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I'd really like to switch to being vegetarian for spiritual reasons, but I'm at the beginning of the whole process for the gastric sleeve. I have to lose 30 lbs to have the surgery. So far I've gained one. I swear, being told I have to lose weight makes me gain. I really have not liked meat substitutes I've tried, and I'm wondering if it's possible to get your protein without them. I'm looking at going vegetarian, not vegan, so I would still have access to dairy and eggs, but I don't want to overdo it on those. I'm not a fruits and vegetables fan and this is going to be a very hard switch for me, but I do really want to do it. Thanks for any info you can give!
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Where’s the weight loss?!
SpartanMaker replied to Jaxxamillion's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
@WendyJane made a great point. I sort of assumed you were getting your protein other ways, since it's certainly possible to do so without eating meat. That said, transitioning to vegetarian or vegan would be really hard to do right after bariatric surgery. While that sort of diet can be a healthy choice, getting enough protein has to be your main goal. Hopefully your team gave you a minimum protein goal. If not, at 3 months out I would want to see at least 70 grams per day minimum, with 100 as a better goal. As you get to 6 months, 120+ would be ideal, though even more is beneficial. We focus on protein during weight loss for several reasons: Protein is essential to your body. While you also need a small amount of essential fats, you could in theory get those from a supplement. Dietary carbs are not essential because your body can convert protein and fat to glycogen to fuel your body. Protein is highly satiating compared to carbs, plus it takes longer to digest than fats, meaning you'll be full longer. Protein is actually harder to digest, meaning on average, for every 100 calories on protein you eat, you burn about 20 calories just to digest it. This means the more protein you eat, the lower your overall caloric intake compared to carbs and fats. Higher levels of dietary protein help you preserve more muscle mass as you lose weight. Because muscle is more metabolically active than fat, the more muscle mass you preserve as you lose weight, the more calories you'll burn, even at rest. In short, protein, protein, protein. You really can't eat too much protein at this point after surgery. -
i goaled myself for 120, smack dab in the middle of the bmi healthy goal range for my height, only because i needed a goal to head towards (i wasnt much of a lets just see kinda person back then…though i am now…but i digress) anyway got to 127 and i called goal cuz i wasnt interested in going lower based in what i saw in the mirror. plus i felt pretty great already. that was 6 years ago. since then i seem to have continued to slooooowly lose weight. i sometimes gain a little but my graph definately trends down over the years. especially the last 2-ish years. and im not TRYING to lose, just am due to my lifestyle choices and other circumstances (more active, got braces, tried out vegetarianism - spoiler alert, it didn’t stick lol). as of this morning i am 101 lbs. yes i realize its too thin. i was 98 lbs a few days ago, so im on it! so really, setting a goal can help lead you in a direction, bit the buck doesnt stop there so to speak. feeling good, liking/accepting what u see in the mirror, all the nsv’s should be considered. further, weight loss (or gain, by the same token) is not restricted to to the immediate months after surgery. if u stop losing, doesnt mean u cant lose more in the future. same as gaining…doent mean i wont gain weight back. nothing is static, things are always changing…you decide if you will change as well.
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One week post op and feeling scared about never having favorite foods again
SpartanMaker replied to Cassafrass83's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
As a bypass patient, there is really nothing that's off limits for me. I pretty much eat anything I want to, just in smaller portions. Some people have to be a bit more careful due to dumping syndrome, but I've been pretty lucky in that dumping for me is really rare. It's happened once in 2 years when I significantly overindulged on pretty much pure sugar with no fiber or protein to moderate things, It was not fun and I definitely learned my lesson! One other thing I'll say is that my tastes have changed. For example, I just don't really want much red meat, so I now eat a mostly vegetarian/pescatarian. -
August Surgery buddies
Onemealplan replied to Averdra's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Yep! It’s great! I use it for scrambled tofu or when I cook vegetarian dishes. It’s not a spicy spice and adds great color and flavor. -
What does a typical day of eating and acitivity look like to you?
