So, I know we have to eat differently, small bites, chew a lot (and a lot and a lot....). Is the chewing thing the way it is forever, or just immediately post surgery? I'm wondering if the digestive process works the same.

I don't honestly remember how it was in the beginning for me. (I'm a little over 8 months post-op), but I'll say that I don't make a deliberate effort to eat/chew any differently. That said, there are certain foods that you just "know" you have to break down more before you swallow. Chunks of meat for example... You try and swallow something that's too big, and it isn't going to feel good going down. I haven't had an issue with throwing up (only did it once in 8 months), BUT I have certainly been super uncomfortable.

Mostly you learn what your sleeve needs to be a happy sleeve. Things like cheese or crackers or anything small that can't really get "stuck" I don't have to chew differently. It's the bigger chunky stuff (chicken, leafy greens) that I will chew a bit more.

Don't worry- it's not a nuisance. Just like anything else, your body learns pretty quickly

I chewed tiny bites very carefully and thoroughly at first, and ate slowly, because I needed the food to be soft and mushy, and I needed to give my wounded stomach time to work on what it just got before I gave it more. As time went on and I healed, I no longer needed to do either. Now, 10 months out, I eat just like I did before, only not as much. I take normal bites, chew half-a$$ed, and eat too fast, with no ill effects.

So' date=' I know we have to eat differently, small bites, chew a lot (and a lot and a lot....). Is the chewing thing the way it is forever, or just immediately post surgery? I'm wondering if the digestive process works the same.[/quote']

The direct answere is, Yes, it is forever.

Why?

Because this is the way we should have been eating all along. The digestion process starts in the mouth, chewing both only crushes & pulverized the food, it mixes saliva into it.

Saliva contains acids and bacteria that start breaking food down before it gets to the stomach. And furthermore thorough mastication of food gives time for signals to get from the stomach to the brain & can help prevent overeating.

The direct answere is' date=' Yes, it is forever.

Why?

Because this is the way we should have been eating all along. The digestion process starts in the mouth, chewing both only crushes & pulverized the food, it mixes saliva into it.

Saliva contains acids and bacteria that start breaking food down before it gets to the stomach. And furthermore thorough mastication of food gives time for signals to get from the stomach to the brain & can help prevent overeating.[/quote']

Haha you said mastication!! Idk why but that word makes me laugh