Hi All,

I am still in the process of deciding if the lap-band is right for me. I have received mixed views from friends and family. Right now I am waiting to get approval from my insurance and a procedure date from my surgeon. I don't know that I can live with the restrictions that come with the lap-band. Any advise?

My family is from Trinidad. So I grew up with eating a lot of rice and other starchy foods. I just can't imagine a meal without rice. Matter of fact it is not a meal if it doesn't have rice. I don't mind cutting down or switching to brown rice when possible, but I need my rice!

I also eat a lot of whole-grain cereals and breads. Again, I don't mind reducing my intake, but I don't want to eliminate it from my diet.

Hello Ayana,

I can still eat rice and whole grains. You will want to cut down on the amounts for certain, as Protein should be your focus.

I do have problems with sticky rice and doughy breads. These tend to get stuck.

Unfortunately, it is by trial and error to see if these foods will go down ok. Also the level of restriction in your band will rule what goes down or not. So, you might want your band a bit looser.

You might also consider a different procedure. I believe bypass patients can tolerate rice. At least a coworker of mine who had bypass can.

My family is from Trinidad. So I grew up with eating a lot of rice and other starchy foods. I just can't imagine a meal without rice. Matter of fact it is not a meal if it doesn't have rice. I don't mind cutting down or switching to brown rice when possible, but I need my rice!

I also eat a lot of whole-grain cereals and breads. Again, I don't mind reducing my intake, but I don't want to eliminate it from my diet.

If you want to still be able to eat these things, and you decide to proceed with the band, then be sure not to have your band filled tight. I eat all of these things and whole wheat Pasta, I just eat a lot less of it. If your band is tight, these foods will not work well. Good luck with your decision.

Generally rice and bread are not friends of the band. Also, how much you eat is very restricted. Your entire outlook on food must change. As others said the band is work. There is a time period where your swelling has gone down and you don't have fills where YOU must control what you eat. Then you must be sure to get your fills. After restriction, you need to be sure you get your protein and veggies before any carbs are consumed. Carbs would be consumed last, if you have room (this is your rice). It's really good that you are researching and asking questions. The band isn't for everyone...Best wishes!!!

If you want to still be able to eat these things, and you decide to proceed with the band, then be sure not to have your band filled tight. I eat all of these things and whole wheat Pasta, I just eat a lot less of it. If your band is tight, these foods will not work well. Good luck with your decision.

Jinx!! You owe me a Coke!! Oh wait, we can't do soda! Ok, iced tea then! :thumbdown:

Do you feel restriction or satisfied with your band only being 27% full? How much weight have you lost so far, and how long did it take you? Reading through the some of the post and seeing what people can and cannot tolerate, is making not to have my band tightened no more than 50%.

Do you feel restriction or satisfied with your band only being 27% full? How much weight have you lost so far, and how long did it take you? Reading through the some of the post and seeing what people can and cannot tolerate, is making not to have my band tightened no more than 50%.

I have only had 2 small fills. I have 2ccs in my 11cc band. I eat basically whatever I want, I just eat a lot less of it. I have lost 93 lbs, but I am currently in the middle of a killer plateau that only getting off my butt and exercising will break. Although I do not recommend it, I lost all of the 93 lbs without exercising. Now, however, it is time to get moving. I don't really think that it is the amount of fill in the band, percentage wise, that determines your restriction. It is more to do with how sensitive your stomach is to the band. My friend who was banded 2 weeks before me has 7ccs in her band, yet she eats more than I do.

As far as feeling satisfied, I am satisfied with a lot less food and I love that I still eat the foods that I want.

Ex:

pizza, my favorite: I now eat 1 or sometimes 2 slices of a small thin-crust pizza INSTEAD of 3 pieces from a regular large

Cracker Barrel: I eat 1 biscuit prior to my meal instead of 3 (or4:blushing:) Then my meal will be 1 fish fillet from my hubby's plate and maybe 1/4 c mashed potatoes;

Chilis: now I eat a few chips and skillet queso and a cup of chili; I used to eat at least a 1/2 order of the queso, about 1/2 an order of quesidillas and then eat 1/2 of a chocolate chip paradise pie (amazing, but must be the work of the devil)

When my family eats out my 18 year old wants to be mom's partner. She likes to share pizza or whatever with me since "mommy doesn't eat a lot".

My family is from Trinidad. So I grew up with eating a lot of rice and other starchy foods. I just can't imagine a meal without rice. Matter of fact it is not a meal if it doesn't have rice. I don't mind cutting down or switching to brown rice when possible, but I need my rice!

I also eat a lot of whole-grain cereals and breads. Again, I don't mind reducing my intake, but I don't want to eliminate it from my diet.

What if you just eliminate starchy foods from one or two meals a day? That way you get your rice and also cut down how much of it.

I've lost a lot by just cutting portion size. I am not on a diet and not hungry.

Do you feel restriction or satisfied with your band only being 27% full? How much weight have you lost so far, and how long did it take you? Reading through the some of the post and seeing what people can and cannot tolerate, is making not to have my band tightened no more than 50%.

Hi again,

I am not sure I really follow your question. 27% full? The actual amount in your band really has nothing to do with it. Some people with a 10cc band will feel restriction at 2cc some at 8cc. It depends on the individual's anatomy.

It is a team effort between patient and doctor to find the proper amount of fill to provide the restriction that is acceptable to the patient. There is no magic number. Some people like their bands tight, some loose. I prefer mine fairly loose.

