Question:
10 weeks out and I can't tolerate meat of any kind,

I have tried everything, beef, ham, turkey, pork, and as soon as it hits my throat I want to get rid of it. Any suggestions? Will I ever be able to eat meat again? FYI I had RNY in December    — chicozcarol (posted on February 27, 2006)

February 27, 2006
Hi, It is still WAYYYY!! too soon for you to be eating meat products yet..I don't know which surgery you had, was it RnY or Lap? I am almost 5 years post op, and i can never eat a steak again, I can eat a hamburger once in a while if it's grilled and consider a good turkey burger, when you get those meat cravings, your new pouch, cannot take the density of meat you have to chew it for an hour to finally pass. it is not worth it, i had to pretty much give it up cold turkey, it always got stuck and i always had to get it out.Maybe later down the line you can have some lean roast beef and chew it well, it works better..irene
   — Racegirl1

February 27, 2006
Hello, In being a support leader, I have found in talking to many people that a number of us can not go back to the same types of foods we ate before WLS. You will have to experiment and find out what you can tolerate. In being a meat eater myself before WLS, that I would rather eat fish, turkey, chicken now and forget the meat. Good luck
   — Steve Cohen

February 27, 2006
Carol- Everyone's body tolerates things differently. When I was about three months post op I was able to tolerate chicken, but you have to chew it really well. Then I slowly started adding turkey and eventually beef around 6 months. Strange thing, I was able to eat chicken for about 3 months then all of a sudden it made me sick everytime I ate it. I was worried I'd never be able to eat chicken again. About 2 months ago I was able to eat it again without getting sick. Everyone reacts differently. I'm able to eat steak now and pork, ham, turkey....everything and I'm 1 year and 4 months out. On the other hand my friend had it in January and he was eating barbeque pulled pork 3 weeks after surgery. I would just suggest slowly incorporating it into your diet and don't get discouraged you'll be able to eat it again it's just going to take some time. Best of luck. -Leslie 419/233/165 lap rny 10/21/04 revisional open rny 12/13/04 tt, bl, arm lift 04/24/06
   — chasegrl65

February 27, 2006
I had my lap Rny on Dec 1 and meat is very difficult for me, also. My understanding is this is very normal. I can eat small amounts of ham or chicken salad on crackers if it is very moist. I have had one bite of a cheeseburger......it stayed down and didn't make me sick. I can eat chili with ground beef or turkey. I can eat chicken if it is in a sauce or gravy of some type. Also, I can eat one regular crunchy taco from taco bell! (what a treat, too!) I use lots of Campbells Cream of Chicken soups for cooking and it helps. The most important thing is eat very small bites , SLOWLY and CHEW it until it is liquid! Don't eat more than 4 -6 very small bites, too. Too much will make it too hard to digest. Three months is still very soon and I can tell I have progressed quite a bit just this last month. I rarely get sick, anymore. (but seafood chow mein was not a good choice!) I have only lost thirty pounds since December 1st, but am happy to be heading in the right direction. I have always been a slow loser and I have only just started exercising in the last few weeks. I hope the weightloss will speed up with more exercise. Good luck!
   — LauraA

February 27, 2006
Carol, some people have problems with meats early on...I was fortunate I guess my surgeon allowed meat at 9 days post-op and I've never had problems with anything. Be sure when trying meat to have it very moist, cooking meat in the slow cooker with broth or gravy is a good idea. However, it may take some time for your pouch to like it. Have you tried lean deli meat, that seems to be one of the first many can deal with. There is always tuna and fish or other seafood to try if you haven't, remember the key is moisture, small bites and chew well. Dana
   — cajungirl

February 27, 2006
It could be a year or longer before you can eat those. Im five years post and will not do most beef,pork and eat just little of the others. Alot of surgeons suggest these should be the last foods you should try to introduce back and should wait apx 6 months or longer before doing it.l
   — star .

February 28, 2006
i would try canned meats first. they have turkey, chicken, ham, and roast beef right there with the tuna. its already cooked and also very tender. most do fish post op because its more tolerable. i also think your pushing it with the meats way to fast. especially if you have tried all of them already. the key is doing it slowly. finding something that settles and then sticking with it. gradually introduce new foods to your system. good luck Tamara
   — LadyNRed1973

February 28, 2006
I was the same way. I had a RNY 10/25 I can eat a little meat. only very lean meat. Chicken is ok for me but not beef yet. Dr said I will be able to eat beef about 6 to 8 months. Good luck.
   — bntfive

February 28, 2006
I am 1 year 3 months out. I have had problems with chicken and turkey the most. I was able to eat steak and roast beef at about 2 months. I still tend to stick with seafood mostly and beef maybe 2 nights a week. The key is moist, small bites, and chew chew chew. I usually eat a bite of vegetable before trying any meat. Lise 11/29/04 Lap RNY 409/215/180
   — lisemicheal

March 3, 2006
I am just now beginning to be able to eat meat, and I am a year out. I still cannot eat eggs, and have trouble with chicken. Just try small amounts of things and see how you react. My niece could eat meat and eggs almost immediately!
   — Novashannon

March 3, 2006
You are only 10 weeks out. Give yourself sometime to adjust to your new style of eating. I took me one full year before I was able to eat any solid food. I still have problems with chicken. When I eat chicken no matter what kind I have a runny nose and eyes and I want to puke. My body cannot tolerate poultry. It is Ok, I am able to eat any other type of meat. I am almost 10 years out.
   — Dani96

March 12, 2006
First, you may be trying to eat too much for right now. Meat is very filling, in part because it tends to block the stoma temporarily. That makes it good for making full, but very easy to eat too much. At 3 years out, I can eat 1 chicken wing, or half a thigh. I also found that it works better to give the meat something to "land" on. A few bites of veggies, or salad first, then no more than 4-6 bites of meat for me. Then sometimes, more veg. Try the "land on" techniques, then 1-2 bites meat to start, see how that goes. Good luck!
   — rayehawk

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