I dared to try some Chinese food tonight. Ginger beef, chicken teriyaki, chop suey. It fit into my calorie allowance, but still a bit of indulgence...haven't had it for a long time.

Nothing I did made the food go down. I chew chew chewed and took minuscule bites but ... STUCK.

I followed the rules and still...I got stuck. So, I'm wondering if maybe there is msg in there (isn't there in most take out Chinese food?). And if that may have caused some swelling or "something" with the band?

Any thoughts?

MSG is just an additive, it won't effect food going down versus getting stuck.

When I was early in my journey, I thought I was taking small enough bites yet constantly getting stuck. Finally, I did as my nutritionist recommended and started to take bites no bigger than my fingernail. It's only then I was able to eat whatever I wanted again.

It's a learning process.

My husband always gets sick from Panda Express but can eat other types of Chinese food and hes been banded two years now.

Thanks..I'm just over 2 years out and haven't had a fill in a year...I have the size thing down. MSG is just an additive, the question was more if people found they were sensitive to it with the band. Some are allergic to it...previously I never noticed one way or another, but I haven't had Chinese food since I was banded over 2 years ago and know that my bites were in the range that are "right sized" for me and my band.

I thought it would be an enjoyable treat...turned into misery

Thanks..I'm just over 2 years out and haven't had a fill in a year...I have the size thing down. MSG is just an additive, the question was more if people found they were sensitive to it with the band. Some are allergic to it...previously I never noticed one way or another, but I haven't had Chinese food since I was banded over 2 years ago and know that my bites were in the range that are "right sized" for me and my band.

I thought it would be an enjoyable treat...turned into misery

Ohhhh..I never considered an allergy/food sensitivity to it. It's possible!

Or it could even be something specific to the way they cook it at that particular restaurant. I'd almost be want to try a different place and see if it has the same effect.

Good idea Missy.

Before having the lap band, I had the gastric bypass in 2003. I have had nothing but trouble with chinese food. It would stick, ball up, and it didn't matter how small of bites I took. It is extremely frustrating.