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I'm a month and 4 days out. I've been on the soft food diet(only avoiding certain veggies and fruits, rice/pasta) since the end of week two per my doctor. I was a vegetarian before surgery but have been trying to eat meat since I've been able to after to get my protein. However, it all makes me vomit(dump if you ask me!). Does anyone have this issue? It is a little depressing!! I just found a protein powder I can tolerate in a smoothie with fruit but it takes me all day to drink it. I do it with greek yogurt so my smoothie has at the least 68g protein. I'd still like to be able to eat something other than yogurt, string cheese, and potatoes.

I walk 3 times a day at about 20 minutes per. I can't do more than that at a time due to spinal issues. I have tracked my food...every day and am eating between 1000 and 1100 calories. I am now about 4.5 months post op and have gone from 430 to 360 with only about 10lbs lost in the last 30+ days. I know exactly what I'm eating but still have no clue why I'm not losing more. My diet is mostly protein shakes and vegetarian protein sources. It seems almost impossible that I am not losing at only 1000 calories which is what my nut has recommended.

Ok, I see. I didn't know you know you would be on mushies. You haven't had ur surgery yet, then? I had no idea that the cruise line would make special dishes for you. I guess it's like the airlines serving Kosher meals or vegetarian meals. Have fun on ur cruise! They're amazing! Which line r u going on? we've done 4 cruises with Carnival and have absolutely no regrets (even tho they've been in the news alot lately!). We luv them!

Personally, I love beans, lentils, split peas, etc. It's a great way to get protein and fiber and vitamins if you are vegetarian/vegan and if you like them, of course. If you don't like them, skip it LOL, there are other ways to get the same nutrients. I just think they are really tasty and I love how many different ways you can prepare legumes.

*boost* I am very interested in vegetarian recipies in the pureed and soft food stage. I have this strange gravitation towards it (vegetarianism) for some reason.

I was just about out of my expensive Vitamins and was determined that I wasn't going to keep spending that much money for them, so I placed an order for TwinLab Bariatric Support Chewable Multi in berry flavor with Iron from iHerb on Friday (60 ct. - $9.99) and they arrived this morning! I like these because you only need 1 as opposed to 2-4 of other brands, which is a savings in itself. While I was on the site, I did a bit more surfing and found Certified Organic Spirulina, after doing a bit of research on the product it sounded like something that would be beneficial for me...and other bandsters! I bought the small bottle, which is certified organic and labeled as a Genuine Whole food. The retailer is a trusted Google site, so I was fairly sure I couldn't go wrong trying it. I also purchased a box of Black Currant tea (I love this stuff!) and my entire order including shipping was only $27.00. I thought I'd share this with you all. What is it? Spirulina is a natural “algae” (cyanbacteria) powder that is incredible high in Protein and nutrients. When harvested correctly from non-contaminated ponds and bodies of Water, it is one of the most potent nutrient sources available. It is largely made up of protein and essential amino acids, and I typically recommend it to clients who decide to remain vegetarian for its high natural iron content. It is often touted for its high B-12 content, though there is a lot of debate about if this particular form is a complete and absorbable form of B-12 and I don’t recommend it completely in place of animal products. The high concentration of protein and iron also makes it idea during pregnancy, after surgery or anytime the immune system needs a boost. Health Properties: Though it does taste like pond scum, Spirulina has some great health-boosting qualities: Spirulina is 65% protein and amino acids including the essential fatty acid gamma linolenic acid (GLA) which has gotten a lot of attention for its anti-inflammatory properties, especially when taken with other quality Omega-3 supplements like Fermented Cod Liver Oil. (I suspect that the benefits of GLA in Spirulina are even more than what the studies have found since these studies often use vegetable oils for their GLA source, and the other inflammatory compounds in vegetable oils can interfere with the anti-inflammatory ability.) It contains all essential amino acids. Spirulina contains Omega 3-,6 and 9s and is especially high in Omega-3s. Spirulina is extremely high in Chlorophyll, which helps remove toxins from the blood and boost the immune system. Spirulina has a very high concentration of bio-available iron and is excellent during pregnancy and for those with anemia and will not cause constipation. Spirulina is a great source of other nutrients including (according to Wikipedia): “Spirulina contains vitamins B-1(thiamine), B-2 (riboflavin), B-3(nicotinamide), B-6 (pyridoxine), B-9 (folic acid), Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin A and vitamin E. It is also a source of potassium, Calcium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, sodium and zinc. Spirulina contains many pigments which may be beneficial and bioavailable” This Spirulina (from Mountain Rose Herbs) was tested be an independent laboratory and found to have an ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) of over 24,000 which is 4x the ORAC score of blueberries. The ORAC score is generally used to measure antioxidant ability and concentration in different foods. Spirulina is also incredibly high in calcium with over 26 times the calcium in milk, making it excellent for children, the elderly and during pregnancy. Some research has suggested that Spirulina may be helpful in allergies and allergic reactions. Spirulina’s phosphorus content makes it helpful as part of a tooth remineralization regimen. Emerging evidence suggests that it binds with radioactive isotopes and may be useful for radioactivity exposure or radiation therapy. The protein in Spirulina is highly usable and has a net protein utilization rate of between 50-61% Spirulina can bind with heavy metals in the body and help remove them. Spirulina can increase fat burning during exercise.

