Question:
Does a vegetarian diet help you lose more weight and/or keep it off longer?

Hi, i'm 7 months post op, i've lost 85 pounds and feeling great. I have 65 pounds to go to reach my goal weight and I've been experiencing some plateuas. I usually lose about 6 or 7 pounds a month and then it stops for about 3 to 4 weeks. Neway food just dosen't have the same je ne ses quoi..oh so very special magnatism that it used to. I've always thought of becoming a vegetarian to be more healthy and now that I eat to live rather than live to eat I think i may like to try it. However my question is is there anyone out there that knows if becoming a vegetarian post-op will help you lose more weight faster..or have a lesser chance of weight regain in the future? Thank you    — Allen D. (posted on February 28, 2002)

February 28, 2002
Hi Allen. Congratulations on your success - it sounds wonderful! I can't say this for sure - but I think you need to stick to a high protein diet pretty much forever. I know that taking in too litt;e protein affects your weight loss adversely. I would connect with a nutritionis who is knowledgeable about WLS and/or your surgeon. But, from what I understand, switching to a vegetarian diet would be disastrous. Lots of luck and success - Nancy.
   — Nancy Z.

February 28, 2002
My surgeon and support group say don't even think about trying to go vegetarian after RNY because you won't get enough protien. Stick with it, everybody has plateuas and for 7 months, you are doing great. Good luck and keep pushing protien.
   — Dell H.

February 28, 2002
Please go to the AMOS library and research this issue. There are plenty of vegans and ova-lacto vegetarians who have had WLS and doing just fine. You not only can get enough protein, but you can get a complete compliment of all the different types of protein by mixing grains and legumes. Brown Rice and beans for instance, or whole wheat and lentils. Eggs, cheese and dairy products are excellent sources of protein. Nobody HAS to eat meat or fowl to survive, even with this surgery. Surgeons who claim otherwise are ignorant and nutritionists who claim otherwise are being paternalistic in believing that you are too stupid to be able to get balanced nutrition. People preach what they know, unfortunately, they also preach about what they don't know (myself excluded, of course...) A vegetarian diet will not necessarily lead to easier weight loss or prevent a recurrance of obesity. Calories are calories. Good Luck!
   — merri B.

February 28, 2002
Merri's right as far as I'm concerned. I am not a vegetarian and have no intention of becoming one, but you do not need to eat meat or fish to get enough protein. If you want to do this, you would be wise to do some research and even see a vegetarian friendly dietician if you can. You DO need to make the right combinations of vegetable proteins and grains to get complete protein, but it can be done.
   — garw

February 28, 2002
I am a lacto-ovo vegetarian, and am 6 weeks post-op. Actually, I became a vegetarian after the surgery, largely because my tastes changed and meats did not taste good to me. On top of this, I am male, which means I need more protein (60-70g of protein per day, as opposed to 50g of protein for most women...men tend to have more muscle mass then women). I can tell you definitively that I have no problem what so ever in getting my protein in. Soy, lentil, and beans are great sources of protein. I also eat a bit of lo-fat cheese, and an occasional egg. I don't like to fret about my protein intake, so what I do is have a protein shake for breakfast. I use the vita-soy chocolate flavored soy protein mix (1/3 cup), 1 cup soy milk, 1/2 bananna, and mix in a blender. This creates about a 12oz drink, which I drink over 1.5 hours while I am getting ready for work. Not only does this taste good, but it contains 34g of protein.
   — Wayne E.

February 28, 2002
I have been a vegetarian for nine years and I had surgery because I got up to 381 pounds! So I think that with any food, it's the choices you make. I chose to indulge in cheese wayyyy to much. Pizza is vegetarian! And pasta with veggie meatballs and tons of cheese, with garlic bread on top of it! I love soy products, morningstar, boca burger makes a wonderful soy burger called boca american burger that has something like 17 grams of protein and 6 carbs. I total 90-100 grams of protein a day, and that's with only 40 grams coming from a supplement. They have chicken grillers, chicken patties, sausage, hot dogs, all kinds of stuff. I thought there might be a problem going out to dinner with my friends post op, but most restarants have some sort of veggie burger, or veggie friendly soup, potatoes....there is something there for us! As far as losing weight faster, I must say that I had about a 3 month try at veganism and I dropped lots of weight, almost 40 pounds. As far as now, post-op, well I am about 6 weeks post op and have lost 56 pounds. But I don't think that has much to do with the vegetarianism. Sorry for my rambly non-help. What I am trying to say is that I think if you start shopping at places like Wild Oats (if they have them where you live) you can pick up more organic foods, less refined foods, eggs without extra hormones etc. replace your burgers with soyburgers and your chicken with "chikn" and I think those are good habits to pick up and yes will probably help you long term. =)
   — Nichole B.

March 1, 2002
I agree with Nichole. It is all about choices. I have been ovo-lacto vegetarian for 13 years (and I am only 24!). I think it actually had a lot to do with me gaining weight because I simply eat too many carbs and cheese and stuff. Not good! Not enough protein! So after I have WLS of course I will not eat meat anymore but I have already begun the protein drinks/bars pre-op. That's important to lose weight...the protein. Although I still think I am healthier not eating red meat or greasy meats!
   — emilyfink

March 1, 2002
I'm sorry, but I laugh when people automatically think being a vegetarian means you will be thin. Ice cream, cheese pizza, and chocolate are all ovo-lacto vegetarian. Unfrosted pop tarts and french fries are vegan. My best friend and I have both been vegetarian for years and we both got up to 340 lbs. and needed WLS. I'm a vegetarian for ethical reasons. You can still get plenty of protein from a vegetarian diet, especially if you like the shakes and protein bars. But don't become one because you think you'll lose weight.
   — [Anonymous]