I have not had surgery yet...BUT I have done low carb for extended periods. =)
this is a great salad and I eat it on lettuce leaves.
Asian chicken salad
4 boiled and chopped chicken breasts
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup scallions (green onion), sliced
2 tbsp real mayonnaise
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
makes 3 cups
Another trick I use for my meatball sauce (sweet and sour) is to add splenda with about 1/2 tsp blackstrap molasses in place of the brown sugar. Not quite as good but still is wonderful. =)
For some more ideas (of course you may have to cut some fat from the recipes or change them a little) go to
Active Low-Carber Forums - Atkins Diet & Low Carb Support Message Boards
This is a great site and recipes are in the Kitchen section.
I do not usually cook separate from my family...tonight we had tacos. I used the same meat for me and made a taco salad instead of tacos for me. Many times I make things and only eat it a little different.
Good luck! Hopefully I will be joining you and be "sleeved" sometime before the beginning of the year. =) I am almost done with the 6 mo diet, etc. I meet with the nutritionist tomorrow, the pulmonologist on Monday, and the Psychologist on Wed. Then I have to get some records for last year. Then we will see what Aetna says. =)
Good luck!