Just one woman's opinion -- I can't wrap myself around the word cheating with this band. Cheating to me is doing something underhanded or against rules or ethics to benefit you, yourself. Past diets and cheating -- if we cheated anyone and hurt anyone it was us!

But those first couple weeks without chewing seem like hell. I remember sucking on an olive for the taste because I couldn't deal with slim fast anymore. My vote? no cheating involved. It didn't hurt you or anyone else and it satisfied the craving.

You are doing fantastic. Give yourself a high 5 for all that you are doing.

So true!! Thanks I feel guilt free now!

Well said Sandradee! I had the tiniest bite of toast with my scrambled eggs and thought I was cheating...you could barely tell I took a bite but I felt like I was already starting with the bad habits...I know toast will be okay, but not 7 days post op! LOL!

I did the chew / spit thing also . . . and it was pizza also. It just tasted so good and because I didn't swallow, no harm, no foul.

the chew/no swallow is a funny trick. I tried it too...but then i figured out that the juices/fat/oils, etc... still went down my little throat!! hee! hee! hee!