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Hi! I am 3weeks post op and moved to the puréed/soft food stage on Friday. I first tried small curd cottage cheese, and it did pretty well. Today, I tried chicken salad that I made yesterday. I mixed the chicken in the mini-chopper....sooooo finely shredded/chopped....and made it super soft with mayo. Both times I tried it, it was painful moving through my chest. I chewed it so much it that it practically dissolved in my mouth. Now, I just want to go back to yogurt and those full liquids that didn't give me so much discomfort. Any ideas?? How long does this last? What should I do?

So.....your diet is weird to me. Mine way WAY different and a lot more gentle on my new tummy. Week one, full liquids. Protein drinks, I used EAS carb advantage rich chocolate as they were not as sweet as most. 120ish calories 20ish grams protein. It took me an hour to drink one and I could drink 2 over the day if I was lucky. Usually 1 and 1/2. Also broth Soups, strained. Gatorade, watered down. Week two, purées. Refried Beans, loosened with Water. Hummus, guacamole, greek yogurt, Peanut Butter -- warmed, cream soups -- all a tablespoon max per sitting. Gatorade watered down. Week three, soft foods. Puréed chicken salad, tuna salad, egg salad, all heavy on the mayo for moisture. Crab cakes -- no filler, mashed sweet potatoes with butter, scrambled eggs -- very wet loosened with milk, half an egg at most. Two tablespoons was pushing it. Gatorade watered down. Crystal light. Through these phases, I had nothing to chew. I could barely get 30 oz fluids, and water was not an option. Watered down Gatorade, Crystal light, and ... yeah -- nothing else was an option. I never hit my numbers, but I tried. Focus on liquid, not food. You can live without food, but you need water in whatever form, you just don't know it yet. pizza and nuggets at three weeks is a recipe for disaster.

I am starving tonight. I am allowed 3 protein shakes, 2 salads, and one yogurt. Does it get easier?

On the pureed stage, I liked to do canned chicken mashed up real well with a fork, with either plain yogurt or low fat mayo added to make chicken salad. I also did refried Beans with a bit of light sour cream on top. And I made a recipe for ricotta bake that was awesome. You can find it here at http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/ She is a former WLS patient with a great success story and she has recipes on her website including ones for the pureed stage.

I run the turkey day 5K each year since surgery. It's my new Thanksgiving tradition. The holiday is not all about the food anymore. It's family and friends, being thankful, living life and having new experiences. Not having a food coma every year is an amazing feeling. No weight gain guilt. Food plan: turkey, steamed french green beans with bacon and sliced almonds, roasted pumpkin, cranberries and apple. Desert is dannon light n fit pumpkin pie yogurt with 2 oz vanilla halo top ice cream. I plan ahead at potlucks. I bring deviled eggs or a meat and cheese plate. I make sure there is something I can eat. I pack my meals for work with healthy sweet and salty options.

So I got my FMLA approved today, there was some concern as it can be labeled as "elective." So it feels really real now, we are go for the 16th (eek!). Also tried a whole bunch of different protein shakes, so far I HATE muscle milk, and everything else (special k, ensure, oxyelite) is okay. The oxyelite is a powder I mixed with lactaid according to the directions and it was WAY to thick, I had to force it down. Next time more liquid. I also got some Greek yogurt and jello to eat with a spoon--you know to mix it up some. Overall I got about 95 grams of protein in. Today I also bought the recommended chewable vitamins, antacids and GasX strips. Any other suggestions for supplies?

Welcome!! I'm 3 weeks out today. The first week my doctor had me on a liquid diet. Then I could have some creamed Soups NO PIECES the second week. I didn't like yogurt either but now I'm a HUGH fan of Yoplait LIGHT FAT FREE...Boston Cream Pie, Lemon Cream Pie, and RED VELVET Cake. Baked fish is good. Wait until after surgery once you can have some of these food. Well I don't know if my taste buds changed but they taste WONDERFUL! LOL The start of my 3rd week is when I could have eggs. Now my NUT told me I can't have shrimp until I'm 6 wks out....I think because of the texture and how my new stomach has to process it. Once you are deprived of food for a while you will start to appreciate anything you can have. I'm in my MUSHIE stage so last night I took left over Roasted chicken and put in my blender with one egg and just a little LIGHT MAYO and some mustard and made a chicken salad. Added a little pepper and it was WONDERFUL! Now I can only eat a little bit of it so I have plent for lunch today and supper tonight. IF my daughter doesn't eat it first. She tried it and LOVED it too! I know you said you don't like this but like I said once you have your surgery and you can't eat food you may find out you do like it. Because it is SOMETHING TO EAT! LOL OH and Mrs Butter-worths sugar free syrup is the BOMB!! It is SO GOOD....NEVER thought I would say something sugar free was so good! LOL GOOD LUCK!!!!

