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A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

Gastric surgery advice needed for a vegan

26 replies

Summerpetal · 18/03/2023 02:03

Has anyone had or having weight loss surgery as a vegan
looking for some ideas on what to eat after
thanks x

OP posts:
sashh · 18/03/2023 02:23

Mu first thought is to say, "don't do it".

My GP asked if I would consider it and I looked into the options and to be honest if I could do the diet they need you to do before surgery I wouldn't need the surgery.

I found a forum for people who have had the surgery and read about their experiences and there is a lot to do both before and after, you have to be on liquids only before and a while after surgery, then you have to eat 6 small meals a day.

I'm not sure you would get enough calories with a vegan diet.

Sorry to sound so negative.

Maybe have a look for a group online of people who have gone down this route to see what they have to say.

Original poster
Summerpetal · 18/03/2023 03:14

I’ve been looking for on line groups who are vegan and had WLS but can’t find any I have been approved for WLS on NHS and am just waiting for the date but even dietitians said I need to be working out myself what I will eat It’s 60 grams of protein a day

OP posts:
DrJump · 18/03/2023 03:24

There is a Us surgeon who advocates for a mainly plant based diet post gastric surgery. I came never remember his name but he is a couple of books one of them is called Pound Of Cure. I rhink it would.be possible but you would need to find some good vegan protein powder at least for the first 2 months after surgery.

thaegumathteth · 18/03/2023 03:29

https://www.limarp.com/en/vegan-after-bariatric-surgery/ might be of use

thaegumathteth · 18/03/2023 03:29

here

thaegumathteth · 18/03/2023 03:32

DrJump · 18/03/2023 03:24

There is a Us surgeon who advocates for a mainly plant based diet post gastric surgery. I came never remember his name but he is a couple of books one of them is called Pound Of Cure. I rhink it would.be possible but you would need to find some good vegan protein powder at least for the first 2 months after surgery.

I think it's Dr Weiner

Original poster
Summerpetal · 18/03/2023 03:53

DrJump · 18/03/2023 03:24

There is a Us surgeon who advocates for a mainly plant based diet post gastric surgery. I came never remember his name but he is a couple of books one of them is called Pound Of Cure. I rhink it would.be possible but you would need to find some good vegan protein powder at least for the first 2 months after surgery.

I’ve got protein powder from the protein works Thanks will look up that surgeon

OP posts:
Original poster
Summerpetal · 18/03/2023 03:57

thaegumathteth · 18/03/2023 03:29

Just read it thanks very informative

OP posts:
Original poster
Summerpetal · 18/03/2023 04:06

DrJump · 18/03/2023 03:24

There is a Us surgeon who advocates for a mainly plant based diet post gastric surgery. I came never remember his name but he is a couple of books one of them is called Pound Of Cure. I rhink it would.be possible but you would need to find some good vegan protein powder at least for the first 2 months after surgery.

Just ordered the book
£6 on Amazon
it looks really interesting
thankyou x

OP posts:
sashh · 18/03/2023 04:43

I'm glad you got some useful answers OP.

Good luck with your choices.

boboshmobo · 18/03/2023 05:27

My sister had one and I am vegan ..

I can see it's doable , she has to 'hit her protein goal' daily but I think it would be possible with vegan products .. she has a shake and I have them sometimes with oat milk . They taste like Mac Donald's !!

useitorlose · 18/03/2023 05:31

Alpro soy yogurt and soy milk - they do no sugar versions which I prefer.

Magenta82 · 18/03/2023 07:02

Protein is the priority after the surgery, you can get this from plans, things like tofu are soft so would actually be a goof choice.
It doesn't matter that the foods are low calorie, you can build the calories gradually.

SUBisYodrethwhenLarping · 18/03/2023 07:06

boboshmobo · 18/03/2023 05:27

My sister had one and I am vegan ..

I can see it's doable , she has to 'hit her protein goal' daily but I think it would be possible with vegan products .. she has a shake and I have them sometimes with oat milk . They taste like Mac Donald's !!

Please could you tell me the name of the McDonald's flavoured shake?

