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Learning how to eat with the band



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Well I am in my first week of solid food and tonight I had baked chicken breast and broccoli. I measured a 1/4 cup of chicken and a 1/4 cup of broccoli. My pouch was definitely full by the time my chicken and a couple bites of broccoli were down. I felt the feeling where you know if you try to eat another bite it's just not going down. I was chewing really good but I realized I should have been eating slower. I didn't end up in any "pain" but was uncomfortable for about 10 minutes. It felt like the food was just waiting at the bottom of my esophagus until there was room in the pouch. LOL

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I think learning to eat with the band will be the hardest part- I have always been a fast eater between being in the military for 21 years and teaching elementary school- neiher of them gave you much time to eat. I am going to have to worjk really hard and concentrate on slowing down when I eat. I have been doing better- but I know I will have some "Reminders" once I am banded.

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Not a great choice for your first solid food. they may both be healthy and slimming but they are both foods that can be really difficult to eat when banded. Take care.

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I think learning to eat with the band will be the hardest part- I have always been a fast eater between being in the military for 21 years and teaching elementary school- neiher of them gave you much time to eat. I am going to have to worjk really hard and concentrate on slowing down when I eat. I have been doing better- but I know I will have some "Reminders" once I am banded.

Exactly! I learned to eat fast in Army basic training. If you didn't eat in 5 minutes u didn't eat!

Marci

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chicken and broccoli are two foods that are really hard for me to get down. Good luck to you!

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My nutritionist said to eat dark meat chicken due to the moistness .. I have eaten some chicken breast but I use broth to make it moist...

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I do good with chicken and broccoli. But if the chicken is not real moist I won't even try to eat it. Sometimes chicken is chewy or stringy ummm no can do!! I can eat broccoli raw or steamed with no problem!!!

Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

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I didnt have any trouble getting the chicken down and I really enjoyed it. I am just so used to eating fast because I take care of 6 children all day so I dont really get time to myself when I want to eat. LOL I probably could have stopped one bite earlier and wouldnt have had the discomfort. :)

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I do the same thing. I eat way to fast,,, trying hard to slow down but dang it's hard. When I get stuck its too late!! I learn everyday!!

Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

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I am not more than 10 months out from surgery and STILL learning. It's a process....good luck to you!

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Hi all, I'm 6 wks. post-op. The Dr. gave me a little hourglass? Is that what you call it? But only a "minute" glass to time your bites. Used it at first because like most if you, I too have always been a fast shovel it in eater due to job timelines, breaktimes. Only problem is I'd always forget to flip it over each new minute cause I was focusing on number of chews! :( lol thanks

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Learning how to eat (and WHAT to eat) all over again is part of the learning curve and essential to be successful with the band.....these are what the "rules" are all about...not a technique to loose weight, but a life lesson to co-exist with the band.....

I had to lean these lessons the hard way, with many stuck episodes, pain and discomfort....but learn I did, and adapted a new lifestyle where I do not have to think about it anymore...it all comes very natural and easy now.....

Some people I know, upon their first unpleasant episode, immediately determine they are too tight....and there in lies the key...too tight? or adapting oneself to the band......it can be a very balancing act at first....

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I agree with all of the above. Just when I thought I was eating slow enough and chewing well enough....I got my second fill and have been reminded (all over again) to eat slower and chew more and take smaller bites! It's all part of the journey!

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Hi all, I'm 6 wks. post-op. The Dr. gave me a little hourglass? Is that what you call it? But only a "minute" glass to time your bites. Used it at first because like most if you, I too have always been a fast shovel it in eater due to job timelines, breaktimes. Only problem is I'd always forget to flip it over each new minute cause I was focusing on number of chews! :( lol thanks

Great idea- I'm going to look for one of those!

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