After 6 weeks of not eating real food (including 2 week liquid diet), i've finally moved onto to the Soft Foods phase. So thrilled to finally be able to chew food. My 1st meal was chicken and mashed potatoes which was glorious!!!! However, still getting used to eating slower, not eating and drinking and the biggest challenge is actually recognizing when i'm full. Sometimes it feel like the top of my stomach is pinched? IDK...today i ate lunch a bit quickly and got a runny nose. I'm guessing this is a sign.

Appreciate any tips you have on adjusting to soft foods, diet/cooking tips and recognizing fullness. Thanks

I know I am full because I start to get a heaviness in my chest, like when a burp gets stuck. And if I really push it past that I get that familiar left shoulder pain from my first week post-op. I have found that chewing really, really well is a key to avoiding discomfort. I have to say, my first 7-10 days on solids (as thrilled as I was to be off liquids & purees) I hated to eat. I just didn't know if it was going to hurt or not as I experimented with different textured foods (because some surely did). Also, if you find that you can't tolerate some foods (like eggs for example) wait a week or so and try again. I found that I had to wait for my stomach to heal up a bit more before I could tolerate certain foods. I am happy to say that the last few days have been very smooth, so if you experience any of this, just be patient as your body adjusts to eating real food again and enjoy!

Like you, my "sign" is a runny nose

I pretty much eat the same thing at the same time most days. I am trying to minimize foods importance. For me that includes working to not "long" for food or for any particular food.

I would be happy to be bored by food.

my sign is usually a hiccup. i also get a feeling like i know one more bite would be uncomfortable so i don't even test it. my advice is to go slow with introducing new foods. just in case something doesn't agree, you didn't test three things at once and you're not sure which one is bothering you. hopefully nothing does! good luck!