I was banded in June 1996 and through much trial and error have slowly weeded out foods that are certain to cause problems: all fruits (except bananas), any vegetable with a skin (including legumes and beans), lettuce, kale, cabbage,any vegetable that requires a lot of chewing (raw carrots for example), crackers, scrambled eggs, any dried fruit or dried meat (like jerky), fish, rice, pasta, anything that will swell or expand later (ground flax for example), avocados, potatoes (unless they're mashed), mushrooms, popcorn, ground beef, lean cooked meats, tortilla shells...off the top of my head. I can eat dairy products (milk, cottage cheese,yogurt,cheeses, pudding), easy over eggs, puréed soups, oatmeal, nuts,and almond butter without ever having any problems. I purée fruits and greens in my magic bullet in my morning smoothie so that I get some healthy antioxidants...the rest of the day it seems I mostly eat dairy products. I don't have much fluid in my band--anything less and I get hungry too fast, so I'm really not wanting to unfill. Any suggestions for foods that work for you (that aren't also on my no-no list)? This is getting old.

Wow... is there anything left? I can eat all the foods on your list. Consult a nutritionist.

no foods should be off limits

you can eat what you want in smaller amounts

but def make an effort to eat better foods (proteins, fresh fruit/veggie

def stay away from as much processed as you can..gram is right, a visit with

a nutritionist will work wonders

Wow, many of the goods on your list are the foods my doctor and dietician recommend. I couldn't make it without my solid proteins like fish and ground beef. Also beans are a staple for me. Everyone is different, though, I realize. I can eat rice at this point, but don't because of carb content. Haven't tried popcorn or pasta.

I have no issues eating any of those things. Each person is different. I dont think this should be a list for everyone but only you. The only thing I have an issue with is chicken and steak other then that I can eat everything.

My first though after reading your post is, are you following the band rules as far as eating. Do you take small bits, chew at least 30 times and wait 1 minutes between bits? You should be able to eat all of the foods you listed as no-no. If you are doing all that & still can't tolerate the foods then something is not right (my opinion only).

What does your doctor say? Have they ruled out problems with the band? It just doesn't sound right to me.

Now in my own 9th year postOp BandLand, many of those on your list at first DID give me trouble. I have had to modify how I eat and proceed very differently than preOp, as I was a basic 'stuff & swallow' type of eater.

I now enjoy almost all of those on your list, with little difficulty....although I do many 'errors of eating' sometimes when too hungry or too big of a hurry.

I spent most of the first year after retuning to solid foods, finding new ways to run a blender and how to manage my new eating requirements.....but slowly learned how to eat 'normo' food.

The only thing that still gives a rough time, is various too-dry chicken parts.

It took a couple of years to be able to eat saltine crackers except 5 minutes of nibble-nibble-nibble.

Salads are enjoyable most of the time.

For me, although I love bananas, they raise my blood sugar way too much so I avoid them.

I agree with others that you may need consult with a professional to evaluate what the issue may be.

Please keep us posted.

Cheers on your journey.

1996? Wow, that's a long time ago? I was still skinny in 1996.

Seems like some of the foods you mention are no longer on anyone's list? Is it possible that surgical techniques were very different back in the beginning of band? Did they place your band lower so you actually have a large pouch that stores food longer than 1 minute? I can't see where the swelling of food would be an issue with anyone's band now, but 17 years ago? Who knows?

tmf

You asked for suggestions on foods to eat, the problem is you have eliminated most of the foods that are recommended for us. You did not mention when the last time you saw your WLS? My suggestion is you discuss these issues with the surgeon and nutritionist. It sounds like your band may be a little on the tight side. By your profile you have not reached your weight lose goals but if you have not been able to eat protein and can eat more slider type foods I am not surprised. I do have issues with some of the foods you mentioned but I can manage most of them in small quantities. I do stay away from fiberious foods and meats that are not moist. I am sorry you are having so many issues so far out from surgery. This is concerning for us that are heading your direction and makes me wonder about the long term success with lap band. I am a little over 2 years post op. I hope you find a solution to your problem.

2muchfun--I totally suck at dates--haha!--must have something to do with getting older--thanks for catching my mistake! I was banded in June '09--total brain fart! Everyone else, thank you for your replies, advice, and feedback. Having such a long list of no-no foods I realize now is not "normal," I not only totally suck at dates but I am TERRIBLE at eating slowly (thanks Jack for sharing your journey around that). I have had a barium swallow and all was well so I'm going back to square one and work on my chewing again--one minute between bites?! Really?! I can hardly stand 30 seconds between bites! I guess chewing and waiting will have to be my new meditation...the Zen of chewing! Haha!

2muchfun--I totally suck at dates--haha!--must have something to do with getting older--thanks for catching my mistake! I was banded in June '09--total brain fart! Everyone else, thank you for your replies, advice, and feedback. Having such a long list of no-no foods I realize now is not "normal," I not only totally suck at dates but I am TERRIBLE at eating slowly (thanks Jack for sharing your journey around that). I have had a barium swallow and all was well so I'm going back to square one and work on my chewing again--one minute between bites?! Really?! I can hardly stand 30 seconds between bites! I guess chewing and waiting will have to be my new meditation...the Zen of chewing! Haha!

Really glad your banding was much sooner than earlier, and chewing really is the key and is diffcult to learn. I used to be able to finish a plate of ffod in 5 minutes, 20 minutes for me is like a life time.

I didn't think the band was around in 1996 but then I saw the correction.

The only food I can honestly say I have a major issue with is rice. No matter how slow I eat or how mushy I make it it's coming back 90% of the time.

I hope you get in to see your dr so you both can determine why you are having these issues. Best of luck!

I would say fill your doctor in on what foods are on the no no list. I can eat everything on that list as long as I CHEW well and eat SLOW. From what I understand you shouldn't have this much trouble.

Willow you got banded at about the same time as me. Most of those foods on your list I can eat easily although I may not have been able to when initially banded. What may have happened is that a food gave you trouble early on and as a result you decided never to eat it again - if so that is a mistake. The band changes over time and after about 3 - 4 years it is possible to eat many things that were difficult early on. Now that is not necessarily a good thing..........

If you haven't tried some of these foods for a while then give them another go, just stick to the small bites, chewed well etc (that is something else that changes over time, it seems to get easier to eat bigger bites). The only foods I void or am ultra careful with now are things like dried apricots (they swell) and steak and pork chops.

Now in my own 9th year postOp BandLand, many of those on your list at first DID give me trouble. I have had to modify how I eat and proceed very differently than preOp, as I was a basic 'stuff & swallow' type of eater.

I now enjoy almost all of those on your list, with little difficulty....although I do many 'errors of eating' sometimes when too hungry or too big of a hurry.

I spent most of the first year after retuning to solid foods, finding new ways to run a blender and how to manage my new eating requirements.....but slowly learned how to eat 'normo' food.

The only thing that still gives a rough time, is various too-dry chicken parts.

It took a couple of years to be able to eat saltine crackers except 5 minutes of nibble-nibble-nibble.

Salads are enjoyable most of the time.

For me, although I love bananas, they raise my blood sugar way too much so I avoid them.

I agree with others that you may need consult with a professional to evaluate what the issue may be.

Please keep us posted.

Cheers on your journey.

Omg stuff and swallow.. Jack .thats what I was...now that I see it in print...lol

what a hard lesson that is to break....but I do...and the only thing I find I cant eat well are fried eggs,,,,,

I was a stuff and swallow person too, that was my biggest challenge. I was also someone who drank a lot of fluids at meals... so I get this. It is like a zen meditation! I was told to sing the ABCs in my head while I chewed, totally helped!