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Last night I spoke with my old roommate who had Lap Band surgery 3 months after I did. I saw her pictures on FB and reached out to let her know she has done a remarkable job and looks amazing. She let me know she removed the lap band a year ago after reaching her goal of 130lbs. She said she had no compications, she just wanted to live a clean healthy life without the band. I sometimes think about removing my band since my life is so different too. I eat all organic (as much as possible), vegetarian, and now help consult others in losing weight and working out. I am not ashamed of my lap band and on my website, I let everyone know my TRUE story and how I loss the weight but how I also now maintain the weight off without depending on the band. Anyone here that reach goal ever think about removing the band?

I agree with butter. The Protein shakes, Vitamins, etc all add up. I think you'll spend less on eating out but it will be made up in special things like I mentioned. Plus your kids may not eat what you're eating. Say you make fish because it doesn't bother your sleeve and your kids don't like fish...our youngest decided to become vegetarian just as we started eating meat. Of course when we were vegetarians he wanted meat daily...can you tell he's a teenager? Sent from my iPhone using VST

Texturized vegetable Protein, tempeh and seitan (vital wheat gluten) are vegan/vegetarian options that are as high or higher in protein than meat, and TVP is easy to digest (depending on how you make it, it could easily be considered a puréed food). I love them all (make my own seitan, it tastes better. recipe is on the bag) and have gotten clearance from my doc and nut to utilize them as a staple in my post op diet. In addition, you might want to check out the Facebook page of Dr. Garth Davis. He is a Bariatric surgeon in Texas (had a show on tv for sometime) who is a huge supporter of vegetarian/vegan diets after Bariatric surgery. You will find useful info there. I also strongly believe that taking a probiotic regularly helps greatly with healing, immune system and overall well being. Give it a try, I hope it helps.

My friend told me she admired the courage I showed by taking such a serious step toward my own health. She then listed all of the steps she has watched me take in the past: quitting smoking, going vegetarian, taking yoga, meditation, going to the doctor.... that was my favorite compliment.

Leftover homemade chicken kababs with coriander chutney: http://sleevers.wordpress.com/2013/09/08/spicy-chicken-kebabs-paleo-wls-friendly-high-protein/ and a bite or two of Peas & Paneer leftover from last night too: http://sleevers.wordpress.com/2013/09/09/impromptu-peas-paneer-vegetarian/

Protein can be an extremely complex subject requiring advanced degrees in chemistry and nutritional science to understand. I am not an expert by any means. But the following might help give you an idea of what's happening in the protein supplement world. As near as I can determine, "proto whey" is a marketing term, not a scientific one. Whey protein can be processed a number of different ways. "Denatured" protein involves the use of heat or acid or both to change the molecular structure of protein and make it more easily absorbed. "Ultra filtration" produces whey concentrate - about 70%-80% pure protein. Concentrate still contains fair amounts of fat and lactose giving it what some consider a better taste. "Micro/nano filtration" removes virtually all fat and lactose and is used to create whey isolate - about 90%-95% pure protein. Isolate may be the best choice for folks who are lactose intolerant. Whey isolate can be even further processed or "Hydrolyzed". Hydrolyzed whey protein is even more pure than isolate and is assimilated by the body very, very quickly. It also is very expensive, tastes extremely bitter and loses many important benefits provided by biologically active peptides that are destroyed in the hydrolyzation process. Sometimes the protein of choice by serious bodybuilders but probably not appropriate for the rest of us. Ion-exchange whey protein is the purest form of whey protein on the market today. It contains almost none of the vital peptides and is biologically inactive. I have no idea who buys it or why. So in my opinion, the age old adage "the less processed your food is, the better" is true when it comes to protein. If you are not lactose intolerant, many doctors consider the additional purity of whey isolate vs. whey concentrate to be insignificant. And most would agree that concentrate tastes better. Egg protein is another animal based protein that is excellent. For many years egg protein was considered the gold standard of protein. It has only been relatively recently that whey has taken the number one spot. But that is likely due more to lower costs, easier manufacturing and more options for flavoring than any significant advantage as far as protein goes. If you're a vegetarian, soy protein is a complete plant based protein and is readily available. Stay away from collagen protein. Finally when choosing a protein supplement, always consider the protein calorie to total calorie ratio. I drink Pure Protein shakes for Breakfast which have 35g of protein for a total protein calorie count of 140 vs. the total calorie count which is 160 or 170 depending on the flavor. So the protein calories are roughly 85% of the total. And I like the taste. There are many other good options. Hope that helps and have a great day!!

I'm headed to mexico for my surgery. Where did you Go? Do they have any post-op protocols or someone you can contact with your current concerns? Did they have you speak with a nutritionist pre-op to clarify vegetarian options?

