I think I posted my question in the wrong forum, so here it is....maybe you wonderful vets can help me out???

Hi, I'm new here. Gathering a lot of info as to what to expect to getting sleeved. I have my first appointment of all appointments on Jan 19, 2017. I have yet to see or hear of anyone having a plant based diet after the surgery. I currently take juice Plus supplements in replace of Vitamins, etc. I'm also trying to change my diet to more plant based as well. Are veggies and fruits not tolerable? Is anyone getting their Protein intake from plant sources, i.e. Beans, etc? Sorry for the numerous questions. Just want to make sure it's doable.

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You can do it, and I know people do, but you may find that you have to work harder and longer than people who eat animal-based protein to lose the same amount of weight. To get the protein you need in, you'll have to eat more calories and carbs than someone eating meat, yogurt, eggs, etc.

Fruit and vegetables are usually tolerated, but especially early on, the ones that are tolerated best tend to be high calorie, high carb, low protein, low fiber, like applesauce and mashed potatoes. That's only for a limited time though and you should be able to move on to better food choices pretty quickly. In your shoes, I would probably focus heavily early on on things like beans, lentils, and soy.

Good luck!

Thank you Bufflehead for the info. I need to start making my lists of what I should have in regards to Protein. I do like eggs, shrimp, and chicken, but plan to keep it very minimal. Guess I'll be eating a whole lotta beans!

But you say early on tends to be more bland diet items it seems. Well, as long as it's not forever right? Guess it depends on when the stomach can tolerate other foods.

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I agree with the above. My surgery coordinator is vegan. She was sleeved about 2 years ago and she has done reasonably well but she is nowhere near where she would like to be. If I recall correctly she has lost 60 pounds but would still like to lose another 60.

Hmm...slow could be good I guess. Although I am making the change to go plant based (even now), it's slow but sure. Guess I should opt to keep fish and chicken in the game during my journey. Maybe fully plant based by the time I maintain. Well, I just mapped out my plan while responding. thanks for your input!

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@ as long as you are appropriately nourished, there is no medical advantage whatsoever to losing slowly. The idea that losing slowly is "safer" and that you might be less prone to loose skin if you lose slowly are both myths.

You can definitely do it. I am. I am not a vegetarian, but I generally only eat meat/chicken/fish once a day and about 2-3 oz at most. I have a non-meat source twice a day. It would be quite easy to swap out that last meal and still hit my Protein goals. In fact, every 6 weeks when I travel, I generally do not eat any meat during that week (for simplicity) and it works out well.

I eat a lot of Soups - split pea, bean and lentils based. I make big batches and freeze then for lunch.

This is all part of my surgeons plan. He asks his patients to eat at least one non-animal protein meal a day.

I have also found I've lost quite quickly (disclaimer: I'm male). I'm down 185 lbs in 10 months. And I've been in maintenance for the last 6 weeks or so. From 333 to 148.

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@ as long as you are appropriately nourished, there is no medical advantage whatsoever to losing slowly. The idea that losing slowly is "safer" and that you might be less prone to loose skin if you lose slowly are both myths.

I actually agree with you. Part of me is still following along with what I've always been taught. (Like you have to eat Breakfast, it being the most important meal of the day. I don't agree with this anymore--but that's another topic for another day). I'm open to change and will always seek more truth, whether to lose it slow or fast, how it affects us, etc. Whichever way, I don't know if I'll have much loose skin. I'm fortunate that it's pretty thick and springy now. I could always hide or have it surgically corrected. Overall, my health takes precedence over my physique. I'm here for my family. Thank you for your input!

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You can definitely do it. I am. I am not a vegetarian, but I generally only eat meat/chicken/fish once a day and about 2-3 oz at most. I have a non-meat source twice a day. It would be quite easy to swap out that last meal and still hit my Protein goals. In fact, every 6 weeks when I travel, I generally do not eat any meat during that week (for simplicity) and it works out well.

I eat a lot of soups - split pea, bean and lentils based. I make big batches and freeze then for lunch.

This is all part of my surgeons plan. He asks his patients to eat at least one non-animal protein meal a day.

I have also found I've lost quite quickly (disclaimer: I'm male). I'm down 185 lbs in 10 months. And I've been in maintenance for the last 6 weeks or so. From 333 to 148.

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Your diet is exactly what I plan to do. Thank you for confirming it's a way I can go! Great job on your lifestyle change btw.