I'm a vegetarian 4 weeks postop. I was told to watch quinoa because it swells in the tummy taking up more space. I am still on purees so I mix goat cheese, cottage cheese, silken tofu, yogurt or protein powders into my soups. Next week I get eggs so that will certainly boost protein. Its not impossible especially if you continue at least one shake a day.

I get mine from www.mercola.com The whey is made from GMO free, antibiotic free, hormone free, free range grass fed beef. no artificial anything. If you are lactose intolerant, he also carries a vegetarian pea protein, but I have not tried it. I get the chocolate, but I think this time I am going to order the three pack that has strawberry, vanilla and chocolate. I've been told that Unjury has a good unflavored protein powder, but I haven't tried that one yet.

My weight struggles also began with Prednisone. Prior to a very bad posin ivy episode I had been a vegetarian 17 years and did a lot of juice fasting, etc. was always worried about my weight but I really wasn't fat. I think I set my system up for storage big time and when I was given IV prednisone in an ER I gained about 50 pounds very quickly. Then the panic dieting, the up and down yo yo series of diets always resulting in more weight gain. That initial 50 got a companion 50 over time and I've never been able to lose it. Instead I have about another 20 on top of that that fluctuates. I'll never get down to where I was but I'd like to be about 100 pounds thinner. Bring on the band! To the women above who experienced abuse, I am so sorry for your painful histories -- you both have a lot of courage. Thanks for sharing!

Gardein products are excellent. I've been vegetarian for years and never bothered with the "meat" alternatives till I found gardein stuff. So glad you like it! Try the chipotle burgers, they are yummy.

You alway contribute mature thinking to the vets forum! You are a medical professional? This is the most interesting part of this study to me... Sunblock contributes to a lot of our Vit D def. I was low on VitD, and Vit B12 (Im a vegetarian) but not much else. My doc said it was because I ate so many damn organic veggies and if not raw cooked them in an iron pan! I think it is. Mine is reduced, but not gone from early on. I can say its not MORE than it was at around 6 months out.....yet. Even though I think so much of what you say here is correct... "I think it is all a mind set" is a little simplifying. Emotions, physical craving, triggers, chemistry, genetics (edited to add: support!)... are so powerful, and not that easy to understand and to catch hold of. Its a little like saying, "If those poor people would just work, they wouldn't be poor!" Poor people=lazy people, not that easy. That being said, getting your mind set in the right place is a tremendous help in the weight loss/maintenance Quest. Is it "all"? I look at people who try and try again to lose and maintain, and slide back, and I think there but by the grace of god go I... went I, I may go again, and again.... I hope not! So far my mindset along with some other tools, are keeping me on track. I just know that not that long ago I gained 22 pounds... in what seemed like a blink of an eye! Realizing this frailty (along with my personal strength) allowed me to come back here and get back into the game with support... and not be so afraid that I would be seen a having a weak mindset or really, a failure, but as a person that is not giving up when the numbers go up...(not really a rant Fiddle, just a perspective)

