Hi All,

I am curious.........

How long does your Dr. say it should take you to eat a meal. Mine has advised 30-45 minutes, which is a challenge for me, I always seem to finish sooner than that. I've seen a lot of reference material that indicates it's better to finish a meal in 15-20 minutes. Wondering what you've been intsructed?

Thanks in advance for sharing:hungry:

I was told 15-20 minutes. To stop then, and if you are still hungry after another 10 or so, eat a little more.

I was told that if I don't have 45 minutes to devote to eating, then drink a Protein drink for my meal. I can easily take 45 minutes for my meal now as I eat very slowly. Before banding it only took me 15 minutes to eat.

I also only put out my portion on the plate so that I don't overeat.

My doc said that my meals shouldn't take more than 30 minutes. If longer than that the pouch starts emptying.

Yep, the longer you sit there, the more you stuff in, which defeats the whole purpose of the band. You could sit there all evening and eat the same amounts as pre-band. :cool:

I didnt vote because to me it takes how long it takes - how on earth can someone else tell you how long its going to take to finish every meal you eat from now on.

I'd stop after about 20 minutes though because after that I find the first part of my meal has gone through and if I eat slowly enough I can eat forever.

But generally it depends on what I'm eating, how loose or tight my band happens to be at that point in time, what else is going on around me (one day in the far off future I may actually be able to sit down and eat a meal without my 3 year old acting up and wanting attention the minute I start) and whether or not I'm eating with others.

I just think its impossible for someone else to tell you how long its going to take. You eat at a speed which you're comfortable at, if it takes too long you're eating too slow and if you get discomfort you're eating too fast.

On average, I would say it takes me about 30-35 minutes to eat my meal. I ended up buying a plate warmer on ebay because I got tired of eating cold food. It was definitely worth the $5.00 investment.

My doctor said 20 minutes, that's it.

I am just on mushies now, but what is the best way to train yourself to make a meal take longer. I have always been a gulper and a wolfer of food, so this is one of the hardest parts for me. I even practice chew,chew, chewing my mush and setting my silverware down, but I still can barely make my little 4 oz last more than 10 minutes. Any advice would be terrific.

My other big learning curve item is not drinking with meals. That one is hard, but I have been able to remember not to do it all but twice so far.

Im glad to see the 20-30 minute as the majority. Ive read it, read it again, and read it again and my brain has not registered the S L O W down idea. Im prefill so I get the pain but no pb. Im trying everthing putting my fork down, talking. ITS HARD and I guess it takes awhile to learn!! It only takes once to remind me for a day or two.

Any suggestions are welcomed.

And my friend who doesnt know about my band says the band and any surgery are the easy way!! MY AS&!!!

oh my....this is so hard for me...I eat like someone is going to steal my food away!

<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">I CHEW MY FOOD AS MUCH AS I CAN, IT DOES'T TAKE ME 30-45 MINUTES TO EAT, I AM 22 DAYS POST OP, I AM STILL EATTING SMALL AMOUNTS AND I GET FULL QUICKLY.

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Donna (r2ht4u)...where in Maryland are you? I live in Harford County.

I live in Frederick,Maryland