Vegetarians?

I am 28 and have been a vegetarian for 14 years- half my life! I'm not super strict and will occassionally eat a soup that is made from chicken or beef broth or may have a bite or too of a hot dog or hamburger (this only once every few months) - so long as it doesn't look or feel like meat to me.  The same thing is true with fish- I may have a tuna sandwhich on a rare occassion but won't eat anything that really tastes or appears fishy to me.  I'm not morally oppossed to eating meat I just get grossed out by the thought of eating dead animals.  I do eat eggs and dairy products. I am considering weight loss surgery now and am wondering if there are any other vegetarians who have done the surgery.  As I've been a vegetarian for so long I can't imagine becoming a real meat eater again but am concerned about the effect vegetarianism may have on my success with the surgery.  I know that eating protein and avoiding refined carbs is very important but I absolutely hate tofu.  Any advice would be welcome.

Funny that you asked. I am not a vegetarian, but I might as well be considered one now! I mostly live on legumes, cheeses, fruits, yogurts and veggies and very rarely eat meat anymore. It just doesn't entice me like it used to or even sit in my new tummy right.  So as long as you make sure that you get all of your protein and vitamins in, I really don't see this as an issue. Take Care~~ Diane

Hi, I am a vegaterian to. I eat eggs no seafood and no red meat . I eat chicken and turkey once in a while. yes you can still have gastric bypass. I am having it on monday  july 2nd. You just have to use protein drinks for your protein and take a vitimin every day.no biggie. You can also get protein from nuts,and beans. Yougurt eggs. You will be fine so dont let that stop you from having this surgery.  sheila

Hi there.  I'm an ovo-lacto vegetarian for 3.5 years now.  I eat no meat, poultry or fish (nothing with a face) but I do eat eggs and dairy.  I have not had my surgery yet, but my surgeon assures me that I can definitely do this as a vegetarian.  She even gave me a list of protein in plant foods.  

Hi Rachelle, Would you mind sharing the info? I was a vegetarian for many years but not in the past 5 or so. I may return to it. As of now, 9 months out, I have not had ref meat at all but I have had chicken and sea food. I used to say "I eat nothing with a face or a Mom". Your reply reminded me of that. I am an animal lover and my license plate is an ASPCA plate....it's also a vanity plate and although I don't want to post what it says publically, it indicates I'm a Fur-Baby-Mommy LOL Please let me know about the protein in plant info if you don't mind. Thanks, Karen