I agree with this. This is a time of change. Observe, learn, and work that sleeve. You also have to start to get some rules for the future in place for after the loss. You here them here all the time. Drink your Water, but not during or shortly after your meals. Protein first Start formulating lower carb dishes that you like. Try Vegetarian, or Organic eating now and then. More veggies! Find ways to move that you like! I took up belly dancing, Urban walking and bird watching photography (Nature walking and hiking). I'm getting my friends involved so they might want to go with me sometimes, but I will go by myself as well because its just so darned fun I can't wait to get out and look around!) I joined a gym.... My dance classes are held there, and in the rest of my time I can lift weights, or take yoga, or experiment with the other fitness things they offer. I took 6 weeks of Tango there once... all included in my gym fees. (It is a rock climbing gym... I no longer rock climb, but the gym is so beautiful, with 3 story rock walls inside!) Find the joy! Don't expect the sleeve to do everything for you... IT IS ONLY ONE OF THE TOOLS YOU WILL NEED IN YOUR TOOL BOX!!.

I have lost about 90%, will get to 100% this year I think. It is trial and error to a degree, Honestly, what has worked for me after a 22 pound regain last year and LOTS of long stalls, are Southbeach phase one (I'm a vegetarian and that worked pretty good to knock off 5 pounds) Then I started the 5:2 which is a semi fast for two days a week...would not recommend this until you are at least a year out though. You are not out of the honeymoon yet, but it has done the trick for me.... I think the most important thing for me is to stay accountable all the time. I even write down what I eat on vacation, just so I remain conscious of what Im doing even if Im eating what I want. I wear a fitbit, and keep track of my activity as well. When left to my own devices, I eat too much, and move too little to keep this body. My Dr also asked me if I would be happy losing 50 pounds. I said yes, but 90 would be better. I am now at 82. He did not even want to set a goal for me so I would not be disappointed in my final weight. Research shows that at three years sleevers keep off less than 75% EWL. I have seen too many people here lose 100% of their weight to think it is not possible. Keeping it off is also hard to do for many and a much longer job.

I posted a comment on another members topic on Vitamins and have been receiving a lot of emails on what vitamins I use, and how to test your vitamins. Most people do not realize the type of Vitamin we take is very important. NOT ALL VITAMINS ARE CREATED EQUAL! Our stomach acids are suppose to dissolve the vitamins and our body needs to absorb it. Thats how our bodies receive its nutrients. If your vitamins are not working for you, then you are just swallowing a pill for no reason!!!! It doesnt matter how much they cost, it only matter if our body is absorbing the nutrition of the vitamin. This is important because for many reasons like skin, hair, bones, teeth, nail, endurance, sleep, weight loss, etc... Here is a video on how to test your vitamins. PLEASE DO THIS ASAP! Doesnt matter if your vitamins are only $10, if its not working for you then its a waste of $10. By the way, I use It Works vitamins which are, 100% NATURAL, WHOLE food COMPLEX & 100% ABSORBANT. Since I haven't had a fill in 2 years because I watch what I eat and now am a vegetarian, I can swallow the pills whole. (Do not recommend swallowing whole for other banders, crushing in the blender with your Protein shake is better) Good luck! Hope this helps! Please let me know how the test worked for you.

I was browsing old posts and came across this. I embraced a vegan diet with no sugar or wheat for almost two years and felt so great physically, but didn't drop a pound (but didn't gain either). Slowly I started eating eggs, cows milk and cheese, and one day decided I wanted a steak and that was the end of that. Now, three years later I remember my motivation for the vegan diet. I have chronic inflammation which causes more pain than I'd like to live with, and I'm sensitive to many medications so I can't just pop a pill to help with the pain. When I was eating a very clean vegan diet (no sugar, no wheat) I was pain free. Even when I started eating animal products the pain didn't return for about 2 years. Probably because I still kept sugar and wheat to a minimum. The pain has been back for awhile now, and I'm finally back to eating vegan. I have not had surgery yet, but I'm convinced the right path for me is to have surgery and eat vegetarian (mostly vegan) with no flour or sugar. I'm 55 years old and would like very much to enjoy my life, not suffer through it.

