How many days were you post op to start eating normal foods? Such as spaghetti without the noodles, baked chicken and vegetables, and etc?

Do you enjoy all your favorite meals post surgery from before surgery just in a smaller quantity? Does anyone ever eat pizza or fried chicken ever again just in a small quantity?

So can I eat cooked broccoli when I start normal foods? I love broccoli and green beans, peas are ok

Edited July 12, 201511 yr by laceygorrell

I was banded the same day as you. I am on puréed food. At 3 weeks I am allowed to slowly phase in solids over a period of months. Crunch vegs and tough meats are the last thing to try.

So do u have the band or sleeve?

I had the band and as of 6/30 I have a sleeve.

I was about 6 weeks post-op when I started adding "normal foods" but did not add bread or other starchy foods, rice, potatoes, Pasta until a little later. I had surgery on Sept 30, 2014 and on Thanksgiving ate my first small meal that contained more starchy carbs. I got right back on the wagon the next day. It has been fine, though. I avoid the carbs and if I want a slice of pizza once in awhile, I have it. I had it last night in fact, first time in a few months, though. Like many others, I find that I now don't enjoy some of the foods I used to love as much as I do some of the healthier choices.

I do still like my Protein smoothies and generally have one for lunch or Breakfast. I have some really good recipes that often include a small portion of frozen fruit and lots of ice to make them frosty. I like the Isopure Zero Carb vanilla Protein powder. Very versatile and can be used in lots of recipes, even a chocolate shake if you use cocoa powder in it.

Be careful in the beginning. Dense protein and things like rice, pasta and bread will fill you VERY fast and cause great discomfort if you eat just a bit too much. But no worries, you will be able to eat most of what you like, you just won't be able to eat as much and will generally lose and maintain better if you cut carbs, limit fats to the "good ones", and keep your protein intake up. (and fluids in of course).

Edited July 12, 201511 yr by LovinSoul

Oh...regarding salads and cooked veggies. Salads are tough at first. But I probably eat a small one every other day. I put lots of veggies in it and go easy on the lettuce. The lettuce fills me fast. Spinach salad is more digestible for me. If you cook veggies soft at first they will probably be fine (broccoli, green Beans, squash, just about anything was okay for me fairly soon after I introduced the foods back in.)

Awesome because I'm so picky. I love cooked broccoli and green Beans. I think peas, corn, and asparagus are ok. It won't hurt me if I have never have corn again. I love salads wit tomatoes, and Italian dressing. I absolutely love chicken breast, I don't eat dark meat chicken. I refuse to eat any fish or seafood. I mostly eat chicken and beef. Only pork wise I eat is bacon and ham. So it very limited the foods I will eat when I am ready for normal foods.

My favorite meal is tacos? I wonder if I will ever eat that again?

@@laceygorrell

I eat tacos. Just without the shell. You learn to eat in a more WLS friendly way. In other words, cutting out or extremely limiting carbs from bread, Pasta, rice etc.., leaner meats, less sugars, less processed foods etc....

In my honest opinion, I think it's pie in the sky thinking when people say they will eat whatever they want, just in smaller portions. It will work for a short time in the honeymoon period while you're losing and even into maintenence, but it won't last. There will be regain of weight if you don't cement healthy eating habits early on. And that's a fact.

Awesome topic. I've been wondering about the things i've read too. Several people saying they eat ANYTHING they want, just smaller portions. Honestly, it would be nice maybe 8months to a year down the mine to be able to have a cup of chow mein or a slice of pizza here and there, but as of now, i think its most important to train myself to eat well. I havent had a cheeseburger in almost 3 months and i'm amazed at how I dont crave it anymore. Im actually craving hummus and greek yogurt. Lol i'm almost 20days post op and if I start thinking I might be able to slide in chips or dessert soon then it's going to create a slippery slope. I know myself lol anyway, best of luck to everyone!

You sound like you've got a great plan. I totally agree with you.

I had surgery on a Friday June 12th and was on liquids until the following Wednesday. Im on puréed foods for 4 weeks. Then soft foods for 2 weeks. Which is this Friday (time to break out the crock pot!). After that I can do regular foods but very small portions. Of course I will continue with proteins first. Its amazing to see how doctors all have their own ways of how you are to proceed after surgery. Most important is to make sure the stomach heals .

I am on week six and introducing new foods now. I can pretty much eat anything within reason at 8 weeks

I wasn't brought up with healthy habits, and even kept a lot of my bad habits up due to time constraints, so even though I am on "Normal" foods I wanted my changes to be forever so I have learned to read nutritional values, memorize carb and protein amounts in foods, and even taught myself to use a Wok to stir fry, and grill indoors, a change recipes and alter them to fit my diet and I stay away from fast food, I learn a lot on Google about cooking, and and even found some websites that give bariatric friendly restaurants, and I do give myself 1 cheat day per month