I’m hungry. Lol I miss chewing food. I’m only on day 8 post op. Chewing jello is not the same. It’s not like chicken. Lol Drinking my protein all day long is getting old really fast. Sigh… #justventing

Pre and early post-op diet are the hardest part. Glad you vented, and I hope it helps, soon it'll be 1 year post-op and you will be enjoying most, if not all, what you enjoyed before, except a small plate will be enough and satisfying. Hang in there!

It'll be over before you know it. The early weeks can be a challenge, but it's a drop in the ocean time wise. Just distract yourself with everything you can to get your head off food.

Have you tried sugar-free popsicles? Just a thought. They're a little "chewier."

@CarmenG yes. I have two boxes in the freezer. Taste really good but can’t touch my chicken itch. lol

I know what you mean! But once you're over the liquid diet hump, everything is a breeze! I'm almost done with the pureed stage and didn't feel nearly as excruciatingly long as the liquid, heck, I even stuck with liquids rather than pureed with added high protein yogurts and adding gel fruit cups. You'll get to shredded chicken in soft foods in no time!

Seasoned broths can help with that, I know it's not "chewy" but I know I really missed savory things at the time. I was buying a brand of "beef pho broth" and adding garlic and ginger to it.

I missed chewing,too ! LOL One day , I couldn't stand it anymore and I snuck a ritz cracker. I chewed that one cracker till it was just molecules - it was heaven ! LOL

I had watermelon today. I didn’t swallow it just for the juice only. But damn it felt good af to chew FOOD! I didn’t get much because my 1yr old nephew grabbed it out of my hand and walked away. Lol it was nice while it lasted. Lol