My understanding is that it breaks down to bioavailability. While collagen derived Protein is able to pack a punch with the amount of protein vs the volume, my understanding is that it is not easy for the body to digest. Here is a good article that talks about different proteins: http://www.nutritionexpress.com/article+index/authors/mark+g+taylor+ms/showarticle.aspx?articleid=896 I would discuss the types of Proteins with your NUT and Dr as well. If you like pea protein and it's giving you what you need, and your Dr/ agrees, I se no reason not to use it, many vegan and vegetarian sleevers use it. Good luck!

Yup, I even tried hypnotism. What I found is that I'm a giggler and couldn't stop laughing at the guy. His "calm/sexy" voice was really corny and hilarious. Yes, it is freaky!! My story is similiar to many above...for 2 years my Dr wouldn't approve me for surgery (recommend/refer me to the program). During that time and under her supervision I did the Hcg, pills, gluten-free, vegetarian, etc. You name it I tried it. Finally after 2 years I told her that I was either going to drop her or leave with a referral. She submitted the referral during that visit. It took another year to finally have surgery but during the WLS program I kept thinking couldn't I just lose this on my own. I kept going even though I had my doubts. What you're feeling is absolutely normal. I'm glad I kept going. I knew deep down, this was my best option to get the weight off and keep it off. I haven't looked back since.

I massively modified this recipe from http://www.amazon.co...ian slow cooker. The original recipe calls for 2 lbs of spinach and makes so much a sleever would be eating it until they died. It's also waaaay too spicy in the original and hers is made in the crockpot. MUCH faster in pressure cooker. Ingredients 1 lb fresh baby spinach Peel where necessary and roughly chop: -1 large yellow onion -2 medium tomatoes -5 cloves of garlic -1 2 inch piece of ginger -1 serrano or jalapeno chili 2 tablespoons ground cumin (grind in coffee grinder yourself or buy amongst mexican spices) 1 tsp or less cayenne pepper. Put less, you can add more later 2 tsp garam masala (can buy in most stores) 2 tsp turmeric 2 tsp Salt 1 packet fried or fresh paneer (indian grocery store, frozen section). I will also post recipe for homemade since this is good source of vegetarian high protein. Directions Pressure Cooker: If making in pressure cooker, dump all ingredients except paneer together and set to high pressure for 4 mins. Crockpot: Cook on high for 3 hours. Push the spinach down once so all gets moist. When done, use as immersion blender and mush everything up into either a very smooth puree, or leave some bits unchopped, per your diet stage. Gently add paneer until mixed in. Serves 6 Calories: 139 Fat: 9 Carbs: 9 Protein:10

I'm excited if I get 50g of protein in a day! I can't stand shakes anymore and I am a vegetarian. Irreversible damage? Not likely.

I've lost a total of 39 #'s since Feb 2013, because I was on the Dukan diet. But since surgery on 07/16/13, I've only lost 17 #'s. I just got out of a two week stall! It was beyond awful because my body was still trying to adjust to this new life. As a woman, my cycle is out of whack and so is the "regular" part of my digestion if you know what I mean. I actually lost a day of work over it. I have vowed that will never happen to me again. I've never been so sick in my life like that. Since water and fiber are fighting the protein for space in my belly, it has really disturbed operations. I now have Fiber Choice sugar free chewable tablets, Fiber & Calcium Gummy Vitamins, Flintstones chewable complete vitamins and B12 that dissolves under your tongue. Everything seems to be back to normal now and I'm feeling stronger by the day. As for what I'm eating now, it really hasn't changed much since from before. I was never a junk food junkie. Just a volume eater. So now I still eat healthy, just one ounce at a time about 5 or 6 times a day. It also helps that I am a borderline vegetarian. I don't eat beef or milk at all. I do love seafood, eggs and yogurt. I try not to eat cheese, because it's just binding. I love veggie burgers, black bean burgers, egg beaters and Almond Silk for my protein shakes. I cooked a 2lb butternut squash and froze little servings of it. Let one serving thaw out in the fridge for dinner time, sprinkle some pure cinnamon on it and it's so yummy. Eat it warm or cold. I just bought some fresh crab. Put that in little servings and freeze it. For special yummy treats, I love a frozen banana half, with a little bit of Silk and peanut butter. Blend it for a "frozen ice cream" treat. SF Choc pudding is good too! I will also make some frozen shake pops, which I love! Most people on here seem to complain about their shakes, but I love them. I have no problem with my whey shakes what so ever. And they are not fancy or expensive or organic. Just some cheapy brand I picked up at Walmart. So that's my update! Good luck to everyone out there! And don't get down about the stalls! You'll make it through!

