I was wondering if some recent post-ops and veterans could give some input here.

I was told last night by my WL center that post-op, fruits should be peeled and veg must be roasted, boiled, sauteed, etc to make soft.

I can certainly understand this for when the solid food phase is intro'd and even a few months out after that. But is this common practice forever when sleeved? Is this advice so that skins or crunchy veggies do not get stuck or remain undigested? Is it because of the "chew" factor, that some people won't break down material good enough while chewing?

Having to do this makes me hesitant on the surgery, because I love fresh fruit and veg (carrots, apples, peaches, peppers, cukes, celery, etc). Peeling and softening loses nutrients and Fiber. I'm concerned about this. I don't mind pounding the Protein, but a little variety with healthy FRESH veggies would be good I would think?

I am 12 weeks out and I love grapes. I've been eating them for weeks unpeeled. I chew them well and I have no issues. Lately, I've been loving raw brocolli and no problems. I say as long as you go slow in trying new fruits/veggies, cut them smaller and chew well, you will be fine. If you try it and it doesn't work for you, wait a few weeks and try again.

That is absolutely not a forever thing. I'm 9 months post-op & I have been eating fruit with skins (like apples) & fresh veggies for what seems like forever now. In the beginning of post-op it seems like forever before things will be "normal" again. Rest assured that fresh fruits & veggies will again be a part of your daily diet. I have an apple or grapes every day & raw, baby carrots dipped in hummus are a staple for me. The only problems I have had with digestion are when I try to eat something loaded with white sugar. Getting sleeved was the best decision that I ever made.

I've been eating cherries since a couple weeks out no problems...and refreshing ..also carrots spinach..cherry tomatoes... test small amounts chew well ..good luck!

I've been eating cherries since a couple weeks out no problems...and refreshing ..also carrots spinach..cherry tomatoes... test small amounts chew well ..good luck!

I have been doing fresh fruits and veggies for a couple of months. I introduced them slowly, so I would eat one for a few days and if I tolerated well I would move on to another. I eat small bites, chew a lot and eat slowly. The only ones I didn't seem to tolerate were gen apples and banana's.

What about finely diced celery? How long before you can add that to tuna, chicken and egg salads?

As the others have said definitely not a forever thing, and like so many things what different surgeons recommend varies greatly. My surgeon didn't say anything like thins, once I was able to do solid foods at about 1 month out he said to eat any fruits and vegetables I could handle but to just take them slow at first to make sure I could handle them. I am currently 9 months out and can eat anything I choose to, the key is to make the best choices though. Good Luck.

I was sleeved January 4th, 2013 and by this time last year I was at about 50% Fruits and veggies, raw and cooked.

I am, since January, about 80% raw veggies. A little bit of everything, generally organic and seasonal. Nuts and berries too, in moderation.

What I have found, this far out, is I no longer want the foods I ate. I just want what will make me feel good and hydrated and provide calories and Vitamins, minerals and yes protien (10% roughly would be meat, lean).

My breakdown, I think:

85-88% raw veggies/fruit (including melon, nuts, roots)

2-5% cooked veggies, leguemes,

NO GRAINS

NO REFINED SUGARS

10% meats

I do not count calories at all. The only thing I actively monitor is Water, sleep, and make sure I get a variey of colors, which means I am covering all my nutrients and such.

I think it depends on the person. In my support group there was a lady there that is still (years out) not able to do fresh veggies. Don't remember about fruit.

The fruits and veggies are what I miss most right now. I love a nice fresh salad but I simply can't do it. Plus I don't have enough room for veggies that often.

I am only 2 weeks into my 4 weeks of a liquid diet post op. I have use my vitamix to purée my veggies so I can drink it through a straw. Actually, it became a gazpacho for me. What a great taste. I also took a banana and puréed it into a vanilla protein shake. I addd some pb2 and skim milk. Again, what a great taste. As long I as I can drink it through a straw, I'm good to go.

Thanks everyone for your replies, much appreciated. It's good to see such a variety experiences and options.

Yes, the bottom line is everyone is different and will handle foods differently. I kind of figured that, but it sort of bothered me to hear from a "pro" at my WL center that peeling and softening should be the norm instead of saying "try to introduce different fresh and healthy veg and fruit back into your diet to see what you can handle" etc. So I'm glad to hear that's not the case.

Cheers

Yes peeling the fruit is the reason that we just don't chew it well enough and for Vegs if your are concerned about not getting g the nutrients. Use a blender and chop them very very fine as the new stomache cannot break them down yet

I would definitely miss salads. My dr requires no fresh fruits or veggies for 8 weeks. Then as tolerated. Im 5 wks in and looking forward to my Red Robin avo cobbo salad in 3 wks...

Anyone try watermelon ?

I would definitely miss salads. My dr requires no fresh fruits or veggies for 8 weeks. Then as tolerated. Im 5 wks in and looking forward to my Red Robin avo cobbo salad in 3 wks...

I'm almost 10 weeks and tried shaved cabbage. It was a tough ride down my tummy. So go slow when you do try new veggies again.