Last night my friends and I went to Chili's, my first time going to a restaurant since my sleeve was done. I was feeling sooo nervous that there was not going to be anything I wanted to eat. I hadn't seen some of my friends in so long that I had to make myself go! All my friends are big eaters so it was difficult being around them at the table while they ate awesome looking food. I nervously asked the waitress to give me pureed chicken enchilada Soup and it turned out pretty good but gave me gas.

I noticed several new things now that I was sleeved. First of all, I could actually carry on a conversation with those around me because I could focus on what was said. Before the sleeve I was so focused on eating and could not wait to shovel food in my mouth. The time before the food came was always so difficult for me so I would fill up on chips and salsa. Another thing was my bill was sooo cheap at only $3 for a cup of soup. I would spend 10-15 bucks before when I'd go out to eat.

Also, I found out that I can no longer tolerate spicy foods which really upsets me. I used to LOVE Mexican and Indian food but it seems now I will not be able to enjoy it any longer. I talked to my friend at work who was sleeved and she said the same about spicy cuisine.

How has going out to eat changed for you since being sleeved? Can you eat spicy foods without feeling sick?

I too lived for spice-I can manage mild salsa but that's about it (I'm only a month out-so there's still hope that it will change).

I keep thinking it's not the spice, and try a different spicy food. But each time I feel sick for hours.

I find I'm still able to go out to eat. Luckily it's usually with my family (married kids and grandkids) and they know what I can eat and what I can't-so that makes it easier.

Sometimes I can shae with them. Sometimes I order a kids meal. Last night we went to In-n-Out and I got a burger "protein" style-which is where they wrap your burger in lettuce instead of a bun. Lots of places do that now with all the Altkins people around.

At Mexican places I can usually order something like Carne Asada and then just eat the meat. Most every where has salads now or grilled chicken.

But I find it harder now to rationalize spending the money when I can only finish about half the food. I actually prefer the food I make at home now for the first time in my life!!

I just hope that I can get to a place where my new tummy can enjoy the same spices my mouth does!

Between work and family, I eat out quite a bit, and there are a few things that I do that make it easier. First, if possible, I look up the menu before I arrive and decide what I'll have. This makes things much less stressful for me than having to decide on the spur of the moment. If menus aren't available or if there isn't time, I usually stick to the soup or appetizer sections. (This has only failed me once when the "beef vegetable soup" turned out to be beef ramen with hamburger and frozen veggies...YUCK!). I’m lucky that spicy food isn’t a problem for me, and some of my favorite restaurant go-to dishes are chili, chicken tikka masala and the hot mustard that comes with Chinese food.

When I was obese I'd go to a restaurant and order an appetizer, main course, and dessert.. I'd go home and less then two hrs. later eat again....I remember how that felt.. At the moment your enjoying the food but then you'd feel guilty and sick...

The relationship that I have with food is so different now. I'm almost 2yrs post op.. When going to a restaurant , I will order either an appetizer or a main course that will last me for two meals. As most Spanish people, I love spice.. It was difficult at first but i gradually added it to my foods and have no problems whatsoever.. I had a 6in. oven roasted chicken on whole wheat (subway) for lunch today and it was loaded with jalapenos....

I cook at home more then I do going out to eat...

You're still only a short time out from surgery. Your stomach will be able to handle lots of things later that it can't right now. I'm a huge Tex-Mex fan, too, although I'm not particularly fond of hot, spicy food, but I can and do eat Mexican at restaurants pretty routinely now (minimizing raw onion, which my sleeve still doesn't like much--my mouth definitely does!!).

Going out to eat now is mostly a matter of sharing food with my husband. He's really good about letting me snag a few bites off his plate, and I usually have a cup of soup or half a side salad (whatever I feel like at the time). I completely agree that it's more FUN to go out now, since I'm focusing on the company and not the food; I thought about it recently, how this is probably how skinny people have been thinking of it their whole lives--not focusing on scarfing!

I eat out all the time. I hate buying a full meal but have decided to take the food home and I give it to my hubby for lunch or dinner. He likes it. I do buy things from the kids menu and have had no problems with any of the food. I have begun to wonder if I'm eating too much fat and calories. SOmetimes I get really hungry about 2 hours after eating. I'm trying to drink more water. You all are doing a great job and keep up the hard work! It is all worth it.

That was my first meal out too! I brought half of it home and had it for 2 more meals. Hubby is lovin cheap dates!

My first meal out was also at Chili's and had the enchilada soup strained. It was very tasty!!