Hello Bandsters,

Is it true that one must give up certain favorite foods for life? If true, that part is difficult to accept. For example, I love steak and cheece subs from subway. When if ever could I have one after having the operation?

Hmmmm, well that's one thing that probably WILL be difficult to eat after surgery.

But you might find a window where you can eat things like that before you get proper restriction and I bet you'll find its hard and its not quite as good as it once was and then your love affair will die a natural death, lol. it is never as hard to give up those foods, you just dont want them anymore.

I've not really had a burger or fries since surgery 3 and a half years ago. I kind of instinctively know what it will feel like - I've had tastes, not good, lol, it doesnt go down well. Even the thought of eating at Mcdonalds makes me feel sick.

Well I have not given up eating a variety of different foods. I love my veggies, not sure why, because I did not love them as a kid. And I eat bread, fruits, meats, and carbs. Shocking but true!

I just eat so much less of everything. If I am having a treat, I eat a small portion of it and I don't eat it every day, but I do have treats.

I have found with my band, I have great restriction right now, and I am able to consume any type of food. But I eat small portions.

However, there are people who cannot eat certain food types because they get stuck. You really will not know what you can and cannot eat until after surgery when you are on solids.

You doctor might have specific instructions for you too!

Good luck!

No you don't have to give up all your beloved foods. It is individual and depends partly (largely) on how restricted you are. Many people can eat bread if they want. You MAY find that the time it takes to chew it and swallow it are not worth the effort, but again, it is individual. Per my doc, goal is to be able to eat anything but in smaller amounts. You'll still be in control. Many (not all, but many) who can't eat a little of anything have chosen to be filled more tightly.

We're all a little different inside (our digestive tracts aren't cranked out by robots) so there is no hard and fast rule. Odds are high you will have some problem food, odds are high you won't care too much if you are losing and feeling great.

For example I LOVE Patty Melts from Whataburger. I got one the other day, planning to eat half (knew I couldn't eat the whole one) and after about 4 bites I decided heck with it and ate something else. It didn't taste good enough any more to be worth the effort.

I still eat subway (turkey and ham on wheat toasted) except now I can eat only half of a 6 inch,where before the band I could eat a whole foot long and do it really fast.If Jared Fogle can lose that much weight on subways then it must be ok.My surgeon thinks he slipped in a little surgery that he is not telling about.

It all depends on the person. Some people can't touch bread and rice. It will depend on you and your band. my band has a mind of it's own. Some days I can get away with eating a subway sub and other days it would make me sick as a dog. Either way I still eat less than I ever did! Rice is not my friend!

Post-op, before you are properly restricted, you will probably be able to eat your Subway without issue. Depending on how restricted you choose to be, you may or may not choose to continue to eat them as you continue on your journey. I prefer a tighter band. Therefore, bread is NOT my friend. But that is OK to me and I don't miss the Subway. I would miss my size 6 jeans far more. If I want Subway, I can get a sub made as a salad for the taste. But it would go to waste cause I don't eat much. I prefer the $2 Sammies from Quizno's. I eat the insides and one bite of the pita and am perfectly satisfied.

Like the others said, it probably depends on the person as far as the physical limitations of the band go. Emotionally, I feel like I don't want to eat just anything. I will be banded next month, and I feel like I don't want to put bad things in my body. I don't think that the healthier choices taste as good as the fattening foods, but this is just something I have to accept. I really had a hard time coming to that realization, but a friend of mine put it this way. "You won't do drugs, no matter how good they might feel because you know they will hurt you. Eating like this is also hurting you." I hated her for about two weeks, but she's right. She's right. Eating to please myself is what got me in trouble in the first place. I had lied to myself about the portion sizes because I felt like, and still feel like, the actual types of food I eat are healthy. No fried foods, no super sized anything, no real mayo, etc. It's just that, for me, I can eat several pieces of whole wheat bread, drink 30 oz of low-fat milk....I am hoping that the band will help me reign it in some as far as that goes.

Thank you all so much for the information. It has helped me a great deal. :thumbup:

the only thing I have had to give up that I like is carbonation --- and I have gotten used to it --- I have also gotten used to not drinking during eating --- I can eat anything just lots less --- chew chew chew -- I have not had a sub yet but I would eat some of the bread ---- chew chew chew

I am only 2 months post band and am amazed at what a difference it has made in my food preferences. I am more easily satisfied. There is nothing I crave that I can't have. Some things are just no longer worth it, since I know they won't be easy to eat, but I generally don't miss them. I eat about 75% of my meals out, and almost never have a hard time finding something I want to, and can, eat.

I agree with everybody. There are some foods that I cannot eat, because it hurts and they don't go down well, if at all. After trying these foods a few times with the same awful ending - it kind of makes your cravings for them go away. I know if I eat white bread or plain chicken what will happen, and that right there makes me not crave them anymore. There are plenty of foods that I like that I can still eat. The good part is, I eat less of them, and now there is less of me. Good luck to you!! Becky

I haven't found any restrictions yet but I have only been one week on solid foods. I have yet to PB or slime...(knock on wood). I do find that the fast food that I used to love doesn't taste very good now. I don't know if its because I am eating it slower and am actually tasting it...but I can tell you that the McDonald's cheeseburger is one nasty son of a gun.

I am glad this was posted, I have been worried about what I could and couldn't eat. I love bread and potatoes. The point I am getting from most of these posts is that it is an individual experience.

I am going on my 8 month of being banded. I have not had any problems with food choices (I can eat anything only smaller portions). I have 4 friends that have had problems with anything from chicken, rice, popcorn, cheese, etc. My surgeon says that I am an exception to the rule, ususally people find something that they can not tollerate. My motto is chew chew chew, keep all pieces of food smaller than a single dice, and remember to taste the food you are eating. I hope everyone has as much luck as I have had.

I have been banded for 1yr and 10days. I can eat almost anything, except for eggs (weird, I know) white bread (whole grain is fine) and tortia(sp) wraps and roast beef. However, I can eat egg bread (french toast) I am fine with a little rice and do great with steak and popcorn. Burgers taste gross to me now from fast food places. I eat the inside of the subs and maybe 1-2 bites of the bread, If it comes with bread, I usually disregard the bread. I would rather use my stomach space on "real" food than bread. I am in my sweet spot and eat very little at meals. I have lost 100lbs and am feeling great. I used to love buns and bread and burgers. I do not miss them at all. Basically, when you get on solids it is trial and error, and then when you get adjusted it is more of the same. Days will vary on what you can and can not tolerate. stress and period time makes my band very tight and I switch to liquids and mushies. I find it really helps me.

Edited February 16, 200917 yr by KTBUGG
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