I'm going to miss beef!
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!
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 That classification was common when I was banded just 3 years ago, but it's out of date now.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
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!
Once you are well into regular food you'll be able to test beef to see if it works for you.
Best~
Lisa O.
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
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.
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..."
Kari

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