Any Vegetarian WLS people out there? Sorry-long

Hello everyone. First off, I wold like to say a big Thank You for all the supportive responses that I have received. Very much appreciated. Second-Thank you for the invite to the coffee at Perkins. By the time I read about the invite, I had been up until 5am (I am huge night person). As long as I don't work, I would love to attend the next one and pick every one's brain with questions :)

To TwinCitiesBear- Cloquet just celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Frank Lloyd Wright Service Station within the last few weeks. The town is raising money to renovate and fix up the place as many people want to see the place saved for future architecture/history buffs.

Now-on to my question- I am a vegetarian-or at least working hard to become one as meat already makes me sick, so I just want to eliminate is from my diet. Are there any vegetarian WLS people out there that might be able to share their knowledge with me? I have IBS and I am lactose intolerant, so I have a lot of intestinal/stomach issues. Meat, dairy, fat, sugar, caffiene, certain vegetables and fruits, pasta and breads I have problems with (There's more, but basically I guess it is easier to say that the only thing that doesn't upset my stomach is plain water).

So-to all the vegetarians out there-how did you eat before and after your surgery?  Is there any non dairy protein drinks out there? I know that I will have to be on a liquid diet a few weeks before surgery. I know that I can use SF Carnation Breakfast powder mixed with soy milk, but when I am at work, I guess I am looking for quick and easy-something in a can that I can bring. If anyone is willing to share their eating plans once you were able to eat solid foods.

OKay-I think that this is enough-for now :) I have to get ready to go back to work. Another six days on before my three days off. Looking forward to the responses. Thanks many times over!

Kristina

Good (night), morning Kristina!  I, too, am an up-all-night person, now having been up since noonish yesterday!  During the first eight months out, I'd only had soy milk, and often added a titch of flavoring extract to it:  almond, lemon, peppermint, or raspberry,  I believe there are more varieties available, though these were my faves. My program didn't require liquid diet per-op, only required minimum 60g protein (now am getting 80 ) rather than calorie/carb-counting, Therefore, I change things up with soy products:  Edamame (tastes like fresh garden peas, nummy frozen, thawed and chilled, or slightly nuked--they're best when heated enough to be crunchy--get the shelled instead of in the shell) ),   nuts, legumes (beans, beans, beans--the magical toot!),reduced-fat peanut butter (in moderation), roasted soy nuts at Cub in the bulk section, available in  BBQ, honey roasted, and plain (eat plain, or add Molly McButter or Butter Buds (I add garlic powder).  Non-dairy ready-to-drink 'shakes':  Atkins, EAS, and Slim Fast, but be sure to get the low-carb/high protein.  If you like the Edamame, (I use the little 1/2 cup Glad Ware/Zip Loc containers, and they also come in smaller sizes.) Freeze the container, tote it to work frozen  and enjoy it raw or heated.  Many meat dishes can be substituted with tofu;  like eggplant, the tofu picks up/enhances the flavors of other ingredients.  I didn't have beef or pork 'til nine months out, and had chopped the tofu, added spaghetti sauce (onions and minced fresh zucchini.  Meatless chili with beans only.  Hope this is helpful to you.  Wishing all the best to you, Patti

Kristina,

It sounds like quite a challenge!  Patti had a lot of good ideas - until I read her post I thought that it would be difficult to be a vegeterian post-op.  Soy and Beans will be your best choices post-op as you will really need to pack in the protein.  Given the complexity of your situation and the fact that your tastes and tolerances will change post-op, I would highly recommend that you discuss you post-op eating plans with your nutritionist.

Are you taking probiotics?
If not, start there!