First time eating out 5 weeks post op

[JerseyJules 862]

So today was my wife's birthday and we went out for dinner for the first time since my surgery. I ordered some roasted chicken with sweet potato side, it was my first time I had chicken and couldn't finish even 1/8th of the food. I got full really fast to the point I felt borderline uncomfortable. I must say, the surgery has taken the excitement and joy out of eating, I really crave no foods, nor do i derive any joy from eating and only eat because I have to.

Edited April 3, 2017 by JerseyJules

[Pescador 1,374]

There will come a day where you can eat anything. Enjoy your restriction. chicken is the worst thing to eat - a small soft piece blocked my airway and I thought I would be dead, serious as a heart attack. When you go out this soon, I found that ordering a cup of bisque, was the perfect thing. I focused on my lunch friend, and sipped a little of the bisque. Enjoy the now, because it all comes back, being able to eat anything. Wish I could return to that stage where I wasn't hungry.

[dmelch 30]

I am 5 months out and HATE EATING OUT and all meals period. I never thought I would say that, but it is really, really difficult for me. I am so restricted on what I can tolerate. When I go out and order I normally just pick at the food. What I use to love before the surgery I can not even tolerate now. chicken, shrimp, beef, turkey, just do not agree with me. I find I have better luck with cheese, Soup, sweet potatoes, Beans.

[EmmyJ 184]

I haven't eaten out very much, but I've had Soup every single time. It's not worth it for me to try to order more. I'm with you guys--it's just not enjoyable at this stage. But I know I should take advantage of that while it lasts!

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

20 hours ago, JerseyJules said:

So today was my wife's birthday and we went out for dinner for the first time since my surgery. I ordered some roasted chicken with sweet potato side, it was my first time I had chicken and couldn't finish even 1/8th of the food. I got full really fast to the point I felt borderline uncomfortable. I must say, the surgery has taken the excitement and joy out of eating, I really crave no foods, nor do i derive any joy from eating and only eat because I have to.

Well you picked the wrong things.

Early on you want moist soft foods. A baked piece of fish, grilled or sauteed shrimp. Chicken or tuna salad. Crab cakes

Chicken is one of the hardest things for me to eat still, because chicken breasts/wings are just dry and dense. Steak and Pork chops are easier because of the fat content.

If you want to enjoy food, you have to learn your sleeve and work with it. I had to go out to lunch at around the 5 week mark. I ordered a chicken salad sandwich with a Soup and a salad. I ate almost all the chicken salad none of the croissant, had a few spoons of soup, and pushed the salad around. Enjoyed the great convo with friends and had a great time.

[JerseyJules 862]

3 hours ago, OutsideMatchInside said:

Well you picked the wrong things.

Early on you want moist soft foods. A baked piece of fish, grilled or sauteed shrimp. chicken or tuna salad. Crab cakes

Chicken is one of the hardest things for me to eat still, because chicken breasts/wings are just dry and dense. Steak and Pork chops are easier because of the fat content.

If you want to enjoy food, you have to learn your sleeve and work with it. I had to go out to lunch at around the 5 week mark. I ordered a chicken salad sandwich with a Soup and a salad. I ate almost all the chicken salad none of the croissant, had a few spoons of Soup, and pushed the salad around. Enjoyed the great convo with friends and had a great time.

The chicken was very moist, it was like a slow roasted rotisserie chicken. It didnt bother me at all, in fact I made chicken salad out of it today and had some for lunch. I literally have 3 or 4 meals out of it. :-) What amazes me is the first few weeks you really realize how much of our social lives revolve around food...

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

@JerseyJules

I know it might seem like forever but the amount of time you only consume very little food is really short in the big scheme of things 6 months to a year and they you can really make a pretty decent dent in food.

When I was 6 months, 4 ChikFilA nuggets would fill me up, then at a year it was like 8, I can eat 12 now pretty easy if I want (I had a day I was like 800 calories in the hole and it was getting late).

While that might not seem like a lot, once you adapt to a new norm, it really is a lot.

Hang in there

[Pescador 1,374]

Seriously my first piece of chicken was slowly cooked hours on slow and soft, falling apart, in a crockpot. Nearly killed me. Since then I have tiny bites of chicken salad but chicken has become a no no. Even grilled and dry on a salad doesn't interest me.

[jopayne2 7]

Eating out becomes about socializing rather than the food!
I always get 2or 3 meals out of one meal in a restaurant!

[Stella S 612]

At almost 2 years I am often a Soup person. The size is good and it does not bother me!

[Pam_2-06-2017 375]

Crab cakes from the appetizer menu is my go to food. It sits well, I can eat one and offer the other to my hubby.

I always order from a la cart or Soup menu. I'm two months out and I hate that over stuffed feeling and have finally learned my limit. I can eyeball a 2 ounce piece of meat but still measure at home to keep my portion senses honed:-)

My hubby says I've turned into a cheap date and I love it.

Chalk this first foray up to experience. You'll be ordering one meal and two plates in no time.

Take care

[JerseyJules 862]

My little 120 lb wife is having none of that plate sharing. She can eat like a 290 lb man!! She used to out eat me in all you can eat buffets. Its very weird I must say..