@0pko0 @becsbuddy

I started on foods by slowly replacing amounts of formula with baby food consistency foods (see attached photo.. it has written on it what the food is. .. it was put through a food processor.. I only ate about 6 spoons of that food). I drank Carnation Instant Breakfast (I did the bottles that were high protein). Protein helps with energy. I crushed medications that were crushable and put them in applesauce to get down. I have as many medications as possible either chewable, liquid or a patch. I still take Flintstone vitamins… I don't like the gummies. … make sure you have vitamin-d checked. It helps get all the other vitamins to work.

I had a gastric bypass (not for weight loss, but hiatal hernia).. so could not eat much to begin with and really had to take it slow. I ate something every 2-3 hours during the day. When you eat often you are never hungry. I eventually had my formula overnight, which freed me from the bag during the day. As time went on I went to soft cooked veggies and fruits and chewed well and swallowed.. and tender, juicy meats. Then no formula at night. I had to maintain weight for .. I think it was six weeks before they would remove the feed tube.

I now eat something every 2-4 hours. Our bigger meal is at midday. I can eat about 1 1/2 cups of food. I make it more veggies than meat because they are easier to swallow than meat. Some meats need sauce or gravy to make them easier to swallow. Veggies and fruits are cooked tender. I am still to eat no raw fruits and veggie other than ripe banana. I might could do avocado, but I am not fond of them. Not all foods taste the same as it used to. My husband had errands to run yesterday so dinner was take-out.. Carter's fried chicken. He got him a fried chicken breast and me fried livers. .. which still taste good to me. I had macaroni and cheese and fried okra for sides. So I have come a long way 🥳 . I don't eat that way often. My digestive system does not always react well to fried food. Carter's fried food are not very greasy.

I have the most trouble swallowing white potatoes no matter how they are cooked.. even soupy mashed. Rice is another one I have trouble with. Strange is I can eat fried rice with no difficulty. Breads are hit and miss.. some I can and some not.I have eaten a lot of eggs for protein.

It is a slow process and a dietician may be needed to help.

ZeeGee