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Eughhhh. I hate when store bought food doesn't even try to live up to its promise. Yeah I agree, chuck that second portion - life's too short!

Popped into the local grocery store yesterday to pick up some yoghurt & on my way to the arctic zone I spied a garlic and Parmesan chicken parcel ready meal. I hesitated but picked it up. Can’t say it didn’t puff well but maybe that’s where the 19g of protein listed on the nutrient panel was. It certainly wasn’t in the almost non existent barely 2 level tablespoons of the creamy garlic Parmesan chicken filling. I have no idea where the chicken actually was either - I saw two or three small shredded pieces. And it tasted unpleasant. I know why I avoid these mass produced processed ready meal foods. The second one is in my fridge though it may be in the bin later today. At least my usual vegetables were yummy.

While in Medillin Colombia, I will eat like a Colombian.... today's meal is Mandango soup (it would be ian acquired taste you would have to like beef tripe. I was raised off of that type of food), plantains, beans, and such ❤️😩 🤤 yum

I'm not entirely sure if this is a win, but let me give you a little bit of my backstory first. Thanks to a work accident many years ago, I have multiple herniated discs in my lumbar spine that sometimes cause a lot of sciatica. When this was at its worst, I had to use a walker just to get around the house because I had no motor control over my right leg. To be honest, this is one of the things that actually led to me becoming obese. I wasn't able to workout (I could hardly move), and was in a lot of pain, so I self-medicated with food and alcohol. The pain isn't completely gone now, but after losing all this weight, it's so much better than it used to be. Fast forward to this week. I spent basically 4 days (Saturday-Tuesday), trapped in a zoom class and this inactivity took its toll on my back. I'd been in a lot of pain and hadn't worked out at all since taking a short run Monday. Wednesday and Thursday I didn't get the walker out, but i did seriously think about it. Today the pain was still about a four or five on a ten point scale, but at least it wasn't radiating down my leg much. I really struggled with trying to determine if I just needed to man up, or if it was stupid to try to workout, knowing that I might make it worse. I finally decided I just needed to try to run, since I knew that once the endorphins and endocannabinoids kicked in, I'd probably be fine. Plus, the movement should actually help loosen things up in my spine and help me heal. It took a bit for me to work up to going for it, but I did finally go run this morning. (The bad thing was that the delay meant I was running in the heat.) To be honest, the run really sucked for the first mile or two. Thankfully, once I made it to about 4 miles, the pain was mostly gone and I was able to complete the 9 miles I had planned. I'm still thinking I'm going to have to skip my strength training tomorrow (I'll probably log a few running miles instead), but at least I got out there. The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that completing the run wasn't actually a win. The win was that I didn't let this pain become the start of a spiral down to a place I never want to go to again. I personally think the most important thing is not actually the highs, though those are great. It's not succumbing to the lows and letting yourself fall back into those old destructive habits. I wanted to throw this out there because i know I post a lot here and I suspect some of you might think I've got it all together since I'm normally the one giving advice to others. That's just not true. Like everyone, I have my own demons that I have to deal with and this back pain is just one of those.

Spelt is the new in name that is being used in bread here. Probably sounds bettter than the old fashioned word. Emmer is a very old word I recognise from really old cook books, so we used that here back in the middle ages, peasant food. Porridge mostly. I love antique cook books.

Curious if you ever found out what this was and if it has improved over the years. I am currently 2 months post op TDS and I am experiencing the burning now. Found out some foods were the culprit, but even on a more bland diet I am experiencing burning when going. I swore I had hemorrhoids, possibly fissures, but went to my primary care doc and she examined outer and inner and said no hemorrhoids and no fissures. All I can surmise is that with our new plumbing, the food goes down one way, all of the acids and bile through the other limb, and the acids/bile are full strength once they hit the food at the common channel and mix with the food for the 3 feet or so of the common channel before entering the large intestines/colon. Sucralose ferments in the colon, but I rarely ingest anything with that in it. I think I need to dial back my fats intake as a next step. Lidocaine is my friend for now, but looking for insight if it improves with time and/or what you found helped. Thank you!!

