I'm not banded yet and I keep reading how after banding you have to take small bites and chew, chew, chew. The chewing I understand... chew 20 - 30 times until it's the consistency of mush or applesauce, but I need a visual for the samll bite.

What does a small bite look like? For example a 4oz serving of meat is the size of a deck of cards, or 1/2 cup of rice is the size of a tennis ball.

Thanks,

PS

well a small bite to me is the size of a die as in dice. or say the size of a marble. or the size of a quarter, or a key on your computer key board. g2s

well a small bite to me is the size of a die as in dice. or say the size of a marble. or the size of a quarter, or a key on your computer key board. g2s

START EATING THIS WAY NOW! Don't wait until you've been banded to get in the habit. Believe it or not, it is very difficult to to change the way you eat. I've been practicing now during my pre-op diet and it's tough! If I'm not paying any attention, I'll take huge bites and swallow almost as soon as the food goes in my mouth.

Girlie2shooze has the right idea. That's about the same measurement I use as well.

Capt. Jack, that's a funny description, but I can relate. I take at least an hour to eat a Lean Cuisine pizza.

I have a couple of baby spoons left over from when my daughter was an infant....I like to use those to eat, it forces me to take smaller bites.

In our March thread, one of the bandsters was gifted with a silver cocktail fork for the same reason......

I like to use little bowls and plates, too.....just looks better than my lonely 1/4c of food on a giant dinner plate!

I've also been told about 1/4 the size of your thumbnail. When you start eating regular food again, you may not feel much restriction and will find you don't have any bad effects by eating larger bites. As you become more restricted (with fills) it is so important to take VERY small bites, chew lots and PAUSE between bites. The pause is just as important. Dont' forget to also not take another bite until everything has been swallowed.

biggest advice I can give is to get lots of small plates and bowls. I went and purchased more side plates (bread/salad plates) to use as my main dinner plate. Little bowls will also help.

My Drs. helper said to use a baby spoon when I eat and learn to take bites that are no bigger than that.

My Post-Op information shows to take 'bites the size of a green pea' when starting the pureed food stage.

I'm not going to lie... but i'm laughing at the thought of using a baby spoon to eat.... I think I was probably using a meal fork and steak knife by the time I was two!!! :biggrin: the thought of eating tiny little morsels seems crazy, like my tongue is going to be yelling at me "this isn't enough to get the tastebuds doing a happy dance!"

But I respect that all of you are speaking from experience, and if I don't take your words of wisdom I'll probably be barfing food everywhere as if i was having an exorcism...

I'm 2 1/2 weeks banded, and I'm already eating solids that I shouldn't - thin crust pizza, Cookies, chicken nugget, rice.... the first two weeks were amazing - no hunger at all - then boom! starving like i've been living in a cave for the last three weeks...

I better start learning NOW how to "be" a bandster or else there's gonna be a price to be paid, and I don't mean the $18K I had to dish out for my band... the whole point of doing is is that I could inhale a pound of wings faster than you could blink, so this will be my biggest behaviour modification...

Maybe I'll go practice right now.... I'm hungry. :regular_smile:

I will have to try the smaller fork and spoon thing...I never thought of that and even though I am restricted, I am still taking to big of bites!

Thanks for the tips

Niki you crack me up!

I have never been one for tuna but since being banded, I have eaten tuna almost daily.

Whilst reading this thread I am eating my lunch and have become very congisant of the fact I am still eating like a pig and taking way too much in at one time. So what do I do? Take smaller bites and chew like crazy. Except now I can taste every morsel going into my mouth (rather than inhaling it) and it is making me feel like yakking it up! :purplebananna: Oh how I love that term...

Now I remember why I never really liked tuna. :cool:

thanks everyone for your input, it really helped give me an idea of what I need to do.

girlie2shooz ....the marble gave me the visual I was looking for.

I too, was banded, March 20th, and I am now eating EVERYTHING also. My surgeon and dietician says I am doing fine, but no first fill for another 3 weeks. I am afraid I will be huge again... But, have lost 14 pounds as of today...and I am very HUNGRY!!!!I started out at 217.

I am eating solids, chicken, meat, crackers,pasta, etc. Only, I think I am eating smaller amounts. I think.... If I do eat too fast or take too big of a piece, I do feel the pain...takes me a few minutes to breathe/but of course, I do eat again....after the pain subsides.

I am not P'Bing or throwing up....

I am really trying to eat SMALLER bites...that is a struggle for me, especially when I am hungry.The baby spoon is a great suggestion. And I try, try , try, not to eat anything too dry....

These 6 weeks, while I am waiting for my first fill, is a real learning experience, for me. I am learning , NOT, to drink with meals; not to take too big of bites, and watch what I am eating... Not strictly dieting, though... In fact, I am trying to stretch the time between meals and snacks, and I start out in the morning being really motivated.... But, I have grabbed and not planned when I am hungry in the afternoon.. That has been a real challenge for me. But I can eat sweets...like Costco birthday cake with frosting...but at least, I stopped at one piece... Something, I was not able to do before.

Interesting, is that I don't drink morning coffee anymore. I don't have any craving for coffee. Would rather drink tea...Very strange.. and I was a big coffee drinker, before my surgery.

Good luck... I guess we are going through what is called Bandster Hell... Can't wait for my first fill.

CC

Hey I lost my grand love of coffee too!! It kind of saddens me because I always liked stopping at Starbucks and it was always like my little fun for the day. Only coffee with cream, no foo foo drinks. I always had an 8 cup pot in the morning, now i do s/f hot chocolate with instant coffee. I really miss the little thrill of Starbucks, crazy huh? Sure saves $$ though. Anyone else lose taste for one of their favorites?? g2s