How do you eat going out?

[Ravengirl 4]

Hello so I was wondering if we can only have a half a cup of food how do we eat at gatherings? Or when we go out for nice dinners? I’m starting to feel like I will not be able to enjoy a nice meal out again😕.

[catwoman7 11,212]

it's just temporary. I just skipped going out the first month or so since it was too challenging to do. After that, when I was on soft foods, I'd get something like chili, or a pureed Soup, or shrimp cocktail. The further out you get, the more options you have. Once I was several months out I could eat most things except for really fatty meals (I still can't handle those).

and you won't be on a half cup forever. I've been in maintenance for a few years now, but I'm sure no one can tell I had WLS. I eat like my thin friends do who are watching their weight - in other words, I'm a typical "light eater", but nothing out of the ordinary. When I go out, I'll get an appetizer, or split an entree with someone, or get an entree for myself and take half of it home. Same as my never-been-heavy friends do who watch their weight.

[ChubRub 1,702]

Get an appetizer, share an entree, and/or take home leftovers. If it's just me and my husband, we share. If it's with a group (and people don't know about my WLS), I get my own entree, eat some of the Protein, and I'm good to go. I still enjoy the food, just a small portion. It's a nice feeling not to over stuff myself with huge restaurant portions anymore!

[Ravengirl 4]

Just now, ChubRub said:

The surgI have said after the seven weeks when you can eat regular food again I can’t have more than a half a cup of food. I guess he is just saying that because I think maybe 1 and a half cup sounds more like a meal. I like to eat different things, I guess you just wait and see what feels comfortable.

I guess what your saying is you can eat a little more on certain occasions? Do you drink at all while out eating?

[catwoman7 11,212]

8 minutes ago, Ravengirl said:

7 minutes ago, ChubRub said:

The surgI have said after the seven weeks when you can eat regular food again I can’t have more than a half a cup of food. I guess he is just saying that because I think maybe 1 and a half cup sounds more like a meal. I like to eat different things, I guess you just wait and see what feels comfortable.

I guess what your saying is you can eat a little more on certain occasions? Do you drink at all while out eating?

if your surgeon says after seven weeks you can only have a half cup of food, then that's what you need to do. We're just giving you examples of what you might be able to have once you're out a little further. I can eat half an entree, but I didn't do that until I was probably a year out. BUT...there are some things you're going to be able to have in a few weeks, just in pretty small portions. At least for now.

I didn't eat more on special occasions my first year. I was VERY compliant with my surgeon's guidelines because I was determined to do whatever it took to finally get rid of all that weight. I do tend to eat more on special occasions NOW, but I didn't the first year.

and I don't drink while I'm eating. I'll drink before I eat and then about an hour afterward.

as an example - when I was about a month out, I could eat shrimp, so I would often order the shrimp cocktail appetizer when I went out if the place had it. I could only eat about four shrimp, but at least I was able to get something that was on the menu. So yes - you'll be able to go out to eat after the first few weeks and find things on most menus that you can eat, but you'll probably be eating small portions for awhile.

Edited July 14, 2020 by catwoman7

[Ravengirl 4]

That’s so interesting surgeons are so different with what they allow. I’m entering my 4th week this Wednesday and have been 100% compliant just having the Water intake issues. This week I will be able to have minestrone Soup, egg salad, hummus, soft fruit. I can also have a little bit of bread and flaky white fish. I’m very excited to have something more than what I have had!

thank you for you reply so I know in the far future I can go out and have some options! I love seafood so that is the restaurants I would like to go. There also are some great recipes on this Baritastic app I use. It’s just hard measuring out 1/2 cup for a meal when you want a variety.

[catwoman7 11,212]

1 minute ago, Ravengirl said:

That’s so interesting surgeons are so different with what they allow. I’m entering my 4th week this Wednesday and have been 100% compliant just having the Water intake issues. This week I will be able to have minestrone Soup, egg salad, hummus, soft fruit. I can also have a little bit of bread and flaky white fish. I’m very excited to have something more than what I have had!

thank you for you reply so I know in the far future I can go out and have some options! I love seafood so that is the restaurants I would like to go. There also are some great recipes on this Baritastic app I use. It’s just hard measuring out 1/2 cup for a meal when you want a variety.

OK - if you're in your fourth week, then yes, you have some options. I didn't realize you were that far out. Once I was where you were, I could go out again since most places had one or two options that were on my plan. But I had to eat pretty small portions for awhile. And yes - it's hard to get much variety in when you can only eat a small amount. But you'll get to the point where you can have larger portions and more variety.

