Question:
I am right at a year post op

I will be one year post op the 29th of this month and I have a question about food. I eat basically the same food everyday. I like the food I eat. I have lately tried to introduce some new things to my diet. I eat meat, I just havent tried really solid pieces of meat; like steak, chicken breast, pork. I eat these meats but only shredded types. I cant go out and order a grilled chicken breast or steak in a restaraunt and not get sick. I tried a grilled chicken breast the other night and I took 3 small bites and it felt like I had a rock in my tummy. I thought it would subside, but it didnt and an hour later I got home and vomited. I do get in my protein everyday, but would love to go out with my family and not feel like I cant eat a normal meal with them. I want to eat only these new things , Im not wanting to eat bad stuff. does it go away? , I mean after a year I thought I would be able to tolerate meat that wasnt shredded. I am down 99 lbs. so far. Thanks for any advise.    — taterbug898 (posted on November 18, 2005)

November 18, 2005
You might try introducing solid meats at home. But even then you may not ever eat them. Im five years out and don't eat steak, pork, or most chicken. When I got out I usually order 'fish'. I have found that for meats certain cuts are easier to eat than some. You'll just have to experiment until you find the cut that agrees with you.
   — star .

November 18, 2005
How dry was the chicken you ordered when you ate out? Any dry meat kills me and I'm 2 years out. When ordering out, try to get things that have gravy or juice with them. Of course, chew them to death too. Also, like was in the other reply...introduce the solid meat at home. If you are eating shredded meat (not pureed) you should be able to eat the "solid" pieces as long as they are moist. Or, shred the chicken yourself before you start eating it...just use your fork and do it. It may be a mental block too....just a thought. Carmen
   — kccjer

November 19, 2005
Well, my first thought is...are you eating it too quickly? I find the more dense or fiberous the meat, the slower I need to eat it. Also, I chew the living heck out of it! And...if it's in any kind of fatty or sweet sauce, that might be causing you some trouble.
   — johare

November 19, 2005
Hi! I am also almost a year out (Dec 16, 2004). I have trouble eating chicken at all, It makes me ill and feels "heavy" if I eat it. I can sometimes eat very small pieces of shredded chicken in some kind of sauce. I just found out yesterday that I can eat about half of a Chicken Taco from the dollar menu at Mickie D's! Other than that, chicken makes me sick. I also cannot eat beef unless it is ground or very moist. I used to love steak, but now it makes me sick. I do eat out with my husband occassionally. I have found that lobster (!) and shrimp go down the best. I try to order a whole wheat pasta with some kind of shrimp sauce, and I can only eat a few ounces of it. I mostly eat the shrimp, and just a little of the pasta. I take it home and my son eats it. I have also eaten grilled shrimp at Red Lobster. I can only eat about three or four shrimp. I take the rest home. I can't eat much, but I enjoy eating out. There are plenty of options, and nobody says you have to eat it all! In fact, my doggie bag gives me meals for several days, or a meal for my husband or son!
   — Novashannon