Salads

I'm starving for a salad. But I will only be 5 weeks post op as of tomorrow. So that I know is to soon to have one. When did everyone start eating a salad again? I think (if I can find it) my blue bible wants us to wait till we are 4 months out. That's a long time and I could really use the roughage (constipation). I already had one bad experience with the chicken so I want to be really careful on this.

I had a salad when I was exactly 5 weeks post-op. It was my first "normal food". Dr Fang released me to be able to eat anything as of 5 weeks post-op (No restrictions-- within reason). I had that book, but it's only a guide... Dr Fang let me go onto regular food much sooner than the book. Not sure what Juarez does...

I am a Dr. Juarez patient and I started salads at 4 months. Believe me, I was dying for a salad. It was so good I ate salad for three days. Like Darlene, I did not end up following the "guide" either. I was on soft foods at two weeks.

It's not like I didn't follow the book... Dr Fang didn't LOL. When I had my 4 week follow up, he told me that when I was 5 weeks post-op I could move onto eating regular food. I was a little surpised (Happy but surprised)... I even questioned him, did I need to wait for steak & salad/raw veggies... and he told me no, I could move on and eat anything. I never had any issues... raw veggies never made me sick, salad sat just fine... ive never had any food problems.

I love Dr. Fang. He was the doctor I saw who discharged me from the hospital. He had a very funny answer when I asked him about getting all my protein in. MY PERSONAL opinion I think Dr.Juarez can be a little more strict. Next week I will be 6 weeks post op and can slowly introduce regular food. It will be so hard to wait 4 months for a salad. I may see how I do on regular food and then call and asked him about salads. You're right Darlene. That blue book is more of a guide. I am just really craving a salad and vegetables.

Hi Becky: Thank you for replying. How are you doing?

Becky, did you start the soft foods on your own? After one week of liquids I am ready to float away.

HI Gina: Both Becky and I have Dr.Juarez, same as you, but I too was put on purree foods at TWO weeks. I would ask Dr. Juarez first. The first week or so your tummy is very sore and you need to be very careful. To this day if I have a bad day (like when I ate the chicken) the next day I go back to a liquid diet to help my stomach. So far that has worked well.

Well, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that tomorrow he is as receptive. So far the liquids have not been a problem so I'm anticipating the same with soft food. This board is so much help. Ty TY TY TY Gina

I had a two week follow up appointment and at that time Dr. Juarez told me that I could start on soft foods. The only problem I had was being too full in the evenings to eat dinner, so I started eating soup for dinner for awhile. It went down easier and I was able to eat something to get in my protein and nutrients. Everyone is different so just be patient and it will all work out.