16 days post op and down 16lbs. It's slowing down as I'm leveling out but I'm feeling so much stronger and I'm eating yogurt, tuna fish, salmon, low fat cottage cheese, and high Protein meatless burritos with a flaxseed tortilla now. food is good but I'm still drinking my shakes because they make my Vitamins and protein intake easier. Shakes make sure I'm taking the food introduction and intake slowly as well. I want to get to know my new pouch nice and easy as the thought of throwing up or dumping horrifies me greatly!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks ladies! I hope you are right, that maybe my tastes will broaden a bit. I have heard greek yogurt is a good choice, haven't tried that yet. Good luck to you!

go ahead and eat something. just try and keep it healthy. a lot of healthy choices out there to eat. keep Protein at the fore front and than choose something with that in mind. a Protein Bar, shake, chicken Soup, yogurt, low fat cottage cheese, a banana, a smoothie etc. if you keep yourself satisfied you won't make a bad choice like chips, candy, ice cream etc.

Just know you will be very easily tired the first few weeks, I will be 2 weeks tomorrow and still take naps. I am sure this has to do with no calories - if I really push it with yogurt and protein I can get 300 in. My shower and running a few errands uses that easily. Just listen to your body!

Thanks for the input! I see my surgeon on Tues so we will talk about it then...in the meantime, I am going to have some yogurt! And yes, I take pepcid, but I was supposed to take it twice a day and have only been taking it once, maybe I should step it up!

Hi Nicky pudding and yogurt are not cheats, not at 3 weeks out as far as I know. So you are doing fine. Those are considered full liquids. Are you on any kind of acid reducer? This might be the reason your stomach feels hungry. I take Omeprazole daily, even this far out from surgery. I have tried to stop taking it but my acid is still there. It is what it is! I just deal with it, it sure is a lot better than still being close to 300 Lbs. One last thing, perhaps give your surgeon's office a phone call and ask if he has an alternate eating plan. Some people really do heal faster than others and usually the dietician or the surgeon will allow patients to move through the stages a little faster. Good luck!!

I was sleeved August 12. I don't have much variety in my meals, either. I eat refried Beans at least twice a day. I mix it with melted cheese and a spoonful of Greek yogurt. I also like to eat Shelly's Baked Ricotta (scroll down for the recipe: http://theworldaccor...reed-foods.html). I haven't cooked this yet, but I want to try Shelly's Quickie Meatball Bake today (http://theworldaccor...-leftovers.html). I am a terrible cook, but hopefully it will turn out nonpoisonous. I have some Greek yogurt here, some cottage cheese there. I try to make sure that my mushies are high in Protein, because I am not a huge Protein shake fan. Now I only have to drink one protein shake a day (that I mix with skim milk for added protein).

Hiya, @@mstrice! Strained is not the same as pureed. They want you to strain the cream of vegetable soup to get the veggie chunks, noodles, etc out, leaving behind only the soupy liquid for you to drink. I am on my full liquid diet right now. I have Water, premier Protein shakes, sugar-free Jell-O, thinned out Greek yogurt, sugar-free popsicles, and all kinds of Soups which I strain first and then thin out if I need to. I also add flavorless protein to the soups. When in doubt, always ask your doctor or nutritionist. Best to you!

Oh yes liquid diet starts October 27 but I'm allowed yogurt veggies and Turkey or chicken 2oz. A day very small portions. I'm so ecstatic. Love this forum for my outlet!!!! Sent from my Samsung Admire using VST

You can carry a small 6-pack cooler with cheese sticks and yogurt and freeze a couple of Water bottles before you travel. As far as non-perishable items, you can carry almonds, small tuna pouches, bananas and peanut/almond butter. There's always the option of stopping at a convenience store along the way. Happy travels!

Hello all! It has now been 12 days since I had my laparoscopic gastric sleeve done, and each day I'm getting healthier. Still have an issue with internal pain on the right side, and one of incisions on the right got infected, so my GP prescribed Cephalexin 4x daily. The pill is the size of a horse and smells horrible. Thank goodness I can snap it in half - only was I can take it. I weighed myself this morning and it looks like I'm at 280 lbs. My pre-surgery weight on April 1 was 334 lbs. Not sure how accurate that is given they are two different scales so will hold off doing the happy dance until my clinic appointment for weigh in on the more accurate scale to see exactly where I'm at. food wise, week 1 and most of 2, I subsisted on Greek yogurt (Oikos vanilla, lime, honey), Hunts chocolate pudding cups, and Ensure High Protein. I tried Heinz baby food (prunes and sweet potato) as well as Campbell's ready to serve cream Soups, but I was just not a fan after one serving. The soups (butternut squash, cream of asparagus with basil, and roasted cream of potato with leeks) all tasted the same. The baby food helped, but in the back of my head it was still baby food and I just couldn't go past that. The food bank will be happy, I've got a bunch of stuff heading their way! April 29, I thought I was far enough along that I could have something soft and went for brunch with a friend. Ordered salmon with mashed potatoes. Boy was that ever a big mistake! It came with a side of toasted French bread. I thought if I chewed the bread to paste consistency I'd be okay. Ya. No. That minuscule amount of bread went down like cement and I was in pain for close to 30 mins. I managed to eat a little mashed potato, but again, did not sit well. Yes, I acknowledge that I'm a moron who should have waited another week before making even the mash potato attempt! May 1, I was able to eat the 85g Cloverleaf Flaked Light Tuna Lemon Pepper. Chewing slowly and eating half a teaspoon at a time. May 2, I scrambled one egg with some milk and didn't have a problem eating it. For lunch, I tried eating a couple of Premium saltine crackers with 85g of Cloverleaf Flaked Light Tuna Dill and Lemon. The crackers did not go down well. Similar reaction as the toast, not as painful, but uncomfortable nonetheless. Later, as a snack, I tried (and finished) a cup of chocolate Cheerios. Went down just fine and no pain. It took me a good half hour or so to finish... But who'd have thought? I think I'll try a cup for Breakfast tomorrow! I'm suppose to "officially" start the soft foods part on Monday and am looking forward to making homemade chilli and guacamole. Has anyone had any problems with either? I've been trying to get to my Calcium and protein goals each day, but it's bloody hard! Today I finally hit my calcium goal, but was still out by 11g for my protein. How's everyone else who was sleeved around the same time as me doing? Cheers! Mercedes