HolibobsinApril · 18/03/2023 07:44

Sorry to de rail. But have you discussed something like Ozempic with your GP?

Original poster
Summerpetal · 18/03/2023 08:43

I was given the choice of weight loss injections or WLS when I was joining the waiting list But I had my gallbladder out years ago after gallstones and I read the injections can cause pancreatitis. The pain with gallstones was far worse than giving birth and I really don’t want to risk anything that can cause pancreatitis as I read it’s a similar pain

OP posts:
StylishM · 18/03/2023 09:38

I've had a gastric sleeve, was 19st now 12st. The pre-op diet mentioned by a PP is designed to get you in the mindset for the post operative way of eating, and for me it was a great way to get 'head in the game'.

I eat a lot of meat and dairy to get my protein goal without the need for shakes, but with the rise of vegan protein powders I think you'd be ok, but you would need to be more disciplined than most about hitting your protein goals. I think a veggie could easily manage it, as diary is packed with protein, but vegan long term may be challenging. You'd also need to fully commit to the daily vitamins and these can be hard to stomach after a while.

I'd recommend the surgery to anyone struggling with obesity, it's changed my life and I have no negative side effects other than being unable to do an emotional binge eat, but that's a good thing!

Best of luck OP

FinallyHere · 18/03/2023 10:35

I would encourage anyone contemplating this kind of surgery to try following the post-op diet for a year, in advance of the surgery and see how you get on with that.

boboshmobo · 18/03/2023 12:34

@SUBisYodrethwhenLarping
It's the strawberry slim fast with oat milk ..

I use a blender though which gives its floofy consistency.. add ice cubes too for extra cold and floof !

boboshmobo · 18/03/2023 12:35

@FinallyHere but they can't , that's the whole point !
My sister was dangerously overweight and binge ate .. if she could diet she wouldn't need to have a sleeve !

Magenta82 · 18/03/2023 13:08

FinallyHere · 18/03/2023 10:35

I would encourage anyone contemplating this kind of surgery to try following the post-op diet for a year, in advance of the surgery and see how you get on with that.

Ummm if we could do that we wouldn't need the surgery...

I had a gastric bypass, having a smaller stomach is only part of the benefit, your stomach controls a lot of hormone production so the surgery affects your mood and hunger signals as well.

Original poster
Summerpetal · 21/03/2023 11:20

I just can’t think of what I could eat after
currently I eat sandwiches a lot
I cant find anyone who is vegan and has had this done

OP posts:
gogohmm · 21/03/2023 11:39

The advice sil was given is to adopt the post surgery diet 6 weeks before the surgery, if you have significant weight loss you may avoid the need for surgery. She did have surgery but her weight still yoyos as the issue is self control.

Get the control in place otherwise all that pain is for nothing

Magenta82 · 21/03/2023 12:09

gogohmm · 21/03/2023 11:39

The advice sil was given is to adopt the post surgery diet 6 weeks before the surgery, if you have significant weight loss you may avoid the need for surgery. She did have surgery but her weight still yoyos as the issue is self control.

Get the control in place otherwise all that pain is for nothing

The point of the diet prior to surgery is to shrink and reduce the fat in your liver. If you have a big liver they can't get under it to do the surgery and if they try to move a fatty liver it can break and cause dangerous complications.

Being able to stick to a diet for 6 weeks says nothing about your ability to maintain weight loss.

Magenta82 · 21/03/2023 12:14

Summerpetal · 21/03/2023 11:20

I just can’t think of what I could eat after
currently I eat sandwiches a lot
I cant find anyone who is vegan and has had this done

Bread is not a great food after WLS as it is clumpy and can form a ball in your stomach. I can eat sandwiches now, but tend not to.

Straight after surgery things like soup, Dahl, hummus, silken tofu, blended baked beans with vegan cheese will be good.

After a few weeks you can introduce more lumps and things that crumble like riveta.

Eventually you eat normal food, but focus on protein over carbs. So would tend to eat the protein, then the veg, then the carbs if eating a meal.

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