I'll be banded next week and I am a strict ovo-lacto vegetarian (I do eggs and some dairy).

I'm just curious to hear from others what you do for Protein load once you're on to mushies and solids. Will I be on protein supplements for he long run or do you get enough from non-animal sources?

I'm also thinking about bringing my own broth to the hospital once I can have clears...you never know what you're getting, kwim? Did anyone else do that?

Protein-eggs, cheese, protein power, shakes and protein water. I am sure your physician can recommend foods and options as well...best of luck! Cathy

I'll be banded next week and I am a strict ovo-lacto vegetarian (I do eggs and some dairy).

I'm just curious to hear from others what you do for Protein load once you're on to mushies and solids. Will I be on protein supplements for he long run or do you get enough from non-animal sources?

I'm also thinking about bringing my own broth to the hospital once I can have clears...you never know what you're getting, kwim? Did anyone else do that?

Hi,

I'm vegetarian also (although I have started to eat fish now and again) but as far as the band is concerned you can get plenty of protein in with nuts, seeds, pulses and grains. For a while I found eating basmati rice difficult so I switched to cous cous, after a couple of months I tried rice again and I can eat it fine now. When you are making your Soups (broth) I suggest you put a handful of lentils in with your veggies. Protein drinks are terrific when you are on the liquid stage. A bowl of porridge (oats) with some animal milk on is as protein rich as a piece of quality meat. For the mushie stage I found houmus (blend a tin of chick peas, 2tbl sp sesame seed paste, clove of garlic and juice of 1/2 a lemon add olive oil as you blend) a terrfic protein rich easy to eat food. Good luck on your journey.:glare:

Quinoa - it has a complete protien. It is kinda rice like - I make it with vegetable or no-chicken broth - tastes great! it has 7g protien for 1/4 cup. Also Millet - try them. I made them during the soft-food time of the diet. can be blended, etc...

I'm so glad to hear that banders can be veggies. I am, as my nickname says, a "veg-wanna-be." I've never been very keen on meat for health and environmental reasons, but have found animal products difficult to cut completely out of my diet.

I want to elimate meat and most dairy after the surgery. I figure I'll be overhauling my relationship with food then, why not make the transition to ovo-vegetarianism and organic foods. The higher cost of going organic won't be much of a factor since my portion sizes will be decreased.

I'm wondering... Have any of you had your Doctor discourage you from eating veg or have they been supportive? And, how difficult has it been to maintain a veg diet post-op?

Yes i am interested in going vegetarian, but lack iron, am on iron supplements, rarely have red meat but have chicken fish, nuts ,eggs, dairy daily so far.