I had my first post op appointment on Thursday, almost a month after sugery. I had to cancel my initial pre op appointment due to severe weather. I have been given the go ahead to eat "regular" food. I'm nervous about what to eat. I am so worried about something getting stuck or gaining weight. I've lost 21 since the start of the pre op liquid diet on 12/21/11. Tonight we are looking to go out to dinner and I keep going over the menu looking at things that are okay to eat. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks

eat fish, my first meal out was salmon at Red Lobster. it was way too much to eat, had some for lunch next day!

I ate some of the salad with a little dressing, a bite of their biscuits & broccoli. it was so good. I was full so quickly, I was really surprised.

I felt like I ate well and got a good amt. of protein too.

you will be fine just remember to chew,chew, chew..... no drinking with the meal.

enjoy you'll do great and enjoy eating in the "new world"!!

I ate so much salmon in the beginning too! Good idea on looking at the menu ahead of time. I do that every time I am going to a new restaurant. It's interesting to see sometimes what you think might be low calorie is actually pretty high and vice versa!

I second fish. If they have mashed Cauliflower that would be good too.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Yes, fish is probably your best bet. That is less likely to get stuck than chicken or steak. Take small bites and chew. Fish and a non-starchy veggie would be a perfect meal. Also, even if you get stuck, it's really not that bad. At least that's been my experience. I get a pain kind of in my chest and a funny felling in my throat. I then go to the bathrom, cough a bit and it comes right up. Its not like vomiting, say when you have the flu, there's no heaving. Again, this is just my experience. Enjoy your evening out.

Fish is a Great Idea! It's nice and light, and high in protein.

Dining out can be tricky, so here's some tips.

Always cut your portion about the size of a dime, so when you put it in your mouth, your teeth will have controll on chewing, and chewing until it's like applesauce or nothing there.

ALWAYS ! Pay attention to what you are doing, "throughout the entire meal"and don't let conversation break your attention on how you must eat. If you do, and it slips down you could get stuck ! So this is very Important.

Take your time !, and when something like a lightbulb goes off inyour head that is saying I'm Full ! then stop. That was your Que to stop eating.

These are rules that I follow, and they work well for me, remember that every day is different, and you might go out, and not be able to eat much at all ! Don't force it, just go along with it.

Enjoy your meal, you will do fine.

Also, even if you get stuck, it's really not that bad. At least that's been my experience. I get a pain kind of in my chest and a funny felling in my throat. I then go to the bathrom, cough a bit and it comes right up. Its not like vomiting, say when you have the flu, there's no heaving.

Aren't you the lucky one! LOL

I think for most people getting stuck is far worse than this, especially the first couple of times.