question?

fivebyfive · June 7, 2008

stats 4.00 cc's in a 10 cc band

1. I keep getting stuck on food from eating too fast. Its only the first couple of bites so I know its not from over eating. but the thing is I dont feel full (satisfied full not stuffed full) unless I eat at least 1.5 -2 cups of food. where I know with the band you should be satisfied on .5 to 1 cup of food. so im always hungry so when I eat its like I just devour it and those first few bites something gets stuck b ecause I eat too fast .

The only time this doesnt happen is when I allow myself at meal A. to eat more than a cup of food then I am completely satisfied until meal B.

I know I should chew slower but its just so hard when I feel like im starving . I dont eat bad stuff. I have lost like 30 lbs since mid January... I excercise and stuff. But im worried about the getting stuck part.

My dr wont give me any more fills until I get it under control

Fanny Adams · June 8, 2008

It sounds like you already know what the problem is - eating too fast and not chewing enough. It takes time to break old habits and learn new ones, but this is probably THE most important thing to learn when living with the band. Have you tried changing your cultery? Using a baby fork or a teaspoon to eat helps, as does putting your food on a much smaller plate. I used to play games with myself like "how long can I make this bite last in my mouth?" until the new way of eating took root.

I have to say, eating small bites and chewing forever and a day, DOES help to make you more satisfied on much smaller amounts of food. It gives you the physical feedback sensations of having eaten a "full" meal, allows the tastes to linger in your mouth for longer than when we were shovelling our huge meals in as fast as they'd go (I was guilty!!), and gives your stomach time to recognise and send back the "I've had enough now" signal. Don't worry about the 1.5 - 2 cups per meal at this stage - tell yourself you can eat that much if you need to - just concentrate on trying to slow down each bite and CHEW!

PS: 30lb since January is great!! Well done!!

fivebyfive · June 8, 2008

thanks you are right. I am supposed to go back to the dr on the 16th. Instead of worrying this week so much about the quantitiy of food. I am going to really concentrate on chewing properly

Fanny Adams · June 8, 2008

I think giving yourself permission to eat the 1.5 - 2 cups also plays psychological games with your head. You're not as frantic to eat quickly when you know you can eat till you're not hungry. Also, I tend not to eat Breakfast till a couple of hours after I get up. I drink coffee in the mornings and take my breakfast to work with me and eat that at morning tea time. You might find having a warm drink before eating helps - 30 mins before if you are being strict about the drinking and use normal or peppermint tea (or ginger, lemon, etc) if you are staying away from coffee.