I'm 17 days post op and I must say... I enjoy chewing my food till its technically "liquified". I don't mind taking my time, and I enjoy what I eat so much more than when I used to swallow it practically WHOLE. Chew. Chew. Chew.

Glad you are doing well with chewing as this is one of the hardest rules to stay on course with.... we get in a hurry or forget and boom our band tells us so. ...

Keep up the good work.

I put my utensil down in between each bite to help me take my time.

Glad you are doing well with chewing as this is one of the hardest rules to stay on course with.... we get in a hurry or forget and boom our band tells us so. ...

Keep up the good work.

Actually, sometimes I DO forget to chew chew chew. What I'm trying to say is that I thought it was going to be nuisance to chew so much, but it actually isn't bad at all. My hubby is on my *** every time I put something near my mouth asking: "can you eat that?" "Don't eat too much!!" Which sort of bothers me, but I know where his heart is, so I let it slide. I told him last week that I will follow every rule and only eat what I know is allowed, and that I will listen to my body; that he shouldn't worry. I told him I needed help in reminding me to chew chew chew

That's a good method, GuyMontag, but feel awkward do it.

In the beginning, following some of these rules makes no difference at all...other than you need to re-educate yourself and learn new habits, breaking the old, because eventually the only way you're going to be able to eat - survive, and be successful with the band surgery, is to have these rules ingrained in you to the point you don't even have to think about them anymore.

Everyday I read numerous posts here from people stating they are struggling, feel miserable, think they're too tight, and can't wait to get to the Dr for a un-fill....which may be valid, but I can't help to think if these people are really understanding and applying the "Rules"

Sometimes, when they say a bite no bigger than a pencil eraser, put the utensil down and chew, chew..chew...they're not kidding!

i learned quickly how NOT to eat

aka too big of bites and eating too fast.....you feel that one or two times, you strive not to do it again....its all about taking your time, going slow, take small bites, chew alot and stop when done......like b said, its hard to understand some of the posts on here too...and AJ is 100%, the band will say (when)