Question:
I have been reading all of the questions and answers here and am kind of baffled

as to the different advice given from different people. When I had my WLS, my surgeon told me that he wanted me to take at least 45 minutes to an hour to eat a meal, chewing slowly, measuring portions, etc. In reading the posts in answers to several questions regarding diet, I am seeing a lot of people admonishing others for taking longer than 15 minutes to eat. I was of the understanding that one could eat the right portion, but eating it too fast could stretch the pouch out in the same way that eating too much can do. I wonder if there is a difference in the way we are told the "what nots" and "what to's" based on the standard of care from different parts of the country. I could sure use some advice on this one, as I really have a big problem making one meal last 45 minutes. Thanks in advance for any help anyone can give.    — DorrieB (posted on July 27, 2004)

July 27, 2004
Hi Dorrie, I have been on the site for 3 years. I had my surgery 15mos ago. I check the BB everyday. Different Dr's have different advice and varied opinions. I read alot about pouch stretching on this site, but my Doc disagrees and says that if the surgery is done right, it shouldn't stretch, but it is obvious that other Dr's are telling their patients other things about pouch stretchies. My Doc says to take no longer than 15 min to eat. Frankly at 15 mos, I take as long as I want and I am doing fine. It's usually not how fast I eat, but what I eat. Solid foods fill me fast. Sometimes you just have to feel your way through which advice and opinions to believe. Best wishes, Maggie B.
   — M B.

July 27, 2004
Different doctors have different advice. Mine said my meals should average 15 minutes with measured portions. Best thing to do is go through your doctor's education program and make sure you follow that advice to the letter. I was told if you go too long, there is a tendency to eat more than you think you're eating. After all portion control counts big time post-op.
   — Cathy S.

July 27, 2004
My surgeon has always said 15 to 30 max. I've always been a fast eater and it hasn't changed much since WLS. How I dealt with that in the early stages is measured/weighed my food and when it was gone, it was gone. That worked well for me. However, now that I am almost 18 months PO the longer I take to eat the more I eat. I do find if I am eating out and doing a lot of talking I don't eat as much food but then in a short time I am looking for food as I didn't get in enough to carry me through till the next meal. So it's a fine balance. <p>For every WL surgeon that is out there, there is a different opinion. Some are radically different and some are only slightly different. They are basing their recommendations on what has worked for their patients. There are many ways to skin this WL cat, so follow what you have been told. For me personally I think it would be nuts to take that long to eat such small quantities in the first 6 months or so. If you are having issues with food getting stuck then that is totally different. Time will work to your benefit. At about 6 months PO I went through a period where I was eating too fast at first and after a few bites I would just stop and sit for as long as 10 minutes and wait for that to move down into the pouch or start to move on through. Then I could finish my meal. I still have that at times where I am hungry and I dig right in and then all of the sudden I have to sit back and rest. Most meals are probably 15-20 minutes for me.
   — zoedogcbr

July 27, 2004
Our program says 15 to 30 minutes max as well. If you think about it, taking 45 minutes or more to eat is just allowing food to digest so you can eat more. I'm almost 4 years post op and like a previous poster said, I take as long as I want but I've gotten into a routine and usually don't go over about 20 minutes and I'm completely satisfied. I haven't ever heard the theory that eating a controlled portion too fast could stretch the pouch but that doesn't mean it isn't true. I'd follow your physician's advice and if you're not losing weight I'd just ask him/her about it.
   — ronascott

July 27, 2004
I've seen some surgeons recommend the longer amount of time immediately post-op. This is when we're really learning to manage the much smaller pouch size, and just a bit at a time is the way to go in order not to stretch the pouch. I've never heard of a surgeon recommending that for the long term though. This is just an initial stage thing.
   — mom2jtx3

July 27, 2004
My sister and I had our surgery in Nov. and Dec. of 2003. We were both told to eat slowly and YES, eating too quickly could stretch your pouch. I think it is too risky to try and see if eating quickly matters. I opt to take my time and keep loosing and keep what I lose off for good. Good luck with yours!
   — Iris P.

July 27, 2004
I am almost 18 months out from my RNY, and am at goal or below. In the beginning few months, my surgeon said to eat slowly, up to 30 minutes in time. He never mentioned quick eating as a way to stretch your pouch. His opinion is that stretching the pouch is not all that east to do. Anyway, after heraling, as time goes on, he advises finishin your eating in approximately 15 minute. More than that becomes grazing. However, follow your own doctor's reccomendation. Good luck!
   — Fixnmyself

July 28, 2004
My surgeon's nutritionist told us to take 30-45 minutes at first to learn to eat slower. Then as we got further out, it shouldn't take more than 15 or so. Anymore than that and you're grazing.
   — kultgirl