Thinking of going vegan

[JCP 619]

For ethical reasons. My surgery is a month out. I won't consider doing this until I am healed and months out, if not longer. Anyone else had any experience with a vegan diet after a sleeve and if so, any words of wisdom or warning?

[fezik23 240]

I have considers it but haven't done it. My concern is the Protein. Without dairy it's quite a challenge. Good luck.

[JCP 619]

I have seen vegan Protein powders. I too am concerned about getting proper nutrition. I suppose I must do a lot of research. I tried a vegan diet way back for a while and felt wonderful. But I fell off the wagon. We'll see...

[Sassypants92201 76]

I have done vegan diets before and I LOVE the vegan way! You can get your Proteins and be vegan! Google sample vegan diet plans or buy a book.

We don't eat much meat, at all, and we only eat organic. I would like to make the switch to total vegan within the next year.

[jessiquoi 623]

i have been thinking about this as well. i've been working more vegan meals into our week. i have the feeling that after sleeving, it would be so much easier because there will be so much less eating, you know? do you think that's a fair assumption?

[Forsythia 882]

I'm not vegan. I'm never going to be vegan (I could never give up cheese), but I will say a lot of people have issues with digesting veggies for a few months post op. Especially the leafy green varietals. You definitely need to reassess post sleeve to find out what if anything your sleeve has issues with before taking the full plunge.

[mi75 1,241]

i agree with the above. if you really are convicted to have surgery, focus on your commitments to the bariatric diet FIRST for a while to let your body heal. it will go through a lot of stress, shock, etc just from the surgery.

after a few months if you are still convicted, then go for it. i work with somebody who is very convicted for a plant-based lifestyle and it's more for health but i know that they get very little Protein other than nuts and Beans. nothing like the 75+ grams we need daily after surgery though. we spend a lot of time observing each other's diets and i would guess they MAYBE get 18-25 grams a day... good luck!

[par1959 470]

Dont ask others, do the math and see if a Vegan diet will meet your needs. Most Vegans I know substitute everything they cant eat with sugar. In my opinion, going vegitarian is a compromise that makes more sense since you get dairy and eggs.

[Tisa 52]

I am a vegetarian almost 3 weeks out. I also wanted to go vegan but I compromised and said once I'm at my goal weight I will. It's pretty hard to get Protein in from non animal sources, especially in the purée stage. In the liquid stage you can get soy protein pretty easy. I guess if your really determined and you come up with a plan you'll be able to do it, just remember you'll probably only be able to eat about 4 oz of purees at a time and you need 60 g of protein, also you need to stay under 1000 calories. Talk to your dietician though, I'm sure she'll have advice.

[JCP 619]

Thanks everyone! I will definitely wait until I am on a solid diet, healed, and stable before trying this and only after a Nut consult. Oh btw, Par1959, sugar is not vegan, that is, cane sugar is not.

[Sassypants92201 76]

Dont ask others, do the math and see if a Vegan diet will meet your needs. Most Vegans I know substitute everything they cant eat with sugar. In my opinion, going vegitarian is a compromise that makes more sense since you get dairy and eggs.

Sugar is actually not allowed on a vegan diet.

[Sassypants92201 76]

If you are a true vegan.

[par1959 470]

Vegans can eat sugar BUT refined white sugar is NOT vegan because it is processed and filtered through animal bone char.

The best thing to get to substitute regular white sugar is raw sugar, organic sugar, agave nectar, natural sugar cane, evaporated cane juice, stevia, etc.

[erp 2,016]

There are lots of vegan Protein options and powders. Pea, hemp, and rice protein powders are all readily available online or at health food stores. It can be done but I agree that taking it on after you are near goal is a good option. I remember being overwhelmed after surgery just trying to follow all the rules. Once you have it down on taking Vitamins, staying hydrated, etc then you should go for it. Good luck!