Question:
Is it true that you can not eat steak after WLS surgery

I have seen on this site lots of info about what people are able and not able to eat after surgery. Is it true that you can not eat steak after surgery? Is that pertaining to any particular WLS surgery?    — [Anonymous] (posted on September 4, 2001)


September 4, 2001
Sometimes I can and sometimes I can't. The general rule to remember is chew, chew, chew. If you chew it well enough you can eat most anything. Good Luck
   — Lisa B.

September 4, 2001
Steak has not been the problem, if it is tender. If it is remotely tough, I just send it back and skip it. Chicken is the one I've always had a problem with.
   — vitalady

September 4, 2001
I'm 2 years post-op, and I eat steak all the time, but now I'm partial to filet mignon because it's more tender. I find the key is to cut tiny pieces, which makes it so much easier to chew. On the other hand, I still sometimes have a problem with chicken, especially if it's too dry. Leslie
   — Leslie F.

September 4, 2001
The nutrition info I received said red meat is particulary tough because of the fibers in the red meat. We (meaning people who follow my Drs plan) aren't supposed to red meat for 6 months. Good luck,
   — Becky K.

September 4, 2001
I am 3 weeks post-op, and have had chicken and steak. The key is to CHEW, CHEW, and CHEW! And if it's tough, skip it. It's not worth it. Everyone is different. Food tolerances and intolerances tend to be very individual and determined only on the trial and error method.
   — Nancy G.

September 4, 2001
I have been eating steak since about 3 months post-op and have never had any problems with it. Chicken was the hardest thing for me to be able to tolerate .... I still occasionally have trouble with chicken and I am almost 10 months post op.
   — Lynn T.

September 4, 2001
YaHoo! I'm 5 month post-op Lap RNY and just had my first SUCCESSFUL piece of steak last weekend! It was filet mignon, and it was very tender. I was able to eat a piece about the size of a silver dollar! As previously mentioned, I cut it up, and chewed those tiny pieces to death and Ta Da! I didn't have to look at them again in an hour! :-) I've had nothing but trouble with ALL meats up until a week or two ago, and now it seems that I'm FINALLY going to be able to eat meat again!
   — Laurie L.

September 4, 2001
I ate steak rather early. I forgot exactly when, but I was supposed to be eating pureed foods then. But I chewed it all fine and liquidfied it in my mouth. Just keep your emotions under control and don't give a big swallow without it being chewed extremely fine. ;)
   — Danmark

September 4, 2001
What do some of you mean by "problem" stomach hurt? swell? dump?
   — Jackiis

September 4, 2001
Hi! Im 7 weeks post op open RNY. I can tell you meat is the hardest by far. Sometimes it stays down and sometimes it doesnt. Tiny bites and chew chew chew. I would love to have a beef burrito but the truth is it pains my stomach so much it will come back up. Everyone is right chicken it the hardest but I find if you space your bites 5 min apart it really helps. Of course I have forgotten what a hot meal is like. LOL. But with time I hear you can eat pretty much anything so don't lose heart. One more thing find a high protien drink you like and make sure you drink it. I didnt at first and was so fatigued I thought I was gonna die. Try the Myoplex at GNC. 42 grams of protien and Im feeling much better. GOOD LUCK
   — Jolie M.

September 4, 2001
I am almost 7 months post-op, had the DS surgery and have been eating steak since early on. I usually eat a porterhouse steak (smothered in butter and with steak sauce and small baked potato) which is easier for me to eat. With my type of surgery I don't have to chew my food to death but have had to learn to slow down. I don't have problems eating anything except chopped Bar-B-Q. I love it and do eat it but for some reason it ends up feeling "heavy" in my stomach.
   — TJSmith

September 4, 2001
I had the DS in April of this year, and have been able to eat steak with no problems since about week 2. In fact, it is my protien of choice. I think for some people it is more difficult, especially those with smaller stoma's and pouches. Each person may differ.
   — Kim B.

September 4, 2001
I am 9 weeks post op RNY and my doctor told me no steak or white bread for 6 months.
   — Terry H.

