Are there any issues related to being a vegetarian that you wish you'd know about before getting the sleeve (or any other WLS)?

What were your favourite veg meals post-op?

Edited December 18, 201411 yr by islandsneezer

The attitude of doctors and their staff in regards to thinking that the only way to get Protein in is to kill a cow and that you don't count plant and other protein in your daily ration. I'm the opposite. I have problems with red meat, and then intolerances to dairy, nuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish. They added gluten to that but I only seem to blow up like a balloon about 1/2 the time (which is probably why they said bug off it LOL).

I'm glad you are going to keep this route. To be honest, I'm not much into cooked veggies (broccoli, peas, corn, some stuff) but I'm mostly a salad eater. People are amazed at how and what I have into a salad. I've done black bean quesadillas, tomato and asparagus salad.

I love salads...

Edited December 18, 201411 yr by islandsneezer

I love salads... I haven't had the surgery and I'm waiting for a consult with a bariatric surgeon I was referred to, so right now I'm just eating my regular vegetarian meals. Tonight I had an organic quinoa salad loaded with goodies - quinoa, chickpeas, raw sunflower seed pesto, feta, red onion, roasted red peppers, sundried tomatoes, peppercinos, artichoke hearts, balsamic vinegar... delicious and loaded with protein and fibre...

Sounds so good....except for the chickpeas. For some reason they ALWAYS come back up if I eat them whole. I have no problems with hummus though ????

I can do chickpeas but not hummus. I can do a whole egg but not only egg whites. LOL.

I still have a hard time digesting salads. In fact, I hate salads now. I like cooked veggies but some I can't eat (bell peppers don't agree with me anymore). I had a hard time with nuts, but now I can eat them again. I wish I knew veggies would hurt at first but it gets a lot easier. That and spicy. I used to love spicy but now I can't do spicy at all. I'd still get the sleeve though!

When you say you can't eat veggies, what exactly does it do to you?

My program hasn't given me any grief with being a vegetarian. They have also worked with me around my other food allergies. I am ana to ALL seafood, get hives & swelling from stevia, food dyes, and most artificial sugars.) I am ovo-lacto that that makes things easier.

Things I eat:

greek yogurt

eggs

Beans

hummus

ricotta cheese

kefir

TVP

tempeh

vegetable both raw & cooked

fresh fruit

almond milk

vegetable broth

Beyond meat notchicken

Beyond meat beefy crumbles

tofu

In the all liquid phase I pureed beans and mixed it with veg broth and a bit of Protein powder. I use CVS whey, and Orgain organics vanilla powders.

I also mixed ricotta, tofu, spinach in the food processor added a bit of tomato sauce, topped with cheddar or daiya and baked in the oven.

I cooked fruit with ½tsp of brown sugar then had that with either cottage cheese or greek yogurt

If I don't feel like cooking Progresso minestrone is hearty and filling. I may add a bit of tvp for more protein.

I work out in the mornings and was used to making a Breakfast smoothie each day so I still do that. Greek yogurt+Protein Powder will give you anywhere from 30 - 38 gms of protein. I also add in various mixins like a peeled orange, cacao powder, a splash of vanilla extract, a tbsp of almond butter or whatever else I have on hand.

I envy you - and I'm a NMA Academy member.

After researching tons about vegetarian diet and WLS, and taking all my food allergies and dislikes into consideration, I decided to slowly start adding meat back into my diet. I've added a regular cal/mag supplement to deal with the constipation I get from eating low carb and so far so good...

It does always seem that meat is pushed, but not with my doctor. In fact, he is vegan, so was really supportive of my diet. There are lots of ways to get protein, but to be sure I am getting enough, I do rely on protein shakes. I use water as a mixer, so I get protein and hydration at the same time. I love salads, but two months in, I still do not feel ready to digest my normal salads. I place a scoop of powdered greens in my morning smoothie.

I was hesitant to bring salads back in as well. I started slowly. I was 6 weeks out and I made a simple salad of romaine, Beyond meat chickenless strips and olive oil. I took my time and ate it slowly. I'm now 4 mths out and I do still have a Protein shake for Breakfast but that was my routine before WLS. I'm now back to eating pretty much all the same foods I ate before WLS. The only exception is I haven't re-introduced pastas and "white" carbs back into my diet. I've had brown rice once. I'm now re-introducing whole grains like farro and quinoa back in.

While my nutritionist is no pro-vegetarian. She cringed when I told her I've been thinking of going vegan eventually. She is not against me. She has been really good about working with me to figure out a balanced diet.

Hi dears,

I been a vegan since my surgery... i was a vegetarian for a long time, and after vsg i decided to start a new life, what help me:

1. the most was finding a surgeon specialist in bariatric that recommends veganism to his patients, Dr. Garth Davis, i found some youtube audios and interviews that really help me a lot, and his fb page too.
2. I also realize that if im trying to take my fat out, i cant have more fat in.. so im doing a low fat vegan menu, with great results legumes, fruits and veggies with no ad-don fats, oils or seeds for the moment till im closer to my goal.

Ahh a great thing about my new vegan nutrition is that i havent get any gastric problems, no nausea, no pain, no vomit ... have a great day!!

Its not just recommending it but I've seen all of them in this area be like NO. I'm like, how is it that people who eat vegan/vegetarian survive without meat? So how can you without any shred of evidence for (and lots of it against) claim that you have to eat meat? I can manage chicken at times and right now turkey. I'm still alive. Apparently some with healthcare degrees need to read.

Dr. Garth Davis is the bomb. I have problems with meat, told to knock it off, so I did and found other ways to get Protein in. That includes other things making it hard on top of that. So the problem is in someones' head and it doggone sure isn't mine. I've seen more veg people and they're all doing fine.

Decolonization and swimbikerun - is there a way to keep in touch with eachother thru this board? I'm planning to adopt a lowfat plantbased diet after WLS and since my surgeon is clueless about it, I'd really value you support & "expertise!"

Hi,

Yes you can always message someone.

I think where I got my biggest help is from following Dr. Garth Davis, and just looking at anything vegetarian that gives recipes. I also have Indian/Hindu people, where the diet is very very tasty, and they do emphasis on the flavors in the dishes, not salt, fat, sugar.

You also want to make the decision as to the type of food you want to eat. There are those who eat only fish, some poultry, some eat eggs and cheese, some don't. You sort of want to figure out what lifestyle you want to go for and then find the recipes. That's what I do.

It also depends on whether or not you are willing to try other cuisines. I'll eat anything if I can keep it down. I can eat some spice, it is the salt, sugar, etc. that I don't do well with. I can do a tiny bit at a time, but otherwise, whoops it is going to bite me.