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Before I start, I would just like to say hello to everyone in this forum. Hi, I am Sarabjeet Matharu (Neena) and I am new the forums here. I had a lapband surgery 6 months ago. I am not having any luck losing weight within the due time since the surgery has taken place. I lost only 12 lbs approximately. Is there anyone here who is vegetarian? Can anyone of you vagetarians give me a meal plan so I can find out what I am doing incorrect. I am fairly disappointed about my surgery. :wink2: Please, can anyone help me? I will be greatly appreciated. :smile2:

This is definitely a question for the nutritionist. Is there one at your surgeon's office, or one that he/she uses? How about this--every morning, I drink a Protein shake and have a yogurt. Between the two, it's 23g protein and 0g carbs. It's yummy, lasts me till lunch, and is a great way to start the day. That's lots of protein, and very little carbs (only what's in the yogurt). NO MEAT!!! There are lots of other ways to get your protein in. There's this other stuff that some of my hippie vegetarian friends use called Texturized Vegetable Protein. You can add it to ANYTHING (either by cooking it in or sprinkling it on top) and it doesn't taste. But, there's protein, and again, NO MEAT! Like I said, you have to GET CREATIVE!!!!!

It depends what type of vegetarian you are. If dairy and eggs are okay then: Nonfat or lowfat Greek yogurt (best), eggs, skim, 1% or 2% milk, almond milk, cottage cheese (1% or 2%), cheese, nuts, seeds and legumes/beans. If you can eat fish and shell-fish then no problem. They are a great source of Protein. Ahi tuna (real stuff, not canned tuna) is best followed by salmon and then on down. Quinoa is the grain highest in protein, but carbs and calories are dense. I really wouldn't think vegan will do for us. There are vegan sleevers, but being vegetarian is hard enough to get the protein in without taking out all animal products. Make sure you use whey isolate Protein powder for your shakes. If you don't want it based on milk or eggs there are rice based ones available.

Here's another Marriot sleeve menu bulletin, heads up vegetarians: You can order vegetable broth! I had it tonight. It was super salty, so I poured about half of it out and diluted it with water. But it tasted good.

I did low carb, high Protein diet for months. Started eating greek yogurt for Breakfast and at lunch with a small salad. I made homemade Soups on the weekend to have during the week for dinner, broth-based with lots of veggies, nothing with cream. Kept it light, but still satisfying. This worked out really well for me because it was winter time, too. IDK how much I'd love it eating Soup like that all summer... I'm not vegetarian, but I did start having Morningstar sausages for breakfast on the weekends, and I really recommend the brand Gardein. They have really good breaded items that are somehow low in carbs. They are really good and satisfy a crunchy, breaded craving. I also incorporated healthier Snacks like almonds, cheese sticks and Veggie chips. I didn't count anything but carbs. I tried to stay under 90 for the day, and it was pretty easy to do. NO processed food, no bread (except the occasional whole grain toast when out to breakfast), no Pasta. No Desserts, no soda, limit those indulgences. I allowed one meal a week to have anything I wanted or really craved. I did this for months and definitely gave in a few more times that I should have around Christmas, but all in all, I stuck with it pretty well. I could have lost a lot more if I'd gone to the gym, but I went AT BEST once a week, and that's an average of weeks of going 4-5 times a week and weeks not going at all... it's still something I'm working on! Seems when it comes to working out for me, I either GO HARD or stay home - literally! Good luck to you!

