Question:
Isn't jerky too dry and tough to eat post-op?

I will be having my surgery June 8th and have been reading many of your questions and answers. I have read a number of entries regarding eating jerky. I would think that this would be too dry and too tough. AT what stage of being post-op can you start to eat jerky?    — Lisa B. (posted on May 28, 2004)

May 28, 2004
I started out about 6 mos. out eating Jerky. I got the Jack Links brand at Wal-Mart. Make sure you get the all beef type and not the "formed" jerky because it has a lot of fat in it. Then I tried the Wal-Mart Pepper Brand and like it better and have been eating it ever since. I take my kitchen sheers and cut up a couple of ounces of it and put it in a small snack bag for work and use it as a snack. Yes, it takes a long time to chew it to get it down to where you can safely swallow it, but what I buy is not dry and tough and it's a staple for me. The brand I get is 80 calories an ounce and 11 grams of protein per ounce. Great way to satisfy that need to chew and get some protein in as well.
   — Cathy S.

May 28, 2004
I am 1 month post op and I had some recently, of course I bought the nuggets, they are really soft and I bit off a tiny bit at a atime, 3 little nuggets were my dinner for a couple of nights. Just try to get kinds that are really tender. Beef Jerky is my addiction, so Im glad I can tolerate it. No problems at all.
   — [Deactivated Member]

May 28, 2004
i am 6 weeks post-op and i have been having it just this past week with no trouble! although i chew it very well. turkey jerky is great - seems to be more moist and easy to handle.
   — Laura H.

May 28, 2004
I'm 5 weeks post op and have eaten it for over 1 week. No problems whatsoever. As with anything, chew chew chew. Good luck
   — jenn a

May 28, 2004
When I was a "newer" post-op 3-6 weeks, I chewed beef jerky, but was afraid to swallow it. But the flavor is satisfying and it helps to get some much needed strength back - swallowing is fine as long as you chew it well in small bites - if you're getting tough jerky, it might be stale.
   — Anna M.

May 29, 2004
I probably wouldn't try it until you're at least a month or two post, and you're already sure that you can handle beef and some spice OK. They can also be kinda high in fat, so read your labels. ONe alternative I like is turkey jerky, which is lower in fat. Trust me, with all the spices, you can't tell the difference. When you decide you're up to trying it, remember to chew the bejesus out of it. I think a lot of us love our jerky so much because not only is it protein, but we have to chew it so much, for so long, it gives our mouth something to do and makes us feel like we're eating more.
   — christied

May 30, 2004
I actually started at day eight (right after the first week liquid diet). No I was SUPPOSED to be eating pureed foods. But what is pureed food? Is'nt it liquid anyway? So why does it matter if it is blended in a blender or chewed to liquid in my mouth? It should'nt. I chewed the daylights out of it. I sucked and savored the beef jerky juices... by the time the flavor was almost gone it was liquid. I only ate about a thumb size (flat) piece at a time and waited 15 minutes to see if I could tollerate it. It is always best to treat new foods with respect. And probally NEVER TRY ANYTHING NEW unless you are alone. I remember trying Long Johns Silvers batter coated fish as a new post op. I puked up white foam all over the stering wheel... very embarassing. Be careful and be discrete. lol
   — Danmark