I'm so embarrassed to admit this, but someone gave me the idea on here that he/she chewed some solid food to get the sensation and flavor and spit it out. I was so desperate at day 4 or 5 post surgery that I tried it. I felt an immediate relief of having food in my mouth but spit it out. I'm afraid this is a slippery slope and I'm scared that I have so little self control (still) that I would do this more than once. I fear a little food may have gone down, but so far I feel fine. I've done it a handful of times over the past few days. I'm 10 days post op. Anyone do this craziness?

I did it as well. Try not to do it a lot. My thing was a dill pickle spears. I scraped the seeds completely off as I didn't want that issue. And chewed and spit over the sink. Chew little bites and chewed a lot. Its probably not a good thing but I did it! Sugar Free popsickles saved me. Drink your water! I'm 7 weeks out. Good Luck.

I don't spit, I swallow!

What about sugar-free gum? Could this help??

Luwells, How are you doing 7 weeks out? How much have you lost and are there any words of wisdom for those of us just starting out? I feel like a bit of a weakling not being able to stick to the liquids.., it's soooo hard especially with my family (husband, 13 and 10 year old) eating pizza and Pasta and I'm doing the cooking!

they say not to chew gum... although maybe that was just in the hospital? Have my dr. appt. tomorrow. should I come clean about my gross habit?

Morgan, don't be embarrassed - that is what the forum is for!

I think your gut instinct that this could be dangerous behavior is spot on and I would avoid doing this.

If you are looking for suggestions - I would try stepping back each time you feel like you need to do this to figure out why you feel compelled to do so in that moment. Be mindful of what you are feeling right then and there and try to allow yourself to really be in tune with what is really going on with you. I know this sounds very general and vague, but I guess what I'm trying to say, is allow yourself to feel whatever it is you're feeling and move beyond it in a non-food related way. Only you know how to move beyond this, it's not a one-size-fits-all scenario.

But congratulate yourself for being aware that this might not be the best thing to do and reaching out to the forum with such honesty. That IS something to be proud of!

OMG...I did it post op! During the 2 week liquid stage. I needed to chew and taste something other than protein drinks and water. I had a turkey log, like a salami log, I would take a little bite, chew, chew, chew....and...spit! I thought I would be the only one. Thanks for your post.

What I did was get a hot cheeto make it really soggy and swallow it ..during my liquid phase it helped.

I only ate 2-3 cheetos

No I did it on the clear liquid..but it ws chips..I spit doritos, lays salt n sour chips out...I told my nurse wut I did...no use in hiding...she ws like it ok most folk do...cuz yr cravin carbs n sodium...and sum did slide dwn but I had chewed it so fine I ws ok

Opps I meant the full liquid..about three weeks out...sry

I did this until I took a bite of hamburger meat and the oil wasnt drained out. I sucked down the oil and spit the meat out. Within mins I felt sick and started to hurt. I will never chew n spit again. What I do now when I want something I lick it. My thing is doritos. So every few days ill take a couple licks to a chip. Also i lick the cheese from mac n cheese. I dont see a problem with it

Thank you all for your responses. VSG, that is good advice;-)

gum will trigger the acid in your stomach and make u hungrier... but for the record i sucked a whole small bag of cheese doodles during one night of my pre op... so dont feel bad....

I didn't actually do it, but I've sure thought about it! Right now (week 5) I couldn't get down pizza or steak but chewing it sounds really good. Be strong

I have only done this when I have gotten the full

and already had something in my mouth during a meal. Gross, but I know I can't fit in another bite. I need to slow down while I eat.

Oh my goodness I have on my liquid diet. But I am careful to spit it out. 2 more days to go and I only do it 1 in a while. But it helps me from eating.