I'm going to miss beef!

NY2ATL *
on 5/19/10 9:25 am
I 've only had 2 fills since surgery....and none at all since Januray 4th..I'm due to see my Dr. next week and I am not getting one this time either..I have 4.0 cc's in an 11.cc band..
I know the purpose of the band is to restrict my portions but I personally feel I need to take responsibility and monitor how much I eat as well as what I eat. I feel like I'm training myself to be satisfied with smaller portions, and not just depending on my band to do it all..What if, heaven forbid, something happens and I have to have my band removed?
I want to be able to maintain my weight loss for a lifetime and to do that I need to make myself accountable for all my choices..
JMHO!

For Low Carb Recipes:
www.obesityhelp.com/group/LCRECIPES/discussion/  


         

    
Jean M.
on 5/19/10 11:06 am
Revision on 08/16/12
To reinforce what Patty said, you cannot count on your band to automatically restrict how much you eat.  Constantly testing the limits of your band by overeating will eventually cause problems like band slippage, esophageal or stomach pouch dilation, etc.

It's the responsibility of the bandster to monitor their food intake, both the quality and quantity.  That's something every adult (banded or not) should do anyway, IMO.

According to Allergan (maker of the Lap-Band), we shouldn't even consider the band to be a "restrictive" WLS procedure.  That classification was common when I was banded just 3 years ago, but it's out of date now.  What the band is supposed to do is induce early and prolonged satiety, by activating the nerves in the upper stomach that send satiety signals to the brain.

Jean

Jean McMillan c.2009-2013 - Always a bandster at heart
author of Bandwagon (TM), Strategies for Success  with the Adjustable Gastric Band & Bandwagon Cookery. Bandwagon for Kindle now available on Amazon.  Read my blog at: jean-onthebandwagon.blogspot.com 

   

 

 

 

MARIA F.
on 5/19/10 2:29 pm - Athens, GA
On May 19, 2010 at 3:14 PM Pacific Time, cushingsa wrote:
 My surgeon doesn't really stress on a lot of fills.  I have yet to have my first, but I noticed here that a lot of people discuss it quite a bit.  The dr. talks about "working the band" more and says that a tighter band isn't always necessary.  So I find it interesting to hear that you keep your band looser.  I know I'm just in recovery, but I can really feel a restriction with no fill so I'm hoping I won't need too many.

Sharon

PS - I am going to stick to low carb as well.

The reason u have no appetite now is b/c of the edema from the surgery. Usually around 2 wks. the edema starts going down and the appetite returns. It generally takes 3-5 fills to reach restriction. If u don't get your fills till u have restriction it is just like trying to diet b4 u had the band!

 

   FormerlyFluffy.com

 

cushingsa
on 5/19/10 6:41 pm - Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
 I'm supposed to get my fill around the 6th week - thanks for the info.  Now I know what to expect.

Sharon
  
"He is able who thinks he is able." 
Buddha

  
Lisa O.
on 5/19/10 8:39 am - Snoqualmie, WA
I eat beef, but very carefully and only the best cuts work for me now.  The key is cutting very small bites and chewing more than you thought possible.  Ground beef can be difficult if it's too dry but I eat a burger without the bun on occasion too without trouble.  Ketchup or steak sauce help it go down too!  I only have it on occasion, but can't pass up a NY strip grilled on the BBQ in the summertime!

Once you are well into regular food you'll be able to test beef to see if it works for you. 

Best~
Lisa O.

Lap Band surgery Nov. 2008, SW 335. Lost 116 lbs.  LB removal May 2013 gained 53 lbs. Revisied to RNY October 14, 2013, new SW 275.

