ok... I started the ball rolling with getting the surgery and go back on wed. for my surgery date. I recently talked with a neighbor who had it done and now I completely turned off by it. She is 5 years into it and can only eat soft foods and no carbs whatsoever. She said she is in discomfort after eating anything and has a hard time taking pills. She can no longer eat the fruits and veggies b/c they are too dificult to swallow and depends mainly on Soups to eat.

I want to be thin but not that badly!! Pease tell me she is an exception or is this what I should expect???

Sounds like she needs some fluid taken out of her band. While I have trouble eating bread now at my fill level (which did not happen until recently) there are MANY people who can tolerate bread just fine, I think it all depends on the person. Some foods may be harder to get down than others. I am quite restricted and I can get down most anything if I chew it enough except fluffy bread- I can get down tortillas and wantons just fine if I chew well. So don't hinge everything on one person's experience. I think you could poll every bandster on this forum and find that we all are able to eat many different things and you will be able to as well. My Dr says that he wants his patients to be restricted but to still be able to eat solid protein and a veggie if still hungry. Doesn't sound like your friend can do that. My dr. definately is against living off liquids to get the weight off. Keep researching!

I got banded four days ago and researched it for about a year before I got it. I think you neighbor is the exception to the rule. The key to eating anything is to chew, chew, chew.

ok... I started the ball rolling with getting the surgery and go back on wed. for my surgery date. I recently talked with a neighbor who had it done and now I completely turned off by it. She is 5 years into it and can only eat soft foods and no carbs whatsoever. She said she is in discomfort after eating anything and has a hard time taking pills. She can no longer eat the fruits and veggies b/c they are too dificult to swallow and depends mainly on soups to eat.

I want to be thin but not that badly!! Pease tell me she is an exception or is this what I should expect???

Your neighbor needs to get with the program and see her doctor ASAP. This is not the way the banded life is supposed to be.

Do your research and know the signs of too much/too little fill and you'll be fine. Your neighbor clearly either has too much Fluid in the band or is experiencing some other sort of complication that is not normal or acceptable.

The band is only a tool. As with any other tool... knowing how to use it safely and effectively is key to achieving success.

No I can eat bread, everything, I had my fourth fill 7 weeks ago, and only sick 2 times, and not very bad - once i ate a banana without chewing and too quick, the next time at sandwich too quick and did not chew enough. I have been banded since 18 sep 2007 and lost 28 kilos so far.

Ive talked to ALOT of people who are years out from the band, and havent come across ONE that says what youre neighbor is saying. I think that alot of your sucess depends on your knowledge of how the band works. It sounds like something isnt working properly for her.

I think your neighbour needs to see a doctor. I was banded Feb 20/08 and have no problem with foods other then apples as I possibly either didn't chew it enough or I should have peeled it.

Do not be discouraged as your results will most likely be totally different. It depends on you and remember to chew chew chew.

Hey Kate,

Like everyone said, everyone is different, and this whole new life will be a trial and error for some of us. A lady I know, who was banded in late 2006, lives on liquor. Yes, she lost alot of weight, but who wants to do this stupid crap. So it's what YOU do with it. You can't go by how others are doing it. I am so ready for everything. I'm shooting for May. Good Luck....

i can pretty much eat anything i want (in moderation of course)... in fact, this weekend, i had about 1/2 a brownie and it was DEVINE...

pre-band i would have had the entire pan-full.

being banded has truly changed my life for the better.

good luck on your decision.