I will be having the surgery the first part of next year and was wondering if you could tell me what you CAN'T eat. I am hoping that the band will not let me eat sweet or fried/fast foods. Those are my weaknesses. Thanks so much!

Dana

Starting 6-month diet on 6/26/08:w00t:

Hi Dana, I'm pre-surgery also. I've been reading some really good books. You might check out 'before and after' by susan leach and also 'the real skinny on weight loss surgery' by julie janeway & karen sparks. the latter book spells out info very clearly (and humorous too btw!). they are both pretty easy reads.

To answer your question, from what i understand, you can still eat nearly everything (after a period of time) you could before. The band restricts the amount of food (for awhile anyway), not really the type/quality/kinds of food you can eat. From what I'm learning, to utilize this tool successfully and for the longhaul (like the rest of my life!), you have to make lifestyle changes forever. Yes, you can have a bite or 2 of stuff, but just b/c ice cream will go down, doesn't mean you should eat it everyday.

I understand this is just a tool, you still have to have control over what you eat. Just my thoughts and from what i've read so far.

- Joni

To answer your question, from what I have learned since getting my band was that everyone is different when it comes to what they can tolerate and what they can't. For example, some people eggs are a problem, for other it is not. The one thing that I heard that people can't tolerate on a consistent basis is bread. Anyway, what I was told was that it is going to have to be a trial and error type of thing so that you can determine what works for you. Just remember to chew the hell out of everything and you should be fine.

I am 10 weeks post op today, and have only lost about 15 pounds, but I can still eat anything I want, just way less. I am 5'6 weighed 252 the day of surgery. I want to lose 100 total and I will be at my goal. I have had 2 fills and have a total of 6 ccs in a 10 cc ap band. My husband just had his band the new realize band in 2 weeks ago today and he cant eat hardly anything, like his shakes and stuff just don't hardly go down. He is same weight but 5'8. So he has lost already 12 pounds....anyway, hoping together we can encourage one another....but I have been a little disapointed at how I can eat anything, bread, rice, steak, an occassional coke....:sad:nothing causes pain or discomfort....my husband puked on a tiny piece of bread! I even made them x-ray me and make sure band was in place...lol. It was, I am just going to be one of those who has to be tighter I guess. Good luck to all!

French Fries!! They have been the worst for me (in more ways than one)

I can eat anything really, its just if its something like bread, tortillas, etc... I can't eat much at all. Since I can't get much nutrition in during the day I just don't eat those things, but I could if I wanted to...Make sense?

unfortunately, sweets seem to go down way too good so do chips... i cannot eat bread at all and tough meat like chicken breast is difficult too-on the sweets that is the hardest for me because we are back to willpower-so the point is eat protein and veggies first, then other things after that-with little as you can eat it is important to get in the protein. what i have learned is it is easy to lose at first but then it really is about discipline, self-control and exercise.

I cannot eat any bread, pasta, rice, peanut butter, any kinds of cakes (not even a nibble), dry meat of any kind. I eat lots of protein, fruit, vegetables, and will have a small DQ soft serve, on occasion, as a treat. I think cutting out anything white has been great. I feel really good.

To answer your question, from what I have learned since getting my band was that everyone is different when it comes to what they can tolerate and what they can't. For example, some people eggs are a problem, for other it is not. The one thing that I heard that people can't tolerate on a consistent basis is bread. Anyway, what I was told was that it is going to have to be a trial and error type of thing so that you can determine what works for you. Just remember to chew the hell out of everything and you should be fine.

This sums it up for me as well!!! Wrapping up my 3rd year with the band and bread is my problem child..

I have been banded for only 3 months but bread is the worst! Cannot do bread at all! Fried foods kill me too! Pretty much I stay away from McDonalds, Wendy's, Burger King, etc! There is nothing there that I can eat. Taco Bell is the favorite fast food restuarant now for me. I eat 1 soft taco without the shell and I am full. I can do the crunchy chips and stuff,they go down fine. I used to be able to eat sausage and eggs but now that I have had my 4th fill they seem to be a no no too! I agree that every body is different. I work with a girl that is banded and she eats just about everything, but I am not so lucky. But on the positive note I seem to be staying full for 6-7 hours after a small meal. The last 2 nights I havent even been hungry enough to eat dinner. You will find your groove and there will be things you have to have the will power to stay away from. Good luck in your journey. It will be so worth it in the end!

I can't eat soft breads, flour tortillas, rice, pasta, dry meat and have to be very careful with some crackers and chips. Of course no soft drinks, but after a little while you get used to not having them and don't even miss them! I drink lots of sugar free lemonade and koolaid type drinks.

For me it's bread, tortillas and fresh pineapple(DAMN!!). I can eat a few bites of each of them but that is it. More than 2-3 bites and I feel like I'm having a heart attack...lots of pressure in the chest.

Sorry to tell you the band doesn't stop the sweets from going down you will truly need your will power for that one. I can't eat pizza, sub rolls, toast, mushy bread, dry meat, cheap cuts of beef, over cooked baked chicken, pineapples, bananas, some rice, fatty ground beef (I found that the 93/7 groundbeef works best for me), there is more I just can't think of them right now. But remember your grocery bill will change because of the cuts of beef and Protein that you will have to purchase.

I don't mind the fact that I can only eat quality steaks (porterhouse, t-bone, ribeye, newyork strip, etc).

I love the band. Good Luck!

I cannot eat eggs. I PB.