With the high protein diet WLS patients need to have in the long run, it could be challenging to do so as a vegan. Beans and nuts are an ok source of protein, but the quantities you would have to eat for the protein you need would be too large and too calorically dense. Protein shakes and bars that are vegan could work, but the goal is to get the majority of your protein from food. Tofu is a good option, like jove mentioned. There are some good "veggie" products like veggie burgers etc. but sometimes those are high in carbs, which we have to watch post surgery. It's probably not impossible to be vegan post-surgery, but it will be a much bigger challenge. Have you had a consultation with a surgeon yet? They might be able to give you some insight. I am 20 months out from surgery, and I do have meatless days, but vegetarian, not vegan.

I agree with 5BE, you should definitely meet with a nutritionist to assist you in this

There are a ton of plant based protein shakes out there. I use one called RAW and its vegan. I don't think that you will have much of a issue with protein as long as you know what to eat. There are also vegan protein bars too. You just have to watch the sugar content with some of them. I made my own protein pudding with chia seeds, the raw protein powder and cashew milk. And I agree with seeking out a bariactric nutritionist who knows a thing or two about a vegan diet, because a lot of them have a mind set that you have to eat sugar free everything and meat in order to succeed.

I would have trouble doing that, at least at first. I struggle to get enough protein in even without being vegan. And I know vegans get a lot of crap about not being able to get enough protein and in general that is dumb - there are tons of plant based proteins out there. But the first year or so of VSG it's hard to eat much of anything and the stomach can be irritated by things that seem normal and easy to eat (like tofu). Also your quantity is so greatly reduced that even if things sit well you might not be able to get them in. I'd say I can eat about 20% of what I used to be able to eat. And I'm supposed to get 60g protein. Are you able to eat 300g of vegan protein every day without having way too many sugars? If so, you could probably do it. But think about what your daily diet would look like to get that much protein in. Would you ONLY be eating nut butters and beans? Remember that you might not be able to eat chips or bread or raw veggies for a while if at all, so you might be eating nut butters and hummus and beans with no accompanying item. Is that something you think you could do? I've found dried seaweed very easy to stomach and the protein isn't bad but the salt gets me. I maybe need to go exploring in the asian market here and see what I can find. I'd build some menus out and see if it feels like an ok way to eat, knowing things will get easier after a year or so.

That said, dairy and fish are essential for me to get it in. Eggs and other meats don't sit well anyway and I don't eat mammals. But, my husband has also had this surgery - he's a year ahead of me - and can at this point eat enough to do it vegan if he wanted to. So I'd say as a lifelong situation you'd be fine but the first 6-18 months might be tough and if you were willing to eat some amount of dairy or fish during that time, it could make it more doable. If not, you may need to be REALLY creative. I'm curious to find out what the nutritionist says.