They said to wait three weeks before having salmon, shrimp, ground chicken, chicken salad, etc., and three weeks after that before red meats (including ground beef). I don’t think I’ll wait as long as I’m supposed to, but if you’re concerned, perhaps start out with tuna fish, tilapia, cod, ricotta bake, scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, and vegetarian burger or sausage, since it may be easier on your stomach. Good luck!

I’m similar to you @wanderingheart. Not a huge meat eater, veer towards lacto-ovo vegetarian 80% of the time and trying to figure out how best to get my protein in once I’m off the liquid diet & eating real food. *can’t wait!*

Man, if I had a dollar for every critic who said this to me on these boards. It's a past time of a certain type of dieter....to send me hate mail and try to shame me for being outspoken. "You're still overweight! You shouldn't be telling people what to do! How dare you not feel ashamed at that weight!" Shakin my head over here. If I wanted to be 140, I could be. Have been. Looked god-awful and felt like I was starving all the time. If I wanted to be 160, I could be. Have been. I wasn't particularly hungry, got a reasonable number of calories, but thought I looked older. I like a little more round to my angles. I like less sag, fewer wrinkles. Not real interested in cosmetic surgery. Picked the best option for me. I like eating 1600 calories a day. I like having space in my diet for a couple pieces of fruit because I think phytonutrients are beneficial and important. I like how i feel eating a high fiber diet. I like room to be a vegetarian some days. I like flexability. It's how I can face this as a lifelong change. It's how I can make peace with food forever....cause I know this plan is WORKABLE in pretty much all situations. I can eat on my plan during a holiday, a funeral, a birthday party....during a power outage, while recovering from an injury, during extreme emotional stress, on the road, and while dealing with my inlaws. LOL. I typically weigh 165-170 pounds. I LOVE this weight. It is NOT "the best I could do because I couldn't get to a "healthy weight" ", it is an intentionally chosen set point. It's a choice. This is, I am 100% certain...the MOST healthy weight I can choose for myself. That whole...Arnold Schwarzenegger's BMI was technically Obese when he won Mr. Universe figures in. BMI is flawed. It doesn't differentiate between light muscle frames and heavy muscle frames, bigger bones, smaller bones. Different ethnicities. Different body styles. My feet, depending on the manufacturer are size 10 or 11. My shoulders are more broad than most men's my height. My butt, thighs and calves are overdeveloped because I rode huntseat and jumped horses for decades, even when I was quite heavy. My husband says they have a kinda superhero quality now. LOLOLOLOL So here's the thing....If you feel inclined to send me a snarky note about how I shouldn't say anything....because I'm not American Media model skinny, you might have a problem. As it happens, I have a good friend who models. He's 5' 10", weighs 157 pounds soaking wet, and they STILL wanted him to use coke for a week and fast...to look more sickly skinny for his last national ad campaign. Our impression of body image in the media is grossly distorted and unhealthy. And a lot of folks here....get a grossly distorted and unhealthy obsession with their eating habits, their BMI, the number on the scale, and how it defines them. Please, please, please remember....health. Physical health, strength, endurance, good labs, fewer medications. Emotional health...loving yourself, enjoying your life, feeling challenged and happy. Mental health...finding balance you can live with for a lifetime. Love your strong healthy body. Love your good food choices that provide good nutrition to nurture that body. Love the flexability to make it work though the tough spots. Avoid the fixations, the extremes, the inflexable rules, the disordered eating (and disordered not-eating) You can trust yourself to get to where you need to be....without punishment. Love yourself. Love yourself. Love yourself.

My diet is not plant based but I do eat a variety of foods and happy to eat vegetarian or vegan when I visit my sisters (one vegan, the other vegetarian) or go to their preferred restaurants. As much as possible I will buy free range and locally/grass fed and the local farmers market is excellent. Fortunately where I live is a food bowl.