Interesting that it's called barley in the UK! We have a different grain we call barley, but the word "farro" is really odd here in that technically there are 3 different varieties of wheat berries we call farro: emmer, spelt & einkorn. These are all really ancient wheat grains that predate modern wheat. The word "farro" is obviously a loan word from Italian and we can thank the large Italian immigrant contingent here for it (and for bringing over some tasty ways to prepare it). Regardless, I agree that it's such a wonderful grain and sadly underutilized here in the states. I think our traditional barley is mostly used in soups and stews here, but farro is more common in salads like I made, or sometimes as a side dish similar to how you might make a risotto (another wonderful Italian dish). Sorry for going off on a tangent a bit, but I'm a huge food history geek and find it fascinating how what we eat has evolved and changed over time!

Yes, any crisps or crisp like foods such as pepperoni crisps or Serrano ham crisps mentioned above are all a big no for the purée stage. Sure look at them for when you’re much further out but ensure serve the portion recommendations. They can be moorish and before you know it you’ve eaten 2 or 3 serves and there’s 200, 300 calories. (I’m looking at you those pork crackling/scratchings.) It takes at least 6 weeks for your tummy to heal. (Think of all those sutures and staples holding it together.) The staged diet of liquids, to purées, to soft is all to protect your tummy/digestive system and not damage your it or impeded your recovery. Remember too any desire for crunch is a craving and thus a head hunger. It’s got nothing to do with real hunger. The first weeks after surgery are stressful and emotional & naturally your head tells you to seek something to comfort you: food and often crunchy or salty food. Look for distractions at these times: craft, read, play a game, call family or friends, sip a warm drink, go for a walk, etc. It does help. You will get through it and learn to better manage cravings in the future.

Hi everyone, I’m about 2 years post-op from my sleeve gastrectomy, and I’m honestly struggling a lot. I feel like I need to reach out because I’m not sure if what I’m experiencing is normal or if something has gone really wrong. Here’s what’s happening: I burp every single time I drink water—even the smallest sip triggers it. I feel discomfort or pain every time I eat, even if it’s a tiny portion. I deal with bloating and a kind of sneaky, constant stomach pain that never really goes away. I believe I also have IBS (I had signs before surgery), but now my whole digestive system feels messed up. Food has become a chore and, honestly, a source of shame. I avoid eating in social settings because I feel uncomfortable and embarrassed. Has anyone else felt this way, even years after surgery? Is this just how it is now… or could something else be going on like a hiatal hernia or something fixable? I’d really appreciate hearing from others who’ve been through similar issues or have found ways to cope. This surgery helped in some ways, but in others, it feels like I’ve traded one struggle for another. Thanks in advance for reading.

I think the soft food stage might be a tiny bit early for crispy pepperoni? But it sounds so lovely and it IS a long time since I was at that point. I was super wary about troubling all my staples and stitches back then. You've got to get creative after WLS for sure 😍

Honestly the variation in post op dietary advice never ceases to amaze me. I had very few rules - 2 weeks liquid, 2 weeks puree were I think the only guidance I was given. I got most of my information here! I am an outlier in that I adored the puree phase. My first proper food, not yucky protein shakes, for about 2 months. My pre-op 800 calorie a day diet had to be extended when my surgery date was cancelled and I had to be in a state of preparation for a cancellation (that took weeks!) I made family dinner and then just pureed that in a blender with extra gravy. No fibrous veg but I had everything else. I hope you can make it through.

I can take in liquids and a little soft food like cream soups. Causes a bit of discomfort and my bowels are working fine. Not sure what that means. I did find out that my insurance is active and was given a copy of my card Friday. This seems to have happened for no reason. I live about 30 minutes from where I had surgery. I have now developed pain in my back near my right kidney. Not sure what that means either. I will let you all know what I find out. Thanks!

