I am interested in becoming a vegetarian and if I can, a vegan. Realistically now is not the time to do this because I need to get the protein in, but I wondered if anyone has become a vegetarian or vegan a year or so after surgery... after the bulk of the weight was lost.

Any feedback would be great

I am 8 months out from surgery and became a (struggling, mostly) vegetarian about a month ago. I fully feel it is the way to go and if you do enough research you will find you can get 100% of the required protein from plant based foods. It is much more difficult then just eating meat and I honestly still drink a protein drink almost every morning simply because it makes getting my quota that much easier. I do not think I could, or should, go vegan simply because the cheese and eggs have been helpful for me in eating better and getting protein, and to be very honest, I am not a vegetarian for animal "rights" reasons whatsoever. A typical day for me is a protein shake and egg for breakfast, a salad and beans of some-sort for lunch, and often I have a meat-like vegetarian product for dinner along with vegetables or whole grains. I really love the Gardein brand because they taste very meat-like and have high protein. Also, Quorn has some great meat-like products that are high protein that are easy to add into meals. My weight loss has slowed, but I do not think that has to do with adding in a few more carbs and changing my diet as much as it has to do with a natural body change after loosing the weight I have. Long term, I know this is the better, healthier way for me to maintain my health versus just having a lower number on the scale. If you have any more questions go for it, I have done quite a bit of work trying to switch over and still follow a higher protein weight loss diet. Best of luck whichever way you go with!!

I am vegan.

I am on my preop diet, which is high Protein and I'm doing it easily. There are many vegan protein powders and Gardein products are vegan meat substitutes. There are many more, of course, just a Google away.

Post Op will be fine because it's easy to do protein, veggies, and fruit. Even the first month clears, full liquids, mushies phases are easily done vegan. My doctor has said they will feed me vegan everything in the hospital, no problem.

I wouldn't be getting sleeved if I couldn't stay vegan. I've been one for 25 years and I'm in excellent health, (with the exception of not being able to lose weight due to hypothyroidism). Other than severe calorie restriction, which I can't do long term without restriction, the weight will remain because of this issue.

Going vegan is easy if you believe in it strongly. If you don't it's a bit more challenging because you're always working around the system. Don't be dissuaded. Go vegan! The animals and the planet and your body will love you for it!

Thank you both for the information.. I think I am going to try to get close to goal before switching, but I am definitely going to start along that path!

I made the change to vegetarian about 3 weeks ago and am in love wtih my new lifestyle. I am still eating fish and cheese to get in the protien- I have never had tofu but know that I must try it and other forms of plant based protein- hopefully once a taste is aquired from that I hope to come off of the dairy- It's good to know that it can be done even with the surgery.