Lapbanders & ice cream

Was wondering what banders have experienced (if anything) when they tried eating ice cream. I enjoy ice cream now but I am interested to know if it is even "allowed" or "tolerated" post-op. Any info would be helpful. Thanks again all!

I haven't been banded yet, but have been researching for many months. Also, you might want to check out 2 yahoo groups - bandsters and smartbandsters....they send me a digest each day of the conversations people have all about this subject! Anyway, from what I understand, you can enjoy just about anything after banding, but in much smaller portions. There is no "dumping" with bands....but just because you can, doesn't mean you should! Also, a good book is Jessie Ahroni's "Guide to Adjustable Gastric Banding.." She also is a regular member of the 2 usergroups I mentioned above. Talk about getting it from the horse's mouth! She is a band "expert" and has one herself....I'm not sure if she is a doctor or not, but she does give fills to patients...maybe a nurse practioner? Anyway, I was just approved by Anthem today, and am super psyched! Take care -

Hello, I have a band and ice cream is a no-no. Even the "low fat" ice cream that is out there is very high carb for a snack. You should really give some consideration to being able to give up that kind of snack. I have 2 kids that eat ice cream almost every night of the week and I choose not to eat it. Always remember that you can eat anything after you are banded but you shouldn't eat many different foods. My doctor had said to me if there is one "bad food" that you cannot live without and you are going to cheat then you shouldn't have the band done. With that said, it is possible to get in the right mind set to have this surgery as I know because I have done it and there are times when I ask myself why I did this when I see other people eating stuff that I "can't" have. I'll tell you why I did it, I've lost 42 pounds forever that I never thought I could since having the surgery 3/3/05. Feel free to ask as many questions as necessary to get yourself ready for this life changing procedure. Patty

Yeah i just read an intersting article on WLS. I'm sure you CAN eat ice cream since with the band you're just restricted in space and you haven't changed your anatomy. In fact it might be easier to eat ice cream than something else because it melts and will go through the narrow opening. Of course you shouldn't eat a gallon of ice cream, but I'm sure a bite won't kill you. I had the RNY surgery and I can still eat ice cream (yes I've tried) but I really can't eat much of it. If you really can't live without ice cream or think you might binge on it, go to counseling. I only say that because with the band it's a reversible surgery, it's not forever and you can still eat whatever you want. If you don't deal with the head issues on eating you will eventually reverse your surgery (could be years). I'm still dealing with the same issues I had before surgery. I'm skinnier than I was before, but I still want all the same foods and I still want to snack. I have learned what a real portion size is. I'm glad that I'm physically restricted on how much food I can eat. Sometimes I still just want to eat a whole rack of BBQ ribs but I can't. Counseling has helped some with this, but I know it's going to be a long struggle. I know this probably sounds like a lecture by now. I hope that answered your question. Erin 277/174/165

It is tolerated by the band but should only be eaten in moderation, like everything else. Since there is no anatomical rearranging with the band there are no dumping issues that some RNY'ers experience. I do have ice cream from time to time. I wanted the band so that I could still eat anything that i want but just in smaller quantities. I have lost 85lbs this far so I don't think it's hampering my weight loss. Sure I probably could have lost a bit more if I didn't but I don't like to deprive myself. I do find that I eat more healthfully overall since banding though.

Hi, Michelle! Just as an introduction, I am the Bette that Towanda told you about. Nice to sort of meet you! I can't speak for all bandsters, but *I* do eat ice cream on occasion. In fact, I had some Godiva ice cream last week (wouldn't have bought it since it's so expensive, but I got a good deal with 2 coupons.) The pint lasted me over a week. Instead of eating half the carton, I had two small scoops at a time that probably equalled a half-cup. And believe me, those two scoops were heavenly . I'm not saying that I eat ice cream all the time (maybe 10 times in my 18 post-op months), but I do have it, and I really consider it to be the treat that it was always meant to be, instead of the thing I used to just shovel into my mouth without muc thought. Hope that helps! Bette 376/177.5