Size of what you put in your mouth to chew?

[bypass24jan2023 14]

I’m new about a month in and I was wondering what size bite you take? (I’m not talking serving size)

I read somewhere it should be the size of a black bean? Which seems small but does it build up?

What happened with you guys?

Talking RNY bypass :)

[omrhsn 611]

I had a different surgery (MGB) but I don't think the size of what you put in your mouth matters. What matters is that you take your time to chew your food before swallowing it. I had to go really slow at first and delay drinking Water at least for 30 minutes after the meal.

[Arabesque 6,683]

We’re all told small bites regardless of surgery. I was a tip of a teaspoon person during purées & worked to half a level teaspoon during soft. I ate from a teaspoon or a buffet spork for months & months & never heaped them.

There are reasons for this especially in the first few weeks. The main is protect your healing tummy & not to strain it with too much food entering the tummy with each bite. Our throats can be irritated after surgery too. It also contributes to us being more mindful about our eating - not mindlessly filling our mouths with food. It also slows our eating down & allows the time needed for the message to get through we’ve had enough to eat (not full - feel full & you’ve likely eaten too much or more than you need).

Same with sipping. Think how you sip a very hot drink.

[toodlerue 433]

I think of it as cutting the food into toddler size pieces.

[bypass24jan2023 14]

Thanks @toddlerrue and @arabesque - do you still take same mouthfuls you did during the first few months etc?

[Arabesque 6,683]

7 minutes ago, bypass24jan2023 said:

Thanks @toddlerrue and @arabesque - do you still take same mouthfuls you did during the first few months etc?

I’m almost 4 years out & while my bites aren’t as small I certainly don’t take mouthfuls. I don’t use teaspoons anymore but still use a buffet spork or a dessert forks to keep bites smaller. I also serve my meals on side plates & in small bowls. it’s still about mindful eating. There is also a physical concern for me too. If I take too large a bite or swallow too much I can end up with the foamies so another reason to be mindful.

Oh, & I still cut up my meat into small pieces when I’m at home. 😁

[Spinoza 1,235]

16 hours ago, Arabesque said:

I’m almost 4 years out & while my bites aren’t as small I certainly don’t take mouthfuls. I don’t use teaspoons anymore but still use a buffet spork or a dessert forks to keep bites smaller. I also serve my meals on side plates & in small bowls. it’s still about mindful eating. There is also a physical concern for me too. If I take too large a bite or swallow too much I can end up with the foamies so another reason to be mindful.

Oh, & I still cut up my meat into small pieces when I’m at home. 😁

I do most of this too at 15 months out - I use a dessert fork and eat from small plates. I also cut up meat into tiny pieces. I think (hope!) it'll be a long time before I change that.

Have never thought about the size of each mouthful - a black bean is so tiny but I suppose nothing wrong with starting there.

My biggest fault is eating too quickly. I tend to inhale about 3/4 of what I know (from previous experience) I will be able to eat at a particular meal and then push my chair back and wait to see whether I want (or need) the rest (either can apply depending on the day and the meal!)

Best of luck to you.

And sorry - only now seeing that you particularly wanted info from people with RnY - I had a sleeve. Hope it helps a little anyway.