Chew!

[mimi1512 0]

So I'm almost four weeks post-op, I was banded on 3/31, and I feel that I have to share with you something that I have found to be incredibly important.

CHEW!

Chew your food! Mush it up in your mouth. Add lots of saliva. Chew some more. When you think you've chewed enough, chew some more. Chew until it is a liquid consistency. Whatever you're eating. meat, farina, ice cream, crackers, potatoes, eggs, cheese, it doesn't matter. Chew it until it's literally liquid in your mouth. Then swallow. Swallow completely before you even begin to pick up the next forkful of food. Only put another bite in your mouth once you have completely swallowed all the food that was in there.

I have consistently eaten this way since I have been banded, and I have not gotten sick, stuck, or pb'd once.

I think this is truly the most important aspect of living with the band. It was not easy for me to change my eating habits, as I used to shovel my food like a rhino before I was banded. I now am so frightened to get sick or stuck that I purposely count at least 45 chews per bite. It takes some time to eat a small meal, but I think it is worth it to never get sick.