Having trouble with meats...

Hello all! I'm 3 weeks out and having some major trouble with meat. I'm on "stage 3" which according to my surgeon is basically diced/pureed foods. He said anything out of a crock pot, nothing leafy or crunchy. So I've been cooking in the crock pot. I have no problem at all with fruits, cantelope, honey dew, banana's, unsweetened applesauce. Cottage cheese and Turkey slices from the deli go down fine. Broccoli overcooked is fine. I had no problems with beef stew that I made from a steak, small chunks, with carrots, potatoes and onion. No problems with lasagna, I didn't eat the noodles just ricotta and beef and sauce. My issues have been with pork, chicken and beef roast . I did all of the beef and pork in the crock pot, chicken was roasted. All of them got stuck, on the chicken and portk I proceeded to throw up, the beef got stuck after 2 smal bites and I stopped eating. I was EXTREMELY careful to chew them to the point of puree, take small bites and take time between each. So when this happens I have a protein shake to be sure I'm getting my protein. So far I've thrown up twice and I know it's dangerous at this point, so I think I'm giving up on meat and will go back to at least 2 protein shakes a day until my pouch is doing better. Does this go away eventually? This getting stuck problem is very uncomfortable, but I'm praying it's only temporary. I just keep thinking if I can't eat meat in puree form, how will I ever eat salad, or any veggies in raw form. My biggest worry is going back to work on Monday, I'm sure they're going to want me to travel as soon as I get back. How am I going to eat at a restaurant??? It's one thing to have breakfast out and have an egg... but dinner with coworkers will be very uncomfortable if I'm this sensitive still. I'd love to hear your thoughts.... Renee

Renee, Hun give yourself some time.....you are still so new to this and it really does take some time.....I know sometimes if the meat is so try it will get stuck, I like pouring some low sodium broth over the meat at the start. It seems to help a little and make sure you are taking very small bites, chewing like crazy..... You know someone told me to make sure I did not have any piece to start with that was bigger then a pencil eraser. I wish you the best hun, hang in there and it will work out. You will see what is good for you and when you go out to eat you will have that stuff until you can eat more things. Hang in there hun, it does get better. Debra P

Hi Renee, Honestly, at 3 weeks out, I was still on pureed foods, not meats like you are eating them. I was on phase 1 for the first month, phase 2 for the second month, and phase 3 for the third month. I was told that it takes that long for your body to re-adjust to your new "plumbing". Good luck, Ilyssa 268/163

Hi Renee, I am 2 weeks out and must stay on "stage 2" for 4 weeks, and that consists of mushy, pureed foods only. Having said that: meats and small, diced foods is a horse of a different color! Meat, even pulverized by our teeth, are rough and dry. I would check with your doctor and/or your nutritionist regarding specifics as to what "stage 3" means, and get specific lists/examples. Mention the meat issue; I'd venture to guess they will say it's too soon for those types of meat, even if small and well-chewed. To further your answer: My Mom had a RNY was back in 1998 and unfortunately there were some foods she could never truly tolerate, mainly meats and even shrimp. She has lived on Salmon and even that has to be very moist or it gets stuck. There are tradeoffs to WLS, such as the inability to ever have certain foods again, such as sugars, carbonated beverages, caffeine, and certain foods. Each person will vary as well: what I might be able to get down, you may not and vice-versa. As far as dinners out: experiment at home first! Try fish, chopped steak (like hamburger but not on a roll), soups, and maybe certain appetizers as a main course. Good luck, keep us posted, but first and foremost...call your Surgeon/Nutritionist! Hugs, Karen

It sounds too early to be on meats. I had to have soft foods for the 1st 4 weeks. Then I could add deli turkey for the next 2, and then chicken. No beef or eggs til month 3 for me. I haven't tried crock pot meat. A friend of mine who had RNY said his tummy can't tolerate it because it becomes so stringy and hard to chew, so I haven't wanted to risk it. Just be patient and listen to your pouch... sounds like it's not ready for meat yet. Traci

Howdy Neighbor! I live in Old Chatham just down the way from Valatie. 3 weeks out and already eating veggies and meat? Wow! I was barely tolerating purees at 3 weeks out! I know for a fact that this does get better, but I still sometimes get sick with chicken...I haven't even tried red meat yet, except for gound beef in chili. You are so soon out, and your new pouch is tender. If you know something is not sitting well with you, giving it a few weeks rest, trying to get your protein elsewhere as you mentioned, is a good idea. Then you can try again after that. I hope all else is going well for you. Where did you have your surgery? I had mine almost 5 months ago at Albany Med with Dr Rosati. Take care, Amy

Hey Renee, I don't have a pouch (i had the DS) but every WLS book and piece of info that i read prior to surgery that dealt with different types of surgeries, said that when you start introducting food, your body may not be ready for it, and to stop eating it and try reintroducing it a few weeks later. Granted going out at dinner time might be difficult, but most resturants have fish on the menu, have you tried shrimp? They might go down very easily...you could have a shrimp ****tail for dinner. Theres also steamed/grilled veggie dishes, soups, and you can order a baked potato, slice it open and eat out some of the insides. Or if worse comes to worse, just order breakfast for dinner, most diners will accomidate it. Scott

I had trouble with meat in the early days too. I swiched to soy products like boca and morningstar veggie burgers. They went down easy and stayed down, plus they are protein rich