Hi all, Part of the reason for this is actually a little TMI but a lot of people seem to ask about constipation and a couple of alternative therapies I engage in seem to help with this. But also I'd love to hear what weird and wonderful things people have tried and/or are incorporating into their new lives! First homeopathy: I studied homeopathy in psychology at a Uni where the lecturer proceeded to eat a whole box of sleeping pills in front of us. However they were homeopathic. He said it was similar to eating a small mars bar! Now I consider homeopathy and it's principles to be quackery but I'd like to hear from others... Naturopathy: very different from above treats the body in a holistic way including spiritual. I have studied this in anthropology and sociology and I believe it should be studied by all western doctors! In the realm of naturopathy I have tried reflexology. I LOVE reflexology! I have a one hour massage every week and have had symptoms of easier bms, stress relief, insight, reduced pain in sciatica, decrease in headaches, and weight loss feels easier. I also have some mantras that use the mind to heal the body. I have tried enemas and colonic irritations which definitely seem to help my digestion and general feeling of well-being. Although I think some professionals will try and get you to attend more often than is healthy do they make more money. I am interested in trying a coffee enema. Green tea and white tea seem to help me wind down at night, even black tea soothes my nerves. This is debatable but may include the antioxidant properties and placebo effect. I've tried kinoki foot Patches and organic food. I've been vegetarian. That's it for now- what do you think and any more to add!?

Good Morning my March surgery pals! Well after a month of having my PICC line in to get TPN, it has been removed and I feel good, at last!! Unfortunately, I cannot not eat any type of meat, so I am now a vegetarian, which is ok. I went to the gym on Saturday for the first time since my March 5th surgery, and yes I over did it. Holy sore batman!! But I am so happy that I finally feel better. It took two surgeries, 4 hospital visits that included a one week stay but I have come around the corner, and have lost 59 pounds even after a month stall due to the TPN. Even though I had some rough times, I have never regretted getting the surgery. My sleep apnea is gone, my asthma is 95% better, my joints do not hurt, and I do not have migraines anymore!!!

I got it at waldenbooks. They have a deal where you can get the cookbook 1/2 price when you buy both. The book is about healthy eating. They claim people are fat because we are unhealthy because of all the nasty stuff in our food. They tout a vegetarian diet with no dairy. The book is an easy read and quite informative. However, if you are offended by cussing, watch out. The book reads like you are talking to your foul-mouthed smarta** girlfriend. I've been considering becoming a vegetarian for many years and i have made some changes, but this book is really pushing me to do it.

Megan - I would recommend you order samples of a variety of Protein drinks as you may not like or be able to tolerate the same things as others -- me, I can't tolerate any of them - they're all too thick and too sweet or taste too protein-y. I also am extremely lactose intolerant since surgery and have to be very careful what I drink. The OhYeah Protein Drink is lactose free and it doesn't seem to be too thick, so I have a few of them I drink every now and again. Dr. Aceves pre-op diet was very easy to follow - high protein, low carb. Be sure to drink LOTS of fluids, too. I ate lots of eggs and cheese and veggies. I also ate chicken and veggie burgers - the veggie burgers are really good and high in protein. Being vegetarian shouldn't hinder you on the pre-op diet.

I recently bought some products from Gardein. I was hooked from the first bite. I've tried the fish (FAVORITE), chick'n strips, and the meatballs. Yum yum yum. I'm not a vegetarian, but I was looking for a good way to incorporate some soy protein. And it ended up being delicious. According to their website "gardein is a wholesome range of tasty plant-based foods with a meaty texture. It’s made from soy, wheat and pea proteins, vegetables and ancient grains (quinoa, amaranth, millet and kamut®). gardein is easy to digest and free of cholesterol, trans and saturated fats. The majority of gardein foods are a good source of fiber and low fat too. gardein is also animal and dairy free." I bought this from Hyvee, but I've seen it at Walmart as well. Their website has a store locator. And LOTS of recipes.

