Hey MandaMom23 just reading your thread , I'm 10 days post op and its getting easier but I'm there with ya sister. Concerning your dinner on Saturday, perhaps you can check the menu of the venue you're going to and see if they have any creamed soups. If they do perhaps they can even strain it for you. My other suggestion is something that I actually did, which is I bought a hot food thermos and filled it with my split pea soup. When I went shopping with my son I actually ate that for lunch, it was very convenient. I don't know if you'd like to do that at a restaurant but it might be easier for you than sipping on water while everyone else is chowing down. Good Luck!!