I am 2 1/2 weeks post up and beginning to transition to phase two of the diet, mushy, pureed foods, and I am scared out of my mind to eat. I tried grits yesterday and made them sooo watery.

Are you scared that it will get stuck or scared that you may fall into bad eating habits and afraid to eat?

I was the same way! I took it very slow and everything went just fine. I am 5 weeks post-op and have never had any problems with food getting stuck. Small bites and chew chew chew.

Honestly, I was so used to the liquid diet, and so scared to attempt real food, I almost stayed on liquids! I just transitioned into mushies slowly, trying one food at a time in case something didn't sit well.

Also - don't be alarmed if you gain a few pounds when you transition into each new eating level. It took my body a few days to get used to real food and it reacted by holding onto my weight.

Are you scared that it will get stuck or scared that you may fall into bad eating habits and afraid to eat?

I am more scared of it getting stuck

I didn't have that issue at all with pureed/mushie food. My dietician also allowed me to have cottage cheese or scrambled eggs in small pieces (without being pureed). Just remember to chew, chew, chew and chew some more.

I had my first "stuck" episode yesterday but it was MY FAULT and I was able to remedy it (will spare you the details). I was overdoing it by having some meat that was too dry from our cafeteria. I got it without the gravy they were serving and foolishly thought I haven't had a fill and don't have any restriction in foods I can eat yet. I found out the band is definitely there and I must have some restriction. Lesson learned!!

You should be ok during the pureed stage though. Just eat slow and make sure the food is liquidy (adding broth, or some liquid to your food). It is a bit scary. I was a bit scared too that by going back to eating I may regress to bad habits, so far so good though as my conscience has kicked in!!

Good luck to you on this amazing journey.