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I am not vegetarian, but I was raised as one for religious reasons. As such, I grew up eating commercial meat replacements (TVP). One thing I found in the first few weeks after I was released to full diet is that meat sat VERY heavy in my sleeve, but TVP was VERY well tolerated. Some of the options are very high in fat and sodium, but there are some healthier options. And of course, on a high Protein low carb plan fat isn't an issue as long as it's healthy fats. So definitely try lots of different protein sources. Beans and lentils worked well for me from puree phase on. And if you're lacto-ovo of course cheese and eggs are good protein sources. My surgeon warned me that some people don't tolerate eggs right off the bat even though they're typically listed in the puree/soft foods lists, and I was one of those people. I didn't tolerate eggs well until I was several weeks into full diet. But now they're no problem. So even if something doesn't sit well right off the bat, don't write it off completely until you try it again later.

Bottom line, it may be a bit more challenging to do a high protein diet with no meat sources, but it's definitely do-able. If you've been eating that way for a while already you already know about how to get a complete protein and that's the biggest challenge in learning to do vegetarian/vegan. Lacto-ovo is easier than complete vege/an but even that's doable if needed for whatever reason.

Good luck!!

I am not vegetarian, but I was raised as one for religious reasons. As such, I grew up eating commercial meat replacements (TVP). One thing I found in the first few weeks after I was released to full diet is that meat sat VERY heavy in my sleeve, but TVP was VERY well tolerated. Some of the options are very high in fat and sodium, but there are some healthier options. And of course, on a high Protein low carb plan fat isn't an issue as long as it's healthy fats. So definitely try lots of different protein sources. Beans and lentils worked well for me from puree phase on. And if you're lacto-ovo of course cheese and eggs are good protein sources. My surgeon warned me that some people don't tolerate eggs right off the bat even though they're typically listed in the puree/soft foods lists, and I was one of those people. I didn't tolerate eggs well until I was several weeks into full diet. But now they're no problem. So even if something doesn't sit well right off the bat, don't write it off completely until you try it again later.

Bottom line, it may be a bit more challenging to do a high protein diet with no meat sources, but it's definitely do-able. If you've been eating that way for a while already you already know about how to get a complete protein and that's the biggest challenge in learning to do vegetarian/vegan. Lacto-ovo is easier than complete vege/an but even that's doable if needed for whatever reason.

Good luck!!

Thank you for your input. I'm trying to change my diet now so it'll be a bit easier to move in to this phase.

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I bought pea Protein at Whole Foods and it still packs about 15-20 grams of protein per serving if you don't want to use whey protein.

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My diet says I should avoid raw veggies for at least

6 months and some find that they can't tolerate food they loved before. I don't know if I would go this route based on that and knowing that I need 80-90 grams of Protein per day.

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Edited December 22, 20169 yr by Andell

I bought pea Protein at Whole Foods and it still packs about 15-20 grams of protein per serving if you don't want to use whey protein.

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That's awesome. I'll look in to the pea protein as I don't want to use whey. Thanks!

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My diet says I should avoid raw veggies for at least

6 months and some find that they can't tolerate food they loved before. I don't know if I would go this route based on that and knowing that I need 80-90 grams of Protein per day.

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I'm praying that I'd be tolerant! I really don't want to go any other way but plant based. I'll do what is needed though.

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I've gone back and forth between lacto-ovo vegetarian and vegan since 2011. I lost some weight but remained big (my set point and metabolism were a mess). I had RNY on March 7, 2016 and I'm down to 235 lbs from 410 lbs before my two-week pre-op diet. Since surgery, I've been lacto-ovo. I'm male, 6', and consume 1300 - 1800 calories and 70 - 100 grams of Protein daily depending on exercise for the day (I workout 6x weekly alternating strength with cardio). For the first month after surgery I was doing good to get 800 calories and 60 grams of protein in a day. I find it to be easier to get protein with yogurt, cheese, skim milk and the occasional egg. I would like to move back toward veganism, though, but many meat analogues no longer agree with me. Meatless crumbles, TVP, meatless meatballs, and Tofurkey deli slices are fine, but commercial veggie burgers and other products give me trouble. I make yummy black bean burgers, lentil-barely loaves, and TVP & bean chili that I can digest fine. I don't care much for soy Protein shakes. I like Vega One, but it can get expensive. I buy the store brand whey protein at Natural Grocers for cheap, but I only drink the occasional shake these days. I do eat a salad almost every day and add cheese, sunflower seeds, and sometimes a diced poached egg. I didn't return to salads until about 10 weeks out and stick with leafy mixed greens or spinach. I think you'll likely need to use dairy for protein the first two months after surgery and experiment from there. We all have different experiences with which foods do or don't work. There was a guy in my WLS program who was vegan and used mostly soy shakes, tofu scrambles, and TVP, so it can be done if you can handle a lot of soy. Also, there is a "WLS Vegetarians" group on FB that includes many vegans who share ideas.

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