If you want to be able to eat rice and you get a fill that will not allow these foods to go down, you can get a slight unfill. The issue with having a looser band is that you will need to exercise more control over your food choices and quantities. So you need to decide if you can do that in order to have these foods in your daily meals.

I honestly cannot tell you what my fill amount is. It is somewhere around 5cc, but I lost count long ago. I have a 10cc band, so I guess you could say I am 50% filled, but that is not what I care about. What I care about is that I am able to eat a wide variety of foods, I am able to eat small portions, and I feel satisfied between meals for 3-4 hours.

I hope this helps.

Edited February 14, 201016 yr by Cocoabean
because I didn't how how badly I spell until I saw it quoted :-O

My family is from Trinidad. So I grew up with eating a lot of rice and other starchy foods. I just can't imagine a meal without rice. Matter of fact it is not a meal if it doesn't have rice. I don't mind cutting down or switching to brown rice when possible, but I need my rice.

How much restriction you have is up to you. I have 8.5cc in a 12cc band and I have restriction. Yes, there are some foods I can't eat. Pie dough is a thing of the past so goodbye chicken potpie. I have no problem with rice. In fact, I made Beans and rice the other day and discovered it's a slider food for me.

.

I can tell you that I thought long and hard. I easily give up on things, I used to choose the easy way out with dieting. I have tried so many diets for so many years that I finally hit a breaking point. All I wanted to know, is will I feel FULL. Because I love the smell and taste of food, I could eat until I was comatose!

My surgeon assured me I would feel full, and that is all I needed.

Yes, you will have to restrict your food, but you will feel full and won't want any. I haven't had my first fill but I can honestly say that I do feel full. Also, know that the lap band is a tool only. Exercise and diet is up to you.

It was the best idea I had in a long time. Good luck to you!!

I have only had 2 small fills. I have 2ccs in my 11cc band. I eat basically whatever I want, I just eat a lot less of it. I have lost 93 lbs, but I am currently in the middle of a killer plateau that only getting off my butt and exercising will break. Although I do not recommend it, I lost all of the 93 lbs without exercising. Now, however, it is time to get moving. I don't really think that it is the amount of fill in the band, percentage wise, that determines your restriction. It is more to do with how sensitive your stomach is to the band. My friend who was banded 2 weeks before me has 7ccs in her band, yet she eats more than I do.

As far as feeling satisfied, I am satisfied with a lot less food and I love that I still eat the foods that I want.

Ex:

pizza, my favorite: I now eat 1 or sometimes 2 slices of a small thin-crust pizza INSTEAD of 3 pieces from a regular large

Cracker Barrel: I eat 1 biscuit prior to my meal instead of 3 (or4:blushing:) Then my meal will be 1 fish fillet from my hubby's plate and maybe 1/4 c mashed potatoes;

Chilis: now I eat a few chips and skillet queso and a cup of chili; I used to eat at least a 1/2 order of the queso, about 1/2 an order of quesidillas and then eat 1/2 of a chocolate chip paradise pie (amazing, but must be the work of the devil)

When my family eats out my 18 year old wants to be mom's partner. She likes to share pizza or whatever with me since "mommy doesn't eat a lot".

I love how successful you are and that you are still able to enjoy the foods you love, but in moderation. Your results is exactly why I looked into the lapband.

I guess the key for me, would be to have my band more on the loose side. I am just like you I hate exercising, but I feel that it is one of my bad habits I need to break to be healthy. Thank you so much for sharing:thumbup:.

Hi again,

I am not sure I really follow your question. 27% full? The actual amount in your band really has nothing to do with it. Some people with a 10cc band will feel restriction at 2cc some at 8cc. It depends on the individual's anatomy.

It is a team effort between patient and doctor to find the proper amount of fill to provide the restriction that is acceptable to the patient. There is no magic number. Some people like their bands tight, some loose. I prefer mine fairly loose.

If you want to be able to eat rice and you get a fill that will not allow these foods to go down, you can get a slight unfill. The issue with having a looser band is that you will need to excersize more control over your food choices and quantities. So you need to decide if you can do that in order to have these foods in your daily meals.

I honestly cannot tell you what my fill amount is. It is somewhere around 5cc, but I lost count long ago. I have a 10cc band, so I guess you could say I am 50% filled, but that is not what I care about. What I care about is that I am able to eat a wide variety of foods, I am able to eat small portions, and I feel satisfied between meals for 3-4 hours.

I hope this helps.

I do agree with your comment about exercise. I have a terrible bad habit for laziness, which I strongly believe is the major contributing factor to my weight gain. I will definitely have to break this bad habit of mine, if I want to be able to enjoy a variety of foods, but in smaller portions.

I do agree with your comment about exercise. I have a terrible bad habit for laziness, which I strongly believe is the major contributing factor to my weight gain. I will definitely have to break this bad habit of mine, if I want to be able to enjoy a variety of foods, but in smaller portions.

Hey Ayana, I didn't mean exercise from a move the body standpoint (even if I did misspell it-sheesh! I always think there is a 'z' in that word!) but from the standpoint of using more will power over your portions.

If your band is looser to allow rice and bread to go down, larger portions of other things will go down as well. Now exercise from a move the body standpoint can counteract that as well.

With the band YOU are in the pilot's seat. YOU have say over how tight or loose you want the band. YOU choose to eat healthful foods or slider foods that go right down leaving you hungry for more. YOU put the food on your plate, and ultimately into your mouth. YOU move your body out the front door to take a walk or go to the gym.