Hi guys! So I’m just now allowed soft foods/purees I’m on my third week post op. On my allowed foods list is chili. So I had a little chili and when I went back to look at what’s allowed and what’s not I realized that vegetables are a no no. The chili had cooked onions and tomatoes in it and now I’m terrified I’m going to cause a leak. Any advice? I did chew well and didn’t eat that much, physically can’t lol, but still I’m so scared.

Edited July 5, 20242 yr by Zigzag24

A small amount of cooked vegetables, chewed thoroughly and eaten once by accident will not cause a leak. Some programs even allow cooked vegetables in the soft foods stage.

Vegetables on a chilli are pretty well cooked so I can’t see a problem. I ate well cooked vegetables in soft food. Threw quite a variety in soups, mince dishes, anything I cooked slowly for at least an hour. If you still are a little worried just do a quick blitz with a stick blender, mash with a fork or potato masher or use a sieve to make sure there isn’t anything too dense or coarse.

Leaks are pretty rare but you still need to be careful while you’re healing (about 6 weeks or so). Now if you said you’d eaten raw vegetables in the purée or soft stage I’d be saying: no, stop, don’t.

I wouldn't worry about it. As the others said, well-chewed cooked vegetables usually aren't a problem. Plus leaks are rare and almost always happen before you even leave the hospital.