Not ready for prime time meatballs

Alas.  I have only been on soft foods about 4 days, so I'm very early into it. So far I have done pretty well, eating fish, crab, deli meat, pudding, peanut butter and egg beaters. Last night I got a little wild & crazy, so I thought I'd get some homemade meatballs, very yummy. Soft enough to cut with a fork. I put 2 very soft cauliflower florets with it, for extra moisture.  Oh, yum! 

I shouldn't have eaten that.  Ugh. I chewed and chewed and chewed some more. Swallow, swallow, swallow. Oh heck. I got the first half down, but the second half got stuck. And stayed stuck for about 2 hours. I took a few small sips of water to try to float it down a bit and that seemed to  help. At least i didin't throw up. But the pain under my breastbone was really something.

Cross meatballs off my list (and hamburger and meat loaf and every other kind of beef for the foreseeable future!)

Pain under the breastbone makes me think that you may have triggered a spasm. Do you have a prescription for an antispasmodic? If not, you might want to ask for one. Switching back to solids can be tricky if you have spasms. It sure was for me!

To early for meat, even if it was just a meatball.  Seems like so many want to jump to it as partially symbolic of the foods they gave up.  Best to leave the red meat out for several months.

I'm 3 months out and haven't had any beef or eggs. They seem to be the foods most people run into trouble with.  I still don't have any room for veggies..all protein. I did well with canned albacore tuna, cottage cheese and non-fat greek yogurt with some Torani vanilla. I also bought some PB2 peanut butter powder..it has 85% fewer calories than regular peanut butter,  and is pretty tasty added to my Isopure zero carb protein powder.  Some people have issues with dairy after surgery so keep an eye on that. 

I'm 5 weeks out, and have not tried any red meat at all. I have had eggs, and they went down good. I have found the Egg Beaters goes down easier than real eggs. On Wednesday the 29th (my birthday) is when I'll be cleared for all foods. But I think I will still stay clear of red meat. I didn't eat it much before surgery either, so not a big deal. Good  luck to you!

On my program, I couldn't have beef or por****il 3 months post-op.  It's a bit harder to digest than chicken and seafood.  Even chicken was challenging for me at first.  So sorry you had pain. 

best wishes,

Carol

Don't despair...it was probably just too early for you to be trying beef yet.   Give it another month or two and try again.  I couldn't do beef either this early out.  

Yeah, I agree with all of the above. Just too early. My surgeon didn't restrict me from any foods, just said they had to be soft enough to cut with a fork. Well, I think I'll stick with egg beaters and fish for now. I'm going to make a little egg salad later, but I'm going to whip the heck out of it.

at 5 months out I still have trouble with meatballs. I avoid them.

My plan doesn't allow any beef until 6 months due to how hard it is to digest.

 I am almost 3 months out and just tried Jennie O Turkey Meatballs.  Serving size is two, but I can only eat one right now.  They are yummy, sit well, and stay with me a long time.