Chewing food and Water??

I am considering lapband surgery. Is it true that for the rest of your life you will need to chew each bite about 20 times before swallowing or there is a chance of throwing up? Also are you not supposed to drink water before, during, or after meals (30 min.) for the rest of your life? I am willing to do these things if that is part of the program,,was just curious if this was just a rumor or true. Also,,does there come a time when you can go out to eat with others and they don't notice that you are eating any different from anyone else,,,,except for eating small amounts and making healthy choices. Thank you in advance.....

Depending on your surgeon, the water thing CAN be true, no matter which surgery you have. Unfortunately, I have a tough time following that rule. I don't think there's a magic number on the number of times you must chew each bite, but you definitely don't want to swallow a large lump of something (again, this is true with any surgery). If you don't chew well, you either throw it back up OR you have a tremendous pain in your chest that doesn't go away until your food finally moves. As far as eating out...Yes, there will be a point after your surgery (assuming there are no complications), when you will be able to eat "normally." With the Lapband, your only real restriction would be the amount you can eat. With the RNY, the types of food you can eat may also be limited. You can "eat-around" any surgery type, so one thing you want to heavily think about is how compliant you can be. For the record, I had the RNY and my mother had the Lapband. We both have food issues, but I continue to lose weight (slowly, at nearly 2 years out) while she lost 30 lbs and gained 20 back (and is 1 year post-op). So I kinda know what I'm talking about. Sort of. Maybe. Or not. Cheers! Pamela 352/219/150

Bonita, Pamela is correct about all of her comments. (Pamela...you do know what you're talking about!) I'll just add that for anyone with wls, digestion begins the minute food hits your mouth. Whether lap band or RNY, chewing is very important for us but anyone. It is just non-wls people have the hydrochloric acid to assist in digestion. RNYers don't so we chew. Banders must also chew to take the food from the solid state to a pureed state to fit through your band. Depending on your fill and timing of it, right after a fill it will be more important to chew well and right before you need a fill it will be easier to get food through. Just like all of the old habits we must change, chewing is a habit. I don't think anything about it now. It is just what I do. Before surgery, we chomped a few times and swallowed. Also, by chewing well, you get food into a state that is easier for your body to absorb the nutrients. I'm four and a half years post-op and if I go to lunch with someone that doesn't know I've had surgery, they can't tell. With surgery, it is important not to drink before, during or after meals. Some surgeons' protocols don't want you to drink 1 hour after meals. Obviously, whatever surgeon you use, follow his/her guidelines. Generally, it is 30 minutes before, 30 minutes after and NOT during a meal. No drinking allows you to retain the food in your pouch and increases the satiety (full feeling). If you drink, it essentially washes the food through your pouch. Think of it like a funnel. The food sits in your pouch slowing emptying but if you pu****er in it, the food goes right through. You'll be hungrier sooner if you drink with your meals. Again, drinking with meals is a habit and just as you learned it, you can unlearn it too. Feeling fuller longer is a great incentive. I hope that makes sense and helps. Great questions!!! Cathy ObesityHelp Support Group Specialist