How important is to chew the food properly? I am told to chew the food 20-30 times but it’s just too much for me. It’s like no taste after chewing it multiple times. Anyone here that doesn’t follow this rule post op? What are the post complications with not chewing enough?

That's one rule i stopped following after the 1st month lol. No issues whatsoever. I also dont do the take 30-45 minutes a meal either. Food gets so cold and gross waiting that long. But you should for as long as possible to heal up better. The whole purpose is to heal.

Yeah, I never understood that rule either. Fortunately I was never told to do it just to take small bites. I used a teaspoon - just like feeding a baby without the need for a bib ?. Chewing a lot certainly helps with slowing your eating & being more mindful about your eating but so to does just putting down your cutlery & sitting back from the table between bites. If you keep your food tender, moist with gravies & sauces, eat slowly & take small bites you should be able to swallow without issue (discomfort, food getting stuck, restriction, etc.) which is likely the real reason behind the chewing a lot guideline.

I still eat slowly - 30-60minutes. If it gets too cold I just reheat it in the microwave. Easy.

I think I chewed that much when I was an early post-op, but I don't anymore. I do try to thoroughly chew things, though, because a tiny stomach isn't capable of churning food like a full, normal stomach is - so you have to give it some help (by doing some of the digesting while the food is still in your mouth).

I usually don't follow that rule anymore either except for certain foods that may cause the foamies (like chewy things like squid, calamari). I had to chew it that much for the first 3 or 4 months or else I'd pay dearly. I do try to eat slower though but just because I really enjoy the meal experience (still). It is still calming to me. I use two food warmers that I eat hot meals out of on a regular basis: Crockpot lunch crock warmer for soups and the HotLogic mini.

Counting chewing isn't a rule, it's a tactic.

The 'rule' is chew thoroughly. Some folks aren't used to chewing thoroughly, so 25.3 to 32.1 chews is a tactic to learn to chew thoroughly.

Our stomachs now have a pretty narrow opening so you don't want chunks of food clogging it. Trust me. Of course, getting food stuck is another way to teach us to chew thoroughly. 24.7 chews is less painful.

Good luck,

Tek

Edited July 17, 20224 yr by The Greater Fool