AmberFL replied to AmberFL's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
WOW! 12-14MILES?! I am toast after 3miles a day LOL but I am trying to build up slowly, its great cardio and I feel great afterwards. The whole calorie macro deficit confuses me. I feel like I eat plenty and enough to sustain my workouts that I do a day, I am not hungry after my day but super duper hungry when I wake up. Do you eat seafood and vegetarian by choice or is it because your stomach can do poultry or red meat? I know pork sits really heavy and I have eliminated that my diet completely- its not work the pain lol -
Tomorrow is the day... but today's clear liquid diet had me with a constant headache. Of course it didn't help that my mother decided to schedule a cookout at the last minute not realizing (or accepting) that I cannot have a thing. *side story I've been vegetarian for over 12 years so if there's a cookout she goes out of her way to have things I like to eat...months ago I asked for a lasagna for my birthday for this month (not knowing I'd be back on this weight loss path or that my procedure would be expedited or that I'd be scheduled for Sept) sooo guess what she decides to have on this menu for this surprise cookout? 🤦🏽♀️ She meant well of course but there I was sipping broth and watching my family enjoy my gift 😆. Anyway, then I had to take my daughter to urgent care for what I knew was strep and I'm in there praying no one coughs, sneezes or happens to touch me... including her... not sure how this exposure will pan out tomorrow. I notice my husband seems on edge and I finally accept that his worry and stress has got the best of him. Nevertheless all is quiet now, early day tomorrow... I do believe I'm ready to finally get to the other side of this journey... THE REAL WORK.
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I’m 5 years out & maintained since my weight first stabilised. I’m also one who finds some carbs sit more heavily in my tummy & are too filling. Specifically simple carbs like the rice, pasta & bread were advised to avoid while we’re losing. It’s not a big loss even though I used to love eating them before surgery. But I don’t consider myself to be low carb. Lots of carbs in fruit & vegetables. I eat a good two serves of whole or multi grains a day sometimes a little more if I say throw barley or lentils in what I may be cooking too. I usually say I’m lowish carbs, lowish fats. I also think the quality of these food types are an important consideration too like the whole/multi grain, less processed complex carbs vs white, more processed, simple carbs. Same with fats like good fats vs bad fats. One of the big learnings I had was that you have to work out a way of eating that works for you. That is it allows you to maintain your weight, complements your lifestyle so you don’t feel like you’re missing out or making sacrifices and is sustainable. It may be high fat or low fat, high carb or low carb, paleo, keto, vegan, vegetarian, carnivore or a mix of eating styles. Just what works.
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August Surgery buddies
Greekmom4 replied to Averdra's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
@ShoppGirl my biggest incision is kind of dented in also. My surgeon said it will flatten out. It is also where they removed my stomach. Steristrips: I did not have them, or staples. My incisions all have stitches and a strange purple glue covering them. It is slowly wearing off. Food: We had a vegetarian potluck at work today and I did have a small teaspoon of ranch dip, one bite of a very spicy hummus, and a bite of a veggie meatball. I knew I could tolerate the food and did not want to punish myself by not having anything. Today I am 3 weeks and 2 days post-op and wore jeans for the first time. Not the brightest idea but I survived the day. LoL going to change as soon as I get home. I have lost 16 pounds since my surgery day. I am a slower loser and have had a couple of 3 day stalls. I like to weigh daily to see if a certain food or activity affects my weight loss. It also keeps me accountable. I know this may not be good for all people. I can’t wait for my 6 week checkup so I can be cleared to go to the gym. We have a large department move at work coming up in a couple of weeks and know that may pose some problems with my weight restrictions. Hope everyone is doing well and it seems like we are progressing along from all the posts. Keep up the good work. We’ve got this! -
What does a typical day of eating and acitivity look like to you?
SpartanMaker replied to AmberFL's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Interesting question! I don't have a ton of routine when it comes to meals, with the possible exception of breakfast. Most days I eat a yogurt parfait with Greek yogurt, fresh berries & protein boosted Kind brand granola. That said, I'm not opposed to other things like banana nut pancakes (a favorite), or even cold pizza on occasion! Lunch is most often leftovers from dinner since we still haven't figured out how to cook 1.5 meals (half for me, whole for my wife). Dinner is super varied. We both like to cook and like good food, so it might be just about anything. That said, I have found that I just don't enjoy big slabs of meat anymore. We do occasionally have red meat, but it's probably once a week or less. I'd say we have seafood based dinners 3-4 times a week and 1-2 vegetarian meals per week. I also eat a lot more beans than I used to. Overall, I don't focus much on macros. It's more about eating a variety of healthy foods and enjoying what little I can eat. As far as activity, there is no typical day. It can vary from nothing at all (I do one dedicated rest day a week), to running 12-14 miles or more on my long run day. In a typical week, I run 30-40 miles (my main sport), but I also do strength training a couple days a week and do a little bit of cross training either on the bike or on a stationary rower. Later in the year I'm thinking of starting a marathon training block. If so, I'll be increasing my mileage up into the 50-60 MPW range. I think one of the main reasons my diet may differ from the "typical" post WLS diet is because of the high activity level I have. I just wouldn't be physically able to do that volume of running without eating a lot more carbs to fuel my runs. In fact, getting enough calories is my current challenge, not getting too many. That's another topic for another day however! -
