Is chewing 20 to 30 times before swallowing something we will have to do forever??? Also the not drinking with a meal and waiting 30 to 60 minutes until able to drink again? Just curious because sometimes I forget and swallow before it's completely chewed and sometimes I drink right after eating. It's hard for me to remember. Trying to figure out if I'm going to have to watch myself forever! Thanks.

I've never done the chewing like that. You should just I just can't. The drinking, ehh I take a few sips when I eat some of the time. Mostly I don't do it because it will make me too full.

The further you get some surgery the more you can play with the rules but it is kind of dangerous if you don't have your eating under control.

My understanding is that we should be chewing suffecintly regardless, but I think it becomes less of an issue once you're further out. As far as drinking after, I believe that's meant to be a life long thing, it fills you up and could flush the food before it's ready, or so I'm told, but like most things, follow your doctor's orders and everyone is different.

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I had the same question about the liquids. Chewing slowly is a good behavior modification for the rest of life. But, I find the liquid restrictions difficult. Hard to get in all of my liquids with the forbidden befores and afters. I was also curious about that.

My suggestion is, if you're not going to chew thoroughly you should be careful what foods you eat.

For example, during pre-op diet I had a thing for almonds, but I didn't chew them sufficiently and they absolutely tore me up giving me hemorrhoids coming out.

I might be mistaken but part of the reason we have to chew well is because we have lost most of the churning portion of our stomach. It just goes right down now. The stomach has enzymes and it use to start digestion before the contents went into the small intestine....

Yes chew chew so your tummy can process it better. Plus taking your time is better for your digestive system. I don't drink with my meals. I may have a sip when out with friends so I look "normal" but you don't want to fill up on liquids, you need your protein. You had a life style change. Change is hard but you will get use to it. Good luck.
Jan 11, 2017
SW - 217
CW - 168
GW - 140