Dense protein almost 3 months out.

Hello All!

I am almost 3 months post RNY and I am having such trouble eating any dense protien! I measure, and no matter the type of beef, chicken and some fish I just can't handle it! It hurts so badly! (Yes, I chew,chew,chew and the meat is always tender.) I miss my meat!!

Has anyone else experienced this?

I struggled with beef until a year out and still have trouble with that and chicken and eggs from time to time. For me, it really depends on how it is prepared. I generally find fish and seafood easier on my pouch.

11 + years does make my pouch or eating infallible ...

Its' so weird how we all respond differently. Salmon and tuna are hard for me... they are inherently 'dry', despite the oils in salmon or even mayo with tuna. Seems like no matter how much I chew, they never break down and I feel like I've swallowed a hair ball.

On the flip side- I've been able to manage steak and chicken just fine since 3 months out. Pork is another one that give me a hard time.

Any dense protein? Might want to rule out a stricture; if not, try accompanying meat with things like au jus, ketchup, mayo, lemon juice, etc.

A long time ago a vet gave me some great advice re dense proteins. Try to always eat with a bit of gravy or some tomatoes - anything that will add to the slippery factor

Get those little packages of gravy mix - very high in sodium but you wont need much to aid swallowing with more ease. Have a piece of tomato with a bite of chicken - and yes chew like crazy.

The first few months are tough as your pouch and you mature to your new situation. Wait after each bite to ensure completion before adding another bite to the mix. If its still no go then try again in a few weeks - but never attempt with dry dense protein.

Make your dense proteins in a chili or stew. Moisture and the length of heating should render the meat more tolerable for you.

Buy quality cuts of meat - loin.

Good luck

Yup- I second tis- Pair it with some type of 'slider'. I used gravy, BBQ sauce, ketchup, even salsa.

Crock pots are also great for softening up dense proteins.

I could not tolerate dense proteins when I was banded. The only thing that worked was crockpot meals. Only problem was that it made a ton of food but reheated leftovers became too dry. I eventually found a "baby crockpot" at Target, that made meals for 1. Perfect solution for me!

Chicken and eggs were (and sometimes still are) tough for me if overdone. Fish was easiest for me, though tuna in a can was tough. Try a light flaky fish like cod or haddock. That was the easiest for me and still is. I thought beef would be difficult, but it is easier for me than chicken. Have you tried beef jerky?

Four years out, I still get caught by surprise sometimes by ground beef and chicken. Adding mayo to everything helps (full fat, not "lite").

Audrey

The only meat I could eat without issues at four months out was very tender filet. I still have problems with proteins. A four ounce hamburger does me for at least three meals. I have a pressure cooker and make things like pot roast, soups and stews.

That baby crockpot sounds perfect.