Hard to eat soft foods..please advise!

[jfhartrph 0]

Hi! I am 3weeks post op and moved to the puréed/soft food stage on Friday. I first tried small curd cottage cheese, and it did pretty well. Today, I tried chicken salad that I made yesterday. I mixed the chicken in the mini-chopper....sooooo finely shredded/chopped....and made it super soft with mayo. Both times I tried it, it was painful moving through my chest. I chewed it so much it that it practically dissolved in my mouth. Now, I just want to go back to yogurt and those full liquids that didn't give me so much discomfort. Any ideas?? How long does this last? What should I do?

[savannalila1 19]

Im on this stage too...lets see I have had the chicken puree also n I have to say it went down with a fight. I just had a veggie hotdog lol no bun and it went down awesome. I have had Water refried Beans and that was ok..I had egg whites n that was kinda tough. Yogurt is good..it really has been a adventure. I am really excited because I can drink a small coffee now.I like bananas n a small amount of Peanut Butter. I am curious what others will say to eat..good luck..its been day by day

[luwells 4]

Hi, well I'm not far ahead of you, but I have read if its uncomfortable then go back to your liquids or yogurts/protein shakes. Try again in a few days. Good Luck.

[luwells 4]

coffee? I can't have coffee yet. Only decaff and couldn't drink much of it. Going to try it again though.

[savannalila1 19]

Yeah I have read that too..I think I eat fast too. I feel myself struggling with not drinking when I eat and eatting too fast. I eat with my two young girls n I focus on them and for forget about me.

[MissErika 65]

Yeah I have read that too..I think I eat fast too. I feel myself struggling with not drinking when I eat and eatting too fast. I eat with my two young girls n I focus on them and for forget about me.

Think about you too! I had to keep a timer at the table at first and time two-five minutes in between bites and 60 second chewing. It was annoying but worth it. Chew chew chew and do not reach for a drink. Also use a baby spoon/fork - it definitely helped me. If you still have problems then go back to yogurt and foods you can tolerate for a week and try again, as others have said already.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

Three months out here and I cannot do chicken, turkey or ham. I love(d) chicken, turkey and ham. :sob:

[DallasSleeve 30]

I was not able to really eat anything (except yogurt and over easy eggs) for almost 8 weeks- it's different for everyone, but just because you are cleared for pureed/soft foods doesn't mean they will go down easy. If it doesn't go well the first time, try again the next week. I literally woke up at 8 weeks able to eat pretty much anything and MUCH more of it- I can't decide if that's a good thing or a bad thing