I have been craving raw veggies like it is no ones business!!! I also want to have a salad. I typically use spinach instead of lettuce. How far out were you when you had your first salad or raw veggie?

I'm only a week out, but am allowed to try "textured vegetable proteins" (I'm still trying to decode that) now, and fruits/veggies as tolerated after 8 weeks.

I was at least two months out. Spinach is a more fiberous leaf than, say, ice burg or even romain. I started with the ice burg, then added romain, then added spinach and all the other fu fu lettuces. But, I started at about two months with severly blended tuna added. It was delicious. Oh yeah, blue cheese crumbles, too.

Yum

I can do the shredded carrots, but whole, raw carrots have to be chewed to a shredded form, so ... as long as you chew the raw veggies well, you'll be fine.

Textured Vegetable Proteins (TVP) is a vegetarian substitute for meat that's generally made from soy flour. www.livestrong.com/article/270264-what-is-textured-vegetable-protein-made-from

Oh, I didn't even put it together with "TVP" (which I'm familiar with). Thanks! No idea how I would possibly manage it at this stage, though - which is fine by me.

Does seem strange to be suggesting that you can have that already though. I'm not sleeved 'til 26 April but the literature that I got from the dietician recommends Clear liquids for first two weeks (I can hardly wait?!)

Hope you are keeping well. Looks like you've had a bit of a rough time having gone through a slipped band and removal last year. After all that you really DESERVE to be slim:))

I was allowed to slowly add raw fruits and veggies after 6 weeks.

I started on raw veggies a week ago...cant get enough of them. I am having a hard time keeping up with my protein cause all I want is veggies lately. I have eaten a bag of brussel sprouts, cooked tho, in the last four days. My body must be needing them since I have had mostly all protein the last 7 weeks huh?

My program includes clear liquids for the first two days, which were the days I was in the hospital.

Today opens up soft foods like deli meats and eggs but there's no way I can handle the volume yet. I'm sticking with greek yogurt, hummus, Protein pudding, refried Beans, etc. I'll expand once I can manage the basics.