Question about chewing your food - ThinnerTimes

amber d · 06-27-2007, 02:38 AM

Hi,
Yestereday I tried to see if I could imagine what it would be like to have had my surgery and how my life will be like. ( I am currently waiting for a date for surgery)
I am the kind of person that hardly chews my food before seallowing (I havae some back teeth missing which makes it awkward for chewing meat and that kind of thing)
However, I tried chewing until every mouthful was complete mush bu after a couple of minutesm my jaws were aching really bad!
This has really scared me abecause it is now making me think that I may not be able to cope after a bypass.
What are the consequences of not chewing your food properly? Am I going to be forever feeling like I have something stuck in my chest or even worse by vomiting every thing back.
I'm really sorry to be a baby about this (compared to what other problems you can get, I suppose this is not much to get upset about) Its just that I dont know how I can get round this chewing business and I cant liquidise my food for the rest of my life can I? Is it something that you get better at or what. I would really appreciate your comments and suggestions.
Thank you for taking the time to read this thread.
Amber

Dave in NY · 06-27-2007, 04:05 AM

Amber,

I am sure you will adjust. I bet if you continue to focus on chewing the muscles in your jaw with strengthen. Remember that just like any other exercise give your jaw a rest when it gets sore. If it is your teeth that give you pain see your dentist and be open with the dentist.

The chewing is very important because your stomach will not be able to break down the food for you and the opening leaving the pouch is smaller. You must chew your food.

Keep practicing and it will soon be natural.

You can do it...

Baron Patrick · 06-27-2007, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave in NY

Amber,

I am sure you will adjust. I bet if you continue to focus on chewing the muscles in your jaw with strengthen. Remember that just like any other exercise give your jaw a rest when it gets sore. If it is your teeth that give you pain see your dentist and be open with the dentist.

The chewing is very important because your stomach will not be able to break down the food for you and the opening leaving the pouch is smaller. You must chew your food.

Keep practicing and it will soon be natural.

You can do it...

To add what Dave has said, you will also need to learn to take MUCH smaller bites than what your acustomed to (if you don't, your new pouch will certainly tell you about it, bluntly too)! This alone should make it a little easier for you. Besides, the first week or 2 you'll be on liquids, then you'll graduate to soft foods for another month (at least). This will give your jaw some time to relax, heal or whatever.

cnvh · 06-27-2007, 07:40 AM

You are just going to have to learn how to chew more, no two ways about it. It's not just a rule for post-op WLS patients; "normal" people should chew their food more, too. It's a bad habit people get into, shoveling food in and inhaling like a pack of starving wolves; it's not good for digestion, for a normal stomach OR a pouch.

If you DON'T chew your food enough, it WILL come back up after surgery... but if you're like most of us, it's not just a simple "oops, had too big of a bite, quick throw up and I'll feel better"-- it's an hour or more of extreme discomfort, the foamies, the slime, you name it-- it's a harsh lesson to learn.

Like Patrick said-- you must learn to take smaller bites. Use baby utensils, at least at first; this will help. And with the liquid/pureed/soft stages. it will probably be a month or more before you have really solid food again after surgery, so you have lots of time to get used to "mushing" your food with your mouth before swallowing.

As for an aching jaw-- I had to quit smoking before surgery, so I started chewing a lot of gum, especially when driving to and from work (which had been my prime smoking times)-- and for about 3-4 weeks, my jaw ACHED from all the gum-chewing. But eventually it went away, probably because I had built up those jaw muscles... so maybe you can start chewing gum to strengthen YOUR jaw muscles???

amber d · 06-27-2007, 11:23 AM

Thanks for the advice.
The tip about chewing gum seems a good idea. I am also going to try and stop drinking diet coke so that when the time comes for surgery I should be caffeine free.
Regards. Amber

Baron Patrick · 06-27-2007, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amber d

Thanks for the advice.
The tip about chewing gum seems a good idea. I am also going to try and stop drinking diet coke so that when the time comes for surgery I should be caffeine free.
Regards. Amber

I do hope you realize, you will not be able to have carbonated drinks - if ever. Yes, some people do have them, but they are very bad for your pouch as the gas can make you extremely uncomfortable and could stretch your pouch.

I would go ahead and just give it up now. The sooner the better for you!!

Claire-in-Texas · 06-30-2007, 01:27 PM

And to add to what Pat and the others said, try to get used to NOT eating and drinking a the same time. I'm at 2.5 months post op and when I drink (usually Crystal Light), I have to wait at least 45 minutes before I eat. And then I have to wait an equal amount of time (approximately) before I can drink again.