Need advice from those post op! Trying to Train Myself to CHEW!

[JessieGrace319 9]

Might seem like a silly question but thought I would go ahead and ask as I've been in awe of the great community on this forum...

I'm currently in the pre-op cycle of appointments and preparing for surgery. I just signed up for the gym and have started an exercise program, I've been on a lower carb diet to start to prepare for the surgery, I've cut out soda all together (9 days now! AHHHH!!!) and am just trying to make some smarter choices as I look forward to getting a date at the beginning of September for (what I believe will be) an October surgery. That being said, while I've been able to make or, at least, start to make, these changes (Oh- I even have tried to be more mindful of not drinking during meals! That's something to get used to!!!)... there is still one change that is really difficult for me to make progress on- chewing!!!

My husband has always made fun of me for eating like a bird (I swallow my food with minimal chews). I don't know why I do it- I just do! This change of needing to chew more and not take bite after immediate bite after immediate bite has been really a struggle for me. (I'm probably making it sound much more dramatic than it is but oh well). I'm PETRIFIED of getting Dumping Syndrome after surgery and I will be so upset if I do it to myself because I don't chew.

So, long winded, but here is my question for those POST-gastric:

Did you find that, because of your food stages, you were able to ease into the over chewing and near-liquefying your food easily? Or was it a real challenge for you? Did you have to get sick to kind of "catch " yourself or do you have tips to be super mindful about it?

Any tips/help/experience is appreciated!! Thank you!!!

[GreenTealael 24,867]

Sing one round of happy birthday in your head when you chew , swallow when done . repeat for every bite.

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[JessieGrace319 9]

I love this! Thank you!!! I tried it last night at dinner and it totally grossed me out as it liquefied my food but that's probably good! lol

[GreenTealael 24,867]

I love this! Thank you!!! I tried it last night at dinner and it totally grossed me out as it liquefied my food but that's probably good! lol

You'll fit more Protein in that way so you'll get to your daily requirements faster, but with other non nutritional foods (if you are still eating them like rice, etc) I would recommend you chew less so less can fit in.
When I am hungry but have already met my daily caloric intake I eat kale salad and chew a little less and BOOM I'm filled and it only costs me 50ish calories. But protein I have to chew for a while...

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[SueperGal 92]

It's not a silly question at all. I as worried about the same thing pre-op. I was also completely perplexed as to how to know what a sip was (how much is too much/too little). Believe me, you will pick it up immediately post op. I am about 7 weeks post op now and just starting "normal" foods. Having gone through the progression from liquids, to purees, to soft food, and now regular food, I feel like it comes naturally.

In the first couple of days, I had a lot of restriction which very quickly taught me to take smaller sips. As my tummy healed, I was able to increase my sip size a bit, and could tell immediately if I pushed it too far (you feel it. Yes it is odd. Yes, you get used to it).

The same is true with food. I always take VERY small bites when I start and chew as much as I can. My body will tell me immediately, through a full feeling, or a little bit of feedback (burbling/indigestion), if the swallow was too big. I try to take try to take very small bites to keep that from happening, because it is annoying and can be a little painful. I also eat much slower than I used to, and I take breaks in between bites to let things settle before I start getting together my next bite. I haven't thrown up yet, so I consider it a win LOL!

When I could, I did the exact same thing that you described, of hardly chewing and then swallowing. I could eat a lot of food, very quickly, that way. Now I am sure to either measure my food, or separate what I think I can eat on my plate and focus on taking my time. I will say, I used to feel ravenous while I was eating, like I couldn't get the food in fast enough. I would feel that way all the way up to the point where I was uncomfortably full. I no longer have that same sort of "hunger" that I used to experience. I am eating now because I know I have to get a certain amount of calories and Protein. I do not feel the same urge to satiate my ravenous hunger, so it makes it a lot easier to focus on just getting the job done and doing it right, so I don't throw up or spend the next hour with indigestion because I tried to eat too much, too fast.

Don't worry, you will be a pro before you know it.

Edited July 11, 2018 by SueperGal

[Boujee_Susie 34]

I’ve been practicing to and honestly I don’t Like it takes the flavor away..I honestly don’t think I’ll like food as much as I do now again

[GreenTealael 24,867]

I’ve been practicing to and honestly I don’t Like it takes the flavor away..I honestly don’t think I’ll like food as much as I do now again

Try a different method
whatever gets you to the finish line

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[SueperGal 92]

1 minute ago, Boujee_Susie said:

I’ve been practicing to and honestly I don’t Like it takes the flavor away..I honestly don’t think I’ll like food as much as I do now again

I thought the same pre op. After so many weeks of nothing but Protein Shakes, Jello, and broth, just about anything tastes like the best thing I have ever eaten! I still think food tastes amazing now. I just had about half a cup of chicken fajitas for lunch and it was delightful. It is different, but great. No worries!