We eat dinner out almost exclusively (I'm pre-op), We both work jobs where we are just drained by the time the day ends. I know I need to start makign meals at home more (I'm lecturing myself, don't worry. )

BUT anyway....

preop, I am able to make pretty decent choices. I am curious if you just avoid eating out until you resume eating normal foods entirely? Are there any places that have decent options for the mushy phase at least (I'm sure liquid phases are out )

Once you don't have form restrictions any longer, what do you eat, at what place, when you go out, that you feel is a decent choice?

I'll give a pre-op example. At chili's, I either get the margarita grilled chicken (don't eat the rice, and eat maybe 1/2 a cup of the black beans) or I'll get the grilled chicken fajita,s and not eat the tortillas or guac or anything. Just sprinkle a bit of the cheese on the grilled chicken. I could imagine that post-op, once I can eat somewhat normally again, that i could eat either of those two again, just wouldn't be able to eat as much of it. is that a fair assumption or am I deluding myself?

I understand food intolerances could make things freaky, but am just curious what you do if you like the social/having someone else do the work aspect of going out?

There is an app called calorie count and it gives u really good info about the restaurant s and what to eat , I like low cal, low sugar, high protein,, trust me , a whole new world for me,. From cheese burgers

There is an app called calorie count and it gives u really good info about the restaurant s and what to eat ' date=' I like low cal, low sugar, high Protein,, trust me , a whole new world for me,. From cheese burgers[/quote']

I don't find many of those programs cover higher end restaurants unfortunately. Applebees yes, but not RN74.

I wanted to let the op know that I did well and had no issues this weekend. I had the foods I mentioned earlier, and last night I had bolonaise with potatoes and just chewed really well. It was made with rabbit and was very tender. Quite yummy, I had a small scoop of coffee gelato (normal serving) and enjoyed it. The night at RN74 I had about half the panacotta and it sat just fine on my tummy. The big issue that made things easier was likely that we had very long dinners (RN74 was five hours) so I was basically having two meals during the dinner I ate a bite or few of everything but the salads (which you should avoid as well) and I even sipped on wine (it was all food pairings) and it went well. I feel great and have lost two lbs over a weekend of lovely indulgences. I have to say cheese was my biggest friend. I didn't worry about fat content and ate cheese at the winery afternoon which got me through. I also ate the toppings off of pizza at one, but no bread. Its far too early to eat bread for both of us!! Ohhhh and octopus was lovely LOL

I don't have a clue how to record these in my fitness pal lol so I just made notes, but I listened to my body carefully and stopped when I had a feeling I needed to. I also took it SLOW SLOW SLOW

Isnt is just amazing how different we all are?

Thank goodness my sleeve,just like the band,tends to not like eating in public.lol

I order what I want.Eat at most 4 bites of the Protein and voila,I am full.Sometimes I really want more but I know I just cannot.They remove the food and I am not tempted anymore.

Should I have had some of the carbs in between I believe I would have been able to eat more but I dont want to be able to do that.Restaurant food,no matter which end one it is,is always more fattening than the food we mindfully prepare at home so a little is already more.

We are going on a long weekend and I have been thinking about this all week as of course I am tempted to just relax and be for a few days.

But my new life motto is protein first,lol, so it will stay that way.

The cocktails I dont know about!Lying on the beach all day,just chilling....what am I going to do?If there was a freezer in the mini bar I would have taken some sf popcicles with,couldnt care what anyone thinks.

Anyhow,I love eating out now more than before as I dont have to worry too much about the self control thing I never had before.and thank goodness I cannot tolerate even a little bit of sugar anymore,dont know why I just cant.

Enjoy the caviar!