Question:
Does anyone eat whatever they want and just not swallow?
I had a patient tell me that his brother in law had this surgery and eats just the way he used to, he just doesn't swallow. Do others do this, Ihave never seen it on this site and wondered if he was unique or is this a "closet" issue. Seems like a waste of money to me. — Dana S. (posted on October 17, 2002)
October 17, 2002
Dana, that is crazy. Of course we swallow! How else do you get the food
in? I think there is more to the story.
— Cindy R.
October 17, 2002
I have heard of this, someone was talking about it on here shortly after I
had my wls back in February, I even asked my Nutrisinist ( not spelled
right) about it and she said that was fine, I thought it ws the craziest
thing I ever heard of, but she said during the first few months post-op,
sometimes we want something so bad and we feel we just have to have this is
a good way to get the taste, I have tried it a few times, but to me it
doesn't make much sense to chew somethingand then spit it out:) just my
opinion
— bikerchic
October 17, 2002
That sounds like he never got passed the food obsession, need to graze.
The only food I have ever chewed on repeatedly and spit it out was jerky
that I knew would have trouble getting digested. I do not feel guilty
about it- as most of the meat was consumed, it's just that sometimes with
jerky you get some really tough stuff that cannot be chewed down.... I also
don't ever eat it with the intention of spitting it out; know what I mean??
— Karen R.
October 17, 2002
I did this once while on clear liquids. It was a tough time....
— bob-haller
October 17, 2002
Hmm strange. Even if he's just chewing the food and spitting it out, some
of the calories ARE being absorbed since digestion starts in your mouth...I
agree with the other poster that it sounds like he never got over his food
obsession. I have done it maybe twice, but only because I put something in
my mouth and decided I didn't want to eat it, so I spit it out.
— fropunka
October 17, 2002
Although I have never done this, I have heard of people doing it. Mostly
when they were newly post op wanting some kind of taste. Bob is right, it
can be hard when you are on the liquid stage............
— Kim B.
October 17, 2002
I did it when I was 'fresh' post-op. My family was having filet mignon and
I just had to have a taste. So I chewed, swallowed the juices and spit the
rest out. Better than beef broth, it was fresh steak juice!! Haven't done
it since though.
— Cheri M.
October 17, 2002
I have heard of people doing this although I have not tried it myself. But
I think the idea is to try to train yourself to avoid the foods that you
shouldn't swallow to begin with. I have a friend who had surgery about 2
years ago and she did it quite often, but told me even though she didn't
swallow, it still made her dump sometimes. So even if you think that by
not swallowing you can get away with tasting the "NO NO" foods
without the consequences, you could still pay the price. You never can
tell. I like to just stay away from those "NO NO's" and enjoy
the things I CAN have. :)
— Laurel C.
October 17, 2002
I've done this quite a few times. If I'm bordering on stuffing myself and
I know that I'm going to feel lousy, or that I'm going to have negative
emotions toward myself after I swallow what I've already put in my mouth, I
spit it out. I don't want to be able to blame the food. Now I know that
there are emotions lurking that I'm trying to avoid. I've had the thought,
"well, maybe this is an alternative to eating or is it just another
eating disorder?" I think it leans on the disorder side so I only do
it if I know that bite of food in my mouth is just not worth the pain that
follows the swallow.
— Carolynn J.
October 17, 2002
I have had a bite of steak on two different occasions that I have spit out.
I'm still on liquids only and just wanted to experience the taste of it
again.
— JJW B.
October 17, 2002
I've done this a few times with a bite of steak that just wouldn't chew up
enough, so I felt I should spit it out. I've never done it like your
friend seems to be doing it, just to taste it and spit it out on a regular
basis.
— Lynette B.
October 17, 2002
I have done this before, but only a few times when I am eating my dinner
and am feeling a little full but I want to finish up the last lil bit. I
don't do it often because I feel guilty about it, I think to myself why
can't enough be enough... I know if I get comfortable with doing it I will
be eating and spiting all the time, and that's not good...
— Subrina D.
October 17, 2002
It is like everything else in life. If you do it occasional for the taste.
Especially thing that are hard to digest early on, it is normal. However,
if it becomes a way of life that seems to be apparent in this case, then it
is considered to be a form of anorexia. But I would think that as long as
he is not throwing up (damage to his esophagus) and his blood work is good,
this is the least of all evils for for a highly compulsive person.
— faybay
October 17, 2002
I do this all the time with pizza. I love it, but I never chew it well
enough and it makes me sick...so I eat two pieces by chewing and spitting
it out. Weird, huh? lol
— Paula Prichard
October 17, 2002
I didn't have WLS so I could chew food and spit it out. I had it so I
could learn moderation, to know when my body has had enough and to feel
"normal", however illusory that is. If pouch feels full, it's
time to STOP. Sometimes food is too chewy and I know it will get stuck
(like mozzarella cheese) so I will spit it out, but it's not something I
plan to do. I suggest you listen to your body to learn what it can handle
so you can ENJOY what your body will let you eat.
— Marti R.
October 17, 2002
I am always surprised to see this being done. Yes I have read about people
doing it. But I have to say "YUCK". I mean this has the distict
ring of belemia. A lot of people have eating disorders. I am probably one
of them. This surgery will not help you with the disorder in your head.
He may need to talk with someone about what he is doing and why. I am
worried like crazy that my head will be my enemy after this surgery. I
pray that I will recognize it as a problem and seek help and support.
— Kristen I.
October 17, 2002
My mom had an open VBG, but she really misses steak. She can't tolerate it
at all. SO, when we make it as a family, she will go in the kitchen and
eat a couple of pieces, then spit them in the gargage. We all know she is
doing it. She just really misses the taste, and the sensation of chewing.
Her doctor said it is normal.
— Ann H.
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