Following bariatric surgery, it can be difficult to get the required amount of protein following from foods alone, so many patients supplement their diets with liquid proteins shakes. While this may surprise you, people develop sensitivities or intolerance to traditional whey protein drinks and don’t even know it. I was one of them! Following bariatric surgery, it can be difficult to get the required amount of protein following from foods alone, so many patients supplement their diets with liquid proteins shakes. While this may surprise you, people develop sensitivities or intolerance to traditional whey protein drinks and don’t even know it. I was one of them! It came to pass that I suffered extreme gas and bloating within 30-minutes of consuming a whey protein shake, even high-quality whey isolates. It took a while to this figure out because I’d consumed whey protein shakes for years without a problem. But I have observed that as time goes on, I develop more and more food sensitivities. As well, people have reported low-grade chronic head colds and stuffy nose or mucous-coated tongue after consuming whey protein shakes. These are possible symptoms of food sensitivities. Recently, I stumbled upon two really good protein powders that are not made from whey. They’re now staples in my bariatric pantry. Protein Powder That Repairs Joints, Too The first product is a collagen hydrolysate from Great Lakes — a powdered form of gelatin made from collagen with 11 grams of protein and 43 calories per tablespoon. I buy Great Lakes Unflavored Gelatin Collagen Joint Care on Amazon for about 50 cents per serving. Its also available to order from the Great Lakes gelatin website. Since I’ve been using this product as the protein base in my shakes, my knees no longer hurt when I run. I’m on my third container now and have noticed a major health improvement to my hair and nails, too. Read my full product review on MyBariatricLife.org. Protein and Amino Acids for Vegetarians and Vegans The other product is a vegan protein powder. It is low in carbohydrates and packed with amino acids. This is important because most plant-based proteins are void of certain essential amino acids that our bodies cannot produce. So what this means is that in order to get all the amino acids that are needed, plant proteins will have to be strategically combined. Read my full product review on MyBariatricLife.org. Garden of Life has done all the work for us with their Raw Fit Protein for Weight Loss. Each scoop packs 28 grams of protein and 12 carbs. I buy Garden of Life Raw Fit on Amazon for around $30 for 16 oz. It’s also available at my local health food store. Living life larger than ever, My Bariatric Life

If your body is telling you to become a vegetarian, listen!! but I doubt you could limit carbs. That would be very very difficult on a veggie or vegan diet.

I would have to agree with Bufflehead. Achieving and maintaining consciousness around eating is very important in my opinion. When I set up a plan, prepare to implement the plan, and remain accountable.... I have less trouble losing or staying the same, and not gaining. At first I need to write down in Myfitnesspal what I am going to eat for the day. I make sure I have the supplies to fix those things. I stick with the plan, and if for some reason I don't, I log that in too. I weight in the morning, and also log in exercise...I try to balance my nutrients, keep the food as clean, organic and whole as possible, and I try to eat things I like. I do not want to walk away from a meal hungry. I eat more veggies if I don't get enough food. After doing this for a while I may be able to improvise more, but I try to write down what I eat every day, if not plan the whole thing up front. I personally like to include whole grains and complex carbs in my day.... I am also a vegetarian, so I have to watch the Protein and make sure I get enough (not that easy) You may have other ideas about how you want to eat... but the accountability thing is a strong tool.

This was meant to go above my last reply, but the edit got it all wonky! ------ Thanks so much for replying, everyone!! But I'm now more nervous lol! You see, that's exactly my worry: I've never had an issue with portion control, eating right, exercising every day... I've worked with nutritionists, dietitians, and personal trainers, had to log my normal eating & exercise habits, had to log my dieting eating & exercise habits, etc. All agree that I should have long been back to my original weight. I have to drop to about 500 calories a day to lose weight + my workouts, hence my questions about whether the band will cause me to be able to comfortably maintain that. To give an idea of where I'm coming from so you can understand my worries better: I've found by logging my normal food intake when not dieting is between 1200-1500 calories a day, 20-30% fat intake, 52-70grams of Protein, no meat, no dairy, refined sugar products only about one soda a week (until I started school this past 2 months, now that's terrible at 1 a day! I definitely have to fix that!), Multivitamin most days (I do forget at times!) + Calcium supp, and 7-12 glasses of Water (depending on how much I drink during workouts). I'm a non-junk-food-vegetarian, so my diet is mostly greens, whole grains, brown rices, and legumes. The one exception to my pattern of eating is that once a month my spouse and I order takeout and have a little livingroom picnic My workouts have ranged anywhere from a normal amount of 1hr of aerobics + weight lifting to the extreme of 17 months of training for an event that involved 5-7 hours of cardio a day (15-22 miles of speed-walking and jogging woodland trails), pilates/yoga and weight lifting. During dieting, they have had me raise my calories to various levels to see if I was eating too little to lose, aiming for a specific fat or protein intake, number of meals a day, setting a rigid pattern of exercise, etc. None of this has caused any lasting change in my weight, fat%, shape, nothing. Like I mentioned before, if I started dieting hard enough (500cal/day) at best I would drop 10-15lbs at first and then regain it. I can't eat as little as I need to to drop and keep off weight on my own, eventually I return to that 1200-1500 area out of sheer hunger. I've had a lot of checkups and they can find nothing physically wrong with me that should be causing the weight to stay on (such as hypothyroidism). My medications *are* considered a possible cause of holding on the weight. So, ultimately, will having the band really be able to keep my from feeling too hungry? I know this may seem like a foolish question, but I've only seen dry data info and people discussing how it helped them get to a healthy habit of eating for themselves. Is anyone out there needing to drop to a caloric intake as low as I need and not starving during it with the help of the band? I truly appreciate your responses all! Very very much!

