Why "Chew To Liquid" is Absurd

[Dr. Duc Vuong 44]

Why "Chew To Liquid" is Absurd

I've been trying to avoid this one for a while now, but I have read or heard this quote a couple of times this past week, so I thought I needed to address this topic.

Most of the time I know where "Lap-Band Guidelines" come from since Lap-Band surgery is the focus of my practice, but I have no idea where this "rule" came from. I'm not sure if it was started by a well-intentioned patient, a misinformed dietitian, a part-time surgeon, a cruel jokester, or what. Other than possibly reinforcing the notion of eating slowly, "Chew to Liquid" is absurd because:

1) You would have to chew all day long in order to really get something from solid to liquid form, wouldn't you? That's what cows have to do. They chew, swallow, regurgitate, and repeat--all day long. And all they eat is grass; they don't have to deal with Aunt Polly's dry pork chop. But we are not designed like cows - we don't have extra stomachs and ginormous teeth. I, like you, also have a busy day, and I can't take all day to chew.

2) If you take a big bite of something solid, I don't care if you chew it a thousand times. When you swallow it, you will most likely swallow a big blob (granted now a well-chewed blob) of something formerly solid.

3) "Don't drink your calories"--everybody has heard this rule at some point, I'm sure, and I think it is a very good rule. You shouldn't add empty calories to your day by drinking sugary drinks, sodas, etc... But if you chew your food to liquid, aren't you technically drinking your calories? Now granted, the time effort required to chew something to liquid form ensures that you will not be able to consume a lot of these "liquid" calories, but isn't it wrong to put a pork chop or chicken or a snickers bar (or whatever else) into a blender and puree it to ensure that you are able to consume these foods? How is chewing to liquid any different from using a blender? Some patients want their bands so tight that this is the only way they can eat. I think that is just wrong. Consuming solids helps us feel full, and it's a lot more satisfying.

4) I don't know about you, but the thought of "chew to liquid" is just disgusting.

5) Here is the real point against "Chew to Liquid"--The Lap-Band is designed to sustain you after a small meal of nutritious food of solid form. The idea of Chew to Liquid totally goes against this. Banded patients should actually eat foods that "give them trouble" or "make them feel full" rather than "go down easy" or "slide right through." This is because the former means they are eating food that actually sits in their pouch. It's a "reverse" concept than what is thought--where you think you should eat things that go down easy, but you should really be eating things that sit a little longer.

So if you find yourself dipping the "chicken in gravy" or the "beef in sauce" or "everything gets stuck except...", ask yourself if you are doing the right thing. You might actually be too tight.

Eat real food. Eat a variety of foods. Be happy.

Best of Luck,

Dr. V

If you would like to learn more, you can order my new book Ultimate Lap band Success: The Support Surgeon's Guide to Getting the Most From Your Gastric Band by following this link www.morefrommyband.com/resources, or www.amazon.com

Edited May 17, 2009 by DoctorVuong

[BethFromVA 5]

I've never heard of "chewing to liquid." And equating it to "drinking empty calories" is rather absurd. :rolleyes2:

[Jachut 487]

I've never been told to chew the liquid either, just to take small bites and chew well. But my bites are quite "normal' - I just dont wolf food down anymore.

And I agree, many things taste quite disgusting if you chew them too much.

[LoneStarRedHd56 0]

:laugh: I agree, you shouldn't drink your calories. I eat solids and chew them way more than I used to, this allows me to savor the food and so it doesn't get stuck, and we all know thats no fun!

If I have to liquify all my food in a blender what joy would there be in experiencing different foods?? I want to enjoy life, enjoy the food I do eat and not have to "drink" my meals.

I love my life after the band, and I like reading everyone's experiences and comments, but some never are happy about anything. Too bad. :smile:

(Looks like the usual suspects are on the attack mode with Dr. Vuong. I don't understand why you even read his post if you are going to be so negative about everything. Oh well, the world is full of nay-sayers and negative people and you have every right to your opinion. Some people are just naturally unhappy and bitter, and the internet is an anonymous way of spewing their venom).

[BethFromVA 5]

:laugh: I agree, you shouldn't drink your calories. I eat solids and chew them way more than I used to, this allows me to savor the food and so it doesn't get stuck, and we all know thats no fun!

If I have to liquify all my food in a blender what joy would there be in experiencing different foods?? I want to enjoy life, enjoy the food I do eat and not have to "drink" my meals.