Honestly, Im kind of glad when I feel a little or a lot crapy from eating something I used to gobble down all the time. My body is finally asking for some good food now and then, in stead of becoming a zombie for cra(p or ck)cakes and other kinds of food drugs. Not that I say no all the time, but I do say it more often. I just did a possible crazy vegetarian move today... I have been researching ancient grains, and cleaned my refrigerator, then headed to whole foods (or whole paycheck as we call it here...) and bought some Kamut (found in an Egyptian tomb?) in abut 3 forms (flour, rolled and cracked). Spelt (preferred by Europeans in the middle ages) in two forms(flour and crackers), and Einkorn ...( the same grain that was found in the icemans stomach)! NO GMOs. Older undeveloped types of wheat. Some used as early as 9000 years ago. I use white whole wheat at this time, not a lot, but modern wheats can experience drifting contamination from fields of GMO if they are not already Genetically modified. So I am switching over to older grains to see what happens. I made some (1/4 cup of cracked Kamut in 3/4 cup water in my rice steamer, with some veggies from my garden, red cabbage, Brussels sprouts, mushrooms salt and pepper, and some "chi'kin" veggie stock powder. It took about 15 minutes to cook up, and it was lovely, resotto like... a little grated parm, and a dribble of olive oil...next time I think I will ad an egg...)It was lovely. Im not feeling any kind of carb spike...yet...)

Boca vegetarian chicken patty, topped with colby jack cheese, refried beans, and chipotle salsa. 20+ g protein!

I've done this whole thing as a vegetarian... gain, lose, gain and lose again. It can be done. I am known as a good cook, and its always veg. I do make "fake meat" from scratch now and then, to get that hit of "meat" without the meat. Some of the best veggie cooking I have ever tried, check out: http://veganfeastkitchen.blogspot.com/ Bryanna Clark Grogan has many cookbooks out to die for! http://veganfeastkitchen.blogspot.com/p/recipe-links.html

600? That's because you get all the yummy vegetarian food! I had chicken and shredded veggies.... You know there is only so much of that that you can eat at a sitting So I ended up at barely 400. I should of had some dressing

Okay, FYE, I might be working on my meat consumption. From the original fast diet site. That second paragraph says it all! Vive the Veg-olution! Lots of buzz about at the moment around ‘demi-veg’ and part-time vegetarians (or ‘flexitarians’ – one of those clunky words that may well never take off, even if the activity does). Last week, the International Development Committee pointed to increased meat consumption as a catalyst for recent global food crises. And we all know that too much meat (particularly of the processed variety) is linked to all kinds of health issues. One recent European study found that the biggest consumers of processed meat increased their risk of death from heart disease by 72% and cancer by 11%. The World Cancer Research Fund advises limiting intake of red meat because of its links to bowel cancer. By contrast, a six-year study published last week in the Journal of the American Medical Association and reported in the London Evening Standard found that ‘the mortality rate among vegetarians was 12 per cent lower than in omnivores, while demi-veggies had an 8 per cent lower death rate than meat eaters’. This really is food for thought – and it fits in neatly with The Fast Diet mantra of ‘mostly Plants and Protein’. Filling your plate with veg at the expense of meat, even for two days a week, could have a significant effect on your health, your waistline, your pocket and – yes – the planet. As Einstein once said, ‘Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.’ Perhaps full-time vegetarianism is too seismic a shift for some of us, but we could all do with moving towards more plant Proteins, legumes, herbs, veggies. And, really, there’s no sacrifice. A veg-based meal relies on spicing, texture, colour, crunch – and once you’re in the zone, it’s not so hard to come up with great meatless meals (there are tons of ideas in The Fast Diet Recipe Book of course). I had lunch at Ottolenghi in Notting Hill a fortnight ago: bliss on a plate, and no meat, not a sausage. As the Standard says, maybe it’s time to join the vegolution?