Solids Stage Ideas

[lisamarie00]

I am two days until I can eat solids and I was wondering if some of you can share a sample menu of what you ate the first week after the liquid diet. Can you eat anything or does it depend on the person? I am nervous and wanted to hear some of your experiences.

Lisa

[1rod47]

LIsa, hang in there 2 more days. it will pass quickly. You will probaby not have problems w/ any foods untill after the 2nd or 3rd fill.

Now is the time to practice your eating habits, Small Bites, Eat slowly and chew chew chew. I just had my first fill and I can eat just about anything I could pre op. The problems come when your fill is just right and you have restriction. You have to watch what you eat and use Will Power for just a little while longer. First fill is between 6 & 8 weeks post op.

Best of luck to ya. congrats on your life changing decision =D> =D>

[Kittycat]

Just two more days to go!! Whoo hoo!!!

I suggest you start with easy foods, mashed potatoes, fish, chili, maybe a fajita or quesadita...small bites, chew well and you will find out soon enough if you have post op restriction.

Take it easy, don't go nuts with chicken or beef.

Enjoy!!

[lisamarie00]

Just two more days to go!! Whoo hoo!!!

I suggest you start with easy foods, mashed potatoes, fish, chili, maybe a fajita or quesadita...small bites, chew well and you will find out soon enough if you have post op restriction.

Take it easy, don't go nuts with chicken or beef.

Enjoy!!

Thanks for the help....I will go ahead with soft foods at first. Thanks Again~

[JazzyJude]

Hi Lisa,

I was anxious for my first day of solid foods, like all of us are, but was so nervous because I wanted to make sure I eat the right things.

Like Rod and Cathy said, this is the time to start learning the proper way of eating, and choosing you food carefully. You want to progress yourself. I started out with an egg omelet with bacon and cheese (and I still do have that once a day - good source of proteins). For lunch, I had chicken that was moist (just baked chicken in the oven and half way through, used foil on top of the chicken to retain moisture). For dinner, I had steak and beans.

You can basically have anything you want in moderation, of course. Just remember to get in your proteins and keep your calories between 1200 to 1500.

CHEW, CHEW, CHEW...I can't stress this enough, because when you start getting your fills, I am hearing that you need to take tiny bites and chew the dickens out of them to have a pleasant, successful meal. I've been on solids for two weeks and it's a good thing for me now.

[lisamarie00]

Hi Lisa,

I was anxious for my first day of solid foods, like all of us are, but was so nervous because I wanted to make sure I eat the right things.

Like Rod and Cathy said, this is the time to start learning the proper way of eating, and choosing you food carefully. You want to progress yourself. I started out with an egg omelet with bacon and cheese (and I still do have that once a day - good source of proteins). For lunch, I had chicken that was moist (just baked chicken in the oven and half way through, used foil on top of the chicken to retain moisture). For dinner, I had steak and beans.

You can basically have anything you want in moderation, of course. Just remember to get in your proteins and keep your calories between 1200 to 1500.

CHEW, CHEW, CHEW...I can't stress this enough, because when you start getting your fills, I am hearing that you need to take tiny bites and chew the dickens out of them to have a pleasant, successful meal. I've been on solids for two weeks and it's a good thing for me now.

Thanks Jazzy. Do you have any restriction before the first fill? Do you feel full sooner?

[JazzyJude]

Oh yes Lisa, I do feel full. I do have some restriction but I am driven and strict on myself too. I literally have 3/4 cup or less of good food choices per meal. Yes, I weigh my food after they are cooked. My measuring cups have never been used so much as they do now! LOL

You see, I 'imagine' I have a fill already...so I tell myself I only have so much room to eat and I better choose the right food to make me full the longest. So far, I don't have the hunger quest that everyone is talking about before their first fill...BUT, I do continue to take those chewable Fiber Choice and the Benefiber EVERY day. They help curb my appetite and my rotor rooter problem.

[lisamarie00]

Oh yes Lisa, I do feel full. I do have some restriction but I am driven and strict on myself too. I literally have 3/4 cup or less of good food choices per meal. Yes, I weigh my food after they are cooked. My measuring cups have never been used so much as they do now! LOL

You see, I 'imagine' I have a fill already...so I tell myself I only have so much room to eat and I better choose the right food to make me food the longest. So far, I don't have the hunger quest that everyone is talking about before their first fill...BUT, I do continue to take those chewable Fiber Choice and the Benefiber EVERY day. They help curb my appetite and my rotor rooter problem.

Great advice...I will do the same. I was at a social event on the weekend and could not eat and they had all kinds of food. But, I was amazed at others' plates, they were piled high. And I thought to myself...that was me a month ago. I can certainly say, I will never pile food on a plate like that ever again, thanks to the band. I am going to try the 3/4 of a cup for the time before my fill. Thanks again for sharing.

[jhawkchick75]

I was at a dinner meeting tonight and my only option was pizza. I had one slice and it took me almost 45 minutes to eat because I took tiny bites and chewed really good. Really trying to get in the habit now.

I do have a question though...how do you know if you are full? It's such a different feeling than what full used to be. I think I am full - does that mean having a tightness in your chest? I think i'm full, but I also don't want to be hungry two hours later. I really don't want to be eating all the time b/c I know that isn't the way we should do it. Just three major meals and a snack if needed. I know it is probably different for everyone, but please let me know how you all tell you are full.

[JazzyJude]

...AND speaking of a plate full, there is another tip too I have heard others do and so do I.

I bought myself a nice place setting for myself - a child's setting. We are so use to having a regular plate or bowl FULL of food. So, using a child's size plate or bowl will hold my "3/4 cup" of food really nicely and it DOES FILL up my whole plate/bowl! So, visually, I do have a FULL plate of food just a smaller portion! See what I am talking about? I am using a child's serving size verses the logic of an adult's serving on myself and it's working just great!!

I will do whatever it takes to have this band work with me...and I don't care what other people are thinking or saying either...it's MY life!

[JazzyJude]

Shelby - I love your new picture!!!

OK, for me I just kept with the rule of no more than 3/4 cup of food per meal. The trick of the trade is to make sure you are drinking your liquids daily and drink up to the moment of you eating your meal. And no drinking until after one hour from your last bite of food.

Use the standard portions as 3 oz of meat, 1/4 cup veggie, 1/4 cup rice/potato/fruit/bread. So far, I can get my meat and veggie in but can't finish my starch/carb. If you practice this rule, you will be fine. I personally take the new chewable Fiber Choice tablets and the Benefiber powder every day to help with the hunger quest and cleansing your rotor rooter job (smile). This really helps me and I rarely have snacks because of them.

Hope this helps!