There are several vegetarians on here. I get most of my Protein via a coffee shake, cheese, cottage cheese, and yogurt. Over time as my stomach expands, I expect to add more Beans to my diet. I do eat 2-3 oz of meat once or twice a day but it's not the biggest source of protein for me. Occasionally I have an egg but that only has 6 gms of protein and really fills me up. In contrast, 4 oz of cottage cheese has 12 gms and doesn't stuff me as full as an egg. Okay OP, I say this with love and caring for you. I agree with the previous poster who suggested talking to a therapist. I've seen several of your posts expressing regret, and the fact is, you've had an irreversible procedure. You can't change that, and you may need some help accepting your decision and moving forward. Post-op depression is common. Many of us have varying degrees of it, it's not a sign of weakness. More likely hormones and chemicals are out of whack somewhere. Be good to yourself and maybe see if you can find someone to talk to? Sending you hugs.

Sorry that you have regrets. This is something your doctor should have spoken with you about, being a vegetarian. Walmart has a pure Protein shake (not the yucky powder) it had 23 grams of protein. It's delicious. I prefer frosty chocolate. Also you may want to try unflavored with a veggie broth. Good luck.

oh, i feel the same way and also am a vegetarian pre-sleeve, i loved salads, all that stuff, maybe a little too much, which is why i got the sleeve. but i'm worried about Protein intake and holding things down. don't feel alone though, i'm trying to get through this, although slowly.

I was a vegetarian for 4 years...not anymore. When I was a vegetarian I ate south beach diet ;minded and ate a lot of quorn which is oh so delicious. I think it is way better than chicken. I ate tofu, edamame, hummus, and lots of cheese. Maybe you can find an unflavored protein powder and mix it in hummus. Healthwise makes hot chocolate packets that you mix with water. Those are good and have 15 grams of protein.

My surgeon's office recommends Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, lentils, tofu, and veggie burgers (Boca burgers etc.) for vegetarians. I am not a vegetarian but I have eaten all those things since being sleeved about 12 weeks ago and haven't had any problems with any of them. Good luck to you.

I should not have had the sleeve.. Not a meat fan and cannot stomach any protein drinks.. Having a difficult time ( Anyone sleeved that is a vegetarian or having a similar experience? Any suggestions? I was sleeved July 22nd and not able to have salads or berries or nuts yet... Any help would greatly appreciated.

I'm not a vegetarian but didn't eat a lot of meat pre-sleeve, one month out. I find that I cannot get down meat at all, no matter how soft it is. It just sits on me and I feel terrible for hours afterward. Ive been eating hummus (white bean with basil from Trader Joes, so good), I can also easily eat Quorn patties. These are no soy. The Quorn gruyere chick'n patty is delicious. I ate these often pre-sleeve with marinara and pasta. I'm also eating regular yogurt (Greek style is too thick). Protein shake and 1/2 a protein bar get me to 60+ grams of protein a day, but I'm only eating 500-600 calories. Today I'm going to try chickpeas in sauce to see how that goes down.

I'm a vegetarian of 8 years. I am finding it very easy to get my Protein in! I use soy Protein shakes, and the faux meat products contain A LOT of protein. For instance, I had a piece of gardein "chicken scallopini" for lunch today, diced up with fat free mayo on a piece of bib lettuce. 14 grams of protein, 90 calories, 4 carbs, 2 grams of fat for 2.5 oz. I also made some chili the other night with tofurky soy ground beef and chili Beans. Lots of protein. There are SO many options.

A 1-oz. serving of Hass Avocado contains 1 gram of protein, and a whole 5-oz. Hass Avocado (5 servings) contains 3 grams of protein. Though Hass Avocados do not contain a significant amount of protein, they can be a creamy and delicious addition to a variety of meal plans and menus. They are used in a variety of different eating plans including a vegetarian diet as a way to add nutrients and substitute for animal products. In addition, because they contain 3.5 grams of unsaturated or good fat per 1-oz. serving when eaten in moderation they can be a great substitute for foods that are high in saturated fats. Other varieties of avocado, however, can vary in the amount of protein they contain. Hi this is what I read in google