    

    

rainbow_runner
on 5/19/10 8:54 am
I eat grilled beef tenderloin and sirloin (medium-rare) a couple times a week and have absolutely no problem, but am going in for a 3rd fill on Monday so am anxious to find out whether that will have any effect on my ability to eat beef.  I LOVE my steak (and lamb chops, too!), and am a low-carber also, so may end up having my band a little looser like NY2ATL so that I can still get my protein eating the meats I love and need as someone who lives low-carb.
Jean M.
on 5/19/10 11:12 am, edited 5/19/10 11:20 am
Revision on 08/16/12
I was never told to avoid beef, only to be careful when eating it.  Depending on the cut and the cooking method (moist is always better for me), I can eat red meat like beef and lamb, though venison can be a problem (probably too dry).  The cut of beef that works the best for me is rib eye steak - that's a fairly fatty cut, but the fat is what keeps it moist during cooking.

Sometimes I have a problem with ground red meat (which you'd think would be easier to eat), even when it's in a moist dish like chili.  I love burgers on the grill (preferably with cheese melted on top), so I just take tiny bites, chew very well, and eat slowly.  Which is the way bandsters should approach any meal anyway.

When you're allowed to eat solid food, by all means experiment with beef.  I would not experiment in public, though (like in a restaurant or at a party), because if the meat won't go down, you could find yourself in an embarrassing situation!

Bon appetit!

Jean

Jean McMillan c.2009-2013 - Always a bandster at heart
author of Bandwagon (TM), Strategies for Success  with the Adjustable Gastric Band & Bandwagon Cookery. Bandwagon for Kindle now available on Amazon.  Read my blog at: jean-onthebandwagon.blogspot.com 

   

 

 

 

AlittleFaith
on 5/19/10 11:52 am - Pasadena, CA
We had tri tip for dinner last night and I chewed the ever-loving heck out of every bite and it went down OK. Four ounces and then I didn't have much room for veggies. My doctor said I can have all foods as long as I chew chew chew and pay attention.

Jean, you were right about training your mind to do well on smaller portions. I'm still a week away from my first fill and not terribly restrictred, but I only allow myself what I portion out for myself to get in the habit. I'm hoping that after my fill it won't be any different. So far I've been full most every time and if not, certainly fairly satisfied.
Information stage: 281 pounds
One week pre-op: 268
Two weeks post-op: 253
Current: 218 (I only weigh when I go to the doctor!)
Goal: somewhere in the "normal" range of 139 to 174. We'll see when I get there!
First fill: 2.5 ccs (5/26/10); Second fill: 1 cc (6/28/10); Third fill: 1cc (8/4/10); 4th fill: .5ccs ; slight unfill: .25ccs (11/3/10) = (4.75ccs total)
"I only live for today, but I'm one day behind..."
Tantrica
on 5/19/10 12:14 pm - An Army Base, XX
 I've never had a problem with beef, ground or otherwise, unless I was over filled!  I eat an almost strictly protein diet most of the time and beef is on the menu at least once a week, along with moose, venison, caribou and a variety of other game animals!!  You will not have ot give up grilled steak and burgers for ever, just be sure to chew carefully.  I can actually judge a fill by a piece of beef, if I can't swallow beef comfortably I know I'm too tight, if it causes me to PB or slime I'm WAYYYY too tight!

Kari

        
BooLicious
on 5/19/10 12:24 pm - PA
I never was told no beef either.  I ate cheeseburgers (no bun) with veggies all the time when I got to solids.  Sometimes I did it regular and had mushrooms, then a burger with tomato sauce and mozzarella.  It was perfectly fine.  I also can still eat all steaks.  London Broil gave me pause once but I was eating too fast.  I eat beef all the time.  Steak, roast, brisket.  It will all depend on what "the boss" says.  (the band is the boss ;)  )
Boo


226077
04/20/2009- Started Pre-Op Diet at 281 pounds
09/16/2009- Had Surgery at 248 pounds
11/19/2009- 1st fill of 4 cc's
12/15/2009-
2nd Fill of 1 cc
01/28/2010- 3rd Fill of .5 cc
04/01/2010- 4th Fill of .3 cc

Ultimate Goal Weight:  140

Most Active
×