Hi, Tuesday was my birthday. I just finished my 3rd and last meal from the dinner. We went to Olive Garden. My hubby decided he didn't want to share my meal, so whatever I ordered was mine. I ordered stuffed chicken breast (stuffed with cheese),that came with mashed potatoes. I was able to eat about 2 bites of potatoes and 2 bites of chicken. I did not want to over eat. I, also, since it was my birthday, had a "skinny" margarita. I probably enjoyed that more than dinner!! But, anyway, made dinner on Wednesday, and tonight. I know that the meal wasn't really a good choice, but it was my birthday and I have lost 100 lbs in 2 1/2 years. So I am not too guilty! Take care, folks, this is the long haul and we can do it. Eat like a SKINNY person, too! Karen

that really isnt bad at all chicken good for u im on the mashed stage wish i could have a drinik to

woo hoo!!! Happy birthday and congrats on your success!

just think in the old days many of us would have finished that whole meal off at the table - plus tons of breadsticks and salad - a few drinks - and maybe even a dessert!!!! LOL - amazing how things change. Happy belated birthday!!!

Hi, Tuesday was my birthday. I just finished my 3rd and last meal from the dinner. We went to Olive Garden. My hubby decided he didn't want to share my meal, so whatever I ordered was mine. I ordered stuffed chicken breast (stuffed with cheese),that came with mashed potatoes. I was able to eat about 2 bites of potatoes and 2 bites of chicken. I did not want to over eat. I, also, since it was my birthday, had a "skinny" margarita. I probably enjoyed that more than dinner!! But, anyway, made dinner on Wednesday, and tonight. I know that the meal wasn't really a good choice, but it was my birthday and I have lost 100 lbs in 2 1/2 years. So I am not too guilty! Take care, folks, this is the long haul and we can do it. Eat like a SKINNY person, too! Karen

Karen... congrats on your birthday.. and also on a wonderful effort with your weight loss. Im fairly new to lap band and havent had much experience yet on eating out.. but it would create a dilemma im thinking. Main thing... always have a 'doggie box' with you to take away. lol. I hope i do as well as you when im two years out. hugs judy

Happy belated Birthday!! You've done an awesome job with your weight loss, and your will power is nothing short of amazing...

Have another healthy and happy year!

Happy Birthday! I love Olive Garden! Anytime I go there, I always get the seafood alfredo, which becomes about 5 meals for me. I either get sick of eating the same thing over and over or it goes bad in my frig before I have a chance to finish it! And for those who can't do pasta: Olive Garden will replace any Pasta with steamed veggies. My husband is a low carber and get the scampi chicken with steamed veggies instead of the pasta. And I usually eat about 1/3 of a breadstick and a 1/2 bowl of Soup.

Again, Happy Birthday! Great job on your weight loss. We're about at the same distance in our journeys - it's also been 2 1/2 yrs for me and I've lost 104 lbs! Congrats to both of us!

Marci

Yummy! That's my favorite meal from olive garden, chicken Marsala! Happy birthday! I wish you many more birthdays filled with many more chicken Marsalas, good health, peace and happiness! Xoxo

PS- I think youre allowed to splurge a little on your birthday especially after the huge weight loss success you've had! Congrats!

Thanks all for the birthday wishes! And yes, you are right, it would have been a meal for me with breadsticks, salad, soup, etc...and then a big birthday cake! I am glad that I am so past that! Best birthday and bandiversary wishes to all of us! Karen

Thanks all for the birthday wishes! And yes, you are right, it would have been a meal for me with breadsticks, salad, soup, etc...and then a big birthday cake! I am glad that I am so past that! Best birthday and bandiversary wishes to all of us! Karen

...im way past it as well but its hard going here. WE have always had birthdays, fathers/mothers day, christmas, EAster here.... all the family come home for these events . .. and they have always been so special. I havent put one of these events on since i was banded 23rd march this year. Im thinking now i will have to have one in sept. two grandchildrens birthdays and fathers day coming up.... not sure how i will cope with it all... but i will have to try.we usually have over a dozen here which is a biggie for me as i g et older.

...im way past it as well but its hard going here. WE have always had birthdays, fathers/mothers day, christmas, EAster here.... all the family come home for these events . .. and they have always been so special. I havent put one of these events on since i was banded 23rd march this year. Im thinking now i will have to have one in sept. two grandchildrens birthdays and fathers day coming up.... not sure how i will cope with it all... but i will have to try.we usually have over a dozen here which is a biggie for me as i g et older.

Been there, done that! My surgery was 3 weeks before Thanksgiving in 2009. We went to a restaurant. My daughter had just had her surgery 1 week before it. Between her, and I and other family members we brought home 8 doggie boxes!

We have since been able to prepare dinner at home. I use small dessert or salad plate for myself. I, as hostess, stay busy serving, etc. You will find it is not so bad as you think it will be. And everyone in my life knows about my surgery, so they are all supportive. In fact, not only my daughter but also my son has had lapband now. Best of luck, you can do it, just be strong, that is what got you there so far! Karen

thanks Karen.... im sure i will manage. None of my children apart from my youngest daughter know that im banded... but they do know that im very committed now to weight loss. In fact they expect to see me having small portions so im sure it wont be an issue. Like you say, i can be unobstrusively busy at the same time. lol. We eat in the small dining area off the kitchen so really its all opened up. its not like im in another room and isolated from everyone. Our family are noisy when we get together so all up there should be plenty of distraction going on. Your family would be really supportive of you seeing as others have had the surgery as well. How is their weight loss going?

thanks Karen.... im sure i will manage. None of my children apart from my youngest daughter know that im banded... but they do know that im very committed now to weight loss. In fact they expect to see me having small portions so im sure it wont be an issue. Like you say, i can be unobstrusively busy at the same time. lol. We eat in the small dining area off the kitchen so really its all opened up. its not like im in another room and isolated from everyone. Our family are noisy when we get together so all up there should be plenty of distraction going on. Your family would be really supportive of you seeing as others have had the surgery as well. How is their weight loss going?

My son is doing fantastic. His bandiversay is next week. He is down almost 100 lbs in 1 year. The surgeon(mine) has him tight to try reach that 1 year goal. My daughter, not so good, she has 2 kids and stays busy with them, so her exercise habits are only what the time allows. she doesn't keep a tight band and is a slow lose. But, sh eis down 40 lbs in 2 1/2 years, so not too bad. Its 40 lbs she wouldn't have lost! Best wishes, and take care. Karen