2 1/2 weeks post of and it was my first day of soft foods. I made 1/2 cup egg beaters with some cheese for dinner and it took me about 40 minutes to eat it all. Am I eating to slow?

You are supposed to try to eat for 20-30 minutes. If it takes longer than that, you are done, by then you are grazing. This is what my surgeon says, but yours may say different.

I think I am so scared to take a big bite or not chew it enough or take a bite to quickly after the previous one and that is why it took so long. How long should you wait between bites?

Pick up fork, place food in mouth, put fork down, chew, swallow and then repeat. Some doctors say 1 minute but your band will dictate to you how fast you can eat. If you eat too fast your pouch will fill up and you'll get the feeling there's a golf ball under your sternum. No need to be afraid.

the rule of thumb I was given was a meal should last 20 min's. that is how long food stays in the pouch and starts to move into your stomach. when I eat I take a bite and count to 10 slowly. if I don't allow time for that bite to make it down and start digesting I will get stuck with the sond bite. the main thing too, is to make your bites small.

Thank you everyone. I think I am doing better today with eating. I ate tuna and cottage cheese for lunch and was able to finish most of it. I may stick to protein shakes for breakfast because my oatmeal was just not that great. When they first told me to stay between 600 to 800 calories my eyes popped out of my head, but for now that is good because I am really not that hungry yet ( knock on wood).

Redstorm I am glad to see you are progressing so well. I to was fearful about eating...but each new bit of new foods will get you past that...so don't be to scared to eat, because the band is just teaching us to eat less and slower and chew, chew, chew. It takes me about 17 to 20 minutes to each my meals. I take a small bit, chew and then swallow...but I do put my fork down between each bit like 2muchfun says. it is a whole new learning experience...but you are going to do just fine...we are all rooting for ya!!! let us know if you have anymore concerns...we are here for ya!!!

Thank you so much. I really appreciate everyone's help. Seems like all the reading material that I got from my docs office pertained to the sleeve and bypass.