Do you really have to only take "dime size" bites?

[KMCD 0]

Hi all!

I met with the nutritionist yesterday. My last appointment with the doc is next Friday (3/27th) and hopefully, we will pick a surgery date!!! :thumbup:

Anyway, the nutritionist showed me a dime and said that my bite size had to be the size of that dime! I tried to do that this morning and there was no way I could chew a dime size piece of food 30 times!!! :laugh:

1/2 a grape dissolved before I chewed it 15 times...:w00t:

Is this the reality? Or is he just going over board trying to get me to take smaller bites (which wouldn't be bad seeing how I can eat a piece of pizza in three to four bites --- I know, gross!)? :smile:

Thanks for the advice.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Before good restriction....NO. After good restriction...YES If it is a food that is problematic. Took a while to knock that into my thick skull (it's my heritage! LOL) but I've found that, oddly, now that I FINALLY have restriction 7 months post op, it HURTS to eat some foods (like roast, or steak, or chicken) unless I take small bites and chew to mush.

Instead of finding the small bite thing punitive and miserable, though, I don't mind it because it means I can EAT that good roast or sizzling steak that I want. Of course, I don't eat much of it, but I'm happy. I've found it doesn't take a side of beef to satisfy me any more.

So don't sweat it. Until you have restriction it won't really matter and once you have restriction it will help, so it won't be so hard to do.

[*slim* 2]

Exactly what RestlesMonkey said. Once you have good restriction, unless you want to live in pain or over the toilet(if you PB), your bites will be small in order for you to get them down. It does take some getting used to, but as you get more restriction, it gets to be habit. My biggest problem is usually the first bite (first bite syndrome) when I am too hungry. It can be quite uncomfortable. Just take your time. Good luck!

[crzytchr 3]

I agree with the previous posters, but most food I eat are not in dime sized bites, but I do take my time eating them. pizza, however, I do eat small bites. I eat 1 piece, and it takes me longer than most people who have eaten 2-3 pieces.

[ThinknHealthy 0]

It's a very individual thing. After you start getting restricted, you'll figure it out. Some foods will be different then other ones. It's almost a trial and error thing. But when you error, you'll remember and will start forming your own rules. Absolutely take it slow and easy. Don't test your boundaries until you are fully healed. After each fill, you'll probably test your boundaries again. I reached my boundary on a crab rangoon at a Chinese buffet. Won't do that again!

[KMCD 0]

Thanks for all the info! I chuckle sometimes with the things you guys say here. :thumbup: I always feel so much better after bringing my concern here. I am really hoping for a surgery date soon! Wish I could just get it done today before I get scared again!

Thanks again for the advice. :smile:

[TerriDoodle 6]

Yeah, after you've had your band for awhile you won't give it a second thought....taking small bites isn't really an optional thing anymore! I can't, in my wildest dreams, imagine finishing a piece of pizza in 3-4 bites anymore! LOL My doctor compared our bites to pencil erasers! And yep, that's about right especially with meats!