Chew your food young man?

Hey guys, have a question about eating solids post op.  I've been reading that you have to basically chew each piece of food until its mush so that it doesn't get stuck in your pouch.  I have to say this concerns me, cause I currently take large bites and tend to swallow rather than chew.  I know its something I'll have to learn to do and I'm trying, but even when I conciously chew each bite 30 times, I still find myself swallowing before.  How did you guys handle this? Thanks, can't wait to get my date!

Well, I forget often, I've also always had this bad habit of if I felt something kinda sticking going down, I'd drink.

You learn quick.. Typically I feel a lump in my chest, start to get "the foamies" then throw it up.

Toddy, Early on that is an issue. Sort of a learning curve to deal with. But, after a year out?  Not an issue really. Part of why I think the RNY worked so well for me Was the “hard-wired” nature of the procedure forcing me To stop ‘wolfing’ down my food, and actually chewing and enjoying it Like a normal (non-Obese) person would typically eat. I certainly don’t “chew my food to mush,” But I also have developed the habits of “good/healthy” eating. Those first couple of months it is very important But once you get further out, you’ll develop “Normal” eating habits, Or feel nauseated.  Eating the way I had for the previous 406 years Got me to the point of needing WLS to overcome Morbid Obesity. Eating the way I do now, has kept me feeling full and at a Normal BMI For right at 4 years. Does that make any sense? Some folks deal with “foamies,” Where they get larger bites stuck in their pouch/stoma but that’s something I only had happen once, and it was the first time I had a bagel In my first months out of the hospital. Since then?  A total non-issue. Best Wishes- Dx

I still wrestle with this.  I eat much more slowly than I used to, but if I'm not careful, I can still eat faster than a lot of my friends who haven't had WLS.  (Of course, compared to them, I'm eating a LOT less!)  Aside from the potential for discomfort, this can be a problem because rapid eating allows you to out-eat the early onset of satiety.  A lot also depends on what kinds of solids you're eating. I've only had the "foamies" twice from eating too quickly, though, and both were very early on (say, 4 and 6 weeks post-op.) Last weekend, I had a few pieces of steak tips, and I chewed the hell out of each piece, because I REALLY didn't want to get sick!  Mostly, though I seem to tolerate just about any food w/o problems, if I just use a bit of care and common sense.  It doesn't take too long before you know what you have to do to avoid problems. /Steve

If you can't or won't chew your food, cut it up very finely.  That's what I do since I can't chew.  I can't chew because I don't have any teeth.  I do have dentures but I using them. 

I was a really fast eater. Luckilly...that changed

I found that eating with a baby spoon at first was really helpful. Not only did it physically and visually remind me to take small bites, but you can't fit much on one.

I remember a dinner party when people noticed I was eating each pea singularly. That was a total extreme, but I didn't even notice I was doing it until I was called on it.

Good news? It gets to be routine if you practice it.