Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

I am 3 months out and every time I try to eat meat it feels like I just can't eat more than a bite or two. Meat feels so heavy to me, to even think about eating it turns me off. Before surgery I loved meat. How do I get over this. Its hard to get my Protein in when I can't stand the thought of swallowing meat.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have been eating little bits since about 4 weeks out. tuna with mayo is OK as long as its the cheap kind (chicken of the sea in water) the more expensive (albacore) gets stuck. I can't eat even a couple bites of it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

meat is the hardest thing for me to digest, even now. Try cooking g in some kind of sauce to soften and keep moist. Like chicken Marsala or maybe beef in a stew. Maybe if you marinate it first. I still only eat small amounts at a time. Even pork tenderloin marinated is okay. Hope this helps.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think it is very common to have trouble eating meat, especially in the first few months post op. But the good news is that this gets better for most people and you don't need to eat massive amounts at a sitting. Meat is so high in Protein that 2-3 ounces can be enough. Although it was irksome in the beginning, I now like the fact that meat fills me up so quickly. I also find that I stay full longer with denser meats than with those with more Water.< /p>

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My nutritionist explained to me that some of us, especially with bypass, might not have enough stomach enzymes to break down meat for a while. When I ate meat, it felt like I'd swallowed a rock! For weeks, it just came right back up. No tolerance and no desire to eat tuna or things like that. So, I'd take a week or so off from trying, then try again with a very small amount - like no more than an ounce - and then only with other food. That seems to help. Eventually our pouches and small intestines will make more of the enzymes needed, but until then, I will just limit meat eating. My vegan daughter is happy about that!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

IT's a lot easier to eat meats if you crock pot them or make stew. I needed them to be very wet or I just couldn't get them down. I found around 9 months it got easier. I do fill up on meat much quicker than any other food. Like half a boneless rib is all I can get down. Ham is easy though.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I use the slow cooker. chicken thighs are the best. There are countless recipes and I place cooked portions in baggies and freeze. I can defrost when I need it. I also like chilli with black eyed peas. I find the red bean skins too thick to chew. I grind my own beef because I found the store brought ground beef had too many chunks (cartilage and tendons) I needed to spit out. I use the food processor or the grinder attachment on my KitchenAid mixer. You can also have your meat department grind the beef piece you choose. Giant Supermarket does it. You can even ask them to grind it twice for a finer texture. We eat so little that the cost is less then what we used to pay prior to surgery. The chilli I make is heavy on the beef but I also add some bell peppers and celery chopped fine. Again I use the slow cooker. If you don't have a slow cooker you can use a pot on the lowest heat possible of the smallest burner and check for liquid every 1/2 hour. Anything cooked 2 hours will be so soft. Give it a try.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

meats are hard to digest after surgery but they are also very important for integrating Protein into meals. I am 19 months post op on RNY and I currently get about 60 grams of Protein a day from my meals and that is because I use meats. I found that meats go down easy in chili and Soups. So I home make Soups that have about twice the content of meats than normal store bought soups.

chicken and turkey are difficult. They must be cooked for a long time in Water to soften them to the point that they readily break apart using a fork. Generally I place them in a pot of Water and add a bouillon cube and boil for an hour.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Depends on the type of meat. For example I do well with filet mignon (tenderloin) and flank steak since they tend to be softer and my doc approves of this.

Also, I like my meat medium rare and I find that when I eat medium rare meat, it feels really good on my pouch. I think when it's overcooked it's like rubber on my stomach...well more like a rock

I tried a Kobe beef patty the other day and it felt like a rock. Sigh

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

as you can see from the advice it is all about trial and error. Moist is key. Small bites. Chew chew chew. At 8.5 months I can eat all kinds of meat with relatively no issue. Every once in a while a dry hamburger doesn't feel so good, but that's it. I love salmon. I like good cuts of steak cooked medium that are very tender. Lobster, crab and shrimp all work for me. And lunch meat with cheese is always a good quick Protein in my day.

Based on my own experience I do better with meat that is fresh. Leftovers aren't my friend. I don't get sick, but I don't necessarily enjoy the experience. I think the reheating process zaps the moisture which does affect the consistency.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I use the Progresso light Soups as a base and add lean browned hamburger, or ground chicken. You can add any other veggies to it and simmer until you like the texture of the veggies. It is cheap, you can get soups on sale anywhere and you can freeze what you don't eat. It loads up on the Protein and it is not like you are cooking all day. I also use the clam chowder light and add another can of chopped clams , that adds to the protein content.

Best of luck, meat is a bummer for me too.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Experiment with tofu!!! It's amazing. Buy extra firm and season it to match the taste of almost anything.

Also I tried sushimi at one month, yummy and went down great!!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 1 reply
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×