pre-op newbie asks....how do i avoid washing down food?

The "rules" say not to drink during meals.  I've been practicing that.  Wow. Hard to do, because I realize sometimes food hangs between mouth and stomach.  So I reach for the water to wash down the lump.

Post-surgery, how do I prevent this and how do I handle it if it happens?

hm sounds like you might be eating too much if your food is hanging out between the mouth and stomach..I just distract myself after eating and after a while that urge to drink right after eating went away..

A couple of ways - first, you're going to be taking MUCH smaller bites, and chewing to a much smaller pulp, and waiting between bites. That'll resolve some of the issue.

Second, I make sure the final thing I eat is juicy: fresh fruit is preferable. It's very moist, and helps wash down anything that's left without adding enough moisture to wa**** out.

I'm 7 weeks out and still learning what works for me.

I try to stop eating before the last bite gets hung up in my throat.  I've started to watch a clock when I eat.  I take a small bite (bought some demitasse spoons at IKEA-perfect baby spoon sized) and chew 30 times, put spoon down and wait 2 minutes until my next bite.  When my food is almost gone, I wait 3 minutes between bites.  That way I can assess if I'm satisfied, or full enough yet.  Even if I measured out my food precisely, I DO NOT clean my plate if I feel satisfied.  I really didn't practice this pre-surgery, it was too tedious.  But now after surgery, it sure does avoid hours and hours of pain and vomiting, or trying to vomit to get rid of the pain.   

When done, I set my iPhone timer for 30 minutes and do not drin****il the timer goes off.  I actually try to wait longer so that my pouch stays full longer.  It's a tricky timing act, because we need to get in the 64 oz of water between meals. 

My theory is that we bought a pouch that restricts our intake.  A lump is part of the process sometimes.  No need to wash away the lump, just practice avoiding getting it.  It's not like you'll choke, you'll just feel uncomfortable.  My life now is figuring out how to stay this side of comfortable. 

You will be taking VERY small bites. I used a baby spoon and baby fork for a few months.  You also will be chewing everything into oblivion and then some. 

You will be scared to death to get something "stuck".. as it hurts awfully bad and then you can also "lose" it back up.  You also may get the "foamies" if you eat too fast or too much.  That's a feeling where something feels "stuck" but you'll try to throw up and you'll have foam coming out instead.  It does go away - be sure to keep papaya tablets on hand - they're a lifesaver when that happens.  They also are good for helping food that gets "stuck" get "unstuck'. 

Now remember - you have no gastric juices in your new pouch, so until the food hits your rerouted digestive track, (down by your hip bone now) the ONLY way to get food started on its way to digestion is through your saliva.  Hence another reason to chew thoroughly.

I grew up in a family where there was never liquid at the table.  My grandfather was a Dr and didn't want folks washing down their food.  It probably was the only "rule" that was easy for me. 

the main thing is really slowing down and chewing, chewing, chewing, very small bites.

I do plan my meal to have something I really like in my mouth last since I can't rinse the flavor out when I drink.

Hmm...I never followed that "rule" and my sleeve seems to handle it pretty well. Very early out you'll want to avoid drinking a whole lot with little meals and snacks but there's no physical reason you can't have a little fluid to wash something that's a little dry down as time goes on. You'll still have your pyloric valve, right?

--gina
 

Sounds like you are getting the RNY rule for a sleever. We still have all the parts of our stomach, it's just much smaller. See Gina's answer.

The key is to eat moist foods...when i eat chicken, i have to use a sauce on it to make sure it slides down. I hate drinking something to help the lump down b/c all it does is fill up space that could be used for food.

Small bites are def the key, but I'm only 2 mos out and still have issues with eating too fast and having food get stuck.

To be honest, my biggest issue is waiting 30 min after the meal to drink anything. I am thirsty and want to drink when i'm done. They say if you're properly hydrated, you won't 'need' to drink during or right after a meal. Guess i'm not properly hydrated..