Question:
I see so often people saying SMALL bites. What would a typical small bite be?

Example please...........    — Sassy M. (posted on January 25, 2002)

January 25, 2002
At first we were instructed to eat pieces about the size of a pencil eraser. I never did eat it that small and now I can eat normal bites at a normal pace.
   — MARSHA D.

January 25, 2002
I always had a problem in the past with bite sizes because I used to love to take huge bites but after this surgery it's impossible. A good tip that helped me learn bite sizes and it might help you. I went out and bought baby utensils and even a baby bowl and plate. I used the baby spoon to help me learn bite sizes and i've used it for the past two months. I now can use regular utensils and automatically know how big of a bite to take so I won't get sick or hurt. :oP Hope this helps. Good luck and god bless!
   — Lisa W.

January 25, 2002
Hi Connie... A suggestion given to me that is helping me re-train my old habits is to use the little seafood forks you get with your silverware and never know what to do with....a bite fits l/4" or so on that little fork. Others have tried this and it helps but plan on going small till you know what works for you. Good luck to you.
   — AJC750

January 25, 2002
For meat, I have to cut up my pieces the size of a pencil eraser and chew the heck out of it or I'll feel sick. For smooth things, I can take regular size bites...about a teaspoon full.
   — Karen B.

January 25, 2002
Think baby spoons. At one year post-op, I'm still using a baby spoon and baby fork. Then I don't have to worry about the size of the bite.
   — [Anonymous]

January 25, 2002
I take regular bites but make sure I chew them well. Only time there is a problem is when I take bite after bite to fast. Everyone is different though.
   — Kelly C.

January 25, 2002
I learned early on that I cannot put anything into my mouth, that I cannot really chew up... so by habit you find yourself taking small bites, so you can concentrate chewing them up really really well. With a large bite, you really cannot do this without trying to swallow some of the food half chewed. If you do that, in about a half an hour or so, your mouth will start to water, you feel uncomfortable and you will vomit! You really need to concentrate, and take baby steps whenever you do anything after surgery- be it eating food, drinking etc. You start small to see what is tolerated.
   — Karen R.

January 25, 2002
PS- I use regular sized plates, forks, knives and spoons...
   — Karen R.