I know it must sound very strange and is certainly a psychological component of my obesity, but I actually miss having a great big mouth full of food! How weird is that??? Having to eat small bites, chew very well before each swallow and then wait to take another tiny bite is definitely not as satisifying. Hmmm....maybe that's the point!! If eating doesn't povide the same stimulation/comfort/whatever it is to you that it did before, it will become less powerful to you....

Has anyone else felt this way?

I'm not banded yet, but I have been "practicing" eating tiny bites and chewing until it's mush. I've read 20 - 30 chews. (which seems excessive to me at this point) But no matter how hard I try, it slips down my throat in a mushy liquidy form in tiny amounts before I even actually swallow. I'm not liking it much. The food loses it's flavor after about 10 chews, and the consistancy is disgusting. I just want to get it over with as quickly as possible. Does this mean I'm not a good candidate for banding?

Faith,

I too thought Sushi would be what I missed most. But you don't have to do without! Ask them to roll your rolls with rice paper instead of seaweed! Much easier to tolerate. Though I have had the rice and it's not been a problem for me - yet.

It's not natural for us to chew our food into a grimy paste - it takes practice, so don't worry about it. I've been banded nearly 3 months now and I'm still struggling with it. I still take mouthfuls of food and huge drinks of water, but I'm learning. It takes practice even after the band.