LB4Me

If you cannot follow your doctor's instructions 2 days after surgery, you are going to have a hard time with the band. Even though diffferent surgeons have different rules, there are rules for a reason. The first being proper healing.

Grandma - my first stuck episode was also mindlessly popping a deviled egg into my mouth. Never again. I still sometimes eat to fast, but then my band does something to remind me. Unfortunately, i do not think I will ever be one of those that eats really slow. But I am very careful to take small bites and chew, chew, chew.

I too am a huge foodie. I have every cooking gadget and fancy pot. I collect cookbooks and watch the Food channel religiously. My husband is in the restaurant business. I thought I would miss food. And that is what took me so long to finally have the surgery. The fact is, I enjoy cooking and eating even more. First, it is no longer a chore to stand in the kitchen prepping a meal. I love adapting recipes to suit my new way of eating. And my husband loves the results. Eating out is an adventure now. Instead of eating at the fat laden standbys, we look for new places that offer interesting cuisine and small plates that we can share. I won't lie. I do occassionally miss the fast food burger and fries, but now I know can live without them.

Too soon to know if you will need a fill or not. You have to get past the healing stage. Speak with your doctor.

Good job.

I usually order something like a caprese salad to start and eat 1/2 of it. Then i will get an appetizer. Like an appetizer portion of meatballs. Sometimes i can eat a single taco. Usually part of it comes home with me. But my husband loves leftovers. I haven't had any issues with steak out. But i order a petite filet with sauteed spinach and cut and chew very carefully.

Start slowly. Make sure everything is moist. Cut it into little pieces and chew, chew, chew. Start with things like moist fish and ground meat.

Try low fat refried beans with some pureed salsa mixed in to make them looser. You can add a bit of low fat sour cream as well. I also made a mock lasagna by microwaving jarred pasta sauce with some low fat riccota cheese and some mozzerella. Very good. You can eat yogurt as long as it is smooth, no fruit chunks. Cook cauliflower florets in chicken broth until very soft. Mash with a little low fat sour cream and parm.

I love my lapband and am very glad I went ahead with the surgery. But it took me almost 2 years to come to the realization that it was the only option left for me. Surgery or life as an invalid, or worse yet - no life at all. However, I do agree with the article for the most part. Lapband has become the new Fen Fen. Doctors working out of storefronts are starting the perform the surgery on just about anyone who wants to lose weight. There seems to be very little pre-counseling and even less after-care beyond costly fills. I see on here many who are unprepared for the lifetime of of committment and work that the band takes. They are led to believe that as soon as the band is in, thye weight will just melt off. And it scares me that these so-called diet doctors will start making grevious mistakes that will jeopardize something that can really help those of us that are morbidly obese.

I've flown several times in and out of JFK with no issues.

Feels good doesn't it. My favorite NSVs are at the doctor's office too.

Try mashing beans with a little purred salsa to add moisture and flavor. You can also add a little fat free sour cream or greek yogurt. Instead of mayo in egg salad or tuna, try some mashed avocado and or a little olive oil. Avocado is a food fat. A mashed or baked sweet potato is another good option. As is hummas.

I am a kitcheen gadget junkie and have not one, but 3 food processors. However, when it comes to pre and post op, my stick (immersion) blender is the best tool to have around. I have the Kitchen Aid one with the attachments. It purees, whips and beats. I find it makes the best protein shakes. It also comes with a mini chopper attachment that I use a lot for chopping herbs, making pesto, etc.

Soups, watery cream of wheat, jello. I like to add extra protein to my protein drinks after a fill. One way I do this is to blend in some low fat peanut butter or PB2. After a fill I also eat regular yogurt (not greek - too thick) without any fruit in it.

Best of luck.Follow the doctor's orders. Do not try to rush it and you will be fine.