Question:
Will I EVER be able to eat meat again?

I am about 6 and a half weeks post-op. Everytime I eat any sort of meat, it ends up coming back up!!! I'm so frustrated... I've tried chicken, tuna, cod, meat loaf, hot dog, hamburger patty... none successfully. I do well with soft veggies so I don't think I have a blockage. Has anyone else been in this situation? I'm worried that I'm not going to get the necessary nutrients needed, not to mention the protein. Any ideas for other meats and/or suggestions? Anything would certainly be appreciated. Thank you! -Lynette Lap RNY -37 @ 6 weeks    — Lynette H. (posted on September 30, 2003)


September 30, 2003
Maybe the meat is too dry. I couldn't do tuna or pork until fairly recently (almost 4 months post op), but have found that if I use some gravy (there are some fat free canned gravy's), ketchup, bbq sauce or steak sauce, it seems to go down easier for me. Assuming that you're chewing it to mush and you don't have a blockage, the only thing you can do is just wait and try later. 6.5 weeks is still very early in the game. What doesn't work now will probably work later.
   — Carolyn M.

September 30, 2003
I took ground sirloin and browned that with some gravy, it isn't the most pleasing but it was protein (my PCP suggested it)... you can flavor the meat with various spices or spice packets, even a little broth etc... but take it slow... try to mix the meat with moisture... you'll be able to eat meat (I am fairly certain)... but like a baby you just have to keep trying, and start off slowly etc...
   — MF

September 30, 2003
I was not able to do meats at 6 weeks. I was still on softer solid foods at that point. I started with more solid meats at 9 weeks and still could not eat more than a bite or two. The denser the food, the less you can eat. Your problem may be that you are not yet ready for solid meats (even a hamburger patty is a solid meat if it is dry). You should only be able to eat a bite or two if they are larger bites, 4 bites if it is cut into tiny portions.
   — M B.

September 30, 2003
I just asked my Surgeon the same question today. He said that some people end up finding that they can eat one type of meat and not others; ie fish but no beef or beef and no chicken.... He said in a small percentage that some patients give up meat altogether. I personally have no luck w/ anything at this point but tuna and deli meats but I keep trying. Other meats come right back up. MizD 8wksPost -46
   — [Deactivated Member]

September 30, 2003
You're still pretty new, so I'm thinking it will get easier for you. In the meantime, stick to softer, less dense proteins. Early on (and even now), I found that it helped to put some sort of sauce or gravy on all of my meat. As previously suggested, try a little gravy, or steak sauce, or ketchup, or salad dressing (Green Goddess or Italian on dark meat chicken--it's moister than white) is good. I also used salsa, various bottled marinades (watch the sugar content if you dump), tampenade, cocktail sauce, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce--really anything that adds moisture. Take just a few small bites and chew well.
   — Vespa R.

September 30, 2003
Try cutting it into pencil eraser sized bits and chewing to death with gravy which heps keep it moist. That did it for jen after her WLS. It get easier with time your new tummy is still swollen.
   — bob-haller

September 30, 2003
They key to meat is to make sure it's very, very moist for me. I didn't try beef until I was 6 months out as per my surgeon's rules. I have had the most problems with chicken. I can eat it, but it doesn't always sit right. Honestly I do the best with shellfish and beef now. WHen I do beef, I cut it into tiny bits and make sure it's at least medium rare. The more rare it is, the better I seem to do with it.
   — Cathy S.

September 30, 2003
I feel your pain. I am 10 weeks post and can eat any healthy thing without a problem, except meat. I have tried everthing everyone here posted, with no avail. At 6 weeks, my Dr said to go back to soft foods for 2 weeks. Some people heal slower than others, including internally. Call your Dr, be patient, keep trying. Keep your protiens up via your supplements and dairy products. Just thought I would lend a very very sympathetic ear (and tummy).
   — candylnd24

September 30, 2003
HONEY IT IS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. I AM 14 MONTHS PO-OP AND IT TOOK ME SIX MONTHS BEFORE I COULD EAT MEAT,BREAD OR RICE IT IS TO HEAVY FOR YOUR NEW POUCH. THIS IS WHAT HELPS YOU LOSE THE WEIGHT NOT BEING ABLE TO EAT THESE THINGS . I DRANK PROTEIN SHAKES BY JAY ROBB THEY ARE GREAT THE PINA COLODA TASTE LIKE A TROPICAL DRINK AND NITRO-NECH SHAKES 45 GRMS. OF PROTIEN. TRY BEEF BARLEY SOUP FOR YOUR MEAT PLEASURE . I CARRIED A CAN IN MY PRUSE EVERY WHERE I WENT FOR SIX MONTHS AND CHICKEN NOOLES SOUP. LOTS OF POTATOES. AFTER YOU REACH ONE YEAR YOU WILL BE ABLE TO EAT EVERY THING . EVERY THING BUT SUGAR THAT IS AND IF YOU WATCH THAT CLOSELY YOU CAN HAVE THAT TOO. JUST DON'T GO OVER 18 GRAMS PER SITTING. I WEIGHTED 272LBS. NOW AT 175.(IAM 5'7")I LOOK GREAT EXERCISE EVERY DAY AND I ONLY HAVE A LITTLE FLAB IN MY ARM AREAAND UNDER ARM BREAST AREA MY BREAST NEED A LIFT BUT WITH THE RIGHT BRA THEY DON'T LOOK BAD EITHER . PEOPLE ASK ME ALL THE TIME WHAT HAVE I DONE DIFFERENT THAN THE PEOPLE IN MY COMMUNITY THAT HAVE HAD THE SURGERY BECAUSE I LOOK SO HEALTHY AND SOME OF THEM LOOK SO SICKLKY. NOT ALL BUT SOME THEY DON'T EVEN BELIEVE THAT I HAD WLS. THAT'S HOW GOOD I LOOK. ANY INTERESTED PARTIES CAN E-MAIL ME AT [email protected]. later for now
   — CINDERALLA

September 30, 2003
One of the first meats I could eat without trouble was canned corned beef. It's already ground up and very moist when steamed. And to add to what others have said, by 6 months I had few problems with meats of any kind. I found that I could eat beef (not burger though) as early as 1 month out if it were cooked med-rare and very juicy.
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 1, 2003
I do well at 3 months with "fake" meat; that's the soy meat made by Boca or Morning Star Farms. I can also eat turkey franks, but have problems with beef and chicken. My dietician explained it's because of the connective tissue in meats. I 'm going to wait a couple of weeks and try maybe chicken again. Good Luck; it's worth it! 305/233/150
   — Gail G.

October 1, 2003
I'm 8 months post-op and I still have trouble with chicken sometimes. For me, it's all about moisture. I have a much easier time with chicken breast in restaurants, but when I cook at home, it's hit or miss. One thing that I know works for cooking chicken breast at home is this: I buy a package of Foster Farms Thin-Sliced Chicken Breast Filets, wrap each one in foil with a BBQ sauce (or a marinade) and then grill them on the BBQ (I think 6 minues each side). The meat is very moist and tender, and the portion is about 2-3 ounces, 140 calories and 25g protein. It might be too early for you to do meat. Or maybe the meat you're eating is too tough or too dry? Have you tried any deli meat?
   — lizinPA




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