Do you know what I really miss?

[martie4 1]

I was banded 8/23 and I'm still supposed to be 'sipping' Water and Protein, but I miss chugging water. The only thing I've been doing is taking a big gulp, holding it in my mouth and swallowing it slowly or spitting out the rest. Not the same as being able to chug. So far just missing water & chewing gum.

[Mommysmen 0]

I miss eating me a good of meat without worrying about it getting sick.

I cant even eat lunch meat

[Pinkygirl 34]

Oh my, you cant eat lunch meat or steak? even if you eat it in tiny bites? so what do you eat for Protein? I couldn't imagine myself not eating chicken/steak or lunch meat. Now groundbeef is a no no for me!!! omg does it hurt!

I miss eating me a good of meat without worrying about it getting sick.

I cant even eat lunch meat

[Mommysmen 0]

I eat alot of turkey and chicken no ground beef, steak and I can eat leftover meat.. I can eat meat if reheated. I doesnt work for me

[kkf1979 10]

I am 5 months post op and have no problem whatsoever chugging Water, I have had 3 fills and i have restriction too. I guess it varies from person to person.

[petuniap 2]

I've had my band for 3 years and...

- I've never been a Water chugger so I don't miss that. But I can get down enough Water in a gulp. I definitely did not stay as tight as I was when I first got the band.

- I drink during meals all of the time. I got tired of the tiny bites and chew, chew, chew plus it made me look and feel abnormal when eating with friends. I still eat much slower than anyone else and my portions are tiny compared to what everyone else gets down but i use water to avoid any socially embarrassing sliming episodes or even when I eat alone and want to eat something that I know will potentially get stuck. It doesn't affect my stomach's ability to signal a "full feeling" to my brain, probably because my stomach has shrunk so much getting used to the small portions. 3-4 oz of Protein and a few bites of a vegetable is usually plenty to get a "full" feeling. But that came with practice, I wouldn't recommend it to a newbie.

- I can get down deli meat by drinking water, otherwise it's stuck city. Same with white meat chicken....I rarely eat it because, even with a lubricant, it gives me a stuck feeling. I can eat a lot of other Proteins though..although I wish I enjoyed more types of fish because a nice white flaky fish is the easiest to eat with getting the stuck feeling and without any lubricant.

- I drink seltzer like it's going out of style. I couldn't deal with the no carbonation thing so I started drinking diet sodas about 6 months after my surgery. Now I've given up artificial sweeteners so diet soda is out but I LIVE on those Canada Dry flavored seltzers, I'll take Poland Spring sparkling water in a pinch. Sometimes it's exactly what I need to hit the spot. It's also an amazing way to deal with going to a bar and not drinking alcohol (which I limit because of sugar content). If carbonation affected my pouch size, it wasn't noticeable at all to me. Any time I've stalled on weight loss, it was because of eating the wrong foods, never because I could eat too much of the right things. Really looking foward to getting a Sodastream so that I can make my own flavored seltzers.

I guess my point is not to worry too much about what others' experience has been...you'll have your own which may be totally different and you are more adaptable than you think. There are things I miss a LOT, eating without fear of getting stuck is one of them, but the weight loss became worth it for me. Hope you all get to that point as well!

[NicVio 15]

I also drink, or at least have a glass of Water by my side, when eating... I have learned its easier than excusing yourself 3 or 4 times if there is a problem. Im able to "chug" about 1/4 to 1/2 bottle of water w. no problem (thank goodness). I am surprised you are able to drink seltzer. I am a seltzer FAN, & find it difficult, hurts sometimes, so I stay away.

[whitetiger011680 11]

I miss pecan pie and krispy creme doughnuts and rotel dip and beer and I need to stop now because I'm making Myself hungry lol.