It's funny....I keep reading stuff like this.....people saying they eat what they want, but they eat Protein first, stay within reasonable calories and make good decisions most of the time, and they call that moderation. Problem is, that sounds exactly like what the strict dieters do as well. The strict dieters just come down harder on themselves when their "most of the time" isn't "all of the time." I know cause that was/is me. I came down hard on myself for not being perfect. I tried, but it didn't always work. But I still try because I'm one of those that cannot stand on the side of that slippery slope. I fall....right down the carb binging rabbit hole. Other people are fine with it and do very well. I've heard people say I still have food issues. Not directly to me, but they describe abstaining from certain foods as "food issues." Does a vegetarian have "food issues?" Do they need therapy? If not, then I think I'm okay. I see no difference in my abstinence from starches and a vegetarians abstinence from ribeye steak. It makes me feel better to not eat those foods. And btw...another big distinction that needs to be made....the huge difference between carbs and starches. One is healthy....one is not as healthy. We all know which yet for some reason they share the same name. It's unfair because a bowl of broccoli is oh so good for you. But a bowl of Pasta turns my stomach....although there was a time it didn't. So....I don't know if I answered the question, but that's where I stand. And my real point is this..... I truly believe that the strict dieters and the moderation folks are much closer to each other than most will admit. They argue and clash, but when you look at what they're eating...90% of it is the same.

Howdy, What are you looking for? If you got your Protein before from a vegetarian diet, you're doing good. Btw, are you talking vegetarian or vegan? Vic

Even though I am not allergic to dairy, I was playing around with being vegan for a little while. Some staple foods I ate during the time I gave up dairy.... Almond Breeze Soy Yogurt tons of Soups and broths fresh fruit smoothies (made with fruit juice and ice) mashed potatoes, thinned with broth and/or soy yogurt bananas mashed with some almond butter or Peanut Butter Go to a Whole Foods or health food store and check out dairy alternatives. Some are gross, but some are quite good. Also, check out vegan cookbooks (not vegetarian...vegan), since vegans don't use any dairy.

Following bariatric surgery, it can be difficult to get the required amount of protein following from foods alone, so many patients supplement their diets with liquid proteins shakes. While this may surprise you, people develop sensitivities or intolerance to traditional whey protein drinks and don’t even know it. I was one of them! It came to pass that I suffered extreme gas and bloating within 30-minutes of consuming a whey protein shake, even high-quality whey isolates. It took a while to this figure out because I’d consumed whey protein shakes for years without a problem. But I have observed that as time goes on, I develop more and more food sensitivities. As well, people have reported low-grade chronic head colds and stuffy nose or mucous-coated tongue after consuming whey protein shakes. These are possible symptoms of food sensitivities. Recently, I stumbled upon two really good protein powders that are not made from whey. They’re now staples in my bariatric pantry. Protein Powder That Repairs Joints, Too The first product is a collagen hydrolysate from Great Lakes — a powdered form of gelatin made from collagen with 11 grams of protein and 43 calories per tablespoon. I buy Great Lakes Unflavored Gelatin Collagen Joint Care on Amazon for about 50 cents per serving. Its also available to order from the Great Lakes gelatin website. Since I’ve been using this product as the protein base in my shakes, my knees no longer hurt when I run. I’m on my third container now and have noticed a major health improvement to my hair and nails, too. Read my full product review on MyBariatricLife.org. Protein and Amino Acids for Vegetarians and Vegans The other product is a vegan protein powder. It is low in carbohydrates and packed with amino acids. This is important because most plant-based proteins are void of certain essential amino acids that our bodies cannot produce. So what this means is that in order to get all the amino acids that are needed, plant proteins will have to be strategically combined. Read my full product review on MyBariatricLife.org. Garden of Life has done all the work for us with their Raw Fit Protein for Weight Loss. Each scoop packs 28 grams of protein and 12 carbs. I buy Garden of Life Raw Fit on Amazon for around $30 for 16 oz. It’s also available at my local health food store. Living life larger than ever, My Bariatric Life

