I am an outside salesperson and quite literally my job is to take people out to lunch EVERY work day and sometimes for dinner/happy hour. Are there any other people who HAVE to take people out to eat for their profession? I know I can schedule meetings outside of the lunch hour however my customers are so busy and lunch generally is the only option- if I can get them out of the office! I am not sharing my upcoming surgery with co-workers, customers etc. SO, how does a bander survive in a restaurant? I would say that 90% of my meals are in restaurants. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Appetizers and salads, lean meats, veggie plates. Don't go back to work until you are on solid foods!

Lots of take out containers too!

Thanks ChezNoel. Going back when I am on solid food isn't an option. I have very little sick time and no vacation left due to a death in the family. I have to be very covert about my "procedure". Its going to be challenging. Thank you again for the advice.

The good thing is that you are in sales so you should be doing a lot of talking which should distract people from how much or "little" you are eating. Just eat healthy and you will be fine. I ate out almost every day the first 6-8 months that I was banded as I didn't cook back then. I still eat out a couple times a week now. Go on line and plan your menu out ahead of time and it will make it easier. Most have nutritional menus on line so you can really see what you are ordering. It is scary, but helps to make the selection much easier!

I too have many luncheons, cocktail parties, and client dinners/lunches to attend. I'm just beginning my pureed foods stage, so I'm finding it easier as I gone on. As they mentioned above, I suggest places more often now than I did in the past. This way I can plan what I'll order ahead of time. When hitting mexican, I've ordered Albondigas and eaten the broth and soft veggies or avocado. I had mexican yesterday at a luncheon. I ordered the cheese enchiladas and only ate the beans. I took the rest home. I had another lunch today, and previewed the menu prior to attending. I ate the meze plate (hummus, baba ganoush, etc.) and asked for crostini instead of the nan bread it came with. I ate only a few bites of the crunchy bread and ate the mashed with a fork. I'm finding that I'll order something that I can bring home to my son, that has at least one small thing I can eat. Haven't hit a cocktail party yet, but I'm guessing I'll put a few things I don't enjoy on my plate and grab some cheese (as they always have a cheese platter) and just nibble on that while I socialize. I feel your pain, but I think researching ahead of time is going to be key.

Same boat here, although most of my meals are with my reps (who know about my band) and only occasionally with our customers. I find that just about anywhere I go, the highest rated restaurants are usually the organic/locally sourced/farm-to-table concept restaurants which not only have delicious food but also typically rather reasonable portion sizes. Tapas restaurants are also a good choice. And finally I eat a LOT of sashimi (with some edamame on the side). Don't worry too much, you'll find people pay amazingly little attention to what's on other people's plate...although I did have one customer at a catered lunch remark on how little was on my plate...I told him that I had a lunch like this the day before and would have another one the next day and at that rate you have to be very careful/selective.

Wine and the dessert tray are my biggest problem...the former I've limited to one glass per outing, the latter I'm getting better at resisting...and if I do order something, I leave it at a bite or two...

I found soups to be a good option when I was first banded. When I came across chicken noodle as an option I would just drink the broth. When I got on full liquids creamed soups were good. When you get to the solid stage appetizers are a good option. You can order unsweetened iced tea or water for a beverage and hold off drinking it until the end. I find water with lemon a good option. You'll eventually adjust to your new lifestyle and you'll get so used to it so hang in there!

I don't know if you do chains when you take them out to eat. Many of the chains now have 1/2 meals. Bonefish, Outback, Grillsmith all have 1/2 meals. I think that the Darden chains are going that way too! (Red Lobster, Olive Garden, etc).

I, usually, eat like Cheznoel said, I order an appetizer and make that my meal. Folks won't question if they see you order even just an appetizer.

Best wishes and stay strong! Karen