@berttiec
Welcome to Mayo Connect and this group and congregation on your weight loss. You do not necessary need meat, but your do need protein.

When your diet is restricted due to surgery, you need to look for alternative forms of protein. If allowed Puréed Food, here are some alternative protein sources. Everyone is different in what they can tolerate.

You could also check with your care team about what you are allowed.

I found this list of Protein Sources on a web site:
• Yogurt (plain or sugar free, low or nonfat, blended without fruit chunks)
• Strained cream soups (celery, potato, mushroom, or chicken made with skim milk)
• Skim milk with ½ scoop protein powder
• Protein supplements added to food or water for extra protein
• Mashed cottage cheese (low or nonfat, small curd)
• Ricotta cheese (low or nonfat)
• Scrambled eggs or egg substitute
• Puréed beef, chicken, or turkey
• Baby food meats
• White fish (cod, haddock, tilapia, orange roughy) mashed with a fork
• Canned chicken breast, mashed and moist
• Canned tuna fish in water, mashed

Do you have a dietitian or nutritionist on your care team that can help you with ideas for protein?