@RRenaeL23, I can hardly believe what a badass you are! (And I mean that in a "wow you're awesome" way.) Walking 2 miles already? That is really great and I am so happy for you. Keep up the great work! I also need to start working on my muscles - for me it's core, arms, and legs (well, now that I think about it, that's pretty much everything, right?). @Greekmom4, I have never heard of the foamies, but I certainly don't want it! Hope that doesn't come back for you. Today I had a NSV because I'm wearing a fitted sweatshirt that I love but haven't work for a long time because it was tight across my middle. Not anymore: now it's just right. My middle is still far too thick, but at least the sweatshirt doesn't showcase it, LOL. I am starting to see little indications of weight loss; just flashes, but they're there. I don't know what my body dysmorphia will do going forward. When I've lost weight before, I've just felt like everyone else looked bigger to me, I didn't look smaller. But I currently don't recognize myself in pictures because in the mirror, my mind tells me I'm not as big as I really am. (I learned at Jenny Craig that's why we should take pictures, because your mind can't bend them.) On paper, I've now lost 36 pounds from my highest pre-surgery, but I certainly don't see that much weight loss (I'm only 5 feet tall, so that's a lot on my frame). I guess that's a function of how much I have yet to lose, but also they say I'll be the last one to see it. I'm now to the regular diet phase, although there is a lot I haven't tried yet. Ground beef and turkey seem to be fine, but I tried some pork chop which was a big mistake. I think I may get much more of my protein from plant sources (beans, etc.) going forward, which is fine with me. Today we got a whole bunch of groceries to make a list of recipes I'm going to try (hubby is the cook at our house). My sister's vegetarian and sent them to me, so they're all veggie. I'm slowly learning to branch out. Since I am eating 1/2 cup at a time, I've been just having protein, but I started craving veggies and fruit. I saw something that talked about having "a few bites" of things, so I'm incorporating that. I can have up to 3/4 cup now, so I have a bit of room to add some veggies and a little fruit. TMI ALERT: I am eating more beans than I ever have, so maybe that's it, but is anyone else producing a surprising amount of gas? I thought giving up carbonation (which was a massive sacrifice for this former Diet Coke addict) would mean a lessening, but DANG.
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Hey there! Yea for March 31sters! Yes, I am on a stair-step diet. Right now I can have stuff like yogurt, milk, creamy soups, protein shakes, etc. On Wednesday, I get to have scrambled eggs and oatmeal, mashed potatoes! WOW I can't wait for that, lol. You know, I could never be a vegetarian, I miss meat
So, how did your surgery go? Mine, being the first surgery I have ever had was smooth as silk! Pain was minimal, tolerable. I went back to work yesterday, maybe a little too much excitement, but doing o.k. You?
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Yesterday was 3 months post-op. I have lost 35 lbs since my surgery and 82 lbs since August of last year. I am so happy that I decided to do this for myself. I am healthier than I have been in years and I feel amazing.
I was eating a low carb diet since December of last year and recently decided to transition to a whole foods plant based diet after reading the book Proteinaholic and doing my own research. I have an incredible support system for this change as my circle of friends from church are all vegans/vegetarians. At this point my daily carb consumption has gone from 30g to about 55-70g and my protein has dropped from 80-85 down to 50-55. My blood sugar control has remained perfect despite the increase in complex carbs. I continue to avoid sugar, white flour, bread, white rice, and pasta.
My weight loss has actually picked up this past week, but this may just be a coincidence. I feel really good. The only slight negative I can note is am a little more drained after a run and have been unable to run my long distance of 3 miles yet. I have been sticking to 2-2.5 miles for now. I think my body is still adjusting to the change.
I am going to post my photo because a couple of people have requested before and after pics. It is hard looking back, but it does help show us just how far we have come and what a difference a year can make.
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I AM 1 OF 2 VEGETARIANS ON THIS board i guess the big folks are not giving up the meat...im also the resident tree hugger save the world type ...
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Hi, good to see I'm not the only vegetarian out there who's going through this. The most common question I get is "how can a vegetarian get fat?" I tell them it's easy when your favorite veggies are potatoes, corn, beans, pasta (oops, that's not a veggie?) . . . Anyway, good to meet you.
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Anyone attempting the vegetarian / vegan lifestyle after WLS? I was a vegetarian prior but started eating poultry to meet my NUT planned diet (high protein low carb low fat )
But now I am longing to return to the life style.
Any tips?
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Vegetarian isn't too hard since you can have whey protein shakes, eggs, dairy. Veganism is much harder since the vegan-friendly shakes are less palatable and you have to be extra cautious about getting complete proteins.
