Question:
I am 10 weeks post op and learning more everyday about my new eating habits.

I a nervous about eating salads. Can anyone share their experiences?    — buceriasjean (posted on February 18, 2010)

February 18, 2010
I am 15 weeks out and started eating salad as soon as it was on my meal plan. No issues.
   — Debbie G.

February 18, 2010
I had a different exparience than Debbie - I had a rough time with them for a long time (I was eating wild greens, romaine, butter - I tried everything, so I thought). Then, I read a post abotu salads and in it the person's surgeon said that she would probably only be able to tolerate shreds for quite some time. I hadn't tried shreds yet (I thought that shredded iceberg was just shredded water with (very little) fiber and hardly any nutritional value. Well, why this may be true, it opened up a whole new world for me after 6 months - I can now eat about a 1/2 cup of lettuce when I pair it w/ a lean protein like turkey or chicken or ham, some beans, and other veggies. I basically have to keep it very simple, no fancy stuff in my salads, though I recently started doing one with turkey, walnuts and a light sprinkling of craisins and that rules. I also cannot tolerate any creamy dressings (my downfall before, or at least one of them - probably in the top 3 were fatty dressings and condiments) - I really only do well with a very thin (usually home made) creamy dressing - used very sparingly - or a vinaigrette - never any problems with those. It's funny - I tried a bit of hidden valley ranch from the bottle the other day and it tasted aweful to me! This is probably because I eat VERY few processed foods anymore. For those of you who can have a lot of salad, I envy you because that's probably what I miss the most, especially when my work friends and I go to Chilis or Applebees for lunch. I have ordered a 1/2 of a salad, immediately putting 2/3 of it in a to go container and they still make me dump.
   — stellarsan

February 18, 2010
I am 8 wks post-op for RNY and have NO problems with salad. Actually, I haven't had any problems with anything except a pre-marinated turkey breast from Butterball. I have gotten the bbq chicken salad from Applebee's and it's the very first thing I've had since surgery that I actually enjoyed eating! I haven't tried creamy dressings yet, but I've been craving vinegarette dressings. The hot bacon dressing from Applebee's doesn't cause me to have any problems at all. I guess you can try it and see if it causes problems. Only a bite to start and then slowly increase if no problems occur. Good luck! Kristin
   — taylork25

February 19, 2010
i am a salad person i loves spinach salad with different toppings, at this point i can only about 4 folk size and i am full for me its better to make my salad at home because leftover salads are not good to me , i have not had a problem yet, just a small amount will make me complete full because i adds lots of fresh veggies in it, i guess thats whats makes me so full, i am 6 months out with rny surgery,
   — goal100

February 24, 2010
I am 8 weeks post op and have found salads are a great way to get protein! Throw on some turkey ham and egg whatever. I have become a huge salad person because it is one of the things that doesn't make me feel sick! If you are out eating I recommend ordering salad and get a box right away and take half home for tomorrow. Also you can use a lettuce leaf in place of bread or tortillas in a wrap or sandwhich. Even my 5 yr old likes turkey and chesse rolled up in a lettuce leaf!
   — lynnredboy