Eating Slowly Struggles

Hello all!

So I am almost 3 months out and feeling 1000% great - steadily losing with no side effects or adverse reactions to food. One thing that I still struggle with a lot is eating slowly, and I was wondering what the reasons were for having to take 30 minutes for meals. If I have absolutely no digestive issues with finishing my meal in 15-20 minutes, is it really that bad? I have yet to experience any gas, pressure, pains, etc. from eating quicker (or at any point post-op), and I have eaten pretty much all things on plan (including dense stuff like steak and dry chicken).

I try to stop and put my fork down after each bite but it's such a struggle for me. Then, I read other posts that talk about how taking too long to eat is bad because you may be able to eat more as the food gets digested through, and it's a way of "cheating" your sleeve. So I guess, my question is: What are the reason why our meals must be 30 minutes and, if digestive issues aren't a thing, then is it that bad that I take less time for meals, on average, in order to avoid that "cheat" I mention above?

Any advice is appreciated!

I'm with you on this.  I also still eat fast.  I probably finish my 4 ounce meals in 10 minutes or less.  Aside from the first few months when it was easy to overeat, I've had no problems from eating fast.

I think the rationale for eating slowly is that it will be more satisfying to savor the joy of eating over more time, but I prefer eating faster.  I don't see any problem with it.

best wishes,

Carol

I certainly still savor my food in my 15 minutes! I actually feel like my appetite has increased since surgery and things taste so much better now, so I can't complain! Thank you!!

I've NEVER taken 30 minutes to eat anything post-op! Did my doctor really mean that I should take 30 minutes to eat an egg?  I don't think so...and I still probably don't eat enough at one meal to spread it out over 30 minutes.  

Personally, I wouldn't worry about it if you're not having issues as far as pain, pressure or burbing and you are intentionally taking your time to slow down your eating.  

It is so we don't shove food in our mouth like we did in our past - i used to.  It is so we allow enough time for our sleeve to register that we are full.  I agree, i have finished meals within 15 minutes - and did regret it - there are times i then feel way too full and regret eating too fast.

follow the basic rules and you will be okay.  I have broken all the rules - but very cautiously.  I still stay away from carbonation to an extent. 

hope this helps

Gotcha! I've yet to regret eating any meal quickly and generally avoid the too full feeling by weighing everything but I can definitely see it being more of an issue once I am more "normal" in my eating. 

It makes sense! Sometimes I just worry waaay too much about doing everything right and being successful. Thank you!!

I also do not take 30 minutes to eat, I've tried to take my time, but with the small amount of good we are allowed to eat there is no way I can spread it over 30 minutes.