There is a specific forum here:
https://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/1101-vegetarian-or-vegan-eating/
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GreenTealael reacted to this
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I also found several choices from the vegetarian section. Low sodium vegetable broth For some reason the vegetarian section in my store has low sodium, low fat chicken and beef broth (go figure?) but it seemed much healthier than the campbell's choices and was still packed full of Protein. And good too. Chinese food restaurants have great egg drop and hot and sour Soups, but they will be high in sodium. As a matter of fact, I think I had hot and sour Soup on my liquid diet and it was just too darn salty. Of course, pre-this whole experience, it would have been perfectly salted. =P Must have Crystal Light, I even buy the generic brand and it tastes just as delicious. Let's see........Oh, I found a dry packed just add Water enchillada soup, kind of like a tortilla soup. I was allowed to eat the ingredients though, but if you were desperate for flavors you could strain out the ingredients. When I buy a soup or something now I try to stay under 500mg of sodium, that in itself is still very high, so very few that I buy have THAT much. But if you don't read the labels you may very well end up with sodium as high as 900-1200mg per serving. Browse the dry packet soup section you may find something there to your liking. Good Luck!
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I Am First Week Post Op Searching For Fellow Vegetarian Banders
Mikkat replied to Mikkat's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Cool good to KNOW!!..can't wait to be on solid food again...I have two days more before I start the "mushier" food....I can't wait to be an actual healthy vegetarian because I think being a vegetarian over 22 years...I was more of a carbitarian...lol....glad to see others out there!! -
6 days post op and wisdom tooth!
JerseyCityGal replied to Audriana661's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I'm 4 days post-op and am feeling so weak I can hardly believe it. For me, vegetarian broth is the only thing I can get down. I can't bend over because of the incisions, so of course I keep dropping things on the floor like there is no tomorrow. Get to a dentist before you progress to an abscess or something. Teeth are nothing to mess around with. -
Can any vegetarians explain to me how you get your protein in ?
OHHLALA posted a topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I am very interested in finding out why the day to day protein intake and meals for vegetarians are ? I am considering becoming a vegetarian but I want to thoroughly educate myself. Thank you. -
Can any vegetarians explain to me how you get your protein in ?
mistysj replied to OHHLALA's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Depends what extent of vegetarianism. Eggs, cheese, milk, yogurt if you are using dairy. Beans, nuts, lentils, soy, tofu, tempeh, quinoa, textured vegetable protein, sprouted wheat are all vegan. Some vegetables have some protein. You need to use a lot of sources because vegetable proteins are not "complete" like vegetable proteins (they don't contain all the amino acids). They are missing different ones so you can get all the amino acids with variety.- 1 reply
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June 14, 2008 Down 4 pounds in 24 hours is quite amazing to me, however, I realize that the pounds are going to just drop off here at first. Yesterday was my first day on a Pre-Op two week diet. I had 1 Slim Fast Optima, 1 Weight Control Quaker Oatmeal, a serving of grapes, 1/2 an apple, 1 can of vegetarian vegetable soup, one 8 oz glass of skim milk with a packet of Carnation Instant Breakfast (no sugar added) mixed in, and 1 cup of no-fat cottage cheese. Oh and of course plenty of water, which I love. Actually, it wasn't so bad. I kept myself busy with reading, computer work, laundry. That's the key. I need to redirect my life. I'm looking into starting my own web site so that will take some time. This morning I got up at 7:00 and took a walk with the dogs. We walked down to the pond, which is a little ways away, downhill. The dogs loved the water and romped and played. So they got their exercise too. The trudge back up the hill was a killer, but I know it will get easier with time. If I consider my alternatives, (heart attack, stroke, diabetes, death), I rather like this hiking up and down hills. The Slim Fast tasted better this morning: Strawberry Cream, which I thought would be delicious, turns out NOT to be. Plus I had a yogurt, Activia, which I didn't get in yesterday. All the foods I mentioned are all that I will eat for the next two weeks. This was given to me by the dietitian. Why, I bet I lose 20 pounds even before surgery! The dietitian explained to me that the reason for this diet is to help the liver to lose weight. Fatty tissue built up around the liver is not good and hinders absorption of proper nutrients. I know there is more to it than that. I will need to research that again. So, I'm off and running. Well, actually, not running yet. That will come later, I hope.
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3 weeks out- quanity of food/liquid consumption.
Bunnydee replied to boatdays's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Hi there! I am 2 weeks out and I eat the Rosarita canned refried beans-Vegetarian, soft tofu,cottage cheese, mashed avocado, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, cream of wheat. My doctor told me that as long as it's baby food consistency...i mash the heck out of it! LOL...I also have yogurt. You can add banana and other fruits to the blender and add to your shakes or yogurt. Oh yeah SF popsicals. I hope this helps some.
