chew, chew, chew .. right?

I went out to dinner with a friend and my husband and I felt like I was in a chewing marathon trying to eat my 1 cup of food and finish in a timely manner. I didn't feel like I could engage in the conversation but instead had to concentrate on chewing. And I didn't want to keep them waiting while they watched me chew.

I've heard that we should be able to eat 1 cup in 20 minutes. I've always been a slow eater. Maybe I'm chewing too well, because I can't get 1 cup of food down in 20 minutes unless it's already a mushy food.

Is my timing off or am I possibly chewing too much?

This beginning chewer needs help ..

Nobody else feels rushed when eating with others?

I feel like I am the first one finished because I get full so quick. I end up leaving alot of food on my plate & watching everyone else eat.

I am totally the last one done. I cut it all lup really small, then chew, chew, chew. I have never times how long I take though, so I have no idea but I think I finish in like half an hour.

Last night was the first time I felt this way. I just got good restriction w/my last fill and I have to eat A LOT slower now or I get stuck. I felt a little self-conscious last night because it took me so much longer to finish my meal. I felt like people were waiting for me to finish so we could have dessert. But, then I reminded myself that its not like we get up and grab dessert immediately after dinner anyway. We normally sit and talk for awhile after a holiday dinner like that. It was just weird for me that I was the only one eating still, and for more than just a few minutes. I ended up leaving a lot on my plate. My head is still catching up with my band on how much I can really eat.

I'm ALWAYS the last one eating. When I eat slow and talk, I take even longer than normal! I don't care. Most people I eat with know and they don't mind. It's for the socializing that I usually go out anyway and they know that I won't even eat half of what I order and will take the rest home! My favorite thing to do is to go out with my other bandster friend and we'll still be nibbling after an hour. We usually have to end up telling the server that we are fine and don't need anything else. They just look at us strange when we are still not done and then ask for a box! LOL. I love going out. I can get a side salad and a baked potato and be more than satisfied. Or we go to a Mexican restaurant and I get a cheese quesadilla for $2!!! Love my band. I'm now officially a cheap-date.

Thanks for the replies! They made me smile.

Since I first posted I went to lunch with two girlfriends. They both knew about my surgery and I felt like their eyes were on me. I think they slowed their eating down to make me feel more comfortable. What great friends. But after dinner they ordered coffee. I'm thinking oh no, I can't drink anything yet. So I ordered dessert. They both looked shocked. I ordered creme brulee. I slowly ate 3 small bites while they drank their coffee and I felt completely satisfied.

That is the first time I have EVER left any dessert on the plate. And that was my first diet deviation in over 40 days and I feel no guilt. It was awesome.