I totally understand that one of the reasons I am the position that I am in of having a BMI of 48 at the age of 23 is because I enjoy food... I am more than willing to make life changes, but I am wondering if you are still able to "enjoy" food after being banded? I guess I mean enjoy in a variety of sense, enjoy the taste/texture, eating with family, eating out...I would appreciate anyone to share their experiences! :hungry:

More than ever before in my life, quite honestly. I never used to bother to cook anything special before becuase I knew I'd pig out, now I make the effort all the time. When I go out to eat now, I dont get pissed about the tiny little bit of food in the middle of the huge white plate, lol.

Everything tastes better becuase you dont just inhale it, you take your time to eat carefully.

Even things like Cookies, which I used to just stuff in are not satisfying because I eat one or two slowly.

I havent had to give up ANY food at all, my band is pretty much half filled and I can eat any food, perhaps with the exception of tough red meat. Well cooked red meat I can do. Which means I often eat it if I go out or go to Mum and Dad's since I tend to murder it if I cook it.

Thanks for the reply, gives me hope. I am hoping that since I am a vegetarian that will make things a little bit easier for me b/c I wont have to worry about digesting meat!

I think I enjoy food more now than before. Like Jacqui, I have not given up any food. I do count calories (because it works for me) and I have anything that is within my daily "allowance".

Having the band will definitely change how you feel about certain foods. But you most defintiely will continue to enjoy eating, sometimes even more than pre-band. One thing I have noticed is that some things I thought I loved before now just gross me out. That is because of the chew, chew, chew rule. I used to love McDonald's french fries and shovel them in. Now, I have had them twice since being banded and after only eating a couple ended up throwing them away. I found that because I chew them more, they just taste like grease to me. Other foods, such as certain fruits and chicken are foods that I have found I actually enjoy the flavor of more because I am chewing them longer. And, I actually found I am more satisified with what I eat as well.

I have had to give up ALOT of foods that I like (both healthy & unhealthy), but I definately do enjoy what I eat alot more than before.

The process of overchewing my food really lets me savor the flavor and enjoy it more than I thought it would.