What did you eat in 1st 10 days? My surgeon encourages going straight onto the puree stage but I'm scared it will be too much soon. Also, veg & fruit purees are easy but I am worried about getting protein in. I prefer savoury food but worried I can't get meat in until the mincing stage? Op Friday, shopping today. Help plz.

My doctor was liquids only for the first two weeks so it was different (homemade) vegetable soups/broths with protein powder mixed in, protein shakes or yogurts.

Edited September 17, 2025Sep 17 by FifiLux

I'm eight days post Sleeve. I had a "full liquids" diet for the first six days. I consumed a lot of the same stuff I had during the liver shrink pre-op ... yogurt, sugar free jello, sugar free pudding, basic soups and broths, nothing with solid pieces. Two protein shakes per day. Now that I'm on the puree stage (I have a two-week requirement), I've added cottage cheese and a pureed meatloaf. Hoping to make a hard-boiled egg and mayo mash, and also try the same with canned chicken.

I also just had my first follow-up appointment and commented that I felt like I was always consuming something. I was told that that's very normal as I work my way back to "regular" food, which I won't have for another three-plus weeks.

We are all a little scared of this part of the process. Its the totally unknown that freeks us. But in all honesty once you begin its fairly easy to negotiate. Its the protein part that I couldnt get my head around but I had advice when it came to that.

I was allowed custard and smooth runny foods. However my stomach said NO WAY. My interal swelling on my new stomach stitches didn't let anything but small sips of water through. My Team put me on clear broth and milk only for a few days. Every step forward was slower for me but I didnt let it bother me, I felt secure in my teams advice. This forum is worth its weight in gold too.

Early proteins are milk, protein shakes and protein waters. Protein yogurts and puddings.

My next stage was smashed egg and mayo, ricotta bake, pureed tinned soup.

I hope this make this part less strange for you, The new you will be worth it x

Thank you. Am in hospital now after op yesterday morning. I felt so hungry last night but realise it was because my stomach was truly empty. Sipped water ok was sick all 4 times I tried compote. My body clearly isn't ready for it. Have managed half a yoghurt so hopefully will get released today. It's learning to understand what my new body wants. Is it gurgling as it wants more or as it's full and can't process anything else.x

I was liquids, but when I did get to pureed food, low fat canned chili, canned stew, and turkey sloppy joe (minus the bread) were my go-to"s.

Hi, Thanks for the tips. Interesting what different diets people were put on prior to surgery. I was told to eat usual portion sizes but non-fattening food beforehand. There was no liquid diet before or after. 4 days in my body is now telling me to eat puree rather than liquids. I've stopped being sick. 1st day in, I asked myself what the hell I had done but now I already feel more energised. This is like the world's best detox. Great to get different ideas according to people's different countries and eating habits. Never had a Sloppy Joe but I'll be trying one soon. I'm used to eating spicy food. How soon have you been able to add spice, garlic etc?

Adding spice was not an issue for me, in fact I probably even took more when in the early food reintroduction stages to make the little amounts I was able to eat more flavoursome. I think chili went into everything, except the yogurts!

When did you manage to keep breadcrumbs down? I've found a nice looking tomato and mozzarella steak in breadcrumbs in the freezer. Looks like it would mash well. Do I have a go? Managed pureed chicken today...

I'm 48 hours post-op, into the Full Liquids part of the diet. Low fat cream of chicken/mushroom/celery soup, sugar free Jell-O/Pudding, thin & watery cereals like Cream of Wheat/oatmeal/grits. Nurri protein shakes are fantastic. 30g protein in 11 oz. Choc/Vanilla/Strawberry. Powerade Zero and caffeine free tea/coffee.

Hi,

Good luck. I have found adding protein powder in, Skyr and jelly. Eggs and veggie sausage insufficiently mashed didn't work. Just don't do what I did and get covid a week after surgery. The hacking cough does not help keep food down. It's set my recovery back. 😒

My first 10 days I struggled with protein shakes

Congratulations on your surgery! 🎉 Follow your surgeon's instructions, which typically call for purees after liquids. Until you can add minced meats, try Greek yoghurt, blended soups, or smoothies for protein. Take your time and pay attention to your body.

my surgeon had us eating purees as soon as we were home from the hospital. I ate a lot of Greek yogurt and refried beans, IIRC (it's been 10 years!). Also, protein shakes.