Hi all , I started on this forum yesterday and already finding it very helpful !

Does anyone else have a problem eating meat ? if mince or in a Soup ok but otherwise struggle , may manage a couple of teaspoons if that but no more , even that can end up causing me a pain at port sight . I know it is advised you eat Protein first but I struggle big time with meat , fish I can usually manage reasonable amount.

Fish is good! I don't eat much red meat either....lots and lots of fish though.

Hi Dream! Congrats on your decision and I wish you well! The best advice I can give you going on my three yr. band anniversary is that you will notice that it is different for everyone. I tend to find that most meats (and don't forget about shrimp!!) are very, very difficult to chew until a small enough fragment to get down past the band. It also does not help if the meat is dry or hard to "break down". Its too bias of me to say what you will be able to tolerate and meats you cannot because it depends on your band size, fill, etc. I can tell you I avoid most steaks, white meat chicken, meats with breads (hamburgers, hotdogs, gyros). But if I am somewhere where I have no other option, I try to saturate the meat in some sort of condiment (ketchup, au jus, mustard, steak sauce, etc.) to help moisturize it. Even doing this, I am careful. Shrimp is the absolute worse for me. It never "breaks down". Hope this helps!

thanks that makes me feel much better thankyou , wasn't sure if it was just me ! I made a stew today with sausage and bar-b-que rib meat , veg and mixed pulses it wasn't a problem I maybe nearly 13 months into my journey but I am still learning ; 3 stone down and hopefully another 3 to go ! You have done great , your goal is in touching distance , well done . Have you had any major hurdles during your journey ? any pain or discomfort with certain foods ?

Fish and chicken are my only two constants. I go through periods that I can eat meat fairly well, but trial and error have me a bit gun shy. I rarely try to eat beef or pork unless it's crazy tender and full of sauce or I sip while I eat it and I can't really tolerate any ground meat - don't know why. Lamb goes down well, too.

Fish is good! I don't eat much red meat either....lots and lots of fish though.

fish.....

thankyou , I am learning so much now, so good to get help from those who really understand ! your doing great another one nearly at goal . have you had any hurdles/problems alond the way ?

The wetter the meat is the easier it goes down for me, however, I am going in for my 3rd fill on Thursday. I'm sure it will get more difficult then. I can't eat beef or chicken if its dry. Hamburger is ok and I've even had prime rib as long as it is juicy. Just remember very small bites. It seems when you put it in your mouth and start chewing, it enlarges and I tend to swallow before I should...

Fish is good because its more of a slider food but keep in mind, the more you chew, the more time you take which gives your stomach time to tell your brain you are full.

I can only chew filet mignon. Pot roasts, sometimes if it is really really cooked well. My son does southern BBQ catering and his brisket (smoked 12-16 hours) and ribs are great for me. I love ribs and find them too hard to chew unless they are smoked for 12 hours or so.

Unfortunately in Boston, people don't do out door catering in the winter so I now have to wait until the spring but I did have his brisket a few week ago and it was so soft and easy to chew.

I can chew shrimp but had to give up lobster. I have salmon about 2-4 times a week.

Meatballs with tomato sauce or sweet and sour meatballs are great and I make a few pounds and freeze them in 4 oz. packages.

Red meat was one of the first foods to go...Mr surgeon said it was not uncommon with the band....

Anyone who has worked around the elderly (geriatrics) knows you will never find beef on their menu's...does not go well with the digestive tract....

It did make my other Dr,'s thrilled to death...they have been trying to get me to quit for years....

It has been over 2 1/2 years now....and I can definitely feel/see the results.

People say they would have turkey burgers, etc in place of beef...but it is the consistency that interferes with the band...and they go to great lengths to make the turkey, tofu, just like beef...so that's out also.

I stopped Red Meat because the band would not let me do so easily...I'm beginning to cut back on chicken for health reasons....

Edited December 16, 201312 yr by B-52

I really have trouble with meat, sometimes I get to have a small piece of meatloaf with gravy or a grilled wing from KFC but mostly I eat veggies. Chicken and turkey don't do so good since banded,

I,too, have issues with meat. I don't think it is uncommon. Just like some others I find soup or sauces work better. Sometimes my body just doesn't want meat I guess. Shrimp too irritates my band. Long simmered meats. Stews. Soups pot roasts. We are all learning and I am revising even 7 years in. Good luck

I,too, have issues with meat. I don't think it is uncommon. Just like some others I find soup or sauces work better. Sometimes my body just doesn't want meat I guess. Shrimp too irritates my band. Long simmered meats. Stews. Soups pot roasts. We are all learning and I am revising even 7 years in. Good luck

Shrimp and Lobster were a problem for me also....it's one of those foods that no matter how well you chew, it is just not good enough....

I did finally figure out a way to eat it though....

I,too, have issues with meat. I don't think it is uncommon. Just like some others I find soup or sauces work better. Sometimes my body just doesn't want meat I guess. Shrimp too irritates my band. Long simmered meats. Stews. Soups pot roasts. We are all learning and I am revising even 7 years in. Good luck

Shrimp and Lobster were a problem for me also....it's one of those foods that no matter how well you chew, it is just not good enough....

I did finally figure out a way to eat it though....

Funny, how we are all different. I can no longer eat steak, but I have absolutely no problem with shrimp.

I,too, have issues with meat. I don't think it is uncommon. Just like some others I find soup or sauces work better. Sometimes my body just doesn't want meat I guess. Shrimp too irritates my band. Long simmered meats. Stews. Soups pot roasts. We are all learning and I am revising even 7 years in. Good luck

Shrimp and Lobster were a problem for me also....it's one of those foods that no matter how well you chew, it is just not good enough....

I did finally figure out a way to eat it though....

Funny, how we are all different. I can no longer eat steak, but I have absolutely no problem with shrimp.

ok. What is your method of handling shrimp? I don't get lobster here on the west coast often so unsure. Crab works for me tho. Luckily since I'm near San Francisco!!

So now I have taken to Tofu for protein once a week or so and have no problems with it. I know it is good for me and adapts well Did not think I would like it as much as I do. Still learning