First time eating out since surgery

Hi,  after not being able to eat or drink since last night due to gall bladder testing at the hospital.  Whi*****luded a ultrasound then a HidaScan that never really showed my gall bladder!!  and coming back again in a couple hours to see if I glowed better then (from 730-1pm)  crazy!!!

My sister and I went to Applebee's for my first time out since surgery on 5/27/09.  I was nervous and really studied the menu. I have been wanting a salad but afraid to eat one, so I chose the
California Shrimp Salad.  It had shrimp, bib lettuce, bacon,hard boiled egg, cherry tomatos, avacodo and dressed lightly with Avocado Dressing.

The shrimp and some egg were first with a small amount of lettuce the dressing was awesome!!

I had ordered the 1/2 salad and only ate about 1/3 of it...if that much.  But... I ATE OUT AT A PLACE, AND IT WAS AWESOME!!!!  I ordered water and drank it some before the meal came, then put it up....and got a to go dish for the rest of my salad. 

Just wanted to share, this was something I was very anxious about....and now I know I can have salad!!

Thanks for listening!!
jamie

Hi there. First off, congratulations on eating out! It was weird for me my first time also and I ended up just eating a cup of egg drop soup. Don't shoot me for bringing this up, but be careful of what you eat at some of the chain restaurants. For example, a full serving of the california shrimp salad has a whopping 70 grams of fat and is 860 calories.

Even though you see salad and think healthy, it not always is...

I use to eat these all the time before surgery and they were/are delicious, but i also fell into the trap of thinking I was eating healthy low fat food choices and I was not...

Next time, go with a grilled chicken breast with some veggies (if you have room in your pouch). Cant go wrong with that.

Hope this helps and congrats again on your first experience eating out after surgery.

I promise I won't shoot you,  .  I figured it would be high in fat due to the Avocados and the avocado dressing.  But having not been able to eat all day, I took the chance since avocados are a "good fat". I mainly ate the grilled shrimp and the hardboiled egg with a little lettuce. of a 1/2 salad

When I came home I looked up the stats on the salad, and found some better choices for next time.  I am gonna have to print out several menu item from different resturants to have in the truck with me, so I can make smart choices. 

I appreciate the advice, and will look before going out the next time, I'm just glad my pouch liked it and I had no problems, definately boosted my confidence.

Thanks again,
jamie

You know they have a Weigh****chers Menu now as well.  I don't know any of the values on anything, but it might be worth looking up!

Congratulations, Jamie!  That's great that you did so well!  =)

Best wishes,

--Bela

Thanks Bela,

jamie

I'm glad it went well -- be careful about your choices a few weeks out so your pouch has time to heal -- (lettuce=ruffage).  But beyond that ....there are almost always something that will work at a resturant if necessary. 

As early out as you are, should you be eating lettuce?  My surgeon told me that I could not have lettuce until 6 months because it is quite rough on the tummy... plus it can cause gas and make your stomach hurt...  it is also empty calories and there is no nutrition in it for this stage of your journey...  I agree that you should stick with protein first, (meats, eggs, etc) and then the moderate carb vegs but you may want to check with your surgeon on their guidelines.

I will call and double check tomorrow with my NUT.  The only thing on the paperwork given at my last appointment (last week) that is still not to add to my diet is Red Meat(other than ground beef) and starches.

Thanks for Caring,
jamie

I know this will sound stupid.  But I used to love salad.  After my surgery, when I was told NO salads...  I would go into Kroger and drool when passing the produce section!  I looked at salad as if it were a magnificent dessert that I was uanble to have...  forget the dripping chocolate or creamy frothy shakes...  I wanted SALAD!  I remember too well.....  and honestly, it was HARD!  But it will help your tummy heal up quicker and keep you from having pains in your tummy...   when you have gas, it hurts!  And, it makes you not able to eat too much.  Right now you need to feel good...  and need all the room in your tummy so that you can eat good protein filled foods.