Things went well with the psych consult. It seems I have been gaining 10lbs a year which is upsetting since I've tried to LOSE weight.

Anyway, everything was going well with the nutrition consult. Basically a lower carb, high Protein diet after my bloodwork, and a 2 week liquid diet.

It's the postop diet that has me worried. Mushy ripe fruit? Sounds kinda gross.

How am I really going to eat once I'm on a regular diet? I'm nervous that I'm going to be intolerant of the things I enjoy like apples, oranges, and grapefruits etc. So then what do I eat?

Please share your experience with me. I don't want to do this and then regret it later.

Everyone is different. I have no fill at all, so this may change depending on how much you have in your band. I can eat pretty much anything I could before. I don't eat pasta, rice or bread because I am not supposed to. I am just used to it now. Yes, I do get stuck, even with no fill, the band is not just hanging there, which you may hear from some folk. I have learned to chew the living daylights out of meat. Just follow the rules and you should succeed. It will take time and you will have to learn again and again. The mushy diet isn't that bad and it's only a few weeks. The liquid diet was really boring. Campbell's Soup at hand is a great thing for that.

Thank you for your reply. I think I'm having a case of cold feet. When I think about how I haven't been able to do this on my own shows me the need for this tool. I just get worried about how I will adapt. The liquid and mushy diet are short term but it's after that. How will my life change with regard to family and friends? Family meals? Eating out? And as I was going about my day today, it dawned on me, I'm choosing food over life. Regardless of whether or not I get the band, I will need to change the way I eat. I just can't eat like I used to... I shouldn't have in the first place! But I still get nervous.

I got my band to help me deal with my GERD. I have never been skinny by any means, but I had gained nearly 70 pounds in about a year eating nothing but bread and crackers to help the pain stop. It's a genetic issue, so even if I weighed 90 pounds it wouldn't cure it. Since the band, I've had only mild heartburn and it's been so much better. I had my panic session a couple days before surgery. Man, what was I doing? It's surgery and it's scary.

As far as eating out and with the family. There is still so much you can eat. I take my nieces and nephews out to eat all over the place. I order things without the bun, alter the side dishes. You are the customer, so it's not like you are too restricted in choice. For example, today I went to Arby's and had the fish meal. I ordered the tartar sauce on the side and ate the fish and potato cakes. Ok, too many calories, but you get the idea. The only time I have trouble is when I order chinese without rice. They really, seriously, cannot understand the idea of no rice. When eating with family, just find out what they are having, or let them know what you cannot have. Mine doesn't mind setting something aside for me if necessary. Same thing at work. They know about my band, which was my choice and are accommodating on food days if necessary and I can always bring my own stuff. It's not a big deal at all. If you are one who chooses not to tell anyone, you can just let them know you are on a restricted diet and let it go at that.

By the by, you will try to eat too much. It will be a learning curve to figure out how much is enough and how much chewing and still get enough Protein and enough to drink. Especially if you get distracted. It will frustrate you, but hang in there, you will get set in time.

Long post, but basically, eating around others isn't that big of a deal and you will adjust and figure out how it's going to work for you. Ask, ask, ask, don't just let yourself worry or get freaked out.