I'm worried about needing to eat slowly- can I do it?

For me, it did not come naturally. I still struggle with it to this day. There is no way I can spend 30 minutes eating a meal. I can usually do 15-20 min max. I do try to put my fork down and sometimes I count my chewing, like I will count to 60 for each little bite. Its especially hard for me when Im out to eat, because everyone is eating fast around me and I feel like I need to be doing that too.

 I'm pre-op too, and this is going to be one of my biggest struggles.  We get two 20-minute breaks at work in an 8-hour day, which will make it all the harder to eat regularly and eat slowly.  I also grew up in a house of fast eaters, so I have a lot of retraining to do, as well as figuring out how to eat the WLS way post-op at work - yikes!

At someone's recommendation I bought some ****tail forks and spoons; they're smaller in size but have longer handles and look more "adult-like" so I'm not as self-conscious taking them to work or restaurants.  When I pick it up it's a mental push - "oh yeah, small bite and chew slowly".  This HAS helped some.

Now if I can remember to use them at every meal.... lol

Best of luck to you!

Thanks for asking this question. I've been concerned about the same thing.

I think the fear of what happens if I DO eat too fast or get something stuck is what makes me eat slower and chew better.   Now if its something soft, like yogurt, I sure don't eat very slow.

I was actually told that meals shoudn't last more than 15 minutes so thats not really all that slow.. my family are big loungers at the table, we sit for hours chatting and laughing and nibbling so the hard part for me, is actually finishing FASTER and stopping! :p

You will do fine... it feels like second nature after awhile but at first, its definately a conscious decision.

The first time you try to chow down a hard boiled egg on the run, and your realize 5 minutes later what you have done..the gut pain is crazy and took and hour and 1/2 to move through...you will try to think about what your eating the next time. 

Soft foods, yogurt and shakes and water, I have no problem getting them down fast.

HAHAHA!  Yessss, you will learn. ;o)