Any Vegetarian DS'ers?

Everyone!

 

I am scheduled to have a Gastric Sleeve with Dr. Aceves on January 27, 2014. Lately I have wondering if I should opt for the DS instead of the sleeve as I think it would work much better for me, and I believe the DS would offer a more long-term and permanent weight loss solution. I am a vegetarian who doesn't eat meat, eggs, fish poultry or seafood, but I do eat dairy. I have read that there are a lot more risks and complications for vegetarians who get the DS as far as things like vitamin and protein deficiency go. This scares me a little. Are there any other vegetarians who have had the DS and can weigh in on this for me (no pun intended) and tell me how the DS has worked out for you so far as a vegetarian? Any input, good or bad, would be gratefully appreciated!

There was one quite successful vegetarian on this board several years ago. She used protein shakes and vegetable based protein. I want to say she ate eggs though.
I get 120 grams of protein in a day with shakes and protein coffees, so I know it can be done.

--gina

My surgeon refused to give me a DS if I was a vegetarian. Thankfully, I love meat.

I have been on the boards for two years, less than MajorMom, and have never seen a vegetarian DSer. The subject has been discussed, and I believe you will find very few people who would recommend a DS to a vegetarian. Try a search on this site of "DS and vegetarian" and maybe you can dig up some old discussion points on this topic.

I would not embark on a surgery that limits me to food choices for the rest of my life. Your need for protein is non-negotiable. You will commit yourself to a lifetime of protein shakes, whether you like them or not. I myself, don't need protein shakes, and am very thankful that I have a huge variety of foods to satisfy my protein requirement.

You have to make your own decision, but if it was me, I would limit myself to the sleeve. While the DS is a better weight loss tool and cures some comorbids, I think the risk of protein deficiency is too high. If MajorMom mentions that there one was vegetarian DSer, keep in mind that that is only ONE!

I would not be concerned with vitamin deficiencies. DSer or no DSer, you can fix those with vitamin supplementation.

Good luck!

One of my DS friends who had a DS just before me is a vegetarian.  She does eat dairy, though.  I contacted her earlier this year (for someone else on a DS board) and, at 11 years post op, she is healthy and doing great and still a vegetarian.  She does a protein shake every morning to supplement her food intake.  

It can be done.  

My husband has chronic pancreatitis and he is now eating a mostly vegetarian diet. There are many legumes and dairy that are very high in protein so I think it can be done if you are very conscientious about making sure you get in enough protein. I actually like a lot of the dishes that I have been making for him.

I think as long as you still are able to eat dairy post-op, you'll be able to easily get enough protein from whey protein isolate and cheese. I shy away from beans and higher protein grains like quinoa, just because of the carbs. When I track my protein intake on myfitnesspal.com, I can easily achieve and sometimes go beyond my protein goals with cheese and my protein supplement.

Long term, the sleeve is just another diet.  You know if you need malabsorbtion.  And if diets worked, none of us would be fat...  Seriously if you will be happy on a life of 800 to 1000 cal per day and exercise 5 days a week, the sleeve is for you.  If not...get the DS.  And there is a synergy to getting the whole thing done at once.  Don't go into this thinking you can just get a revision later.  There are exceptions but usually the revision/2 parters don't lose as well and have to work harder to lose.  Consider how much you need to lose and how well diets work for you.  Be honest with yourself about why you are heavy.  The sleeve will do nothing to fix a busted metabolism.

Don't get me wrong, the free ride does end with the DS.  You can't just eat whatever plus protein for life.  You will most likely eventually have to watch what you eat.  But you will never be as restricted as you would with the sleeve only.  We never lose all of our malabsorbtion like the RNY's do.  We have too much bypassed for our bodies to adapt.

It is possible to get all the protein you need from non-animal sources.  It can be done.  But are you willing to do it?  And if you get into trouble are you willing to compromise and add things to your diet?  That's a question only you can answer.  If you have to add, say eggs, to your diet to be a healthy normal sized person, will you?  Strict vegetarian diets are usually very high carb/sugar and that's what we have to avoid to stay thin.

I have been around a long time and I have seen a few successful vegetarians.  I have also seen some who decide at some point to eat meat or add animal protein.

I'm curious why you think the sleeve is just another diet?  I don't feel that way at all.  I eat very well. I know I'm don't have vet status, but am very satisfied with what I'm eating. 

Are you at goal?  

The sleeve is restrictive only, no malabsorbtion.  Over time your body adjusts and the sleeve stretches making it harder to lose and maintain what you lost when your sleeve was new.  For some people, it's just what they need and for others it's not enough.  I hope your sleeve is all you need.  Here and on other boards we have seen more than a couple people seeking revisions to the DS and sometimes resleeves along with the switch.

DSers lose the most and keep off the most weight.  There is nothing better out there.  Some day there will be but not today.  The DS gives you the best possible shot at a normal BMI for the rest of your life.

Me?  Nope, I never made it to a normal BMI and I most likely won't.  But I look like a normal woman my age.  I had my DS going on 11 years ago and I have been on the forums almost daily for 12+ years.  I would have needed something even more extreme than the DS to get skinny.  I have to work hard just to keep from gaining.  Darn it!  I wanted the free ride but I never got it.  However who knows how much I would weigh right now if I had done nothing.  Or if I would still be alive even!  I have to remind myself to be grateful for what I got!

Got side tracked. But Patty hard to believe with your itty bitty legs u didn't reach goal.