Lynda486, that doesn't sound like a STAT CT if you can't get in to get one until Tuesday!! And liquid diet with soft foods when you can't even take in fluids without it hurting. I for sure would look at maybe going to their hospital where you had the surgery, to the ER, and see if they can get an emergent CT to find out what is happening. I know there is an insurance situation, but the old job should have COBRA for you for at minimum of 3 months, you can choose to do that if you are still in the right time frame. Either way, I'm more concerned about the health than the money, right? Being out as long as you have, do you remember what you may have done with your workout or walking, fall, or twist your body then it was a problem or it just happened for no apparent reason? I would seriously get some pictures and get them now. Not knowing where you were for your surgery vs. where you live now, indicating that you needed to stay in town...I'm assuming that you live quite a distance. Instead of paying for a hotel or motel room, go to the ER of the hospital your practice uses for surgery. That way you have the care you need and the pictures done via x-ray or CT. Let us know your progress!!

I'm 5 weeks out from surgery and the gas is what they used to "blow up" your abdomen like a balloon so that they can see everything while rearranging things in there. That goes away with time and I found that walking did the best. I also tried to move a lot, not just walking but raising my arms and doing tow pointing while sitting and things like that to move the air out of my abdomen. Also, try and use an abdominal binder, did they give you one to use on discharge? Sometimes that helps. I splinted my tummy with a pillow when I coughed. I had a tough time doing the sipping but got better over time, and even eating real food was a blessing. But as others have said, dehydration is the worst complication so keep sipping. The continued desire for food is called "head hunger". The brain is telling you that you are hungry, but how can you be, there is very little room in your stomach now, it is mind over matter. Time to find a hobby to keep your hands busy and out of the fridge. If you continue to have "head hunger" I would recommend BariNation that you can become a member of and join the support groups and member meet-ups to ask questions or get some group therapy where your people are. I'm a member and am in groups all the time, I started with them before surgery so I knew what to expect, and thankful for the wonderful support from my new friends. It is forty bucks for a month, and to me it is worth it, I spend less now in food. Just a thought to help you through the rough patches that are surely to come, especially the time when you are eating and having rapid weight loss, and hormone changes that cause your emotions to fly about. I find the support groups and meet ups to be so helpful.

I was on a liquid diet then a full liquid diet. Followed by a soft protein only, so you are not weird about the no fruit and veggies. I have had no fruits or veggies yet and I'm only 5 weeks out from surgery. I'm still taking in soft protein. I did reward myself on Friday with a Pretzel and I made sure I softened it and chewed it a bunch before swallowing it, but having the crunch was so satisfying. That's the thing I miss most is the crunch. I had no puree diet following surgery. Soft protein, my go to is Ricotta Bake, and my husband makes it with spices and uses pizza sauce for further flavor. It is creamy and cheesy and really filling. So, just wanted to chime in that you are not alone in the no fruit/veggie department.

Add gravy or stock when you puree any chicken, beef, etc. It will help keep it to at least a nice dollopy texture and will boost the flavour. Honestiy for the two weeks I ate mostly the same things. It was only two weeks so I could put up with to the limited variety. I pureed a few things but many tasted quite repulsive to me. Plus I wasn’t all that interested in food or eating. I mostly survived on instant oats, yoghurt, extra soft scrambled eggs & soups. I’m surprised by the no fruit or vegetables too. Coarse or fibrous ones are a big no as are any seeds or skins but certainly any you can blend to a smooth puree are usually fine. Think apple sauce, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, potatoes, tomato puree (for flavour) etc. Plans can be different but may be ask for more clarification from your team. All the best.

Yes, eating and drinking gets much more comfortable. You're less than a week out now, so everything is still healing. That's why you have to progress through the food stages before you get back to regular food. I'm almost 5 years out now and I tolerate most things, at least in small quantities. Like most people, I struggled to sip enough fluids in the first few post-op weeks, but after a few months, I could drink at a completely normal pace. Everybody's a little different in terms of what they can eat and what causes discomfort (and what kind of discomfort), but you will learn what you can eat without issues, and that will just become your new "normal."

