I realize at 2 weeks and 2 days post op It’s waaaay too early, but I am BIG time (head) craving a fresh, delicious green salad. Wondering...will I ever get to eat a plentiful green salad again? Since lettuce is largely water, I’m hoping to hear Yes, as long as it is eaten slowly. And, if so, then “generally speaking”, about how long post op can a salad be tolerated??Thanks!

I was told nothing raw (including salad) until six months out.

It would be in your diet plan that your dietitian or surgeon gave you, since everyone's is different.

I've been craving one so badly as well, so I know the feeling.

1 hour ago, Lily66 said:

I realize at 2 weeks and 2 days post op It’s waaaay too early, but I am BIG time (head) craving a fresh, delicious green salad. Wondering...will I ever get to eat a plentiful green salad again?

Post-op diet recommendations differ a lot, so speak to your treatment team. I was cleared after 4 weeks for all foods (this time only 3 weeks). I tolerate raw vegetables just fine.

It will depend on how well you tolerate lettuce and whatever else you put in your salad, once you are on solid food of course. However, the word "big" shouldn't apply any longer. You will be able to have salads but hopefully you won't be having big salads. I'm about 6 years out and still find them uncomfortable if it is too big (about 1 cup of lettuce should be enough). And my "too big" is so different from before surgery! lol You will have a lot of cravings in the beginning, then they dsappear for a while as you are on solid foods. And then they come back. lol.

Be careful!! I ate a house salad and had diarrhea 6 months out!

You probably won't be able to eat a big salad, however once you put it together, it will probably end up big. ?I know mine was. It took me a long time to figure out how much food to put on my plate. I am still learning. My eyes always seem to be bigger than my stomach.

Good luck with your journey.

i had a one inch by one inch piece to test it around 3-4 month s and was in pain. I handled 1/2 c of cooked spinach with an egg after 2 months. At 5-6 months i tried salad and it went well. Only about a half cup with protein mixed in. At 1 year around 1 - 1.5 with protein, cheese tomatoes etc mixed in.

I eat salad a lot. But I was probably 4-6 months out before I could eat them. Raw vegetables can be really tough on some people's stomachs.

My idea of salad at 6 months out, is half a piece of iceberg lettuce, 2 cherry tomatoes and 2 slices of avocado. Especially since I'm focusing on eating protein first.

I realize at 2 weeks and 2 days post op It’s waaaay too early, but I am BIG time (head) craving a fresh, delicious green salad. Wondering...will I ever get to eat a plentiful green salad again? Since lettuce is largely Water, I’m hoping to hear Yes, as long as it is eaten slowly. And, if so, then “generally speaking”, about how long post op can a salad be tolerated?[emoji39]Thanks!

Heads up that you may still want salad but your body might not. Before surgery I LOVED salad, and dreamed of the day i could eat it again. Every time I've had it since (18 months out. Big/small, dressing or none etc) I throw up.

I can handle romaine leaves in a lettuce wrap with extra meat and have to break an unwich into 2 meals

Mmmm, salad. Romaine lettuce, a boiled egg chopped, chicken breast, avocado, cucumbers and bleu cheese or feta crumbles. Oh yeah and a few kalamata olives.

Maybe in September for my birthday meal, I'll be 6 months out. I hope me and salad can continue our relationship, I'd be devastated if we couldn't be together, lol!!!

36 minutes ago, Krimsonbutterflies said:

Mmmm, salad. Romaine lettuce, a boiled egg chopped, chicken breast, avocado, cucumbers and bleu cheese or feta crumbles. Oh yeah and a few kalamata olives.

Maybe in September for my birthday meal, I'll be 6 months out. I hope me and salad can continue our relationship, I'd be devastated if we couldn't be together, lol!!!

Yum, yum, yummy yum! YOUR salad contains all of my fave ingredients! I am not craving anything like greasy burger, fries, junk...craving good, clean, healthy food but MUST be patient. Thanks for the journey in my mind with those ingredients, tho! And yes, to so many who remind us to lose (at least adjust) this notion of BIG. Portion control is definitely my lesson presented. Thanks and love to all of you!

13 hours ago, Lily66 said:

Yum, yum, yummy yum! YOUR salad contains all of my fave ingredients! I am not craving anything like greasy burger, fries, junk...craving good, clean, healthy food but MUST be patient. Thanks for the journey in my mind with those ingredients, tho! And yes, to so many who remind us to lose (at least adjust) this notion of BIG. Portion Control is definitely my lesson presented. Thanks and love to all of you!

What kind of salad dressing do you like?

My favorite is Bob's Big Boy Bleu Cheese or Roquefort, Trader Joe's Feta Salad dressing, Honey Mustard by Kraft or almost any vinaigrette. I pour the dressing on the side so I can dip and control the calories.

On a side note: I'm still thinking about a salad hours later, lol.

Edited March 29, 20206 yr by Krimsonbutterflies

4 hours ago, Krimsonbutterflies said:

What kind of Salad Dressing do you like?

My favorite is Bob's Big Boy Bleu cheese or Roquefort, Trader Joe's Feta Salad dressing, Honey Mustard by Kraft or almost any vinaigrette. I pour the dressing on the side so I can dip and control the calories.

On a side note: I'm still thinking about a salad hours later, lol.

Mmmmm, girlfriend you KNOW good food! All of those sound delish and I would enjoy!! Most often, I prefer a vinaigrette with crumbled bleu, Roquefort or Feta. For the past few years I’ve worked with Ken’s Steakhouse Lite Northern Italian with Basil & Romano. It’s very adaptable in a nice light way. Only 45 calories per 2 tbls., 1 Carb, 0 Sugar.

Just now, Lily66 said:

Mmmmm, girlfriend you KNOW good food! All of those sound delish and I would enjoy!! Most often, I prefer a vinaigrette with crumbled bleu, Roquefort or Feta. For the past few years I’ve worked with Ken’s Steakhouse Lite Northern Italian with Basil & Romano. It’s very adaptable in a nice light way. Only 45 calories per 2 tbls., 1 Carb, 0 Sugar.

I think we all know/knew good food too well, lol ???!!!! Your salad dressing is worth a try, definitely as a marinade for chicken or shrimp, as well as a salad dressing.

Thank you

At 1 month post op, I was told I can eat anything (healthy of course) that my stomach could tolerate. Water and protein first... but then veggies were slowly re-introduced. I actually did quite well with firm veggies pretty early on, but lettuces took months for me to be able to tolerate! I think maybe 4.5 months? I could even eat celery before lettuce believe it or not!. Anyway... once permitted, try soft veggies first and slowly increase to firmer ones. Anything you don't tolerate, set aside and then try again in a few weeks. I sometimes enjoy a good salad now, but I don't eat them too frequently yet.