deedee first off - woo hoo on your weight loss i'm sure you see a gigantic change with your clothes size (34 to 22!!!!) wow trying to speak "gently", i can only imagine how hard it must be to have to lose alot of weight you've done amazing - but you still have to lose more since you have unfortunately stalled (which you know we all do) it must be very mentally upsetting since you do have more to lose do to the fact you have stalled - you are probably feeling bad/upset and are eating that little extra junk that you know you shouldn't some, many have been there - upset, not losing enough - so we eat??? knock it off!!!!! i know you can turn things around you've proven how terrific you are, knowing how to follow the rules et al it can get discouraging losing lots of weight, knowing you have more to lose - but you will be successful!!! i can see the determination you have in your pretty face yes you have a lot on that plate of yours it must be overwhelming!!!! having a tooth pulled, closing on your house, moving, and going back to work after 4 years OMG - i don't know how many people could do that without feeling overwhelmed but you will pass this hurdle things will slowly get better - you will have closed on your beautiful new house you will successfully have moved, you will enjoy working again and that darn tooth will be gone look at all those accomplishments you will have done!!! glad you are "not hungry" - that must help but your hands get "lonely" and they want you to exercise telling you to lift hand, insert food STOP, STOP, STOP you can/will win this battle glad you haven't gained weight, sounds like you have gained insight i don't know what/how a vegetarian eats- can't help you on that situation if you want to go back to basics to give yourself a jump start on losing some weight - go for it!!! push, push, push everything you can/will do great i know you will get back into the proper old habits you have learned drink, drink, drink, and then drink some more glad that you come to the board for support - we're all out here for ya i see you are soooooo close to twoderland!!!! come on, come on - you are almost there - you can make it, i know you can!!!! good luck bud kathy

I did talk to her and via PM and she was very helpful. I think right now, I can eat so little that I don't have a choice about meat, but as my capacity increases, I may be able to add more vegetarian Protein sources. Honestly even now, of everything I ate yesterday, I got the most protein out of cottage cheese, yogurt and cheese anyway so it's kinda working.

Vegetarian and vegan are manageable with the sleeve if you desire to do it. Do some research and you'll find the our society over estimates how much Protein we actually needs. I was told to do this.... I did my research and found exactly this!! I am 8 months post op, eat vegetarian in the evening, vegan in the day. 40g of protein a day. I feel full and fine. My doctor supports this.

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.

I am really looking for some insight & encouragement from people who have succeeded, or are further along than myself, or are finding themselves in a similar situation. I am 9 months out. I've lost 111 lbs. I have gone from a size 34 to a size 22. That is all well & good, but I have found myself in some sort of slump. I think that it happened sometime after the 6 month mark. I was determined to lose 100 lbs. in my first 6 months & I did that. I lost 101. Three months later I am down just 10 more pounds. My weight has never gone up, but I have had many weeks of no loss at all. I've had my missteps along the way...junk food a few times, dehydrated to the point of hospitalization once. I have just found that I am not as vigilant as I use to be. I never feel hungry anymore so when I'm busy or stressed food becomes a hassle & it's much easier to skip eating altogether than choosing a healthy or unhealthy option. I still have over 100 lbs. more to lose & I don't want to get stuck in this place that I am. Even when I try to eat well, as a vegetarian, I find myself really missing the mark on protein. I have a lot on my plate (proverbial not literal) right now. My boyfriend & I are closing on our first home on Thursday. I am going back to work full-time starting Monday after not working at all for 4 years. Then we're moving next Saturday. It's a lot & I'm overwhelmed. I'm just so much better at taking care of others than taking care of myself. Has anyone been in a similar place? Or maybe someone just has some good advice? I never thought that I would be that person who forgets to eat or can't be bothered. That's what has happened, though, and I'm not quite sure how to get restarted. Tomorrow I need to have a tooth pulled. What a joy on the day before our house closing. I'm assuming getting a tooth pulled will limit what I am able to eat. So, maybe a liquid protein reset? Just hoping I'm not alone out here.

at 2 1/2 years I still use 2-3 shakes a week. My doc doesn't mind. Shakes are fluids, and at least partially count towards water. Early on I used shakes like medicine, didn't really like them , but found some high protein ones and drank them down as much as needed to get in my protein (mine was also over 65). I did this as a vegetarian, so bean soup, greek yogurt and (after the lactose intolerance went away) cottage cheese, eggs, refried beans with cheese, peanut butter.... For me, I just wanted to get in as much nutrition as I could, so shakes for most of the protein, and lots of veggie soups for vitamins, fiber and yummyness! Of course now, I can eat anything! You will know it when you can get off of shakes, just keep trying other things now and then to see how they work for you.

I don't have much issue. I eat eggs and tofu daily. Quiche for breakfast, tofu and veggies for lunch, cheese or nuts for snack and dinner is usually dannon light and fit with 2x protein or cottage cheese with some berries and seeds. You can add protein powder to anything! I'm at 800 to 900 calories daily. If I have room I have some apple slices and protein for dessert. I think vegan would be impossible but vegetarian is easy peasy.

My mom cooked with tofu (that is before her major stroke almost 2 yrs ago which landed her in a nursing home that doesn't do tofu) frequently. You're right, it picks up the flavors of whatever it's cooked with (like a sponge) and to me, it actually tastes like a sponge. I don't like soybeans in any way shape or form. Including the elusively "yummy" hummus. Tastes like cat food to me. But I know many a vegetarian that would starve without it. Good luck cooking!

I'm a vegetarian and so are some other people here, and you have lots of options if you don't want to eat meat. Have you tried the Morningstar "meat"balls or breakfast sausage? Also, I eat a lot of Greek yogurt and low-fat cheese.