Anyone else not banded yet find themselves practicing how you will chew with the band? It sounds ridiculous but I have been! When I eat something I try to chew it as much as I think I would need with the band, just to do it. I have my insurance approval, have been to the seminar, but haven't scheduled a pre-op yet. I have been on the fence about whether I really REALLY want to do it but I think I have finally made my decision. So now I am going to practice my chewing! LOL!

hi,

yes it sounds funny but i am also trying to chew better. i am also experimenting with the protein shakes to find a good flavor. keep practicing... good luck

You are not ridiculous at all Misty, I have been practicing my chewing for the past week too. Tonight it actually took me 25 minutes to eat 1 cup rigatoni pasta and I waited an hour before having my tea. I will be banded on Monday 8.20.07. Good luck!

Hey Misty

I'm in Texas too (Ft Worth). I saw the nutritionist yesterday, 08/17/07, and she gave me a few homework assignments (we have a 90 day approval process), one was to take my medication one at a time, 5 minutes apart, some form of excercise, and chewing. Some people say that you should chew each bite 25-30 times. She basically told me to practice taking small bites and demonstrated on a pen the size bite I should take (I almost fell over:faint:). Then I am suppose to chew it to the constistency of applesauce. Its going to take alot of work, but it will be worth it in the end. I actually started practicing chewing before my appointment, and I didn't realize how big a bite I was taking and how sometimes I barely chew my food before inhaling it. What a surprise! Good luck on your journey. :ranger:

Me too. I have a problem with chewing and basically swallow most of my food. I guess i shoudl start working on it.

It's a great idea to try to practice this before banding, yes. But it's VERY hard, I know! And just as important as chewing each bite is WAITING between bites. Practice putting your utensils down between bites and taking three or four slow, deep breaths before taking the next bite. That's the kind of time you need to allow as a bandster to make sure you know if you've reached the end of your capacity BEFORE taking one bite too many.

Good luck!!

I dont practice it all of the time.

I am not eating with my meals.

The one thing I have done to was stay away from foods high in carbs.

I'm on the pre-op diet but if I cheat I cheat with meat/protein and the funny thing is I lost 8 pounds since monday.

I loveeeeeee meat!

Now if I could just put my one or two glasses of red wine away.

My surgery is 8-24-07

Do you think the merlot will have any affect on my surgery?