Hi all, I am a newbie and have surgery scheduled for 12-16. My question is, are you ever able to eat real food? To me that means enchiladas, hamburger steak, pancakes, spaghetti, casseroles, chicken strips, etc... Am I going to have to drink Protein Shakes forever?

I'm on day 6 of my full liquid diet so maybe that's where all this anxiety is coming from! Lol! Thanks all

Yes we can eat anything after a time.. I'm a year and I can eat most of that stuff you mention, but most of us choose not to or modify...

For instance when I make my family chicken enchiladas I eat the meat filling only not the corn tortilla, because it takes unnecessary space and doesn't have any nutritional benefit same with a hamburger eat the meat and fixings without the bun.

Edited December 7, 201312 yr by laura-ven

Hi all, I am a newbie and have surgery scheduled for 12-16. My question is, are you ever able to eat real food? To me that means enchiladas, hamburger steak, pancakes, spaghetti, casseroles, chicken strips, etc... Am I going to have to drink Protein Shakes forever? I'm on day 6 of my full liquid diet so maybe that's where all this anxiety is coming from! Lol! Thanks all

Lol..... Sorry to laugh........ Yes u will be able to eat real good again.... It's just healthy ways to eating........ Protein will always be in our diet but as time passes u can add different foods in ur diet.......

Thanks Laura for responding. I've read numerous posts from you and respect your insight. We had a "snow" day so I've been cooped up at home all day on liquids and just think I'm starting to psych myself out.

I'm still on full liquids post op, but I've found the thread: "My Lunch: A pictoral attempt to show you life will be normal" I'm the post-op forum to be really fun to read... it helps give me ideas and look forward to real food! :-) I highly recommend checking it out.

Thanks Laura for responding. I've read numerous posts from you and respect your insight. We had a "snow" day so I've been cooped up at home all day on liquids and just think I'm starting to psych myself out.

Yep your going through all the what's ifs and such.. I'm sure being cooped up doesn't help

This phase and early post op are hard, but it's all very temporary. I don't have a "rule" about eating things like bread.. I just don't do it much because it seems not worth it much anymore.

Now I do have a rule about sweets and stuff.

Like tortilla chips! Those devils are still my nemesis!! I still at this point will eat to many sleeve or no sleeve.

Hang in there and you will do great. This time next year you will be a transformed woman!

Thanks Laura for responding. I've read numerous posts from you and respect your insight. We had a "snow" day so I've been cooped up at home all day on liquids and just think I'm starting to psych myself out.

Mgr, you are same day as me, and we had a snow day too! I start my pre-op liquids Monday, I would be having a difficult time on them being couped up as well.... Kept busy editing maternity pics from last weekend. It doesn't look like we will get to leave house tomorrow either... I feel for you!!! Hang in there!

Edited December 7, 201312 yr by tami j

Yes, you will be able to eat whatever you chose as your body heals. That being said it is a lifestyle change, your body may not like everything you eat such as pancakes, junk good, and (for me) chicken, so it will basically retrain you. But your hunger will diminish or at least mine did. I am 5m out and I'm able to eat everything I just chose not to.

Another YES here, but the "but" is you need to think about what you eat. In my "fat brain time" I just ate anything... without thinking... anytime, ALL the time. Eat, eat, eat...

Now I plan the day's foods and I track everything that I eat or drink.

Personally, I do not do well with simple carbs / sugars (when I eat them I am FAMISHED for the rest of the day) so, like Laura, I eat a hamburger and skip the bun, etc. BUT, I do go out and eat and nobody can tell that I am eating differently. I focus on Protein and veggies.

Cooped up? Drink Water, it will make you feel full for a little while. Any hobbies (ones that you don't associate with grazing - TV might be 'bad' if you used to eat while watching TV?) Shoot, go out in the snow and ice and yell at some squirrels...

And keep talking to us, we are with you!

Yes, you can eat "normal foods". Once your sleeve heals and you've progress to that point. I can eat what ever i like, but I do not do well with simple sugar either. I choose not to eat bread, pasta and the list goes on. Everyone is different. But yes, i do eat regular foods. I cook the same foods for the me as the family. I just eliminate what doesn't work for me. I Love my sleeve. Hang in there it gets way better.

Hi all, I am a newbie and have surgery scheduled for 12-16. My question is, are you ever able to eat real food? To me that means enchiladas, hamburger steak, pancakes, spaghetti, casseroles, chicken strips, etc... Am I going to have to drink protein shakes forever? I'm on day 6 of my full liquid diet so maybe that's where all this anxiety is coming from! Lol! Thanks all

I have eaten all of that stuff. No problem. Moist things (which is most of what you named) are easy. Try to make them high protein. I can only manage one pancake with one or two pieces of bacon. It's not a great choice so it is an occasional food. Spaghetti I eat mostly the sauce with about 1/4 the normal serving of pasta and end up leaving some noodles behind. Hamburger is absolutely great especially with a low fat gravy or sauce.

Of course wait until you are cleared. You can use some casseroles, enchilada, and hamburger in the soft food stage.

Thank you so much everyone!! I woke up this morning in a much better frame of mind. Even though it's been hard, I have NOT cheated. Not even once. I am single so I really appreciate coming to this forum for support.

Thank you so much everyone!! I woke up this morning in a much better frame of mind. Even though it's been hard, I have NOT cheated. Not even once. I am single so I really appreciate coming to this forum for support.

You, my dear, are doing great!

Trust me, it will all be so worth it