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?

:biggrin: OMG...what if I can't eat tortillas? Please tell me you eat the soft corn ones! Jeez, I guess we've identified one of my trigger foods. I will just have to wait and see if I can or can't. It does seem to be very individual, but I am noticing a pattern of starches being difficult for people. Makes sense.

As I am typing this, out of the corner of my eye, I see an add for dr. Ponce de leon. That is cracking me up. It makes me think of a Spanish explorer bringing lap bands to the new world.

:tt2: OMG...what if I can't eat tortillas? Please tell me you eat the soft corn ones! Jeez, I guess we've identified one of my trigger foods. I will just have to wait and see if I can or can't. It does seem to be very individual, but I am noticing a pattern of starches being difficult for people. Makes sense.

As I am typing this, out of the corner of my eye, I see an add for dr. Ponce de leon. That is cracking me up. It makes me think of a Spanish explorer bringing lap bands to the new world. :tongue2:

I hate to bring bad news but if I had to take a guess, I would have to say you probably won't be able to eat soft totillas. It seems the softer type of breads etc are the worst. If it is toasted, you may have better luck. Crispier things break down easier when when chewed up. Just my opinion....

I can eat the crispy corn ones. I can eat tostadas from Taco bell. I open up a cheesy beef burrito and empty it onto the tostada and eat it like that. Takes about 15 minutes to eat. you really need to take your time when you eat. very important!! I can eat bagels though, does that help you?? just about 1/2 one at a time. but, it is yummy. :tongue2:

OMG...what if I can't eat tortillas? Please tell me you eat the soft corn ones! Jeez, I guess we've identified one of my trigger foods. I will just have to wait and see if I can or can't. It does seem to be very individual, but I am noticing a pattern of starches being difficult for people. Makes sense.

As I am typing this, out of the corner of my eye, I see an add for dr. Ponce de leon. That is cracking me up. It makes me think of a Spanish explorer bringing lap bands to the new world. :tt2:

I'm six months out, and I've been at my "sweet spot" for awhile now, and I can still eat everything I've tried. I've never pb'd, and I eat bread and tortilla's (just not on a daily basis). I had a wonderful turkey & cheese sub from a local restaurant Sunday (ate 1/3 of a 8 inch sub), and I had a few small bites with the bread, meat, and lettuce altogether. I didn't feel stuck, but it felt "heavy" in my chest. I opened my sub, and ate the meat, and then ate the bread separately. You just have to test things slowly.

OK. I talked to my friend who is banded, and she said that I can probably eat them with sauce, but just a tiny bit. In any case, it might be best if I leave the breads behind. It's strange. I am having trouble envisioning my life after this procedure. It sounds so much more difficult, but it sounds like people are happier....

I will miss Chipolte! I could have lived off their chicken fajita burrito with sour cream, cheese, and corn salsa. :tt2:

Oh well, life goes on. My desire to be thin trumps Chipolte!

this is funny that you ask this... I had a lot of favorite foods pre band but now I don't think of food that way. I now eat to live not the other way around. You won't be food focused anymore and crave foods the way you do now. At least for me that has been the way since I was banded. If I want something I have a bite of it. But really you need to get your mind set on getting healthy and not focusing on what you will be giving up because what you will gain can't even begin to compare. Good luck!!!

:sneaky: Oooh, I hope you're right, Alliemorris, 'cause I do love tortillas. My desire to be thin does trump tortillas and chipotle, but just barely!

I will miss Chipolte! I could have lived off their chicken fajita burrito with sour cream, cheese, and corn salsa. :tt2:

Oh well, life goes on. My desire to be thin trumps Chipolte!

I just ate Chipotle the other night... got the burrito bowl vegetarian style with bean and no rice. Ordered with the guacamole and the yummy tomato and onion salsa and all of the fixins. It went down just fine. You might have to improvise, but trust me, you can eat anywhere... and last night, Chipotle could not have tasted better. YUM.

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'm trying to work on getting the number of diet cokes I drink down although the cost of a 12 pack is really helping that I'm down to about one can during the day and one sometimes in the evening. I'm also working some on not drinking with my meals. I've always sipped something after every couple of bites so that will be a big issue for me.

Hi all! I'm getting banded in two days, and am wondering if I will someday be able to eat my favorite foods. I understand that my definition of "favorite" may change, but I was wondering if anyone is able to eat...

- pizza?

- spaghetti?

- popcorn?

- steak (grilled)?

- chili

- Japanese rolls (like California roll)

I don't plan to overdo any of the above, but would be very sad if I could NEVER have them again....

momstorO, I've been banded six months, and I have very good restriction. I haven't had any problems with anything on your list. I might have to take small bites, chew well, and take my time, but I'm able to eat them and enjoy them. Besides, since I'm eating small portions, but taking my time, by taking longer to eat, I'm not sitting at the table twiddling my thumbs while others are still eating.

The only thing on your list that I haven't tried more than a couple of small bites is grilled steak. I've ordered fish when we've gone to steak places, and I haven't cooked any at home. However, I have had roast beef, which can be more stringy, and I ate it just fine. I was careful and I took a papaya/pineapple extract chewable tablet, as I was eating, to help with digestion. Also, I've had lasagna with no problem, but I haven't eaten just plain spaghetti.

kiz,

Thanks for relieving some of my last nerves. It was just too depressing to think that I had to completely give up some of my old friends.

The papaya/pineapple extract chewable tablet sounds like it should be added to my diet toolkit. When do you use it?

I know what you mean, momster0. I definitely don't want to mislead you, because some people do have trouble with various foods, but for whatever reason, I haven't.

The most important things to help me eat these foods is taking my time, eating smallish bites (not tiny, but maybe the width of a nickel), not having a super tight band, and chewing well (but not until my food is liquid, by any means), and probably a bit of luck. I've never pb'd or had acid reflux, so I'm very happy with the way I can eat.

I got the tablets at Trader Joe's, but others have found them at Vitamin shops. I really recommend everyone have them on hand. They're very inexpensive, and I've never heard of anything negative about them. Once, I was close to pb'ing on Chinese chicken and broccoli (entirely my fault, because of getting over confident and complacent), and I took a pill and had almost instant relief. As I mentioned earlier, if I start to feel like I'm eating meat that's not going to go down well, I wait a few minutes before taking another bite, and chew one of the tabs. So far, so good...crossing fingers.

kiz - no worries. I understand that everyone will be different. I'm hopeful, tho! Thanks again for the great tip!