Hi Everyone

Since my fill 2 weeks ago,3cc, I've felt very resticted. Food that

worked for me before isn't working now. Soups, white cheese, yogurt, puddings, some kinds of chicken and smoothies have been

great. I feel I need more variety in my diet. I unforfuntately have been learning the hard way what works and what doesn't. Any suggstions? Thank god for the person who posted the info on peanut butter.

Love Margret

Margret,

Soups, white cheese, yogurt, pudding and smoothies are liquid and not what makes the band work. The chicken--from what you've listed--is what works with the band.

Two weeks post-fill, you should PROBABLY be able to eat more solids..."probably," because we're all different. But if your band is so tight that you cannot eat solid food (and if "learning the hard way" means food is coming back up) then there is a chance that:

a) you're not chewing well enough;

you're eating too fast;

c) your band is too tight;

d) all of the above.

Remember that a too-tight band does not make for faster weight loss, but actually slows weight loss down.

Good luck getting to know your band!

Sue

I have run into a few things I can't eat, but mostly I eat proteins such as chicken breasts, turkey filets, baked scrod, tuna salad kits, crabcakes.

I am single, so it's easy for me to do something like call the local Schwan's guy and have him deliver many of these types of foods directly to my house. It is a bit more expensive, but for me, it works out great. This way, he brings it to me. I don't have to go to the grocery store and be tempted with everything else quite as often as I would if I bought everything from there.

I turn the oven on, spray a foil covered cookie sheet with PAM, stick a portion of baked scrod into the oven and 30 minutes later I have one portion of very good baked fish and maybe a few spears of asparagus on a dessert plate.

In restaurants, I order the appetizer unless I just want something off the entrees, specifically. Then, I just tell the waiter I'll need a doggie bag right up front. Most appetizer menus have crabcakes, salmon cakes, shrimp cocktail, coconut shrimp etc.

Margaret looks like you have fallen into the soft food syndrome.

Yogurts, puddings & soups are just wasted calories and just go directly through your band Did Dr. Lopez not tell you all of this?. Weight loss will be minimal if at all eating those items

You need to eat your hard proteins like chicken,(dark meat is easier forme not so dry) tuna, turkey but if you are having a hard time and cant keep it down then maybe you might need a little fill removed.

3cc's personally for me seems like alot for your first fill. I have had 2 fills and am only at 2.cc's and have fantastic restriction Yes everyone is different but do not be foolish if you are having a hard time eating , make the right choice and have some fill removed. You will only be hurting yourself and band if you dont. It could mean as little as .5 of a cc to make a huge difference

The foods that work best for me are dark meat chicken, tuna, sliced turkey breast, ground turkey, ground beef, spinach, salads, all veggies and most fruits but I do have difficulty w/ breads, pasta and rice I do eat eaither a couple of wheat crackers or triscuits when I need those kinds of carbs.I do not eat ice cream, yogurts, soups but on occassion I do have a 1/2 cup of sugar free chocolate pudding for those PMS days when I crave my chocolate

...Best of luck to you

I'm very frustrated and am considering having all my fill removed. Weight loss stalled and I tried the South Beach Diet. Fresh fruit hurts my stomach and most fibrous veggies (cauliflower and broccoli) hurt, too. I'm sick of not being able to eat faster, too. At work, that really jams me up sometimes.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Catherine,

Maybe you just need some of your fill removed. I'm not an expert or anything but rather than have it all removed I would just try having some of it out. Teresa

Hi Everyone,

I have been pondering the foods can we eat. Now I'm trying to create various recipes. So, heres one I really like. I hope you have some too. I think one of the keys to making our bands work is variety.

Easy, Easy, no special skills required. The whole family will love this!

Polanna Cacciatore

Serves (4) takes less than 10 minutes to prepare. Cost about $10.00 at World market or Trader Joes, less at local Market.

1. 1/2 chub of ready to eat Polanna thinnly sliced

2. Bottle of Vodka garlic Pasta sauce (or ragu chunky)

3. 4 tbl. spoons Brummel and Brown Low fat spead (or margarine)

4. 1 finely minced garlic clove.

5. 1 lb. pre cooked chicken sliced in thin strips

6. Olive oil w/basil

7. Italian seasoning (McCormick is good)

8. Pinch of pepper, pinch of salt.

Using Medium heat, saute Garlic in olive oil, Italian seasoning and B&B until soft. using low heat Place Polanna in the saute pan turn frequently allowing Polanna to absorb sauteed mixture. Polanna will turn dark yellow (from light yellow) Remove Polanna and place 4 to 6 slices on each plate to be served. Take chicken and lightly brown in the same pan allowing any remaining mixture to coat chicken. (Be sure not to let mixture carmelize) Add Sauce and let simmer till hot. Spoon mixture on to Polanna and serve with a side dish.

dinner Idea: Start with an appetizer of seafood spread on wheat thins. I like 2, everyone else has 3-4. Next serve Cesar salad

(local market) has ready to prepare kits in the produce section. I like Campbells Wedding Soup (One of my favorites) I usually have (1) cup everone else, small soup bowl and Garlic bread. Then Serve the main course. Voila!! Bon Appete!!!

Side dish ideas for you. Creamed spinach, creamed carrots, or peas. canned Asparagus ( they're really easy to digest) Sauteed Mushrooms. Yummy!!

side dishes for everyone else. All the above, Steamed squash, Brocolli, etc.

desert Ideas. Custard with Rasberry or strawberry sauce. spumoni ice cream. Thinnly slice strawberrys and place them on top of the Custard before drizzling sauce.

I'm looking forward to your ideas too!!

Love Margret

Thanks for the recipes. What is Polanna?

Yeah, if all else fails try the pnut butter even chunky kind.....for your Protein..its great.....

Magnolia

Hi Everyone,

Sorry about the typo it's called "Polenta" www.polenta.com

Love Margret

Originally posted by NurseCathy

I'm very frustrated and am considering having all my fill removed. Weight loss stalled and I tried the South Beach Diet. Fresh fruit hurts my stomach and most fibrous veggies (cauliflower and broccoli) hurt, too. I'm sick of not being able to eat faster, too. At work, that really jams me up sometimes.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Were you not aware that protein would be your focus in eating? Or that the band would force you to eat slower and chew longer? Have you tried cutting your portions into pea-sized bites? You're correct - fibrous foods can cause you some problems. I was told all of this before I was banded. No offense, but I'm just really surprised that this seems to be a problem for you. It's not really the band's fault. It sounds as if it's working just as it was designed to work. Perhaps a slight un-fill would make things a bit easier for you? Let us know how it goes!!