You are determined to do it so you will. Hopefully, you will be provided fish or grilled foods. Ask if you don't get what you think you should be eating. You are going to do great. Don't forget to report back and let us know how you handled things.

My first meal was Chinese, I ate a small portion from the Buffet, it was SOOOO tasty! I just stopped and rested between each bite to make sure it was all going down and staying down. I had to remember that the stomach is still swollen and you don't want to irritate it! Eat soft foods like the CHILI that you did, and you will know when to stop. It is just off kilter from the Norm, but when you return home, just get back on track, life will happen and we will learn to live with it and go with the flow! Continued success! Praying for you!

hmmm....talk alot and and as Janet said rest between each bite. Seriously the best advice I could give you is to make sure you don't forget to take small bites, chew them properly, rest between bites and make sure it went down before taking another one. The worst thing you could do is fall back into the habit I had of eating quickly and trying to talk at the same time...that will definitely equal getting stuck. I wish you the best!

one you learn your band, you can eat just about anything - in moderation. Chew everything well, and just be comfortable with what you order when you go out, and you are going to be just fine on your work trip!

Best Wishes!

My offer for restaurant info will be - Put your fork down after every bite you take, as you chew, chew, chew. I used to make a game of how long it (my fork) could sit on the edge of my plate before I picked. Engage in the table conversation and sit there with a smile. Your own control will kick in and small bites is excellent practice. Mindful eating, chewing and resting. Your band and your are a team. It is scary eating out and it can be a worry I know I have been doing it over a year now. We are all here and we will all be there for you at your meal times even if you do not see us. Best wishes imaluckdog

Thank you everyone for the advice and encouragement. I will think of you all as standing between me and that fork that I want to use to shovel all that food in my mouth. I don't normally binge but after all this time waiting for regular food, it's pretty scary. I feel like an alcoholic-in-treatment going to a wine tasting event at a vineyard without being able to take a friend for support. But, I will follow your advice and report back how it goes. Thank you again!

So the first overnight is almost complete - other than I have a stack of business information to read in preparation for a team meeting at 6 am (did I mention I am not a morning person?) I wanted to post and let you know how I did at the restaurant tonight. We went to Mo's in downtown Indy - nice fine dining with great food. My gut instinct was right -- I wanted to drop my face into that wonderful food and just chow down --no hands, napkins or utensils required! Instead I started by choosing 3 shrimp with a tad of sauce for an appetizer. They had lobster bisque soup or salad (I love the wedge with bleu cheese dressing) and I told the waiter I could have neither. He recommended Tomato Basil (wasn't included on the pre-selected menu as a choice so really appreciated this). I accepted so I would have something in front of me. I had about a soup spoon total. Next came the salmon. That was an easy choice, although I love red wine and red meat I had neither. I had what I guess-timate to be about 3 oz. For dessert I declined and he recommended sorbet so I accepted - again to have something in front of me while everyone else was eating so I could avoid all the questions. I had about a spoonful of that. I drank water and tea. I did forget in the beginning and started drinking while I was eating shrimp. I also realized I was doing that with a straw -- egad!! I calmly recollected myself, moved the tea out of reach and removed the straw completely. Not too bad for the first time - not perfect but not too bad.

I also had my spirits lift right away when I arrvied at the hotel. One of my co-workers who lives out of state saw me and said I looked great - he had to do a double take. That made me feel real good - just sayin'

I've been here since 3 so only had to deal with 1 meal. Tomorrow is a new day and I've got 3 meals to make it through and 2 shakes to somehow sneak in.

I generally don't like talking about myself so the hardest part today was when folks asked me what I'm doing to lose weight. I followed what I've read others have done - protein first, watching portions, etc. I'm not embarrassed it's just not the setting to engage in what I'm sure will be deep discussions on the pros, cons, my feelings, why I did it, etc. of WLS. I know some will agree with me and some won't and that's ok - because I'm being me and that's who God created, like it or not. :laugh:

Enjoy the evening and have a great Wednesday!

YOU SOUND LIKE YOU A SLAYING THE DRAGON JUST FINE. THE FOOD, THE PORTIONS THE QUESTIONS, THE COMPLIMENTS. WAY TO GO!!!

I HAVE TO ASK - I AM NEW AT THIS BUT I HAVE DECEIDED NOT TO TELL PEOPLE WHAT I HAVE DONE. ONLY MY 1 SISTER AND MY HUSBAND KNOW ABOUT MY BAND. I JUST FEEL THIS IS SOMETHING I WANT TO KEEP FOR ME. I GUESS I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO HAVE OPINIONS ABOUT WHETHER I HAVE DONE THE RIGHT THING OR NOT. WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK? HOW DID YOU HANDLE IT?

IT IS OUR THANKSGIVING IN CANADA THIS WEEKEND, I GUESS MY GIFT FOR THE HOTEDD WILL BE A COUPLE PROTIEN DRINKS AND PUMKIN JELLO!!

HERE GOES NOTHING.

Everyone is different in what they are comfortable with. I was nervous but I did tell folks who work for me directly as well as close friends and family. I did not tell those in my family who are judgmental or would be waiting for me to fail. Also, I didn't ask work folks to keep it confidential. I said "I'm not advertising it, but I'm not going to lie about it." When folks comment how great I'm doing and ask how, I say eating smaller portions, eating protein first and exercising. All that is true. My advice is do what you feel comfortable with. It doesn't matter what others do. If you want it for you and few, keep it private. It's no one's right and no one's business to know. Take care and be strong. You can't go wrong - for once, you are putting yourself first. God speed my friend.