I had my surgery 10/2013 and have been very successful. I'm down 102 lbs and 17 lbs from my goal (happy dance) I miss meat so bad. If I eat meat it feels like I have swallowed a brick. I can eat some ground beef and fish but just a little. I honestly think I don't have a green zone ! I go from yellow to red ! If I stay closer to yellow I gain weight. So I have to stay closer to red in order to lose. All these summer cookouts are gearing up and wish I could eat some ribs or grilled chicken ! Sometimes I wish I didn't have to eat at all because I can't eat the foods I want to. Its hard to get your Protein in when you can't eat much meat

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Have you tried eating meat with sauces to keep it moist and taking itty bitty bites? if this doesn't work, I would guess you truly are in the red zone.

Yes I have...sometimes it works and sometimes it doesnt...my band is so finicky...most of the time it doesnt...but if I get any more Fluid taken out I'm hungry and gain...its just seems to be a never ending battle. I have a 10cc band and only have 4.3 in it now.

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Ive said this in the past...

But i always had some Water around 20 mins before i ate... it always helped lubricate things.. around 1/4 cup is sufficient.

If cold water doesn't work, try warm water.

Another trick was to have a few bites of the softer parts of the meal first. . Then proceed to the meat.

Like what dancing fool said... stewed meats, moist slow cooked meats work better than anything dry... choose a fattier cut... eg.. chicken thigh over chicken breast

chicken is my worst enemy ! I almost gag at the thought of it...its just harder than I expected and 2yrs later I still haven't adjusted...which 9 of those months I was preggo and my band was loose then. Seems like getting it tightened after birth has been so different than before. I will try drinking Water and see if that helps ! Thanks

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For years, way before my surgery, my Dr.'s kept telling me to cut down, if not stop red meat altogether.

Especially my cardiologist. eating meat can cause serious complications.

I was told once a week, another said once a month...

Plus there is the argument about added growth hormones, anti-biotics, etc etc.

I read an interesting article about the difference in HS Kids today as opposed to 30-50 years ago in terms of growth, facial hair in males, etc etc... the story was in a medical journal and had much facts and statistics...all linked to the latest generations constant intake, perhaps daily, of red meat and ties to what artificial additives we are putting in our bodies unaware. Not to forget dairy products.

You can get into the humane aspect in regards to how livestock is bred and raised for the sole purpose to be slaughtered.

Red meat was one of the earliest things I had trouble with. My Dr. said it was to be expected...

So, for myself, it was the perfect opportunity to simply abstain from it 100%

Now it all fell into line with my approach to weight loss....I do not count calories, but instead, concentrate on eating healthy, nutritious foods....and giving up red meat worked out well for me. As well as cutting way back on dairy products.

There are many other things WLS has made me give up also, and as it turns out none of them are that good for me in the first place...so it's all good.

That was over 5-1/2 years ago. I have never felt better.

Eating healthy, loosing all excess weight and body fat, becoming more active and exercising regularly....and living a life not worrying about gaining or losing weight .

So when WLS forces you to make lifestyle changes, take advantage of it instead of dreading about it.

That's very true ! May e I just need to adjust my way of thinking

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