Hello,

I’m 2 weeks post gastric sleeve surgery. I can’t really eat or drink much of anything. I’m on a soft Bariatric diet, but I’m struggling finding meals that will go down normal without filling me up after two bites. Mashed potatoes does well, but is not strongly recommended by doctor. Have anyone else found other substitutes besides protein shakes? Does this get better in time? I knew my relationship with food would change, but dang! I just want it to go down normal.

I’m only 4 weeks out but yogurt has been my best friend. It’s what I go too the most.

Gogurt was my best friend that first month. Also i found an all natural pudding. I'm not a fan of jello so that was my issue. I also had a hard time finding protein that i liked. My dietician actually turned me onto fairlife milk. Love it and actually my family drinks it now too! I found little rice a roni cups too that would make it so i wouldn't overeat, not the best nutritionally but sometimes you just need a break. In that first month i found basically anything soft that didn't have lumps was just fine.

Ok, so ((hugs)). I am still pre-op so can't tell you first hand. But here's what my RD said. We will all have differing amounts of restriction/pain/capacity after surgery depending on how much inflammation we have from surgery. She said, absolutely embrace the suck. LOL. Seriously. She said, this will be one of the few times when you will be filled up by 2-3 bites. So embrace it and go with it and concentrate on getting your water/liquid in each day and trying to hit your protein goals with protein supplements (for now in the early days). And to listen to your body. If 3 bites does it. Then eat 3 bites. If it takes more, then eat more.

She said as you heal, your volume will increase and eventually your meals will be anywhere from 3oz to as much as maybe even 6-8oz. To put that in perspective. I'm pre-surgery and my meals are only 6-8oz.

Hang in there sweetie. I know it will get better for you!!! Embrace the suck!

Thank you guys so much! You have really helped me a lot.

I'm just finishing my soft foods phase. My program doesn't want you to have many carbs, so I haven't tried things like potatos. Here's what I ate:

Yogurt (this was the easiest one so do a greek yogurt daily - it can't have fruit etc in it).
Egg - usually a fried egg, sometimes with a little FF shredded cheese on it
Chicken Salad (made with FF mayo dressing). For a shortcut I would use canned chicken, which is softer
Tuna Salad (this didn't go down as well for whatever reason)
"Pulled chicken" - really just canned chicken with a small bit of mild BBQ sauce mashed
Soups without pasta or rice (lentil, split pea, vegetable lentil is good) you can eat what feels like a lot
Ground meat, lean turkey or hamburger, added mild taco seasoning (has to be a good day and you have to chew REALLY well)
Turkey Sausage (I mince it and then chew it very well, its very flavorful)
String cheese (eaten in very small pieces, chewed well).

Soft vegetables and fruits were allowed, but I never had time to really try them because I had to eat so much protein to hit my goals. People also say Rocotta bake is good, I haven't tried that.

Hope that helps. At first I started with the more liquid stuff like soups and then progressed to the more challenging things like soft ground meat.

Edited January 10, 20188 yr by Losebig