Hi. I am a vegetarian, scheduled to be sleeved on 5/1. I'm having so many doubts about my decision. Not because I think I can do it myself...because I cannot. I just have so many fears about complications, hair loss, recovery, etc. Another fear/worry that I have is due to the fact that I am a vegetarian. Will I be able to get enough Protein and Vitamins through non meat products? It seems protein is such a huge focus and I understand that but can I really get enough to be healthy and not lose my hair?!

Another veg here! You'll be fine. Just google "Protein in vegetables" and your mind will be filled with new food ideas!

Sleeved 4/7/14

I too am a vegetarian. I was trying to go vegan but that is not currently happening. I do tofu, eggs, I have protein shake for breakfast, yogurt, beans....you'll find lots of stuff online.

hello..dont you worry...recovery will be fine...hair loss is there but you get thicker hair later...

we can have Protein shakes,cheese, nuts,legumes...so go for it.

Texturized vegetable protein has more protein than any animal protein product, vital wheat gluten does also. I choose to eat eggs and fish, but that is because I like them, not because I feel like I must in order to get enough protein in. Just do a little research, there are so many options (once you get to solid food...). You will do great!

I was a vegan prior to surgery. Could not do it after. Was eating eggs and cheese in the early stages because you can't eat raw veggies or nuts or quinoa so I felt I had no choice. Even with that my body was craving meat. I gave in and started eating meat. I try not to beat myself up over it.

I am vegan- pinterst has been a big help

I do just fine- in fact my hair has gotten better in the past few months since going 100% vegan- I was however sleeved back in 2/25/13

I am still pre-op also but am a vegetarian, and plan to stay that way. If you eat eggs, milk, beans, spinach, yogurt, nuts, it's all good sources of protein on top of the shakes. I also am scared for hair loss but I hear it grows back.

I'm a vegetarian too. I am still pre-op but I am trying to identify Proteins that I like and can be prepared quickly and easily or carried around with me. Here's my list so far: hard boiled eggs, greek yogurt, string cheese, seitan Jerky (I really like the Primal Spirits kind- they sell it at most natural foods stores and online), pistachios or almonds, pre-cooked brown lentils from Trader Joes (in the produce section.)

I don't know if this will make you feel better or worse but I am not a vegetarian and got in well over 100% of my recommended protein starting from day 2 after surgery . . . and still had major hair loss. I don't think protein intake has jack to do with hair loss and my surgeon agrees -- says if there were a way to avoid hair loss by eating right, then no one would lose hair. He believes its basic shock from the surgery and there really is no way to prevent it. Google "telogen effluvium weight loss surgery" and you'll see what he's talking about.

With respect to protein and vegetarianism, even though I am not a vegetarian, I have no doubt I could get my protein in from vegetarian sources if I needed to. Dairy, beans, pulses, tofu, etc. are all regular parts of my diet and help with my protein intake a lot. And of course protein shakes! You'll do just fine as long as you are committed to eating protein-rich foods first and drinking shakes if needed to supplement. Good luck!

hi i am a vegetarian also, had a gastric band in 2009 and now i am having a revision to gastric sleeve. I didn't have a problem before, but i know my Protein needs will be more now. i feel that I will not have a an issue with protein. you will be fine, there are many sources of non meat protein. Good Luck - my surgery date is June 2

Any other vegetarians or vegans on mfp?

Another vegetarian here. I drink one protein shake a day which is makes for 45 grams of protein. The rest I get from cauliflower, broccoli, tofu, eggs and cheese. I haven't had any problems.

Hair loss is a result of hormones adjusting and trauma

(surgery), happens to some and not others!

Texturized vegetable Protein has more protein than any animal protein product, vital wheat gluten does also. I choose to eat eggs and fish, but that is because I like them, not because I feel like I must in order to get enough protein in. Just do a little research, there are so many options (once you get to solid food...). You will do great!

Please site your facts. I dont believed this to be true. meat give one the best value of protien per volume. Vegtables dont even come close. Soy products come the closest at about 14-15 grams where as canned tuna give about 25 volume `

Hi all, I'm a vegetarian -have been my whole life- and had my VSG April 29th. My concern is less about getting enough protein and more about the eating proteins first rule. The majority of my protein sources are also carbs and the majority of my meals are mixed dishes and foods that I can't eat separately. Do you follow the rule of eating protein first? If so, how?