[Ravengirl 4]

Thank you! Right now I’m so careful because I’m paranoid about busting any stitches that is part of my drinking Water fear. Once I’m at 7 weeks the stomach should be healed and I can see why kind of water amounts I can drink.

[New&Improved 1,780]

Yea didn't bother going out for a few months waste of money when you can't eat but a few bites but later on just order the small portions

[Ravengirl 4]

I might have to travel soon, so I guess I will have to find something I can have or try to prepackaged my food! My surgeon is very strict!

[catwoman7 11,212]

16 minutes ago, Ravengirl said:

Thank you! Right now I’m so careful because I’m paranoid about busting any stitches that is part of my drinking Water fear. Once I’m at 7 weeks the stomach should be healed and I can see why kind of Water amounts I can drink.

water pretty much goes right through you, so you're not likely to do any damage. Well I guess technically you could, but you'd have to drink A LOT of water at one sitting to cause problems. Your body will rebel if you're drinking more than it can handle. food is a different story since in stays in your stomach for awhile.

[catwoman7 11,212]

2 minutes ago, Ravengirl said:

I might have to travel soon, so I guess I will have to find something I can have or try to prepackaged my food! My surgeon is very strict!

I used to take things like cheese sticks and individual packets of Protein Powder with me when i traveled.

[Arabesque 7,240]

Yep, ordering appetisers are the way to go though I used to struggle to eat those too. I opt for seafood whenever possible. Oh & make sure you keep to the no drinking before of after. I made that mistake out of the habit of ordering a pre dinner drink when out & I could barely eat two or three bites of what I ordered. Don’t be afraid to mention to the staff (privately if you prefer) that you’re on a medically restricted diet otherwise you may face the wait staff asking if something was wrong with your unfinished meal.

My biggest difficulty is needing time to eat. When everyone else eats quickly, the wait staff are wanting to clear plates & you’re not even half way through your meal. Since we’ve opened up a lot more here in Australia, I’ve met friends for lunch a couple of times but some places only offer tables for 45mins. By the time you read the menu, wait for your order to be taken, prepared & served, there’s little time left to eat. I had 10 mins at a cafe last week. My friend devoured her lunch. I got three bites in & took the rest home for dinner.

Are you able to take a small cold bag with ice bricks with you when you travel? I take frozen Keto frittata muffins with me & refreeze the ice bricks overnight. There are some decent Protein Bars around too. Just ensure they’re low in carbs, sugar & fat. You may to try a few first because some can be too gluggy & my tummy complains. Easy to grab a high Protein yoghurt from a corner store too.

[Ravengirl 4]

9 minutes ago, Arabesque said:

Yep, ordering appetisers are the way to go though I used to struggle to eat those too. I opt for seafood whenever possible. Oh & make sure you keep to the no drinking before of after. I made that mistake out of the habit of ordering a pre dinner drink when out & I could barely eat two or three bites of what I ordered. Don’t be afraid to mention to the staff (privately if you prefer) that you’re on a medically restricted diet otherwise you may face the wait staff asking if something was wrong with your unfinished meal.

My biggest difficulty is needing time to eat. When everyone else eats quickly, the wait staff are wanting to clear plates & you’re not even half way through your meal. Since we’ve opened up a lot more here in Australia, I’ve met friends for lunch a couple of times but some places only offer tables for 45mins. By the time you read the menu, wait for your order to be taken, prepared & served, there’s little time left to eat. I had 10 mins at a cafe last week. My friend devoured her lunch. I got three bites in & took the rest home for dinner.

Are you able to take a small cold bag with ice bricks with you when you travel? I take frozen Keto frittata muffins with me & refreeze the ice bricks overnight. There are some decent Protein Bars around too. Just ensure they’re low in carbs, sugar & fat. You may to try a few first because some can be too gluggy & my tummy complains. Easy to grab a high Protein yoghurt from a corner store too.

That’s good information! Right now I’m having a hard time feeling full with 1/4 cup of food, maybe cause the food is very light that I’m eating! I think yogurt is the way to go I’m already super excited about eating parfaits this Wednesday when I can eat that!

I only worry about that dumping syndrome that I bet sucks!

[Ravengirl 4]

1 hour ago, catwoman7 said:

I used to take things like cheese sticks and individual packets of Protein Powder with me when i traveled.

I would love to have cheese for whatever reason my surgeon has not approved that! That’s would be a good go to!