<P>First, I'd like to thank those who answered my questions about how soon we can eat salads and the conversion of 4X to regular sizes. I'm rather shocked that my starting size was a 30/32 though! But that just makes it all the more rewarding to have made it down to a size 18. Yahoo! The 18s are a little snug in the waist because I have a sizable hernia. But the butt and legs is loose on me.</P>
<P>The answers about salads were more mixed. I'm thankful for the warning about salad dressings possibly containing corn syrup though because I had no idea. On the issue of salad, some say they started eating salad at 6 weeks out and others told me to avoid them till I'm six months out! Holy cow! I don't know if I can hold out that long. I have been craving fresh, moist foods. Fruit and vegetables. However, I do tend to dump at the drop of a hat, if I eat one bite too much. I also dumped eating pasta, I should have known better. (But it smelled SO good!) Anyway, since there was no definitive answer on when we can start eating salad, I plan to try some type of raw vegetable and see if it stays down. If it does, I'll try a small salad and chew very well. </P>
<P>In other news, I'm getting better and stronger every day. And yesterday I discovered I'm starting to have REAL, HONEST TO GOD curves again!!! I'm so jazzed! My stomach is no longer bigger than my hips and breasts. :-)</P>
<P>I'm trying to walk a mile a day but my walking partner stands me up quite often. I need to get to the point where I don't mind going alone, with my four legged partner, Ruby. I tried two miles a day a couple of times a couple of weeks ago and it proved to be too much too soon. One of those times I made it to the mile point and had to have someone come get me. (Don't drink a lot and then go walking, the sloshing causes nausea.) I hope to start walking two miles a day very soon again though.</P>
<P>I will say, to post-ops, that if you are one prone to dump after surgery, try to look at it as the relief you so desperately need to get you out of the horrid misery of pre-dumping. Once you give back whatever caused your misery, you will feel better instantly. So don't try to avoid throwing up like you might if you had the flu. The good thing is that your tummy is quite small and it will be over quickly. (Isn't THAT a lovely piece of advice?)</P>