I feel best when I am eating a sugar-free, whole food, plant based diet, but I'm not sure how well that would work with my sleeve. Any sleeved vegetarians here? I have not followed such a diet in years, but when I did, I had tons of energy and felt great.

I'm a vegetarian too. I am still pre-op but I am trying to identify Proteins that I like and can be prepared quickly and easily or carried around with me. Here's my list so far: hard boiled eggs, greek yogurt, string cheese, seitan Jerky (I really like the Primal Spirits kind- they sell it at most natural foods stores and online), pistachios or almonds, pre-cooked brown lentils from Trader Joes (in the produce section.)

I am still pre-op also but am a vegetarian, and plan to stay that way. If you eat eggs, milk, beans, spinach, yogurt, nuts, it's all good sources of protein on top of the shakes. I also am scared for hair loss but I hear it grows back.

I too am a vegetarian. I was trying to go vegan but that is not currently happening. I do tofu, eggs, I have protein shake for breakfast, yogurt, beans....you'll find lots of stuff online.

Hi all, I'm a vegetarian -have been my whole life- and had my VSG April 29th. My concern is less about getting enough protein and more about the eating proteins first rule. The majority of my protein sources are also carbs and the majority of my meals are mixed dishes and foods that I can't eat separately. Do you follow the rule of eating protein first? If so, how?

Forgot to mention, I am vegetarian BUT I am eating fish, eggs and dairy. Yes, I have been exhausted since surgery, I am not anemic.

Hey Guys! Thanks so much for all the support and encouragment. Reading your responses really has helped. I began the process back in November and have done alot of research and have always felt really confident about the VSG but this morning I woke up in a panic. It is so wonderful to hear from people who have been there and can give me honest information. I wasnt sure how to quote you guys since I am new on here so I have responded to each of you below. Thanks again! Lissa, I began to try to detox myself off of caffeine and sodas as well and have been extremely successful although I was addicted to diet soft drinks. I have been 4 months without it. It was hard at first but not even an issue right now. As far as the sweets......ehhh not so much. Thanks for the suggestions to talk to someone about the emotional issues that I have with food. I know I have them! JoyV, Congrats on making it out of the Plus sizes! I cant wait to say the same!!!! Yeah, I live in Lima, Peru and they eat rice and french fries with everything. I cant imagine a world without them but I am so ready to live in that world! MeginNOLA, thanks so much for your comments. I am exactly the same way. I love to eat healthy food and have even thought that I could be a vegetarian because I love veggies so much. I just make stupid choices!!! Even when given healthy options I opt for the cheesy fatty bad one! Are you from New Orleans? I am actually from Shreveport, LA and lived for 15 years in Baton Rouge. Just spent a year in New Orleans going to the seminary there. I would love to keep in touch. Living in Peru right now but heading back to the US for Christmas! Amazon13: Good luck for your upcoming surgery. Yours is the day before mine! We will get fit together! Amykins, I am right there with you. I am so ready to NOT be a slave to sugar! I would much prefer a brownie to an outright meal. What is wrong with me??? Anyway, I will pray for you as you change your life too! We are in this together!!! Barisaxylady: I am ready for the change! Lets do this! And one other thing: I started exercising for an hour a day 9 days ago and I feel like I am starving all the time!!!! haha