I just had all the fluid taken out of my band because i got food stuck at the band. Last night I was trying to eat meat loaf and it all came back up. What the heck is up with this? Hamburger is a soft food!

For me, ground beef is too stringy unless I cook it myself. For hamburger, I sauté in very hot pan until brown on both sides (no oil, just very hot pan) and then I start pouring in STOCK -- usually homemade but not always; there are lots of good boxed stocks available in regular supermarkets. The beef breaks down and becomes very soft. I do this for chili and bolognese (ground beef and red sauce). I have not tried meatloaf yet but my husband is Celiac (no wheat) and I make meatloaf with oatmeal. People go wild for this meatloaf and I don't even make the red sauce myself -- I just use jarred stuff. I think I'll make some meat loaves this weekend! I have done them in muffin tins before; our kid calls those "meat cookies."

honestly..... for true flavour, retained goodness and great texture, you cant beat a pressure cooker. i paid about 60.00 Aust for mine and i use it nearly every day. its made my meals far easier to digest.

I'm grateful that my surgeon didn't put any food restrictions on me. He told me to eat plenty of protein, a few complex carbs and try to stay away from simple carbs. The band is a tool and the rest is up to me. I still love my band.

I'm pretty surprised by some of the responses. Even foods that my doc told me I might have trouble eating (like chicken breast, breads, etc) I can eat. It might not be the most pleasant experience, but I can sure eat it! I do avoid chicken breast, but sometimes I do want to to eat that piece of bread or enjoy a pancake

I make sure to never have any super dry lean ground beef. I know it's it's not as healthy, but I'm eating much less of it, so I think that's just fine. I have beef all the time. I order burgers without buns at restaurants, I buy thin steaks and chop it up into small pieces. I've never had any problems with beef. I've had my band now for 2 years and almost 8 months and I've only gotten seriously stuck, to the point of throwing up only once...and that was towards the beginning of my journey There is a learning process with the band

They key is to just always chew, eat slowly and enjoy. I've lost over 120lbs, so don't get discouraged! The band was the best choice I ever made And I happily say that I usually enjoy hamburger meat at least once a week I just love it too much!

Edited April 29, 201412 yr by Veronica.N

Veronica, I haven't seen you post before but I checked out your gallery and you've done so well and you're beautiful. Way to go girl!!

I have owned a pressure cooker for 40 years. when I worked and had to cook dinner each night I would pressure cook some meat or make a stew or chicken and dumplings in about 30 minutes. it will make your meats moist and tender. I can eat just about anything except real eggs scrambled and dry chicken.

Sharpie, bless you for this post! I never knew a pressure cooker was that quick. I'm going to look into one. I use my crock pots from time to time, but those are slow cookers. Anything that can cook tender meat in half an hour? Sounds good to me! I could have dinner going while I'm on the treadmill!

I have owned a pressure cooker for 40 years. when I worked and had to cook dinner each night I would pressure cook some meat or make a stew or chicken and dumplings in about 30 minutes. it will make your meats moist and tender. I can eat just about anything except real eggs scrambled and dry chicken.

hi Sharpie... i think they are marvellous. i have an electric one. Growing up i was frightened of them as mum always told us they could be dangerous. She had one that sits on the hotplate. But, since ive had the electric one ive been so delighted with the results.. and it never fails me. At the moment i have Soup in it as our weather is getting colder now.

I was thinking about getting a pressure cooker, they sound pretty neat...my mom also used one as I was growing up. I don't have trouble with meatloaf-those I eat are very moist...but could understand if it was dry how it would get stuck. I have major issues with steak of any kind and although I haven't had a hamburger yet...I do make taco's and sloppy joe's...but both are moisted with a sauce too. so hope everyone can find a way to eat what they like with ease. have a great day folks!!!

Thanks so much 2muchfun! I still have to update my after! I'm about 20~25 lbs heavier in that photo
And yeah, sometimes I just lurk around and post once in a blue moon

Also, going to second on that pressure cooker! They work wonders