I'm 4 weeks out today & have been on mushies for a week. This generally means for me---cottage cheese, lite pimento cheese, & mashed potatoes. My question is this---as these foods have little consistency as it is, how do you get into the "chew, chew, chew" habit??? I can maybe chew the cheeses for 5 bites, but not the potatoes. I guess I'm afraid I'll never break my speed eating habit & screw up my sleeve! Any suggestions?

I firmly believe that digestion starts in the mouth so even with mushies, I chewed the food. I sit my utensil down in between each bite, and chewed, chewed, chewed. Of course, I had most of this "learning curve" beat because with the band, I felt like I needed to chew Water.

You really just have to mentally slow down. Count your bites if you have to so you can remember. Once you get to meats, you'll really notice a difference in chewing well, and half-assing it. When food goes down that isn't chewed up, it isn't pleasant, and you won't want to repeat it.

It's just changing habits, and it does take time, but you can do it ! ! ! Plus, it's a not a forever thing. The only time I chew, chew, chew, chew now is when I want to fit extra food in. I take regular bites, and chew like a normal person.