Hi Everyone,

I'm new to this site and I really don't know where to start/post.

I'm currently considering gastric sleeve self pay due to struggling for a decade to release the unwanted fat. I'm vegan and I love it (being vegan has helped me due to my dairy allergy). I've been a "yo yo dieter" for over 10 years my weight goes up and down constantly.

I want to finally get a grip on things for good (weight loss tool). I do excerise and eat healthy yet for some reason that seems to not be enough for my body type. I'm concerned that I could reach my former weight and I told my self that I would never want to be or allow myself to ever get that big again (over 280 almost 300).

So what I need help with is the whole stigma of Bartric Surgery people always assume "it's the easy way out" or that people who get it are lazy and somehow "cheated".

I also want to know about the potential pros and cons of being self pay as well as opinions concerning should I continue to strive towards my "natural weight loss journey" or if it's time for me to try something else (I'm currently 100lbs over weight).

Thanks

Welcome! Many go the self-pay route. Mexico is reasonably priced.

Surgery is a big deal, so be sure to educate yourself.

You will find, as a Vegan, that it may be difficult meeting your protein requirements. Bariatric patients strive for 60-80 grams of protein a day. There are plant based protein powders available, but you should expect to have to consume them long term. (You will be limited to about 3-4 cups of food a day for life... look at your current protein consumption and the quantity of food required to meet it...).

Hopefully there is a vegan that can chime in...

Sent from my SM-N920R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

I think it would be very hard to stick to a vegetarian much less vegan diet and get in your protein and other nutrients. (You may be saying...but you don't really need as much protein as people think....I know that's what I said in the beginning...but it's not as much of anything.) Having practiced both vegan and vegetarian for a short time, I can't imagine adding that restriction on top of the restriction of volume. Please do lots of research before moving forward. [emoji173]

15 minutes ago, nikkidarrie said:

I think it would be very hard to stick to a vegetarian much less vegan diet and get in your Protein and other nutrients. (You may be saying...but you don't really need as much protein as people think....I know that's what I said in the beginning...but it's not as much of anything.) Having practiced both vegan and vegetarian for a short time, I can't imagine adding that restriction on top of the restriction of volume. Please do lots of research before moving forward.

Thank you so much for your response. I just shared on a different forum today that I've begun calling surgeons and one of my concerns was how will this surgery (if I decide to get it) affect my vegan lifestyle. I know that I will have to really up my protein in addition to vitamins.

Yes I've been doing a ton of research I've been considering Baratric surgery for a year and a half now due to my weight loss struggles. After my last physical I made the decision that if I was going to get the surgery I would pay cash because I don't want the insurance company run around. I don't have any health problems outside of stubborn fat so I knew the insurance company was going to give me a hard time.

I'm currently still incorporating diet and exercise and that's why I decided to reach out to the baratric community for further advice and opinions.

A good surgeon to look at is Matthew Weiner. He is in Michigan, and has a bunch of youtube videos. If any surgeon is gonna be pro-vegan, it would probably be him. And if he isn't, then it is worthwhile to find out why.

Good luck!

I'm Vegan, not religiously, but I prefer vegan and I'm 2 week post up, haven't eaten any meat, and I'm alive and well. There is enough Protein in nuts and Beans.

5 minutes ago, Berry78 said:

A good surgeon to look at is Matthew Weiner. He is in Michigan, and has a bunch of youtube videos. If any surgeon is gonna be pro-vegan, it would probably be him. And if he isn't, then it is worthwhile to find out why.

Good luck!

Thank you so much for your response.

I'm open to out of state or Mexico but I am trying to stay local. I was told about a few surgeons in TN and Mexico so I'm still doing a lot of research because when you go out of state or Mexico you have to factor in costs for misc, travel and lodging.

I'm thinking of going to Mexico too At least you can watch him on youtube

8 minutes ago, painter88 said:

I'm Vegan, not religiously, but I prefer vegan and I'm 2 week post up, haven't eaten any meat, and I'm alive and well. There is enough Protein in nuts and Beans.

It's great to hear from another vegan thanks for your response.

I'm definitely not a hardcore PETA style vegan (I don't throw red paint on anyone). I still where clothes made from animals (I do own a few vegan clothing items). I also eat honey because honey has a ton of health benefits.

I currently eat seeds of all kinds, almonds, beans, lentils, and I've incorporated tofu. So it's great to hear that you feel well because regardless of what people say or think you should have what matters the most is how you feel (and even your labs).

Vegan eating with be a priority question concerning surgeons because I am considering the sleeve and with 70-80% of my stomach being removed I want to make sure I'll get a great amount of what I need in nutrients from every bite I eat. Especially when you get to maintenance mode I want to get everything I need while working out.

Thanks

4 minutes ago, Berry78 said:

I'm thinking of going to Mexico too At least you can watch him on youtube

I will definitely check him out on YT because it is good to view their work and also get a feel for their personality. There are lots of great docs out here that are not so nice and that's something I've taken into consideration. You really don't want someone working on you that's rude, condescending, or trying to cut corners.

I try to follow Dr. Schulze (herbdoc.com) if you heard of him. His stuff are real, and he recently introduced a [/url]Protein shake, which I take. It doesn't tastes that good, but it's real....look at his blog.

Cool, I'll check him out!

If you are on Facebook, look up Dr. Garth Davis. He is a BariatricPal surgeon in Houston who pushes a vegan diet. His page gives lots of recipes and info on how to go vegan after gastric surgery. It's very doable.

7 hours ago, cajun_queen said:

If you are on Facebook, look up Dr. Garth Davis. He is a BariatricPal surgeon in Houston who pushes a vegan diet. His page gives lots of recipes and info on how to go vegan after gastric surgery. It's very doable.

Thank You sooo much I will definitely check out his page and go to his website.

I'm vegetarian and dairy free, and I'm looking to get sleeved this summer. I have a friend who's been vegetarian for her whole life and was sleeved 4 years ago, she's healthy as a horse and has kept off 130lbs. It's definitely possible, so do your research and good luck!

Also, I sympathise about the whole "easy way out" perception. I'm 100 pounds overweight, but my friends say I'm "not that big" and I have to defend my decision with the myriad of health benefits it offers. Don't let other people's perceptions keep you from doing what you think is best, but data can help quiet them down.

Sent from my SM-G920P using BariatricPal mobile app

19 minutes ago, Iona said:

I'm vegetarian and dairy free, and I'm looking to get sleeved this summer. I have a friend who's been vegetarian for her whole life and was sleeved 4 years ago, she's healthy as a horse and has kept off 130lbs. It's definitely possible, so do your research and good luck!

Also, I sympathise about the whole "easy way out" perception. I'm 100 pounds overweight, but my friends say I'm "not that big" and I have to defend my decision with the myriad of health benefits it offers. Don't let other people's perceptions keep you from doing what you think is best, but data can help quiet them down.

Sent from my SM-G920P using BariatricPal mobile app

Yes, lots of research is definitely the key and it's so encouraging to hear that this definitely can be done vegetarian or vegan. I also get that "not that big" statement because I'm considered "thick" and I'm tall and curvy.

What people don't understand is no matter how "not that big" they think you are they'll never know or understand how you feel in your own skin. When you can't fit something at home or in the store, or when you feel tired because your body has to work hard to carry fat. Like in my case I'm a vegan and I excerise and I'm over 250 so I'm making a decision that natural or surgery a change has to happen.