I WANT EVERYONE TO REPLY!!!

Hey Mike, Im craving a salad so badly! I am seeing my surgeon next week and hopefully he will clear me for fresh veggies! With love, Em

I can do salads. I had a little antipasto salad with once piece of meat filled ravioli and it was delicious. I prefer romaine as it seems to break up easier when we chew chew chew and it is better for you nutritionally. Kell

Hi there Mike!!!! I'm 6 weeks out and stuggling lately. I went through a bout with the flu/virus and am finally back to normal. I have a LOT of trouble with hamburger. If I brown it myself and make sure it's very fine, I can do it... but to take a bite of a burger, I get really sick. Have you tried Boca burgers? I'm the last one who would try these, and I LOVE them. They have one with cheese in it that's wonderful! High in protein too! I make mini meatloaves with 1/2 hamburger and 1/2 turkey and make them in muffin tins. I can eat about 1/2 of one with a little mashed potatoes and a few green beans on the side. It's nice to feel like I'm having a real 'meal'. I'm severly craving salads, lettuce, raw carrots, raw cucumber - all with ranch dressing! I tried a few little bites, and chewed really well, but it didn't sit the greatest. I'm going to try again over the weekend. I have a little pasta here and there - I make sure it's REALLY well cooked, and throw some parmesean cheese on it - it's a great comfort food for me. Seems like my pouch always will settle down with a little of this. Many times for snacks I eat thin sliced deli meats with a little cream cheese spread on them, maybe throw on a couple sliced olives and roll it up. Filling and gets some protein in. You're doing great!!!! Katie S. Open RNY 9/21/04 380/342/180 -38

WOW! Thanks everyone for all of the quick replys! I hope all of the replys will be helpful to others who were wondering the same thing. Over the weekend, I think I am going to try some pasta and some salad. I'll just keep my fingers crossed! Good luck to everyone and HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Thanks again, Mike

Mike I just read your post and I might have some advice for you. My dietician told me now that I am able to eat more things that a protein shake could be cut down to maybe 2 a week. I am eating lots of meat, but as far as the hamburger goes I have only tried turkey burgers and they are great. I have eaten my share of salad and done very well with it. If you want to try pasta use the egg noodles, instead of the regular noodles. I also have been eating Low Fat cottage cheese. very good in protein. As far as bread I have been eating very sparingly Low Carb Tortilla's very good with some shredded chicken and black olives and Low Fat shredded cheese."jump" I hope I have helped in some kind of way. Good Luck Peggy

I am 7 weeks post op and about 45 pounds lost. I have been given permission to eat whatever my stomach can handle.... the downside, it doesn't handle much... what I have discovered though is that the grease used outside my home is NASTY!!! As someone above mentioned, if I brown the meat myself, I have no problems; but if I eat meat out, I can handle maybe one or two bites then it is time to find the restroom. Something else I have discovered is that I cannot ride in a car too soon after eating. My stomach becomes upset and I have terrible bouts of burps. My favorite food or food of "ease" is home browned beef with some taco or chili seasoning with some grated mild cheddar on top. Tastes good, sits well, and easy to reheat without losing/changing taste. I have my next check-up in a few days and at that time I change from children chewable vitamins to adult vitamins. I will also begin my B-12 regimine as well as close monitoring of my protein intake. Anyway, hope this helps. Again, as someone else mentioned, usually there are already good answers, so I typically just lurk and learn, but since you asked for all to respond, this is mine ~Lowery

im 6 weeks out and i love salad have NP with it at all (c: i also eat burger meat a few biten never bother me (c:

Every doctor/program is different. My husband and I are on 'protein only' diets. We don't get veggies until 11/20/04. Plus, we have no idea when we will be able to have pasta, rice, bread, or lettuce again. Oh.. and no red meat for 6 months (we'll 4.5 now) - that's the hardest since we both love cow. I suggest talking with your program coordinator. christina

I'm guilty - I view to see what people have to say but have never replied. I'm about five weeks out and down 47 pounds(307 to 260). I tolerate salad great (its one of the best things to eat for me) but it was scary the first time I tried it because I had heard similar things about it being tough to tolerate. I've had trouble with mashed potatoes,bread and eggs and I am unable to take more than a few bites of meat unless it is shredded in soup. I was never able to tolerate the protein drinks (the smell made me nauseus post-surgery) so I try to get my protein in by eating yogurt, milk, meat, nuts and popcorn. I have never dumped but try everything slowly to see how it works out. I get chest pain (like getting a pill stuck in your throat) if I eat to fast or take too big of a bite or if something is just to heavy for me and it makes me slow down----fast!

Hello Mike... I'm one of those people guilty of viewing posts and rarely replying...sorry. Anyhow, regarding salads...pre-surgery they were one of my favorite meals. About 3 weeks ago I started having a few bites of salad from different restaurants and I did well. One tip though, at least from my experience, stick to crunchy lettuces like iceberg. I tried a salad at home made with red leaf lettuce and it was horrible...just wouldn't go down. Won't try that again for a long while. Also, I've had cheeseburgers, brats, hot dogs, etc. The only caution is to eat mostly meat and very little bun. For me, if I eat too much bun with the meat, I get nausea something fierce. Of course, it's different for everyone. Good luck! Christine 50 pounds gone forever!! RNY: Sept. 10, 2004