I have been banded for a total of 10 months and have only eaten out 3 times all of those times were with people who have not been banded nore do they know anything about it. Well all 3 experiences was terrible. The first time was with my favorite food before band (ribs) I haven't touched them since it got stuck so bad. So months later I decided to eat out again thinking I would chose to eat fish something I know I don't have a problem with and that was terrible I had to keep getting up from the table to go to the bathroom thinking it would pass or it was going to come back up and it finally passed about the third trip to the restroom which was kind of embarrising because I was thinking what are people thinking when they see me constantly going to the restroom. Well I get over that experience and had to take the rest home in a doggy bag which I couldn't eat anyway so that was a waste. So about five days later I went with at friend to a chinese restaurant I have never had a problem there before either and it happend again this time the food came back up. I think my problem is by time I take three bites my friend is through with her food and she is just sitting there so I try to hurry up and that is not good for me. Has anyone had experiences like this while eating out or am I the only one?

Thanks for the great advice everyone I have decided not to give up going out with my friends. The advice that all of you have given me about the tea and soup sounds like a good idea I can't wait to try that out and if it is a thick soup I will ask to have it pureed.