I was sleeved on 08/16/11 and will be going on a cruise on 11/01/11. We have a steakhouse reservation on the 2nd night of the cruise at a cost of $30 per person. That will be about 10 weeks out from my surgery date. I am not expecting to eat a 6 oz steak but would like to enjoy some of the meal. Will I be able to enjoy this meal or should I cancel??

At less than 3 months out I highly doubt you'd be able to enjoy enough of that meal to make it worth the money, so unless one of your dining partners will want to eat your leftovers, I'd just enjoy the food they have included with your cruise.

You'll probably be able to eat between 1/4 and 1/2 cup at 10 weeks. Say 2 oz. of steak, and a couple of bites of something else.

For example, I'm 15 weeks out and for dinner tonight I had about 1/3 cup of clam chowder (carefully avoiding the potato and celery chunks) and 3 large coconut shrimp with most of the breading torn off. I didn't eat the bread, french fries or coleslaw that came with dinner and I have three left-over shrimp for lunch tomorrow.

Lynda

Its different for everyone, at 6 weeks out I was able to eat 1/2 of my prime rib at my sisters wedding with a couple bits of string beans. I would keep it and see how you feel then. You'll be on vacation, enjoy yourself, just be careful, stop when you are full. Have fun!

I wasn't cleared for red meat (save for ground beef) until month 4. Personally, I would cancel the dining reservation. Even if they have other entrees to choose from, I can't see paying $30 for say chicken.

Call the travel agent and let them know u have dietary restrictions... restaurants will make concessions for u...no sense depriving ur family. Just have them bring u a plate and ur family can each give u a bite and u will be set!

Sounds like you're talking about Holland America and the Pinnacle Grill. The food and table service in Pinnacle Grill is SO much better than in any of the other dining options that I recommend you keep the reservation if this is the only cruise you're going to take with them. If you have other HAL cruises in your future then you might want to wait until you're able to eat more. Also, they do serve lunch for I think $10 per person; though the menu is different is it still really good. Also keep in mind that you can cancel the reservation at the last minute and you won't be charged. Not sure what would happen if it's part of an all inclusive gift package though. You should call HAL directly and ask them.

I say you keep it - eat what you can, stop when your full. Enjoy the experience - eating out for me now is not so much about the food (which is really weird) but more about the company. You are on vacation but, this is your life now -- you will always have to eat really small portions so no time to start like the present! Enjoy your cruise!

I have been to the steak house several times (pre-sleeve) and I think you can still do it. You can get the lobster or even the very tender Filet. Just don't go in there thinking you will be able to eat it all. Don't fill up on salad. It is still going to be delicious and at $30 you can't complain even if you can only eat a couple of ounces.

Thanks everyone! Fortunately I do have a son and husband who will gladly eat my leftover filet mignon. However, I had not thought about being restricted from red meat so I will check with my doctor first as well.

I am 10 weeks and at my 8 week check up my dr. cleared me for everything. He said try it and see how it sits with you cause everyone is different. Steak has been one of the easiest things for me to eat, but I have eaten everything my family eats only much, much,much less. Some things sit on my stomach better, but nothing has bothered me yet. So I would say keep the reservation and enjoy.