I wonder if anyone else has had trouble in the beginning of solid food stage with eating meats? If so, what did you eat instead for protein until your body did better with meat?

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I had my sleeve surgery 12/5...I can eat steak now with no problem as long as I chew it up well and keep the pieces small. (I cut it up into little teenie bites about the size of blueberries, then I chew really well)

You can get protein from a lot of soft sources...Tofu, cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, beans.

The first meats I had success with were very lean deli meat and rotisserie chicken. This might sound weird, but I would make a little cup of hot broth to dunk it in and kinda smash it in there to soak up a little more juice....helped it go down a lot easier at first. Very lean ground meats can work, too.

I would definitely mention the problems you're having to your surgeon. At 8 weeks, I would expect you to have more luck. That said, individuals differ, so I don't want to alarm you. Worth exploring with your nutritionist or doctor, though.

I'm a year out and chicken can still kick my butt at times. Much more so than other meats. If it's shredded chicken I can manage that fine, but eating a chicken breast is more difficult. As Cree said small bites is key.

You say you're having troubles but what exactly is the issue? Is it a matter of not feeling well after you eat meats?

I found the transition to solid foods such as steak and chicken was difficult. I relied on softer foods such as chili and soups. There is no need to rush into solid foods. I have included a few recipes at the end of the following article.

http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery.pdf

I'm not doing well with red meat in any form, either ground or cubed (the steak at Chipotle), with the exception of canned Hormel chili. Chicken and turkey have gone well. As a point of reference, last week I got a burrito bowl from Chipotle with steak, beans, cheese, and pico, and I ate a quarter of it and felt terrible, and yesterday I got a burrito bowl from Chipotle with chicken, beans, and cheese, and ate about 3/4 of it.

I am 6 weeks post sleeve and I can only eat ground or shredded meats. Chicken Breast or Steak just doesn't go down yet, even if cooked with a sauce.....so, my main protein in still coming from the shakes and cheese and greek yogurt

Thanks everyone! Sounds like I might want to try ground meat, chicken or other wise. I was told not to try chicken breast as it is too dry. I have not even though about steak or any thing along those lines. Has anyone tried pork, I'm actually nervous it is too soon. I am about 7 wks out.

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I found the transition to solid foods such as steak and chicken was difficult. I relied on softer foods such as chili and soups. There is no need to rush into solid foods. I have included a few recipes at the end of the following article.
http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery.pdf

Were you told to strain your soups? I was because they said it is basically drinking while eating.

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Some doctors say not to have beef or pork until the 6 month mark. I've heard others say 3 months. Mine just said, once you introduce a normal diet, to make sure it's cooked in a very moist method until very tender and to eat slowly with very tiny bites as @Creekimp13 suggested!

Sorry you're struggling hon!!!

(RE: straining soups, my RD said to eat the broth portion from the soup first, then go back and eat the solids--protein first if possible. With thick stews and stewps/chili, treat it as a solid.)

47 minutes ago, tigertia said:

Were you told to strain your soups? I was because they said it is basically drinking while eating.

One of the prime ingredients in chili is ground beef. According to my plan, this was acceptable at Week 9 post-op. Some of the soup recipes use shrimp which met my plan at 4 months post-op. I had RNY gastric bypass but I think the requirements for sleeve are similar.

So if you are early, by all means strain the solids out, but if you are further along, there is no need.

3 hours ago, tigertia said:

Thanks everyone! Sounds like I might want to try ground meat, chicken or other wise. I was told not to try chicken breast as it is too dry. I have not even though about steak or any thing along those lines. Has anyone tried pork, I'm actually nervous it is too soon. I am about 7 wks out.

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It's not about the cut of meat so much as the cooking method. If you steam the chicken breast or slow-cook it in broth, you'll be fine.

I just hit 3 months out. My go-tos are chunk light tuna (only drain a little, mash with a fork) canned chicken (again, only drain a little and mash with a fork) i can do steak if it is cooked medium, pork does NOT sit well at all! Chicken I have an issue with, so I bought these (I think Perdue brand) carving board rotisserie chicken. I add an ounce or 2 to eggs, again, i mash it as much as I can with a fork. Turkey i can do if it is with gravy.


SW 350 (11/15)
BSW 260 (10/17/17)
CW 217.6 (1/22/18)
RGW 199
GW 175

Last night I ate chicken that had been slow cooked in liquid and it came right back up. I may have eaten too much of it, though.

I could only eat seafood or chicken that had been simmered or grilled with the skin on. Still can’t eat beef, though pork and chicken are the best proteins besides seafood for me.

It took me to 14 weeks before I could eat solid protein well. Some people just take longer. My doctor said keep going back to the previous stage protocol for a day or two and then try again. That’s what I did. Tuna and crab were my savior’s. LOL

I’ve had success with softer meats or meats that are more moist. I still can’t do chicken breast. Some good soft meats include ground meats (don’t cook them until they’re dry, or mix them with something moist like ground turkey with taco seasoning and some sour cream works well). Hot dogs (you can get low fat variety), shredded tuna or chicken salad or ham.

The key for me has been to mince it so its in tiny pieces, moisten it and make sure to chew tiny bites at least 25 times apiece. I also limit the volume.

I tried chicken breast again at lunch today and it went OK, not great, but I didn't puke it back up, either. Yesterday my dietitian said I could also do lunch meat, that seems simple enough.