September 4, 2001
Hi - 3 1/2 months Post Op here - Steak was/is the only meat I can really tolerate - so I take VERY small bites and chew..chew...chew!! Good Luck, Karan
   — chance2lv

September 5, 2001
I'm three years postop and I can't digest steak...no matter how tender it is. Many folks in my support group have the same problem with steak/beef. After a while what you can't have doesn't bother you. It's just food.
   — [Anonymous]

September 5, 2001
At 13.5 months post-op, I don't know if I can eat steak or not. I haven't had any desire to try! It just doesn't look at all appetizing. Funny how your food preferences really change after wls...and funny too how it doesn't seem to matter. Rather than mourning for foods that I no longer seem to want, I'm enjoying all the new foods that suddenly seem to taste different and more interesting to me. Fresh has taken on a whole new meaning. I'm a complete salad snob now.
   — Anne G.

September 5, 2001
At 13.5 months post-op, I don't know if I can eat steak or not. I haven't had any desire to try! It just doesn't look at all appetizing. Funny how your food preferences really change after wls...and funny too how it doesn't seem to matter. Rather than mourning for foods that I no longer seem to want, I'm enjoying all the new foods that suddenly seem to taste different and more interesting to me. Fresh has taken on a whole new meaning. I'm a complete salad snob now.
   — Anne G.

September 5, 2001
At 13.5 months post-op, I don't know if I can eat steak or not. I haven't had any desire to try! It just doesn't look at all appetizing. Funny how your food preferences really change after wls...and funny too how it doesn't seem to matter. Rather than mourning for foods that I no longer seem to want, I'm enjoying all the new foods that suddenly seem to taste different and more interesting to me. Fresh has taken on a whole new meaning. I'm a complete salad snob now.
   — Anne G.

September 5, 2001
I tried steak at 3 months, thew it up, 3 and a half months. threw it up, 4 months threw up 4 times,,Finally at 5 months, I am able to eat a piece of Filet Mignon, the size of a half dollar, very small pieces...I can also eat a piece of toast now,,Chicken is sometimes good, not always..
   — Marie B.

September 5, 2001
Generally speaking, people who have the BPD/DS are able to eat steak with no problem. I can and do eat meats of all kinds, beef, chicken, pork, fish, any type and cut even the rough cuts. I am not a chewer, so for me the DS was the best choice. I have lost over 100 pounds in 7 months. Honestly, my eating is about the same as pre-op.
   — Teriyd

September 6, 2001
It depends on the surgery type and the person. Everyone is different. I had the Duodenal Switch and was eating filet mignon at week 2--recommended by my nutritionist for the protein & iron. To read more about the DS, go to:...http://www.mywls.com/body_duodenal_switch/body_duodenal_switch.html Good luck to you!
   — [Deactivated Member]

September 25, 2001
I had a Roux en Y surgery 5 months ago and was eating red meat within 3 weeks. I can easily eat a 5 or 6 oz filet and half a dinner salad. In fact, I've only thrown up one time and it was from eating too fast. I think chicken is a little more difficult. If it's in a sauce of some sort, that's easier, but if it's a little dry, you'd better chew like your life depended on it and drink a little something with it. My surgeon said anything I wanted to eat was fair game after two weeks of a liquid diet. He just insisted that it was 3 meals a day w/o snacking and that I concentrate on protein and keep the carbs down to a dull roar - advice I concur with wholeheartedly having had 300 hours of nutrtition class work myself.
   — Dr. Vance R.

December 4, 2001
Ok, Dr. Vance, you are an exceptional person. You know me...barf-o-matic. I was thrilled to eat about 2 ounces of steak, enjoy it and keep it down at 5 and a half months post-op. And boy was I ready for steak!
   — Wendy S.

December 4, 2001
RNY reporting in, I eat steak all the time, ithout a problem. Had it first around a month post op with mashed potatoes, gravy, and a few peas with a bite of my wifes sherbert. I like mine blood rare..
   — bob-haller

December 4, 2001
Early on best cut into pencil eraser sized bits.
   — bob-haller

December 4, 2001
I ate steak at about 3-4 weeks. No problem. Then again I can eat almost anything and don't have to chew particularly well. We're all different! After you get released to regular foods it's best to just try what you want and if it makes you sick then wait a while and try it again. You'll eventually figure out what works for you and what doesn't.
   — ctyst




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