Wow so restrictive on the veg, did the doctor tell you why? I have never heard of that before, I was made have veg from day one on liquids by way of soup. If your bariatric team are not going to allow you veg (fruit I can understand being a no) then surely they should provide you with a bit of a menu guide, my team gave me recopies and food lists for each stage, and veg and even fruit were allowed throughout by way of a slow reintroduction. In the puree stage I had a homemade bolognese (though it had tomatoes and bit of carrot) and chili con carne (again has tomatoes but pureed right down so might be ok for you depending on why you are so restricted) and the kidney beans are a good protein, dhal. What about some hummus, can get different flavoured ones to kick up the flavour a bit? Omelets that you can then add seasoning/spices to?

No fruits on veggies at all? Wow, that's really restrictive. If you also can't eat any seafood, then really about all that's left is dairy, meat or grains. About all I can come up with would be: Yogurt, especially Greek style (Make sure to avoid any flavors with chunks) Protein supplements /drinks (duh) Mashed cottage cheese (small curd) Ricotta cheese Mashed beans like lentils or alternately low fat or fat free refried beans. Add some grated cheese if your plan allows this. (Of course culinarily we classify these as vegetables, so maybe they don't want you eating this either???) Pureed meats like beef, chicken, or turkey (I personally couldn't stand this) Canned chicken breast, mashed up well. May also need to add something to make it moister? Cream of wheat Grits Baby oatmeal (since it's all ground up) Mashed potatoes (or do they consider this a vegetable too?)

Hi. I just moved into the mush stage yay! I'm struggling to find ways to make it taste good. I'm told no fruits or vegetables. So I can't make anything like spinach artichoke dip or that ricotta bake I hear so much about. I managed to make an egg salad that I can get down but I'm gonna need variety soon or I'm gonna go crazy. I also cannot eat fish or seafood so nothing with tuna either. Does anyone have any tasty puree recipes that can fill the void that for that criteria?

The Nurse ordered me in for a STAT CT for today and then told me to stay in town for results, but I can't get in anywhere until Tuesday Morning. She told me I should do a liquid diet but to add in cottage cheese and other soft foods. I wonder if she even heard me that it hurts when I eat? She mentioned a hernia or a bowel twist as a possibility but then told me to eat a soft diet and take laxatives. I am not constipated! UGH

It does get better! You just had MAJOR surgery and your stomach tissues are massively swollen right now. I know it's scary ATM, but just follow your post-op instructions and make sure to drink, drink, drink. Dehydration is a big risk early on after surgery, so even though it sucks, keep sipping! I suspect your hunger feelings are probably a combination of things such as not eating any real food for a while, as well as your body trying to let you know that it's not happy with the current situation. That too will get better over time as things start to normalize and you're able to eat more.

I’ve been in a similar spot where I kept catching colds and felt like I never fully recovered. What helped me most was getting better sleep and cutting out late-night screens, it made a big difference. I also started doing short daily walks and cut back on processed food, and over time I noticed fewer sick days. Lately I’ve been trying out different things to support my immune system, just experimenting with stuff that might help beyond the usual vitamins. I came across a Qi Coil review while looking into energy healing and alternative wellness stuff. It might be worth a look if you’re open to more natural approaches.

It sounds like your going to be very busy so maybe you wont be so focused on food. A part of my success is attributed to meal prepping- I meal prep every single week. Sometimes I meal prep meals for grab or go or I will meal prep items for those tempting nights at home where I want to eat cereal or something that is not so great instead of cooking. you will get quicker at meal prep too, I used to take 2+ hours now I can whip up my meal prep in 1hour. I also learned to not complicate it. Easy meals can be just as delicious! I bulk prep chicken breast, and ground beef, hard boiled eggs, wash and cut up veggies/fruits, make sure to have Greek yogurt and cottage cheese on hand, It does make life easier when your prepared! Also having better choice snacks stocked up in the fridge/pantry helps too! Cheese sticks, jerky, flavor packets for water (if you like that) protein shakes, protein powder, protein bars (recommend Built bar or fulfil bar), unsweetened almond milk. skinny syrups for coffee...theres more its just off the top of my head these things lol

How very strange, Now I want to know the reason why ? I am lucky then because I have no issue with the microwave. Just as well because I always heat my food again as soon as I feel able to eat more, I still have a massive restriction.