Advice anyone???

Okay, I am suppose to wait 6 months post op to have raw and leafy veggies. My 6 months will be up in April. I am wanting a salad sooooo bad. I can't believe of all foods in the world, all I want is a salad! Especially cucumbers. So, my question is, should I really wait for April, or can I try it now? Has anyone had raw veggies before 6 months and if so, how did you do? Thanks for your help. Hugs, Sherry

I did not have a 6 month restriction. I was just told to start slowly. Spinach salad stays down okay, iceburg lettuce not so much. Cucumbers work fine as long as I don't eat the peel. However, beware the burps! Raw carrots, only if shredded. Cole slaw has been my craving lately. I make it with finely shredded cabbage, lite mayo, vinegar and splenda. It works fine. Best wishes on your salad trials. Annette

Ok first the "you know it had to be said" part : you should always go by what your surgeon tells you to do. Ok with that said lol. I eat raw veggies daily!! In fact I am sitting here eating an avocado, tomato, basil, dill, parsley with balsamic vinegar salad as I type lol. I have eaten carrots ( actually more now then before surgery since my tummy loves them) and Sugar Snap Peas. I tried lettuce and it doesn't like me. I tried it just a week ago or so and it still doesn't like me so I avoid it. Which is fine since lol I like other veggies better. I always make sure I get my 90 grams of protein in, in a day though or out go the veggies. Did they tell you WHY you cant have them till 6 months out? You might give them a holler and see if its ok. My guess is its probably so you will get your protein in first ( again a guess) so you might be able to tell them you are getting your protein and would just like to add it. *huggles* Felicia

I've been eating salads for over a month now. I love to make a chicken caesar salad with romaine lettuce hearts. I asked my nurse about how much salad and she said I could have a good bit of it because when you chew it, it breaks down to practically nothing. I love a good salad. I also do the mandarin chicken salad from Wendy's and eat the chicken and 1/3 of the salad one day and add Lois Rich Grilled Chicken strips to some another 1/3 of the salad the next day. YUMMY!!! I have not had any carrots or cukes, just because I have not bought them. I would think the cukes would be OK without the skin. I was not given any restrictions on veggies. Just get in your protein. Hope you can tolerate salad...keep us posted. Hugs, Tabby

I waited until I was in the stage 4 eating process and I couldn't wait to try salad! I ate just a little bit and I handled it just fine. I haven't tried raw veggies yet, but will probably do so in the next couple of weeks. Good luck!! Holly

Sherry, I eat cucumbers now. Either thin slices or small chunks with no seeds and seasoned rice vinegar on them. Sometimes the seeds are a bit much for me, on those days I just pop them out with my fork before eating. As far as other raw veggies. I avoid sugarsnap / snow peas like crazy as they were the cause of my first ever attack. I have had spinach salad (w/ lots of dressing). Yesterday I had asian chicken lettuce wraps w/ some very tender romain lettuce, it was ok, but I ended up removing the lettuce on the last wrap and eating the filling only just because.

Hi Sherry! First of all, my best advice is to follow your surgeon's orders. He obviously has reasons for this restriction. My surgeon didn't have that particular restriction. I've been eating salads for a couple of months now. Has to be baby spinach or other dark green lettuces. Can't eat iceburg....but as it has no nutritional value anyway, who wants it! I haven't tried cucumbers yet, but I would imagine they need to be peeled first. Hope this helps. Susan

Of course I am going to sound like a broken record but: Follow your surgeons advise first and fore most. Now..I had lettuce about 3 weeks ago and though I was going to die. I can eat a little of it now but not a lot same goes for cukes. Carrots I love. But protein is the most important thing for me and that is what I eat first and if I eat all that I can then I am usually full. Sometimes I will try a few veggies but no to many. I don't snack much either. Let us know how you do. Hugs,