I was banded in Memphis, TN, on Feb, 6 2009. I was to be on liquids for a week then three weeks of mushy and by the fifth week whatever i could tolerate, valentines dinner was steak and i only had a few peices which "was a ribeye so very tender" and i chewed till my jaw hurt but i didnt have any problems but will not do it again just because of the guilt i feel.....