Smanky

Hiya. Long time vegan, and now years out from my surgery. Firstly, it's no harder getting protein in for a vegan than it is for an omnivore, so don't stress. Pre-op, I ate everything you ate, and post-op I eat the same. That first year after the surgery is the hardest, but I found it easy hitting my protein goals by eating good old high protein vegan staples of seitan and tofu as my small meals, vegan protein water, and protein fortified soy milk. I couldn't stomach the cloying sweetness of vegan protein shakes post-op, and still can't years later. But protein water was a fantastic substitute, and encouraged water consumption as well. These days, I mostly stick to tofu as my main protein source, as it's cheap and low calorie. Marinated tofu baked or air-fried tossed into meals, and silken tofu replaces cream and mayonnaise in any sauces or dressing for a much lower calorie result and bonus protein increase. Still love legumes, and vegetables and fruit are life. It's not unusual to come out the other end of surgery suddenly finding certain foods no longer agree with you. Coconut was mine, and it still makes me nauseous today. I don't miss it. Ultimately, don't stress. Your list is all wholefoods, and if that's your diet base then that's as balanced as it can get. Keep the balance going once you're over that first post-op year when things are readjusting - everything in that first year is temporary so be patient. Supplementing with protein shakes and water in that first year is normal, and I still have protein water post-gym. You absolutely don't have to stop being vegan.

Everyone else gave sterling advice, so I'm just gonna add from my own experience: if you feel you can't do it yourself, consider getting pharmaceutical help. I have ADHD and struggle with addictions and fixations, and I felt like I was losing control when I regained 6kg from my "happy weight" of 67kg. Talked to my GP and went on Contrave because it hits the addiction part of the brain. It worked, and I'm back in control and monitoring all my calories with a Fitbit (and avoiding sugar which I must do). I can finally admit that I will always need help if I slip - too overwhelming on my own, especially with my ADHD making it harder. So just a thought. A potential option if you feel it could be for you. Hoping all goes well!

I'm not talking natural sugars that occur in fruit etc. I'm talking processed. Totally understand what you're saying about sugar's role in a balanced diet, but for me, with my ADHD and tendency to get fixated and addicted fast - avoiding processed sugar is my fix for my situation. As always with all things, YMMV.

Definitely don't proceed if you're having doubts. My surgeon advised against the sleeve because of my pre-existing GERD, and I got the Omega Loop/Mini bypass instead. While my GERD thankfully didn't get worse, it still happens every so often so I'm still on Pantoprazole daily (which also stops stomach ulcers which I'm prone to). For what it's worth, I also have ADHD and take an antidepressant for chronic vestibular migraines. I make sure I take them after food and ease off water for a bit so they don't go down too fast, and don't really have any issues. I can't take any slow-release meds though, so Vyvanse and extended release Ritalin are out. I take Ritalin 10, which works fine.

I went away for a long time, got diagnosed with ADHD (suddenly my life makes so much sense...), and over the last five months I began to lose my grip on my diet and regain. My lowest was 65kg, my "happy place" was 67kg, and I regained back into the 70s at 73kg. The culprit? I allowed sugar back into my life. Never let sugar back in! It has no manners, touches your stuff and doesn't want to leave. Problem is, thanks in great part to my ADHD, I get addicted easily and tend to eat the same thing every day. When that thing is chocolate, I have a problem. I also have impulse control problems and when the food noise is raging, that's bad news. Solution: GLP1s or Contrave. I have a great GP who understands me and didn't reject my request for help to get back to my "happy place" 67kg. We decided against GLP1s and went with Contave instead, which works on countering addiction. The food noise that was driving me crazy has stopped, I quit sugar week 1 and am back in control. I'm nearing the end of month 2 (of 4) and am just over 1kg away from being back to where I need to be. I've stopped being hard on myself for needing help, because even if I could control my impulses there's nothing wrong with medication that's designed to help. Oh and the other thing that's been a game-changer for me: my partner got me a Fitbit. I realise I'm so behind on this it's like screaming "cars have computers?!?!" at a dealership, but being able to track my calories and see the deficit has made a huge difference. So if you're neurodivergent and regaining, hopefully my experience with Contrave can help a little.