Hi Everyone, I am being banded on 7/8/10 and want to know, post surgery, how is it eating out at restaurants? (I can't give up all of my pleasures even if I can't eat alot.)

I enjoy eating out more now because I know I'm not gonna undo my whole diet w/one meal. Even if I splurge and get something decadent, I will only enjoy a little and take the rest home. So, for me, the band has freed me up to enjoy eating even more (not in volume, but in the experience).

There is a learning curve, though, and you will learn that certain foods do not always work for you. And, you will also learn how to guage how tight or loose you are on any given day. There are some days I know better than to touch any cut of red meat. And, other days when I can enjoy a filet mignon no problem. I think one of the biggest things I had to get used to was not diving in so fast when the meal gets there.

I totally agree with Ada about dining out being even better with the band. I never leave feeling stuffed to the gills (just satisfied), and I never leave feeling terrible about myself for overdoing it and blowing a "diet."

When I was a newbie, I'd usually look at the restaurant's menu on-line before I went so that I could spend time thinking about what to get. I've never had a "stuck" episode in a restaurant where I couldn't get to the ladies' room in plenty of time (you generally know well in advance when you're going to have an issue).

Also, I do tend to go for soup and fish more than before, which is great b/c really enjoy them.

Hope that helps!

Catherine