Hi everyone! I was banded at TLBC in Toronto Canada on April17th 2008. I am 5'2" and weighed 226lbs. when I had the surgery and I now weigh 205lbs. The surgery went well with the exception of shoulder pain from the gas which was fixed with a couple of trips to the chriropractor but I am having trouble getting the proper fill amount. I am so afraid to eat that now I am just avoiding everything except yogurt, soup, pudding, ice cream and protein shakes. I had strawberries cut up yesterday and that was ok. I was always a very fast eater so it has been a real challenge to slow down. I am also a former smoker and have rarely had a craving to smoke but recently because I am not eating as much, I find I am really craving cigarettes. Has anyone else experienced this problem?? I am looking for advice about what to eat. Thanks. Jodylou :Angel_anim:

Hello and welcome Jody :Angel_anim:

I had my surgery 4/23 so were pretty close there! I quit smoking at the beginning of 2007 so that really hasn't affected me craving wise.

When you say you're afraid to eat.. are you too tight? Are you chewing food until its pure mush or liquifide?

The foods you're eating they call sliders and you really should avoid them as your staple foods so that would be my concern.

Protein needs to be you're big thing I am sure you know that. If you have a hard time slowing down do what I have done... I take a 2 oz chicken breast seasoned and then put it in the food processor.. This chops it small and then you can practice chewing more. If you're getting stuck with this you really do need an unfill.

Brandy - thanks for your reply - I have a call into my lapband centre to see about another de-fill. I had my third fill on June 19th and went in on Monday for a de-fill and they took out .3 but I still think I am too restricted as I threw up scrambled eggs this a.m. so that is why I am afraid to eat. I like your idea about the chicken - any other suggestions? Are you in Canada? Jody

Hi Jody,

No I am in the States (Oregon)

I put alot of my meats in the food processor so I am not really sure you will just have to play with it. Oh another thing that is good is the tyson chicken in a can... Very high in Protein, very soft, and juicy... It's already cut into tiny peices or slices like tuna and just falls apart. I keep that mixed up with some italian dressing or lite mayo in the fridge. Only about a 1/3 of a can for me and I get about 19 grams of protein I think.