Question:
How long was it before you were able to eat salad and other types of vegetables?

I am wanting to know when I can eat salads and both raw and cooked vegetables such as squash, green beans, broccoli, carrots.    — Jackie S. (posted on September 8, 2003)

September 8, 2003
My surgeon didn't allow me to try ANY vegetables until I was 1 month post-op.
   — HelpMeRhonda !!

September 8, 2003
1 month for some items. We were told to stay away from carrots until 3 mos. I am 5 mos out and have a small salad from time to time. When I eat just veggies, I have a prtien shake that day to supplement my intake.
   — M B.

September 8, 2003
At 6 weeks I was able to re-add raw vegetables. I was able to add soft cooked vegetables at 3-4 weeks out. They asked me to not do raw broccoli and cauliflower until I was at least 6 months out because they are difficult to digest. One guideline I was given on raw veggies was to remove the peels to aid in digestion.
   — Cathy S.

September 8, 2003
p.s. I used a vegetable processor on carrots to shred them very finely and was about to do them at 6 weeks out. Shredded carrots with a little balsamic vinegar over them is yummy.
   — Cathy S.

September 8, 2003
What does your surgeon's diet say? Everyone is different...in my case, we were eating mushy soft veggies when we moved to soft foods at about 3 weeks post-op. Salad, with soft veggies (tomato, mushroom, onion, hard boiled egg, kidney beans etc) was at 5 weeks post-op and the crunchy veggies at 6 weeks post-op. As with any new food introduced, eat slow, chew very well, and if it settles OK, you can move to the next.
   — Cindy R.

September 8, 2003
Every surgeon/nutritionist seems to have differing ideas. Our surgeon allowed lettuce/tomato salads at 3 weeks, with the addition of raw, crunchy veggies at 6 weeks. Softer veggies, such as cooked squash, green beans, carrots, etc...were allowed at 3 weeks as well. Best wishes!
   — Diana T.

September 9, 2003
I was six weeks out before trying veggies that were raw... cooked I had during the pureed stage! Raw veggies I could not really tolerate well until I was 12-14 months out! Cooked veggies, as long as it wasn't broccoli or califlower, I did fine with though! Every one is different, just go slow and see what your tummy tolerates!
   — Sharon m. B.