Okay so I am having trouble adjusting to the idea that I'll never be able to have bread, pasta, tortillas or rice ever again. I'm armenian and my husband is Mexican so tortillas are big in his culture and rice and pita bread are big in mine...am I ever going to be able to have pilaf or sarma (stuffed grape leaves) again? I've only had one fill because since then I have been too afraid to go back since my first one wasn't a good experience and because it's an hour and ten minute drive one way!!! I cry all the time and I hate my body almost as much as I did before the surgery...I don't know. Maybe I'm just being a baby...any tips or anything? Thanks in advance!!!

Thank you all so much for your stories and help It helps to see that everyone is in the same boat as me sometimes...I can't wait for my Christmas grape leaves dinner....mmmm lol

After 5 fills, with everything going down slow (even liquids), I've learned that with enough chewing and even a bit of waiting between bites, I can eat just about anything.

Some things I avoid because they require too long of a wait between bites. I love Sushi but I pretty much can't have it unless eel sauce is involved and even then it's slooooow going.

Lobster and shrimp are things of the past. Currently, no amount of chewing gets that fibrous muscle stuff past my tight band.

Tortillas are . . . OK if taken in moderate to small bites and chewed plenty. Saliva is your friend. I've learned the hard way that if I rush I get plugged. I do not believe I've had grape leaves since I was banded in July of last year but I'd say try them after first drinking a full glass of water. If you get plugged, the water already in your stomach MIGHT help if they have to come up.

I'm to the point that I can feel everything pass my band (even liquids) and I can also feel when something is NOT going to pass. I must say that being in this condition is exactly where I, personally, need and want to be.

Chewing until it's liquid in your mouth and taking little itty bitty bites is the answer to being able to eat difficult foods.

I try not to eat difficult foods, but hardly anyone knows I am banded. If I am out to dinner with friends, I eat very slowly. I wait between bites, take small bites and chew until there is nothing left to chew.

I have been banded 6 weeks and lost 30 pounds. I have no problem with rice, bean or tortillas.

I have problems with chicken....i gave up on chicken.:rolleyes2:

I am Greek and the thought of never being able to eat

stuffed grape leaves would be very depressing. I wish I could eat them every day, but I am too lazy to make them. I do eat them when I go to the Greek restaurant when I go to visit my dad.

Like everyone else said, you will be able to eat those things. Some people choose to keep their band very tight, which in my opinion, is not a good thing. I think it's dangerous for the band to be that tight on our stomachs. If your band is very tight, it will be more difficult to eat those things.

I can eat anything I want, as long as I chew it up until it's liquid in my mouth. Sometimes, that is not a good thing, as my weight goes up and down. Eating with the band is a learning experience.

Im Greek 2! and i like to eat stuffed cabbage with meat and rice ( i do brown rice) it tastes just as good as stuffed grape leaves but there healthier i also use a tomato sauce on top...ive had one fill and the food is easy to get down as long as i chew chew chew...but i also watch what i eat i dont eat they way i used 2! if i want bread its whole wheat or rye no more than 45 calories per slice...if i want Pasta its barilla plus (wheat pasta) if i want rice its brown...its all about ur choices and how good u chew! good luck

I love stuffed cabbage. That is another thing I am too lazy to make. I miss my mom's good Greek cooking!

Every Christamas my grandma makes a huge Armenian feast....shish, sarma, pilaf, bulgar, souborag, stuffed peppers and tomatoes....I cannot wait to see what things I can eat...I really want to have some sarma, souborag, and maybe a little pilaf or bulgar, but I think I may just have to have a couple sarma and maybe some shish.. :laugh: I love Armenian food grrrr :thumbup: lol

I know how your feeling. I also feel that way about the pop. I am not a pop drinker but tell me I can't have it then I want it. HA go figure. I am also going to NWWLS for mine on the 11/19/08. I am scared, how did it go for you? I have Dr. Michealson. Were you in pain for anytime?

I had Dr. Chock, but I have met with him too...he was just voted best doctor (in his field) in WA!!! He is so nice and the nurses/staff and the annesthisiologist (sp?) are all wonderful. After my surgery I was feeling fine...it felt like I did a whole lot of crunches/sit-ups! About 4 days after my surgery I started having really bad lower abdominal pain...I called the on call and left a message and Dr. M called me back within 3-4 minutes and was very nice (the pain had nothing to do with the pain by the way). I love NWWLS and I am so glad that I went through them...they have forums through yahoo so you can talk to other bandsters in this area. I live in University Place so I have a good hour and 10 minute drive :| lol. They have support groups too that are so great!!! Good luck...if you ever need to talk or anything I check the site a few times a day . Take care and good luck again :thumbup: