Question:
IS IT TRUE I WILL BE EXPECTED TO EAT MEAT?
I Have been a vegetarian for over 15 years. I was talking with a nutritionist who has experience working with post-op diets for those post op. She tells me that substitute proteins will not be absorbed in the stomach and that I will get real sick unless I eat animal proteins. I WILL NOT EAT ANIMAL, CHICKEN, OR FISH. I can not eat this flesh. I will eat dairy and eggs. So is this true? Anyone out there post op and vegitarian. I am hoping I don't have to kiss this surgery off. Mary Skinner — mary S. (posted on August 10, 1999)
August 10, 1999
I was so desperate to lose the weight and get healthy that I would eat
whatever my doctor said. But, most will tell you that red meat is a no no
anyway. I disagree with the dietician who said protein supplements wouldn't
be enough - when you first have your surgery you have to be on mostly
liquids, so the supplements give you the extra's you need! Please explore
ALL your options before you decide against the surgery. But above all,
PRAY about it and do what's best for YOU! ;)
— [Anonymous]
August 10, 1999
I do fine with very little meat. I take megadoses of high quality protein
supplements, easily absorbed in the remainder of the intestine that is
still in use. Too hard to get meats in, ANYWAY. And milk can cause
gastric distress. Nutrtitionists, uh, dont' actually LIVE with this, so
their text book ideas sometimes don't translate to real life. Protein
comes in all sorts of interesting flavors, is already partially digested
and is designed to be absorbed quickly. Since our main protein absorption
center is missing, meat doesn't absorb well anyway. THere, there, you can
be even healthier than you are now, without compromising your principles.
— vitalady
August 10, 1999
Post-op, I am required to eat between 50-60 grams of protein a day.
Immediately post-op, beans/legumes are very difficult to digest, and I was
told to avoid them for a number of weeks, if not months. Furthermore, I
have become lactose intolerant since surgery. I can eat yogurt (good
source of protein) and cheese (also good, but fatty), but no milk. Also to
consider, depending on your surgery, you may be intolerant of other foods
as well. So immediately following surgery, you would need to eat lots of
eggs and yogurt, for up to several months, until you could digest beans and
other sources of protein. If you can handle that, and if your nutritionist
OKs it, you should be fine. Assuming your body doesn't have a negative
reaction. Ask your surgeon about problems other patients have had
regarding food tolerance. Good luck.
— Elizabeth W.
August 10, 1999
You may eat refried beans, garbanza beans and substitute other protein
sources. In fact meat was hard for me to digest after this surgery. You can
also order liquid multi vitamins as swallowing large vitamins waas a
problem for me,too.
— Kathy A.
August 10, 1999
I've been told soy is an excellent source of protein we can eat, so not to
worry.
— Kyle C.
August 10, 1999
Mary - I eat very little meat and have been researching protien
suppliments. What I have found is; Protien suppliments made from whey are
the easyest for the body to absorb. There is a product you can get through
health food stores called Ultimate Protien Powder. It's very good, but
pricey. I will be using a soy based protien suppliment that has 24 grams
of protien per serving. If you are eating milk products and eggs, I don't
see why you couldn't use a whey or veg. based protien suppliment.
— Fran W.
August 10, 1999
I did not start out a vegetarian, but I don't eat meat
because it makes me vomit. I used to eat it all. I can
do seafood, but that is it. Red meat, chicken, pork,
I cannot tolerate any of it. And even the slightest amounts
will make me vomit.
— dboat
August 10, 1999
Mary ... Goodmorning
I am not a Doctor or a nutritionist, I had the bypass done in October of
1997 and have lost a little over 200 lbs. I eat all sorts of things that
are loaded with protein that are not meat. I am able to eat yogurt,
cheese, legumes ... which are excellent for protein, tofu is excellent too.
There is also a supplement called Designer Protein from the nutrition
store GNC, and it does not taste disgusting. My suggestion, get a second
opinion ... someone who is experienced with a vegetarian diet. Good luck
and do not get discouraged, it sounds like you ran into someone with a
closed mind.
— Mary Anne M.
August 11, 1999
Hi Mary. Just saw your question and wanted to give you my two cents. You
have to have protein after surgery. You can get protein from milk, eggs,
lugumes(beans), or protein supplements. You do not have to eat meat for
protein. Go to a health food store and check out the type of protein
supplements they have. When I had my surgery they had protein supplements
you could purchase from the hospital pharmacy before you left. Good luck.
— Penny W.
August 11, 1999
Dear Mary,
I am a 28 year old High School teacher and I had my surgery back in March
of '99. I have been a vegetarian all of my life, and I have been able to
eat vegetable proteins such as Fri-Chik, Vegelinks, Frozen Chik Nuggets
etc. since about four weeks after my surgery. I was fortunate in that my
surgeon spent part of his residency at Hinsdale Hospital in Chicago, IL.
Hinsdale in run by Seventh-day Adventist's who advocate a vegetarian
lifestyle. So in their cafeteria, they serve a well balanced vegetarian
menu based on vegetable proteins etc. As a doctor working there, he was
exposed to this diet, and so when I braught the fact that I was a
vegetarian up to him, he was familiar with the foods I was talking about
and he encouraged me to eat the vegetable proteins. I do also take
ProBlend 55 as a shake every day to make up for the protein I can't get in
foods, but together I've been getting around 80 grams of protein which he
has recommended. I have had my blood protein level tested twice since my
surgery and it is at normal levels. It is unfortunate that you have a
nutritionist who is not aware of viable alternatives. Try not to be too
hard on them however because a lot of their one-sided advice stems from
ignorance. This is what they have been taught, and they truly believe it
is the only way. Please continue with your plans for your surgery. I have
lost 80 pounds in just over four months, and I haven't felt this good EVER
in my life!! If you have any other questions regarding specifics of what I
eat, I'd be happy to share that with you. Or, if your nutritionist would
like to talk to my surgeon, let me know. If I had a choice to have this
surgery again, in spite of the pain and the hard times adjusting, I'd have
it a million times over again. Wishing you the best! God Bless! --Gena
— Gena C.
August 11, 1999
Write to me at my personal address please?
Thanks
— Peggy W.
August 11, 1999
I not sure about whether you actually have to eat meat. You can get
protein from cottage cheese, eggs, and protein drinks. Ask her you drank
the protein drinks to get enough protein if that would do. My surgeon
recommend drinking the protein drink as your main stay for protein and any
other protein you eat is a bonus. GOOD LUCK
— bperrin
August 12, 1999
Hi Mary
While I am not a Vegan..I very rarely eat meat products post surgically. I
get almost all my protien through other choices...you will be able to meet
your nutritional needs without violating your convictions...JUST DO IT!!
De
— Deanna D.
September 28, 1999
Mary, Hi this is [email protected] and unfortunately your nutritionist
is "nuts". You can be a vegitarian just use the protine powders
to get the protine you need. Soy is a great sourse, tofu is great and goes
down well. Just remember you don't absorb as much nutrient any more. Go
easy when you introduce foods many vegatables can cause gas. Good luck and
listen to your good sense.
— Anna D.
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