I'm curious if you still enjoy food after the lapband. Obviously the quantities are much lower and there are certain restrictions on what you eat, but does food still taste good when you eat it... or do you miss food and the way it used to make you feel?

In a word yes! And my doctor wants me to stay at a restriction level where I can still eat all foods.

So far I can eat whatever I want to ...and I actually think I enjoy food MORE, because I take my time and enjoy every bite.

I enjoy good tasting food. Seasoning is the key and I must say I have really enjoyed vegetables more now then in my whole life. I try not to eat carbs ie bread pasta or rice because they make me feel like crap because I went so long without them. Dont miss them actually. On days when I do have tightness and issues with eating I hate food.

Wow, this is all very encouraging! Both my wife and I are strongly considering the lapband. We won't be eligible for insurance, so we'll have to pay it ourselves. We think we can work it out financially, but we still have a few concerns/fears. I appreciate how positive and open everyone is here.

I do have a fear about not enjoying food anymore, but I'm encouraged by the comments I'm reading here. I work in sales and often do business over meals. Food is a big part of my personal and professional life.

You just have to remember when you are going out to eat...have them bring a to go container with the meal and before you start eating put most of it in the box. When I eat out I usually end up with enough for 3 days.

I still enjoy food, in fact, I think I enjoy it even more now. The big difference for me is that taste is much more important than before. I know I can only eat a small portion so I want it to taste nice while still meeting my nutritional needs. So I skip the breads, rice and anything else that is bland. I also eat out a lot due to work and other activities. I either order an entree or my husband and I will share a main meal where he gets the lion's share. If he wants more he will order a dessert. Because we are often socialising or lingering over a meal out, I wait while others eat and then have a coffee with them. I also tend to keep a glass of water in front of me so people think I am drinking (you would be suprised at how infrequently anyone notices that I am not actually drinking!) good luck.

I am only 3 1/2 weeks post-op and on soft foods, but I must say that I enjoy what I eat but in a different way. I appreciate it even more now, plus I am satisfied. For example, I was worried about mushies, but I made some Turkey wings and green beans for my family and they smelled so good. I was afraid the texture would have turned me off, but it didnt - It tasted great! Today I had abt 3/4 crab cake for dinner. Before I loved crab cakes and would just eat as many as possible until I was full, or got my moneys worth. However, it wasnt until I got the band that I was able to really sit back and enjoy the crab cake. I enjoyed it so much that I was able to taste the different ingrediants in it and not just eat it because it was a crab cake. So to answer your question, yes - I do enjoy food!

I still consider myself a foodie. But more of just a healthy foodie now. I love good food and enjoy eating out... I just eat in moderation now. I also stay away from rice, bread and potatoes. I load up on fruits, veggies and protein. I still want to enjoy food, I just don't eat all the junk food, processed foods and fast food anymore. I haven't had pizza, beer, french fries, pancakes, donuts, cakes, etc in 4 months and the longer you do without, the less you miss it.

More than ever, I think. Since being banded, I'm not afraid of food - I know I'm not going to eat so much that I gain weight. I can go out and enjoy good food, even enjoy eating to the point of being full, have a drink and yet, I'll still have only eaten a quarter of whatever I've ordered and its simply not going to do much harm. I can eat rich food for the same reason - I was making salmon mornay for dinner, and the recipe calls for milk and cream combined. Normally I would substitute the cream, but I couldnt be bothered going out to buy evaporated milk, but I had cream in the fridge. I thought "you know, I"m only going to eat like 1/2 a cup of this, what does it really matter". So I enjoyed the flavour of the recipe as it was meant to be without substituting a lesser product.

For the same reason, I enjoy full fat yogurt, and sweet things with real sugar not artificial chemical crap. It tastes much much better, is therefore more satisfying and I only eat small quantities, what's the point of depriving yourself of flavour to save 40 calories?

I still do enjoy all kinds of food. I just don't enjoy as much of it! I live with the motto of moderation not elimination. Whatever you take out of your diet to lose weight is what you'll have to keep out of your diet to maintain that weight. I have a little, tiny bit of everything. I just can't eat all of it. That is the purpose of the band, to help with the amount of food you eat. I do exercise a lot! I do my part. I don't eat sweets for every meal but if there is an occasion where there is a dessert, I'll have some. I won't have 2nds or 3rds as in my previous life before the band but I do indulge in moderation. I don't want to live on a diet forever. I, personally, don't find that pleasurable. So, yes, I still do enjoy food. All the best to you on your journey!

I dont mean to rain on the parade here but for me I am missing the way I used to eat but I am not missing the weight I lost so far. I miss drinking with my meals and I miss taking big bites and not chewing my food as good as I do now. Sometimes when I chew my food as good as I am supposed it seems kinda gross to me when its almost like applesauce. I just guess I still have to get used to it all. I do enjoy foods that I dont have to chew good though like yogurt and pureed things. Mark my words though it has all been so worth it so far. I havent been this low in weight in 4+ years. Also Im only 3 weeks post op and im still on soft foods so I still have some adjusting to do I'm sure.

I appreciate and enjoy it more now!

I'm curious if you still enjoy food after the lapband. Obviously the quantities are much lower and there are certain restrictions on what you eat, but does food still taste good when you eat it... or do you miss food and the way it used to make you feel?

food still tastes the same to me.... but i cant say I enjoy it like I used to. Its just fuel to me now. Not that its a bad thing mind you... this mind set has lost me 118 lbs as of this morning.

I enjoy just about everything the same, except SHRIMP....it makes me want to puke just typing about it. And I use to love me some shrimp. Oh and since we're not supposed to have steak or chops, I'm always craving them, but eat maybe once a month. And I have to make sure I CHEW, CHEW, CHEW.

Thank you all, this is great feedback!

I eat for comfort and to combat stress. I always needed to have the feeling of a full stomach. I've been on and off diets for over 25 years now and every time I've lost a significant amount of weight (which is probably 10 times over that span), I've always eventually gained it back because of my deep need to have a full stomach after I eat.

What I'm hearing from these responses, for the most part, is that you still enjoy food after the lapband, albeit in a different way (in some cases the enjoyment is more); and that you still enjoy the experience of feeling full.