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?

I still eat subs from subway. Some people I heard have trouble with bread, not me. I have trouble a little with fruit though.

I havent given up anything. I do try more moderation of Snacks now.

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....

Yep, I can eat them all, but the green part of the sushi, the seaweed wrap is a little hard for me to chew up and get down sometimes.

We still go get tacos, no way would I be able to give them up. Just had some of the 100 calorie popcorn, but it does slow down my weight loss.

nothing against subway, but....don't they have any place that makes a good steak and cheese out there?

Hi momster. Yes to some of the things on your list.... no to some... and some I don't care for I LOVE chile... red and green and HOT!! I made sure before I got the band that chile would not be on my forbidden list. Mexican food is still a part of my life. I also have no problems with chile, like at Wendy's. I have eaten popcorn and had no problems with it either. I don't like steak or Japanese rolls, so I can't answer about those. White flour products are on my list of things I'm not supposed to have ("A dilated pouch can occur by consuming white flour products, carbonated beverages, and overeating. This can potentially cause a slippage, which is normally corrected through additional surgery"). I have tried, and had trouble with, bread, flour tortillas, and cannot eat pizza because of the crust. After 3 to 6 months I could incorporate whole grain and whole wheat products. I first tried whole wheat pasta from Kroger's and didn't care for it, but now I have found some that is yummy - not much different from regular pasta. I can now eat toasted whole wheat bread too. For sure everyone's doctor's instructions are different and so are our bodies and our bands. It is trial and error and I am still learning to live with the good restriction that I finally have. Good luck to you!!! Becky

To MissBS - once I am banded (tomorrow) I definately don't want to do anything to dilate my pouch. I know that I can resist most anything...but I do love my spaghetti (kind of like you with your chile). I would love to try the whole wheat pasta that you found to be "yummy". Can you tell me the brand?

Hi momster and good luck with your surgery tomorrow!!! I purchased the pasta at Whole Foods and it is their own brand. I bought the elbow macaroni, but they had different kinds. Let me know how everything goes. You will be in my thoughts tomorrow. Take care!!! Becky

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....

Without a common point of reference, it's impossible to understand what it's like six months on the other side of banding.

Your eating habits and tastes will change. I haven't had a McD anything in 8 months and don't miss it a bit. Doesn't even smell good. I eat at least two cups of fruit per day and love it. I still find myself putting too much food my my dinner plate and tossing half of it. You'll get strange looks from your friends when you only order an appetizer at a restaurant and not be able to finish it because you're full. Noboby really understands it until they've lived with the band.

Cal

I am having trouble envisioning my life after this procedure. It sounds so much more difficult, but it sounds like people are happier....

It seems different for sure, and it IS. I don't eat what I used to. I don't crave carbs like I used to. We eat veggies in abundance and make better choices. Before I'd rely on prepared foods, fast foods, high-carb foods. NOW, I an admitted FOODIE. I COOK. We eat WELL in our house now. I made a fabulous whole wheat baked spaghetti loaded with FRESH Veggies, fresh tomatoes, home-roasted peppers, and sausage. We are also eating broccoli salad with cranberries, slaw, etc. And that is FOR lunch. For dinner, I am making a stir-fry with marinated chicken breasts, fresh green and yellow Beans, fresh carrots, and black japonica rice. In the olden days I would have made Hamburger Helper and dressed it up with a can of mushrooms. My kids LOVE that I make DELICIOUS foods everyday that are a party in your mouth. Your tastes will change. I made the choice to eat fresher, more organic, less processed. And I'll never go back. Life tastes too good this way. (And I look really hot in my jeans!)

Thanks everyone for your support. I got my band three days ago, and all went smoothly. I'm still on a liquid diet, but am really not craving anything else at this point. It feels like I've done two thousand situps!

Hi momster. Congratulations on getting your band. I am excited for you!! Becky

Congrats, momster0!!!

Being thin/healthy/happy is better than 100,000,000 of those sandwiches....