Question:
Is it a bad thing to chew something then spit it out early on post op?

Just wondered if we took a piece of something, like steak, and chewed and then spit out...is this a bad problem? I am one week post op today and you know how I am feeling..not really hungry...but thought a piece or two of steak..NOT SWALLOWED wouldn't hurt anything? Any thoughts.    — pat C. (posted on April 18, 2003)

April 18, 2003
At 3 weeks post op, I tried a piece of chicken. I chewed and chewed and just "knew" it wasn't gonna go down. I spit it out. Do I think it's a good idea to "set up" the situation? What does it matter what I think? ; ) All I can tell you is that I found chewing and spitting to be completely unsatisfying! Hopefully you will, too. I'm sure it's not a good habit to get into. Hang in there. I have two words of advice. Ice Pops! Good luck.
   — msmaryk

April 18, 2003
It sounds terrible, but was something I did several times early on to keep myself sane. Of course I did it in private.
   — Sandy T.

April 18, 2003
I actually know of a doctor who calls this the 'spit' diet. I did it early on with baby dill pickles. I really doubt if it's harmful. After all, once you can eat real food, you probably won't want to do it at all. I know I didn't, but I wanted something with some flavor and something to crunch on and chewing the pickles up and then spitting them out satisfied that.
   — garw

April 18, 2003
I did it too, and it tasted sooooo goood! You'll be fine. Sometimes I still have to do it and I'm 8 months post op.
   — Darlene P.

April 18, 2003
Hi Pat :). I agree with Gar on this being called the "Spit Diet". I've heard it called that many times. I'll admit, I DID IT! I'm 3 1/2 months out now, but for the first month or so, you bet I chewed things up and spit them out. Actually, I did it the other day with a sugar cookie that was just calling my name LOL. This shouldn't be harmful in my opinion. In fact, it really helped me cope with the shock of the reality that WLS brings. If I couldn't really EAT the foods I wanted, at least I could TASTE them! Yes, it is something that you'll probably do less and less, but for now, I say you go ahead and enjoy tasting whatever you want to. The docs operated on our stomachs, not our tastebuds or our brains! To me food still tastes just as good as it did pre-op. Good luck!!! SuzAnne in Utah
   — SuzAnne S.

April 18, 2003
keep spitting sister!!!!! that cant hurt a thing... im 5 1/2 months out.. down 117 lbs... and i still do it occasionally, once or twice a week even... no harm done...!!! erinn
   — Erinn M.

April 18, 2003
Guilty as charged! lol I did it a few times during my first month and never had any problems b/c I never swallowed :o)I have done it recently too with more fatty or sweet foods, but you know what...they just don't even taste the same anymore so it's no fun. Happy with my diet, when I watch people eat like I use to I just think to myself DON'T EAT THAT CRAP or HOW CAN YOU EAT SO MUCH! lol WLS has gave me a new life. Congrats and good luck!
   — Sandy M.

April 19, 2003
I would suck the salt off pretzel rods and and suck them until they pretty much fell apart and then spit them out. I was craving salt, and that did it for me.
   — wiggie34

April 21, 2003
Pat, That is too funny, ! I did that with Pickles when I was early post op, man I craving SALT !.... Now being 11 months post op, no more pickles ! I don't seem the harm, just be-careful not to swallow it,.. I would also not make it an ongoing habit.....
   — tannedtigress

April 21, 2003
I still do this once in a while if I'm cooking something like pasta for dinner (not for me, of course) and I want to try it to make sure that it's cooked enough. I also used to do it early post-op with meat to satisfy those cravings. :-)
   — Renae

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