I know I didn't have much restriction during phases 1 & 2, but now that I am on phase 3-the soft diet, I can barely eat a meatball. It takes me about 2 hours to eat 2 meatballs...I know I'm 3 weeks out and it will get better...but I don't get how some people can eat so much after surgery.

I watched "my 600 lb life" and one gal was eating fast food and large quantities after surgery...do some doctors only cut off a tiny bit of stomach?

I feel stuffed on such a small amount, I couldn't imagine eating a full meal.

Why are you eating meatballs at just 3 weeks out???

That being said, I am 15 months out and can still only eat 2-3 oz in one sitting, maybe 4 oz if I haven't eaten all day.

You are progressing in foods way too fast. You shouldn't be eating soft foods at three weeks, I was able to start them at around 5 weeks and even then, you really want to make sure you are chewing a lot. Your stomach is very swollen at three weeks and your staple line isn't done healing at all. Trust me, you will eventually be able to eat meatballs again just take a step back and enjoy some puree, stick with Protein drinks, and let your new tummy heal. The people eating fast food likely stretched their stomachs right back out with something like soda or lots of fast food. Not letting your stomach heal completely will hinder your restriction in the long run. Be careful.

I am on a soft mechanical diet and can have ground turkey/chicken. I made homemade meatballs and shave them down and chew them well. I also made sure they are moist with sauce on them to make it easier to eat. I didn't eat noodles or anything carby with them, just some meatballs and a bite of very steamed zucchini.

My surgeon's protocol is day of surgery and next day- liquids.

Week 1 puréed foods

Week 2 & 3 soft mechanical foods

Week 4 and beyond is "regular" foods that are chewed well and introducing foods 1 at a time.

I am following the post op instructions given to me. I know all doctors are different.

I was basically commenting on how I'm shocked that some people can still eat huge quantities of food when it seems like it would be impossible to do so.

That is what my doctor has "prescribed"

it amazes me how every doctor is different in how he wants his patient to progress and lose weight. With my doctor, I am on a clear liquid diet for the first 1-2 weeks, then a full liquid diet for the next 2-3 weeks or LONGER IF I CHOOSE. I am in NO rush to get back to eating food because food is what got me in the boat I'm in today......and pureed food doesnt even sound good......I think I'd rather eat baby food. Good luck auntiemel!!!

I have baby food fruits and still eat those. I mush up my food but still can't eat much...which is the whole point of surgery I know lol

At 3 weeks I was still on full liquids! You are still healing and will be for quite sometime. I am 8 weeks out and can only eight 2 to 3 ounces at a meal.

My surgeon allowed "slip and slide" food immediately after surgery -- I was approved for soft scrambled egg the day after surgery. I couldn't even eat a tablespoon.

With that said, a dense Protein like turkey or chicken is going to be filling - today, 11 months out, 2 meatballs will fill me up quickly. You're still very early out and your tummy is still healing - your capacity is going to be very low. You also need to make sure you're eating slowing and chewing well. There's a free app you can download to your phone it's called Eat Slower, it chimes when it's time to take a bit - I set mine at 60 seconds when I was at your stage. This reminded me to chew. I also set a timer so I didn't eat past the 30 minute mark.

Hope this helps.

i also started soft food week 3. I am 3 1/2 week out and have a hard time finishing one meatball. What I was told that a meal shouldn't last more then 30 minutes. Eat slow, small bites but if you cant finish it in 30 minutes you are done.

I was just starting purees at 3 weeks, but all docs are different. A meal should take no longer than 30 minutes, otherwise it qualifies as "grazing". You don't say how big the meatballs are. If it's taking you 2 hours, you're trying to get too much down! Take a step back and slowly eat meals you can finish in 30 minutes. If it takes longer than that, you're full and should stop eating until the next planned snack or meal!

Auntiemel,

My protocol is similar to yours. I start real food at 6 weeks. I have had lots of soups and chilis, eggs, cheese and avocado. I had some chicken breast and small bites of strawberry mousse at a wedding. That is pretty much my diet as of now other than jello, sf Popsicles and protein stuff. I may try a chicken salad today.

I was just starting purees at 3 weeks, but all docs are different. A meal should take no longer than 30 minutes, otherwise it qualifies as "grazing". You don't say how big the meatballs are. If it's taking you 2 hours, you're trying to get too much down! Take a step back and slowly eat meals you can finish in 30 minutes. If it takes longer than that, you're full and should stop eating until the next planned snack or meal!

The meatballs are pretty small. Maybe as round as a quarter or less.

I wasn't aware we had to time our meals.