Will I ever be able to have normal size meals?

I understand that the purpose of the surgery is to enforce the reduction of food portions. Is it forever?
If I reach my goal, what will be the size of my meals afterwards? Will I ever  be able to eat the "problematic foods" such as shrimps, pineapple and asparagus?.

I haven't had a problem eatting shrimp etc. From my understanding it will always be reduction, not the same way you were able to eat before.  This is what was stressed to me, it's a change for life.

Not if you intend on maintaining your weight loss.  If you go back to your previous portion sizes, you will gain your weight back.  Surgery wasn't a temporary fix - it's a solid trade off. 

I agree with the others.  But, when your fill is right, and you maintain a correct fill, you will trade the feeling of full for done.  You just won't want any more.  If you have ever noticed, the first few bites of something are always the tastiest.  You will only be going just beyond the tastiest bites, and be satisfied.

IMHO the band is for life, which means you will always have to eat smaller meals.( I eat asparagus with no problem). Some people eat the same exact foods they ate before banding just in a smaller portion. Once you reach goal you will probably add back a little bit more food, to maintain. But you shouldn't be eating the amount of food you ate before banding. That is probably what got you to the point of needing one. To me, being banding is a "means" to doing things right, eating healthier foods, eating smaller portions and learning that exercise is a must. But all in all, ALL the band DOES is make you full on less, the rest is up to you!!!

all the lap band is suppose to do is curb your hunger and manage your portion sizes that is it .

I can eat all them foods you have listed with no problems.

Some people like to keep their band on the most amount of restriction you can have and others like me like to keep their band on the loose side of things where foods are not a problem.

Me personally, I will always keep my band on the loose side of things. I want to be able to eat the foods I love but I want to be able to manage my portions on them foods also and that is what I do :o)  I have learned when to eat them foods, I have learned how often to eat them foods that is the key right there .

There isn't a single food so far that I have tried that I cant eat , but like my doc told me . The more fills you get the harder it is to eat alot of foods.   There is alot of girls in my support group that way  but like I said me personally I wont ever keep my band that way .  

 It all depends on your idea of normal. A normal sized meal is 3 meals for me 6 years out. I can eat all foods, but can't eat a hero with gusto. I can't even eat unlimited ice cream. And tho at times frustrated, I love my band. 

A lot of this is mental adjustment too.

Pre-op at the seminar, when the doctor said 3oz of protein.. size of deck of cards and 1/2 cup of veggies, about the size of a tennis ball.  I thought to myself.. He's NUTS, there's no way that is enough food to live on, let alone be satisfied.

But, I tried his way.  

Two years out, I sometimes put the 3oz and 1/2 cup on my plate and think "That's too much".

I can eat most foods most of the time.  Every now and then an item will give me trouble, but shrimp and asparagus haven't been an issue.  I haven't tried fresh pineapple in a while, but I expect it would go down just fine.  For myself I would avoid canned pineapple.. usually too sugary for me.

And while the smaller amounts will eventually seem normal.. the band doesn't do a thing for head hunger (or cravings).  At least that is my experience.  I still desire saltines and cheezeits and peanut butter.. I just have to be strong and not eat those things.  :)

Hang in there.  It will get easier.

Thank you all for your response.  I feel ashamed of worrying so much for the meal sizes.  I am under the impression that after the surgery I will eat baby sized meals forever.  Can someone give me an idea of the meal size is after you reach a healthy weight.

I am almost 2 years post op -- and maintaining my goal weight.

My meals are smaller than they were before surgery and I expect that they always will be.

Even if I could eat more, I am satisfied with less, so I serve myself (or order) less.

I don't have a problem with shrimp or pineapple or asparagus -- cut into small bites.

Here is an example of what I ate this weekend.  We were out of town celebrating our wedding anniversary.  We hiked about 12 miles total (5 and 5 and 2 on different trails)

B -- bacon and eggs (1 piece of bacon, about 1 egg scrambled)
S -- 1/2 of a small banana while we were hiking
L -- 1/2 ounce string cheese and a small crunchy granola bar
D -- 1 fish taco (did not eat the tortillia -- fish and a little bit of slaw)
S -- about an ounce of thin pretzles
glass of white wine

In the old days, I would have eaten 3 or 4 pieces of bacon, 2 eggs, english muffin with butter and jam for breakfast.  I would have eaten a meat/cheese sandwich and chips for lunch and probably a full dinner of meat/veggies/potato.  Dessert and wine naturally.