Question:
How do I keep from swallowing food whole? (Stilll A Pre Op)
I have a habit of taking a bite and chewing just enough to get the food wet and then swallowing it whole. Even though it often hurts going down, I just can't stop. I've been trying to "teach" myself not to do this, but I just can't seem to control it. I can take tiny bites and try to count the times I chew aiming for 30 before I swallow, but...I start to gag after like 10 times. Any ideas how I can stop this problem before surgery? — Renee B. (posted on June 21, 2003)
June 21, 2003
Hi Renee...you absolutely have to train yourself NOW to stop this. This
activity will give you enormous problems post-op! Things getting stuck,
vomiting all the time, terrible pain in your esophagus. I'm not trying to
scare you, but this is very serious. Post-op you should take bits
<b>no larger than a pencil eraser</b>. You should start
training yourself to do this now. You're absolutely not going to be able
to eat like this post-op. Your stoma will be the size of an M&M, and
will not permit food to go through that is larger than that. Practically
NO DIGESTION of food takes place in the pouch, so it has to be chewed to
MUSH beforehand. I hope you have a bit of time before surgery to get this
problem under control. Hugs and good luck, Joy
— [Deactivated Member]
June 21, 2003
What usually happens is that after surgery you're scared to eat and really
chew well. If you don't, you'll learn for the next time. It's forced
behavior mod. Don't be so hard on yourself pre-op.
— ZZ S.
June 21, 2003
I would think the easiest way to avoid this would be to cut all food in
absolutely tiny pieces. The less you have to chew to avoid serious pain
and vomiting, the better. Obviously you do need to get used to
chew-chew-chewing, but consider tiny bites to be training wheels. :) I
share this fear! Best of luck on your surgery!
— ladyphy
June 21, 2003
I agree with San Z. I was the same as you pre-op. As soon as i was able
to eat my first bite of food past clear liquids I was very conscious of how
much I chewed and savored every bite because I was very afraid of what
could happen if I didn't chew it properly. Eventually, after
"practicing" 6 times a day every day it just became habit. Once
in a while still I swallow too soon and the pain of a big chunk of food
going down reminds me that i had better smarten up!
— Jen L.
June 21, 2003
You'll certainly be more aware of it... and I will tell you the first time
you forget to chew, and experience that pain, you'll be aware... because it
does hurt... sometimes I will be able to feel it going all the way down...
I have really done better, but I've found I have to drink a little
something with my meals...
— MF
June 21, 2003
Renee, you, like me will have to retrain yourself. I too inhaled food. I'm
4 weeks post op, and have had the experience of getting something stuck.
Let me tell you, it hurt more than the surgery did! Linda
— lorien
June 21, 2003
I'm a post op (5 months now) and still do this too much. I've tried hard to
stop it, but it happens. I do two things to help: (1) I eat very hard to
chew foods (e.g. Beef Jerky)-- I find if it is hard to chew I pay better
attention. (2) If I think I'm going to have a problem, I take a paypaya
enzyme pill after a few bites. Papaya Enzymes will provide some
digestive-type enzymes, and help break up foods. I find that if I take it
in advance, I'm better off (and can take fewer) than taking it after my
food is stuck. Then it can produce air bubbles, and make me feel like I
have to vomit. Usually I won't, but it hurts when the food goes
down.<br> You can find Papaya Enzymes at the Vitamin Shoppe, or GNC.
They are pretty cheap. Never take more than a few (2-3) at a time, because
an overdose will hurt like too much stomach acid.
— Beth S.
June 22, 2003
I don't know how to help you before surgery, but I can guarantee you that
if you do that after surgery, you will get so sick, that you won't do it
again. Don't mean to sound harsh, but it's a fact.
— joeandteri
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