Question:
Suggestions on eating post-op RNY..I'm so confused..how many time to chew etc?

I still kind of new at this. I've heard so many different things I just wanted to get other's opinions. How should I be eating post-op RNY 2 & 1/2 months? For example, how many times should I chew before I swallow? How long after the last bite should I wait to take another bite? How long should I wait before and after to drink liquids? How much at one time should I be eating quanity wise ( ex: 2oz. of turkey lunch meat,etc.)? How big should my bites be at one time? Also, what does feeling full feel like? I'm almost afraid to test it? Sorry about all of the questions but I want to make sure I'm doing things the way I should. Thanks!    — Allison T. (posted on June 21, 2002)

June 21, 2002
I'm sure you will get lots of answers to your questions here. When I was at your stage, 2 oz. of protein was about all I could get in for my meal. For me, I have NEVER known when I am "full" either. I don't get a signal--that goes bleep you are full. To this day, I have to eyeball my portion and stop when I should, or I overfill my pouch. I'm not into throwing up, so I really do not overfill at a meal. Of course, I am one year post op now & can eat literally a "light meal" by anyones's standards.
   — Barbara B.

June 21, 2002
This is what--- I do Eraser size pieces--- Chew 30 times--- wait 1 minute between bites--- eat for no more than 30 min --- no water 30 min before meals --- no water 1 hr after (PRETTY ANAL ;) and when I do all that I NEVER get sick to my stomach. I'm 5 months post-op and eat about a coffee cups saucer of food at a time. I've lost 110 lbs!!! Horay. Good Luck
   — Robert L.

June 21, 2002
Here is the guidance I was given: Chew 35 times before swallowing. Don't drink for 30 minutes after eating. Full feels like "comfortable". It is not the stuffed-about-to-die feeling we used to get. Although, sometimes I get that feeling after eating something that is "hard" like meat. Don't worry your pouch will tell you when you are full! Just listen to your body. Sometimes I suddenly get the message "NOT ANOTHER BITE!" (a signal from my brain, I guess) and I will literally put down the food and not touch it again. It is almost a command! As far as how big a bite to take, I learned finally that if I take too big a bite, I will subconsciously or from habit, swallow half of the bite before it is chewed enough. It is like you roll the food off the tongue so you can chew the remainder. Bad mistake because that first bite that is not chewed well enough hits the pouch like a rock. Pain. So therefore, take small bites and chew them well. No drinking with eating as you can absorb too many calories that way. The food is just pushed out of the pouch too fast but the calories are still absorbed! I think of my pouch as a "funnel" or "holding tank" for food.
   — Marilyn C.

June 21, 2002
dear confused, I am 5 month's post op and still can only eat 2 oz's at a time some people are suprised at that but it is true i do not eat more then that because everytime i do i get sick. iI ethier throw up or feel really uncofortable. but the thing is i get hungry again in about 2 hours but that is ok for me if i have to do this for awhile until i am able to hold more food. and as far as the drinking goes you are supposed to wait a half hour before you eat and a half hour after you eat but i notice for me i can drink water right before a meal but i can not drink right after a meal or i will feel really sick.and as far as the chewing goes just chew it until you think it is small enough to go down.i don't think i ever counted how many times i was chewing just try to use your own judgement. good luck if you have anymore questions feel free to email me.
   — KIM B.

June 21, 2002
Hope I don't get flamed, BUT: I think you either have trouble keeping stuff down or not. Those who do have to chew, chew, chew and take tiny bites. I haven't had that problem and don't chew my food to mush, although I have always been a slow eater. I just eat normally except LESS. Once you figure out your tolerance, accomodate it however you need to. If you don't chew well enough and feel or get sick, then chew better. Otherwise, don't worry about it. I have NEVER counted the number of times I chew.<p>The party line on liquids seems to be wait 30 minutes. Quantity of food will be determined by your pouch--too little and you won't be satisfied, too much and you will be sick. Just eat protein first then bite by bite of the other stuff until you feel satisfied. That is when eating slowly helps (but not so slowly that it takes more than 20 minutes to eat). Eventually you will eat something that tastes good and not want to stop, then you will find out what feeling TOO full feels like! It's not pleasant. Since you are even asking all these questions, you can probably stop worrying about doing things right--you are doing JUST FINE! LOL
   — ctyst

June 21, 2002
Everyone is different when it comes to how much you should chew, the size of the food bite etc. At about 3 1/2 months, I noticed that I was taking larger bites, in fairly quick succession, and chewing a little less than at 2 1/2 months. To this day, I have never had a problem eating this way-it is so very normal to me. For some others, they have to take tiny bites, chew until mush, and take a minute or two between bites. Not me. I know I am full as I get a feeling in my pouch that says "ok, thats enough". You will know too if you eat too much, it either hurts in the pouch (had this early on), or the food comes back up.I can eat approx 1/2 a sandwich or 3/4 of a Lean Cuisines with no problem. As for drinking, I stop drinking about 15 minutes before a meal and nothing for 45 minutes afterwards.
   — Cindy R.