banded, what will I eat again?

[spealex 13]

I have been reading alot about foods that you dont eat after banding and just wanted to hear it from those of you that are a few months out already and eating solids. I was just banded this week, and will stick to the diet but was wondering if there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Can you eat steak? Pasta? salads? sandwiches? rice? mexican? bread?

I know the key will be moderation for the rest of my life, but can you eat your 3 or 4 ounces of the foods mentioned above? How is it when you go out to a mexican restaurant with friends? What about a steakhouse, how do they handle you? How do you handle ordering foods at a restaurant? Do they let you share a plate? Tell me your stories.

[shannongetsslim 0]

Hey,

You know what people are so different. You will see that once you start eating and such that the boards are helpful but sometimes set you up for disaster. You think I will never be 'normal' again or enjoy the things I did. But you said it it is moderation. And you will be so different from anyone else. For me I can eat anything as long as I chew the bejesus out of it. I get that really tight stuck feeling quickly if I don't spend the time to chew it up. bread is ok, just in moderation and I had a steak this weekend 8oz, probably 5 or 6 since my fiancee ate some of it too. It took me an hour to sit and have it but I did, and boy was I full. I guess for me I tried a bit of everything, slowly and with someone else around! I have 5.5 ccs in a 10 cc band and was banded end of May. So try things as you can slowly go back into having solids and just remember that it is gonna be different for you. This wasn't much help now was it :0) Good luck

[ImaGoofball 0]

I was banded June 5th, i'm down 51 lbs! I've restricted myself from eating any bread or bread related products (Tortillas, Buns, pasta, etc). I eat pretty much anything now. I always have to coach myself when i eat. SMALL bites, chew SLOW and relax! I also chose not to eat any sugar. I drink only Water and an occasional glass of white or red wine. I have steak, chicken, salads, you name it, i eat it. I'm at 5.5 CC's in a 10CC band and i might be a tiny bit too filled but i'm giving it one more week... we'll see. Good luck, let me know how it turns out!!

[CassCass 0]

I'm not a few months out yet, but it's just been over a month for me and I've been eating solids for about 3 weeks now.

I've yet to find anything I can't eat. Last weekend I had a burger one day and pizza the next. The only difference is now I eat half a burger instead of a whole one and 1 or 2 small slices of pizza instead of 4-6 big ones! I've had everything else on your list too.

I'm not at a real tight restriction yet (I've had one fill and am at 6.5cc in a 14cc band), so that may be why I'm able to eat everything, but as long as I chew like crazy, everything has been a breeze going down.

A co-worker and good friend is a year out and there is nothing she can't eat. She's lost over 100lbs eating all her favorites in moderation and is still losing.

We've been to Mexican restaurants together and ate normally...even the chips and hot sauce!...Olive Garden, where we had salad, breadsticks, and split an entree. For her, and me so far, life and eating has carried on like normal, just in smaller portions.

Some places will let you order off the kid's menu and others will let you share a plate. If you can't do either of those, a good tip is to ask for a to-go container when they bring your meal, pack half up right then, and eat whats left.

I think my biggest fear going into this was that I would never get to have my favorite foods again. I've been pleasantly surprised to learn otherwise. I've lost 31lbs in a little over a month even though I eat carbs and sugars and other things people cut out. I just eat small amounts now. It does vary from person to person though, so my word certainly isn't gospel.

Best of luck!

Edited September 11, 2008 by CassCass

[HeatherO 7]

Unless you are tightly restricted, you can carefully eat just about anything. bread, rice, and lunchmeat give me problems at my current restriction level, almost everything else works well.

[magaines 0]

I have been able to eat just about anything I could before. I have learned (the hard way) that you have to take small bites, and chew until you can't chew any longer. When I've gone to restaurants I have the server if I can please order from the childrens menu, so far none have said no. My doc also gave me a card that states "My patient has had bariatric surgery, please extend them the courtesy to order from the childen or senior menu" haven't had to pull it out yet.

[erinbefore 0]

I was banded 6/30, so I'm about two and a half months out from surgery. I'm not filled at all currently, as I've been losing great and am still able to eat a large variety of foods.

I currently eat almost everything in extreme moderation. I'm not much of a Pasta or rice person, but I eat half an english muffin with Peanut Butter in the morning with no issues, and I've eaten good bread in small amounts as a side to a meal (not really eating sandwich bread, though). I eat my version of BBQ chicken nachos (400 cals, good protein!) I have had small burgers openfaced (no top bun) a few times. I eat salad and any kind of meat with no issues at all. I mostly eat good choices, but haven't cut treats out completely. I just am now satisfied after a few bites of a brownie instead of a few brownies. :omg_smile:

I've lost 44 pounds since the start of my two week pre-op diet, 32 since surgery. I'm sure there are people losing faster, but I'm happy having no issues with PBing, sliming, getting stuck or any other side effects and to eat between a 1/2 cup and a cup of food per meal, still be losing weight well, and feel full and satisfied all the time.

Good luck!

[brown bear 0]

I cannot eat soft sandwich bread and have difficulty with Pasta. At restaurants, I either share, order something really small, or pack a lot of food away for later.