I am still working on the pre- lap requirment but just wondering if I will ever be able to eat normally again? Not the large amount and don't want or need that, just one day could I eat steak again, or anything that you cant at first? Just scared that wonder be able to ever think about some foods again. I know this surgery is well worth it, is many ways.

Hey Angel, sounds like your kinda in mourning over food. Like your going to lose your best friend. The coolest thing about the band is that it helps you to recoqnize that "your favorite foods" weren't helping you and really didn't bring you that much enjoyment, and what little enjoyment they did bring were quickly dashed by the pain you felt when you went to try on clothes or looked at the scale.

The whole point is for us to not eat "normally" again. Why? Cause us eating normally wasn't normal to begin with. The depression will pass, you will find new things that bring you more joy.

At least, this has been my experience and of course, I'm not forcing my opinion on anyone, just sharing my thoughts.

I can only speak for myself. I eat just like before banding, the only thing I can not tollerate well is soft taco shells, they are to gooey and don't pass well.

Angel...

You'll develope a NEW normal very quickly. I was scared before banding also and wondered if I'd ever eat steak, etc. again and the answer is Yes I can still eat steak..I just eat it in smaller pieces and different cuts that are more tender. I can't eat bread anymore and I loved bread...but after getting it STUCK a few times you really don't miss it anymore. I honestly do not miss it at all. Banding is the best thing I ever did.

Yeah I think you are right. My feeling for food aren't really normal. I sure tring a size 14 not a 24 would make me forget about food. I just hope I can make it their. It is scary to think about, but from what everyone says here it is so worth it. I will try to keep positive. Thanks everyone.

Your version of normal is what got you here in the first place. It will feel perfectly normal in time and you'll stop focusing on the food as much.

I have good restriction (4fills). Have been banded 9 months , lost 90 pounds. I haven't found any food that I can't eat if I choose to. I don't drink pop anymore and amazingly I don't miss it very much. I have an occasional PB. I love steak and have had no trouble with any types of steak, chicken, bread, vegetables raw or cooked, any kind of fruit. I have tried it all. I just don't eat anywhere near as much as I used to. HTH

Linda

Banded 06/05/06

B294C204G150

You will soon have a very different definition of Normal :-)

Well, most of us didn't "eat Normal" before banding. That's why we needed the band. We probably ate enough for a few people and not the best choices. Also, eating too fast with big bites and basically inhaling food. YES, you will start to eat like a normal person and this will feel quite ABnormal. I still get bummed sometimes that I can't eat bread and certain fibrous foods, but there is plenty of variety to substitute those foods with. I can eat steak, but some can't tolerate it. There are no hard, fast rules on what you will be able to eat. Best of luck to you during your banding journey.

I have to ditto everyone here, no you will never be able to eat by what you think is normal again, but that is a GOOD thing. I am still surprised that I now find fast food disgusting!

I eat everything just in smaller quantities. YOu will be fine.

I have to be careful when I eat, not knowing how I will feel afterwards. Even though I was told to eat chicken and meats I only eat two or three tiny bites and that's it. I eat more soft foods, I and drink water and sugarfree juices. I will talk to the doc on Wednesday about it, since I'm going for my first fill.

I have to ditto everyone here, no you will never be able to eat by what you think is normal again, but that is a GOOD thing. I am still surprised that I now find fast food disgusting!

Brandy, I was just noticing that I feel this way, too! I haven't yet been banded, but have made significant changes in how I eat. Just the tweaks I've made in my diet in preparation for eating post-band have seemed to change my tastebuds or my cravings or something. I no longer seem to crave bread or potatoes or sweets (limiting my intake of simple sugars and even artificial sweeteners has helped this), and I can easily pick up some fast food for my DH and not even consider getting something for myself. As recently as five weeks ago, I'd buy him dinner, me dinner and I'd buy something more to stuff into my face before I even got home.

Amazing how eating better just perpetuates itself. I hope, hope, hope that the pre-op diet my surgeon's office requires you to buy (that I am assuming is full of artifical sweeteners) will not sabotage me. I fully believe that avoiding as much Splenda and aspartame as I can has helped immensely. Wonder if I can use that as grounds not to purchase it? Hmmmm.

I hope I never eat the way I used to consider "normal" again.

I can eat everything except fast food, scrambled eggs, and hot dogs. These are the ONLY foods which have given me PB problems numerous times. Otherwise, I can eat everything and anything!

I'm hoping I'll be okay with eggs, I love them and eat them at least five times a week. And I LOVE the fat free smoked turkey Ball Park Franks. 45 calories each. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

I haven't tried eggs yet...I hope I can eat them.