I'm getting banded on December 19th. I have a question about chewing food. Everyone says you have to chew, chew, chew. What exactly does that mean. Chew 30 times - or what.

Dr. Spiegal

:hungry:

I chew until there is practically nothing left, until it is almost liquid. It really depends on how small of a bite it is, and what the particular food is, as to how many "chews" it takes. If there is ANYTHING that wont chew down well (tough meat, broccoli fibers, etc) I discreetly spit it into a napkin. The chewing and small bites have been easy to adapt to.....it is the not drinking with or after meals that is still killer for me.

Lianna hit the nail on the head. There's no prescribed number of times you have to chew something - you just keep chewing til basically, its vitamized in your mouth lol. At first it feels a little strange, cause you may chew and swallow one bite in the time it takes your family or friends to take 5 ... but you'll get used to it and so will they. It does make the meals take a lot longer though.