[SlimmingDown]

Last night I went out with a group of friends for sushi. While I was sitting there it occured to me that I don't know what I'll be able to eat if I opt to get the surgery. I have read the posts about the post-surgery diets, etc. but will I ever be allowed to eat foods like sushi? Obviously I know that the portions will be much smaller but will I be able to digest it adequately? What about celery and those sorts of food?

I am starting the insurance process in February but I don't actually meet with my bariatric surgeon for the first time until mid-March.

I would love to hear your experiences with eating various types of foods... what is easiest for you to eat?, what is hardest?, etc....

Thanks for any insight into post-surgery life!

[Chickadee]

Hi,
I've been banded for four years. I eat sushi (usually a california roll type), but have to be pretty careful with it. If I eat too big a bite, I'm in trouble because the rice and seaweed have been known to hurt, but I love it so much I'm willing to eat very, very slowly.

There are very few foods I can't eat. I just have to be really careful with some and take extremely small bites and see how it's going down. Chicken gives me a hard time still. Home grilled hamburgers are difficult, but greasy fast food ones are fine, with some bunnage taken off. I have a very hard time with fish if it's even slightly overcooked. You just really have to pay attention to what your stomach is telling you. It's definitely a learned skill.

Unfortunately, the foods that go down easiest are the ones most likely to cause weight gain - like ice cream, shakes, cookies (why they don't get stuck I'll never know!), delicious Caramel macchiatos from Starbucks etc. You really need to be cognizant of what you're eating or the tool won't work.

The good news is that it does work if you work it, even four years out. The other good news is that, at least for me, I haven't had any regain. In the past I always regained the second i wasn't dieting. So my band, if for that reason only, has been a God send.

Good luck!
Chickadee

[nitengal42in]

I had RNY and yes, you can have sushi. Maybe your portions will teeny at first but you can have it. Yes, you can have celery. The only restrictions I have is no sugar and low fat. I am six years out. Dont worry so much. You can eat almost everything, just in smaller portions.

[jiffypop]

slimming - what they said! but i also gotta add that everyone is a bit different. sometimes white rice is hard for me - it's gotten easier over time, but i still have to be careful.

as for celery, it's never been my favorite veggie to eat - even though it's fine as an ingredient. HOWEVER, if i don't take those strings off, sometimes it gets ugly.

sooo, yes, you'll be able to eat whatever you want, after awhile. but you'll always have to keep an eye on what works for YOU and what doesn't!

[SlimmingDown]

Thanks a lot for the input!

I went to see my psychologist today and he said that he'd approve me! Thought I was a great candidate with the right mind set. That made me pretty happy. I am still weighing the factors and gathering all of the facts so nothing is certain. At least one box can be checked. Of course, I still have to see him for 2 more months.

[KO]

slimming one of my favorite asian things to have is sashimi ( no rice) or maybe tofu and chinese veggies get a brown sauce or black bean sauce garlic sauce has BUCKETS of sugar.