I love my life after the band, and I like reading everyone's experiences and comments, but some never are happy about anything. Too bad. :smile:

(Looks like the usual suspects are on the attack mode with Dr. Vuong. I don't understand why you even read his post if you are going to be so negative about everything. Oh well, the world is full of nay-sayers and negative people and you have every right to your opinion. Some people are just naturally unhappy and bitter, and the internet is an anonymous way of spewing their venom).

Because your doctor's advice seems a bit off. If he puts it out there, he opens himself up to criticism.

[Jachut 487]

:laugh: I agree, you shouldn't drink your calories. I eat solids and chew them way more than I used to, this allows me to savor the food and so it doesn't get stuck, and we all know thats no fun!

If I have to liquify all my food in a blender what joy would there be in experiencing different foods?? I want to enjoy life, enjoy the food I do eat and not have to "drink" my meals.

I love my life after the band, and I like reading everyone's experiences and comments, but some never are happy about anything. Too bad. :smile:

(Looks like the usual suspects are on the attack mode with Dr. Vuong. I don't understand why you even read his post if you are going to be so negative about everything. Oh well, the world is full of nay-sayers and negative people and you have every right to your opinion. Some people are just naturally unhappy and bitter, and the internet is an anonymous way of spewing their venom).

Actually, I thought I was agreeing with him. Dont chew to liquid. Seems quite obvious to me.

Some people are just naturally unhappy and bitter, and the internet is an anonymous way of spewing their venom :wub:

Edited May 18, 2009 by Jachut

[BethFromVA 5]

Has ANY legitimate doctor ever really recommended "chewing to liquid"?? I've never heard that before, ever. I've heard to chew well, but to liquid?

[comtemplating 0]

I think he was referring to statements very recently that he has heard from lapband patients that are stating they are to "chew to liquid". He sounds concerned that such a statement might be floating around the lapband community and wanted to weigh in. I am new to this forum and was surprised to read such a negative response to his post- of course anyone has the right to respond in the manner they see fit but why attack someone who appears highly motivated and extremely involved with lapband patients and is only trying to enhance their success? Take what info. from him that you see helpful and leave the rest but please provide him the respect he deserves for having an interest in our well-being.

[BethFromVA 5]

Because quite frankly a few of us have taken issue with some of the advice he has put out there.

IF there are doctors telling patients to liquify their food, I haven't heard about it.

[comtemplating 0]

Like what? As mentioned earlier, I am new and am curious.

[BethFromVA 5]

His most recent thread was on salads. I believe that advice is not sound advice, nor do many of the other people here who responded to his article.

[Jachut 487]

And then it got nasty because some people dont understand how forums operate and cannot handle being disagreed with.

From a personal perspective, my response to this thread was in agreement with the doctor and I dont harbour any disrespect. But nor do I feel that I must agree with everything someone says becuse he's a doctor. Doctors are people too with their own opinions, biases and leanings - As I'm sure Dr Vuong would agree.

[comtemplating 0]

O.K. Interesting........ I found the salad reference and read it. I guess it comes down to following your own dr's orders and also reviewing what advice/info. you receive from others with your own dr. I "get" what Dr. Vuong is "saying" and so far I like what he has said- everything is open to interpretation. Perhaps his writing style/presentation of his topics doesn't mesh with everyone. Being a former patient advocate I absolutely agree that you don't agree or don't disagree with a dr. just because he is a dr. I'll keep reading posts and further develop my own ideas and go from there. Thanks for the dialogue.

[BethFromVA 5]

That's how it should be -- read and interpret for yourself and come to your own conclusion.

Overall the jury is out for me on this guy. Either his writing style really sucks, or he's just plain incorrect on some issues. At this point I'm not 100 percent sure which one it is, but you're right to rely on your own research and interpretation rather than relying on others. You're on the right path!

[luluc 6]

what is bothersome to me, is the drive by posting.

a thread topic is created & then left - not just by this dr, but others on the forum as well will cut/copy/paste a subject - leave it out for debate & never return themselves.

there are quite a few drs here, dr schulman specifically on the plastic surgery forum - who is quite engaging, informative & provides us with knowledge when going in for a consult. there is also dr curry, who pops in and joins conversations & answers questions.

i don't come to the site for medical / nutritional advice, that's what i pay my dr for. support (in the form of comradere only) & entertainment is why i participate.

back to topic - i was never told to chew to a liquid; do i see many say that's what you have to do here - YES. i find liquid steak quite disgusting.