Eating out in restaurants

[riverat 1]

OK, so I just got my first fill last week and was cleared to begin real food after 10 weeks- yes, ladies and gentlemen, 10 weeks!- of full liquids. Today was my first venture into the world of restaurants post-band. What I thought was hilarious is how people reacted to me declining a drink with my meal. "No, just the food, thanks" freaked everyone right out. "Are you sure?" "How about a glass of Water? ", "No coffee, are you sure?", "Really, there's no charge". When I finally got it across I REALLY did not need or want anything to drink, she walked away shaking her head like she was totally confused. Ten minutes later, another waitress passing by noticed I was drinkless and stopped to ask if SHE could get me a drink.

I'm sure some people would find this annoying, but I thought it was really funny. It's not like this was some fancy place either; it was just a regular diner.

Man, am I thirsty...LOL

[bunnyluv37 1]

hey i will be on solids in another 2wks what type of food did you have when you went out to eat, i notice on here that one person said they had no interest in eat fast food, but too me we are all human!!

[thsisme 14]

Waiters and waitress' of the world sometimes don't get the thought of someone actually not wanting anything to drink with their meal. Now I do admit it is odd, but hey, we are the customer. I know of one restaraunt that in their ordering system (computer) the computer will not process the order without some type of drink. I just tell them to bring me a child's size cup of Water and then let my DH drink it for me.

You are right to view this with a sense of humor. Why waste time with negativity, this is just one more thing that we can stymi people with!

[mattie7632 24]

I order whatever I want (so long as I don't think it will be difficult to swallow, etc). That is my motto, I will be healthy but not deprive myself. I had McDonalds one day for lunch--a Filet of Fish and a small diet coke. I was perfectly satisfied and it was about 400 calories. We went to a restaurant and I got the pot roast sandwich. Only ate about 1/3 and a few bites of Soup, but I was not deprived. I am losing weight and I feel like it's a diet I can stick to with no problem.

[Knaroz 31]

First rule of eatting out with the band for the first time. Before you sit down, learn where ALL bathroom exits are lol because 90% of the time you WILL get stuck and that is NOT the time to be looking for the bathroom lol. Yeah after you get use to the temptation of having Water in hands reach we just order a water with our meal, sip on it til the food arrives and then push it aside. I like to leave mine half empty and see how many times the waitress offers to refill it hehe.

[emsbugbug 7]

I always just order a Water with my meal and then set it aside. It cuts down on all the puzzled looks and questions. It's funny at first, but then just gets aggravating and I get tired of explaining over and over again that I don't want anything.

[Kalipso2 25]

i usually order Water just to stop the questions. i have to remember to push it out of my reach though because its a habit if its right in front of me. i DO get funny looks when i order off the kids menu though!

[jennibee 3]

I will be heading off to Disney in about three weeks and am planning on eating from the kid's meal menu almost exclusively. They don't ask questions there but hear at home geez! Do I get the funny looks! I had a waitress tell me that I wasn't permitted to order from the kid's or seniors menu. I have stopped eating at that particular restaurant just because of it. I will spend my money somewhere else and be skinny doing it!

[HeatherinCA 10]

LOL if I'm at a restaurant I just get Water. But don't drink it, I didn't order once and the hot guy waiter gave me the 3rd degree about it I was so embarrassed and had to explain haha. If I'm at fast food, I just don't order one, nobody really has questioned it.

Jenni, I never order from the kids menu, I just eat less of a full entree, kids menus are always like chicken fingers and macaroni haha I want adult food.< /p>

[TucsonAnnie 2]

This past week we had our first out of towner come to stay with us. We did a lot of touristy things, which meant I did sit down restaurants for the first time since October. I hear ya about the drink thing. After the first time I just ordered a Water to get the server to leave me alone. Once I had to explain I had a lap band to shut someone up. Uncomfortable.

I also couldn't believe the weirdness of just asking for a plate. We went to restaurants where the portions are HUGE and I wasn't doing it. Just a 1/2 cup amount of my husband's meal and I am done- and he still had leftovers. I had to tell one waitress I was post op and that worked - that time. One steakhouse we didn't go at all, because the menu states there is a $6.95 charge for a plate. Not being cheap, but that's ridiculous for three bites of a steak and a spoonful of Beans. If I am ever out of town and a buffet is the only choice, I'm going to stay behind with a headache!

From now on, if I have to go to a restaurant, I am calling ahead to speak with management, and ask if their servers are trained to spot bandsters- or at least leave it alone when a customer says no thank you. Hopefully, I won't have to go to a restaurant again anytime soon!

[thsisme 14]

We eat out alot and I have learned to just ignore the looks. It really doesn't bother me. $6.95 for an extra plate? I don't think that i would frequent that restaraunt either! I usually take over my DH's bread plate anyway.