Question:
Am I chewing too much?

I have totally lost my appetite for meat(except for chicken if it's not overcooked) and any type of bread! By the time that I have chewed it to a "baby food consistency" the meat has no taste and the bread is like chewing on dough. I am two and a half months post op and I realize that I do have a fear of getting an obstruction, but could I chew less so that my food would have some taste to it? Any comments would be greatly appreciated!    — Julie B. (posted on November 6, 2001)

November 6, 2001
Hi...I had this exact same problem. I tried to chew my meat until it was a "meat paste" consistency and then it was gross and I didn't want to swallow it. Then I started trying to chew it a little less and a little less. Now I feel like I chew pretty much like a normal person...but the key is not to take a big bite. I eat small bites and chew it normally. I haven't had any problem except I got some fish stuck once. I hate to say try it cause you might get something stuck too and boy that's no picnic let me tell you, but it does go away. It's up to you...I couldn't have ever ate meat again if I had to continue to chew it up into that paste...it was so gross.
   — [Deactivated Member]

November 7, 2001
Take smaller bites - my exit hole from the new pouch to the intestine is the size of an M&M so I know I cannot swallow something that size or larger. Use sauces on your meats for taste. Toast your bread, most RNYs don't eat bread anyway cause it balls up and can clog us - but toast or crackers are good and don't need much chewing at all.
   — Cindy H.