Confusion over soft foods

Hiya...so today I should be able to progress to soft foods, but searching here on OH for soft food recipes has me confused.  I'm 4 weeks out today and just now moving from purees to soft foods, whereas some people are released from the hospital on soft foods.  It seems "soft foods" means something different for each surgeon's plan!  I'm curious as to what other's eating plan's required.  Did you still have to blend things like soups, vegetables and meats, or can you eat them whole and just chew really well if they are soft enough?  I'm thinking about cooking up some chicken in a crock pot and usually that get's really soft after a few hours...what do you think?

I was thinking of trying out the baby food section of the grocery store.

To me that seems like "purees", which I've been on.  Plus baby food =  for me!!  Let me know if you find some you like!

LOL with my luck the only ones I will like will be the desserts

Dr. Alvarez didn't have a "soft foods" stage per se; it was clear liquids, full liquids, purees, then solids after a month.  Even though the plan said solids, I still mostly ate (drank!) a fair amount of full liquids and purees but added in soft things like moist fish and scrambled eggs.  Just because I was cleared for solids didn't mean I had to eat all solids ... and most things didn't sit too well at first.  Just take it easy.  Best wishes!
--Dorothy

with you both on the baby food   I feel like I can still smell and visualize my kids baby food (especially those horrible meats).  I would most likely just enjoy the desserts too! 

I will be going to the soft stage next week... i am 3 weeks out now. My surgeons plan sounds like yours... 4 weeks liquids... 4 weeks soft then 8 weeks will be on regualr food.

The soft stage to my knowledge is to make sure the food is mush before you swallow it. ground hamburg, chicken etc tuna, fish, chicken salad, egg salad cottage cheese, pureed soups... veggies that are cooked well/mashed etc.... basically  it breaking down the food to give ease to the stomach digesting it. remembering to eat protein first n formost.

Your loss is AMAZING!!! What is your secret?

Before I seen my surgeon on feb 25th I had lost 130 pounds approx by following a 1500 cal diabetic diet... but was floundering bad. After getting my sugeons "plan" I immediately reduced down to 1200 cal, studied every bit of info i could find.... watched my carbs... eliminated pastas and bread....watched my protein fats and sugars and started walking. worked on my behaviours and emotional eating and stuck to it...and it came off. I did 2 trials of the liquid diet and felt confident in beig able to do it after surgery... My walking i increased everyday and now do well over 23000 steps a day. It only took a week after surgery to get back into my walking...up to 20000 at least. Being active and following the surgeons plan is working wonders... and since i have really increased my walking the weight continues to come off.  I am committed to this. When i see the surgeon in another month i more than likely will be 200 if not in wonderland. and then he will be giving me my hernia repair and tummy tuck :)  I feel wonderful!! I am not hungry and full of energy!!!

That is great!!! I read some of your blog and I know you will reach your goal.  You've done amazing all ready.