Everyone's plan seems to be a little different. Mine was liquid for 2 weeks, and then "no chew." I ate yogurt, cottage cheese, hummus, protein shakes and sugar free pudding. I could not stomach the idea of pureed meat! Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

You're a gem, helping your mom ❤️ The "full liquid" on the plan my surgeon does is not pureed food, it is stuff like pudding, cream soups with no bits, protein shakes, yogurt, etc. My plan has a "soft foods" stage in between full liquid and pureed, too. I'd ask the surgical team or dietician for the guidelines they recommend, because they all seem to be different.

my stage 2 diet was fairly easy to follow. yogurt no fruit . Protein drinks, a lite progresso or healthy choice Soup emulsified to get rid of the lumps. your doctor or dietician should give you their list of foods you are allowed. the whole thing about bypass is the time after surgery you need to let the sutures inside heal just as you had to do with your sleeve

When can I start eating a little more? Tomorrow I will post op 4 weeks. I am fortunate that so far I have had no issues. I have only told 3 people about my surgery. I have lunch plans with a client today and I am So nervous about eating like a bird in front if her. Right now I can drink 16 oz Water in 3/4 of an hour. Same with 11 oz premier Protein shake Soups go down pretty easy. As does Greek yogurt. It takes me 2 hours to eat egg and chicken salad. At one sitting I probably can eat between 1-2oz. I am very pleased with my sleeve. I just want some spence of normalsey. I would be so grateful if eventually I could eat 4oz at one setting. When did everyone start to eat a little more? Thanks

Bfast - lc yogurt with a handful of granola Lunch - string cheese with 6 slices of shaved turkey breast (45 calories total for all six slices) Snack - Fresh strawberries, sliced up, about 1/2 cup or so. Maybe 4 or 5 huge strawberries - yum. love strawberries! Dinner - chicken breast - spinach salad 1 piece of cheesecake - yes I still have some left at my house! I will be glad when it is out of the house Exercise - No exercise today - but I WILL do at least 5 times this week no matter what! Wt am in bday suit - 182.7 - grrrrrr. I hate those scales!:biggrin:

Advice coming here from someone 14 months post-op at goal weight. I'm trying to remember back to those first few months post-surgery! I stocked up on a bunch of supplies pre-surgery and didn't end up using 99% of them post-surgery. I just cleaned out my cubbords and threw out a bunch of soup and protein powders I never used because I couldn't stand them post-surgery. Others I tolerated before hand but post-surgery we can only eat so little that I wasn't willing to sacrifice taste for a few bites of anything. In other words, I typically opted for the full-fat cottage cheese vs. fat-free cottage cheese. To get specific - a lot of people recommend those torani sugar-free flavored syrups. I purchased 8 and never found a use for them. Adding them to cottage cheese and yogurt was just... Runny and gross. The idea of drinking chicken/beef broth pre-surgery sounded far from appealing so things didn't change post-surgery. I bought two containers of uninjury chicken broth I used one scoop out of. I would say gravitate toward things you know you love. Right after surgery, I ate jello and protein drinks. I made jello in small individual sized Tupperware containers where I added "unflavored" uninjury protein. Premiere protein drinks have 30 grams of protein. I used to get them at Costco but my local store doesn't carry them anymore. Keep in mind that blending protein shakes with ice in a blender with a bunch of extras is a big no-no after surgery. It will make too much liquid for you to consume and add air bubbles you don't want. I'm mentioning this because there was a high-protein power I could tolerate pre-surgery if I added ice, 1/2 banana and powdered peanut butter. Post surgery it tasted gross in a shaker bottle. Cottage cheese was another staple to have and any soup you know you like. A blender is handy to purée any chunks down. A food scale is handy to have down the road. The supply I found the most helpful to have is those small Dixie cups people often have in their bathrooms. They are the perfect size to measure out food right after surgery and will keep you from having to wash endless dishes for a tiny spoonful of food!!!!!

I use Opurity once a day bariatric sleeve chewable. They are approx $30 for 90 which is a 3 month supply. There are days when the taste is too much so I crush them and add them to my protein shake or yogurt, etc. They are only avail online.