So five months to go before surgery and I'm reading all the post about after surgery the foods you may never be able to eat again...which may not be a bad thing but part of me feels like I have a bucket list of food I must eat within the next 5 months ! It's so crazy feeling like this...I have a love hate relationship with food...I want to go ahead and start my journey now and start losing now but then i think I'm not ready to let go of certain foods yet ! The battle in my head is gonna be the hardest...I'm pretty sure I can't be the only one feeling like this...just trying to look ahead at the bigger (smaller) prize ! Praying hard for Courage and strength !

Actually, it's a big misconception that there will be all these foods you can never eat again. Some people do have specific problem foods but even that list is short.

Many of us, myself included, can still eat anything we want so long as we take small bites and chew thoroughly.

This is just my personal opinion, but I would stop with your bucket list of food. All that will do is result in unnecessary weight gain before surgery. After you're past the post op healing phase you'll likely be able to eat it all again, anyway.

Best wishes.

Thanks I guess the unknown is a scary thing to face ! I have tons of mixed emotions but I know that it will all be worth it....just needed to say some of my thoughts out loud to get them outta my head :-)

I too was told before surgery that some foods will be off limits. Steak, bread, some fibrous fruits, rice and so on. So far, I can eat anything as long as I eat like a bandster.

tmf

Steak is my main concern !! I'm a meat eater for sure

Good news, bad news is? I can eat steak as long as it's tenderloin(most expensive) and sometimes a real good ribeye. Very small bites, lots of chewing and I'm full with 6-8 ozs. Small side salad maybe? How often do I partake? Maybe once every month or 6 weeks. For some reason steak just doesn't appeal to me like it once did.

I guess that's one of the benefits or downfalls of the band. Some of the foods that once gave me pleasure, are now just another bland food. It comes and goes too.

So, don't even think about a sirloin or any leftover steak after you start feeling restriction. Leftover meat is usually dry and can cause a stuck episode.

tmf

Thanks I guess the unknown is a scary thing to face ! I have tons of mixed emotions but I know that it will all be worth it....just needed to say some of my thoughts out loud to get them outta my head :-)

It is ALL worth it!!!!! I can eat anything I want within moderation as long as I follow the band rules. Once I started losing weight, it was easier to let some foods go. Good luck on your journey.

Steak is my main concern !! I'm a meat eater for sure

I agree with TMF (I seem to say that a lot! lol), if meat is moist or tender cut I have no problem with it. But, if it's dry, forget it. Leftover meat is out of the question for me because it's just too dry and it'll get stuck.

Get yourself a really good sharp knife, i have a victorinox tomato knife from amazon, i can cut meat as thin as lace and i never stick on it, my knife even came into hospital with me, i carry one in my bag to avoid any problems when eating out .. works a treat for me !

Thanks for the tips and advice ! I appreciate them all

My doctor's protocol doesn't allow for "slab" meat until 12 months. It tends to be one of the more difficult things to eat, and in the support groups, I've heard many say that they just don't bother with it anymore; too much work. I'm one who LOVES a good steak; ribeye, filet.... I can't imagine not having it, but I'm sure when I do, I won't have it all the time. And when I eat it, I'll be SO careful to follow the rules. To be quite honest, even though his protocol is 12 months for steak, I think I'll probably have it sooner. I did really well with my first serving of ground turkey, and will have some ground beef tonight. I can't imagine that it will take a year for steak, but I'll see how it goes with the rest of the diet progression. I do love the meat!!

I understand how you feel, I don't even have a date yet for surgery and those thoughts cross my mind. I have to remind myself that some of those favorites are the ones that are helping me gain weight and be unhealthy. My prayers go out to you! The unknown can be scary I'm learning that now as I go through this pre process..

You to ! I don't have my date yet either but it will be either the end of sept or beginning if oct. and I've been ashamed of some of the thoughts I've been having but figured I'd be bold and share them...better out than in I know that others had to feel the same way so maybe my sharing would help ! Good luck with yours and keep in touch if you'd like...we can do this !!

I too can eat whatever I like. It has been a learning experience to say the least.

I make better choices when I eat, that's for sure.

I go to the gym, keep a pedometer in my pocket and have become generally more active.

I choose not to eat junk because I'm defeating my goals.

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add me to the list of eating what i want (to quote TMF) to eat like a bandster...which means to me (in my opinion) small bites, chew alot and go slow....

having the band will help you eat less but my dr did not say nope CG you cant eat this anymore.....he just told me to make better food choices..life is too short to not eat a piece of cake on my birthday.