I know that part of getting a sleeve is to just give us one tool out of many to change the way we live into a healthier person with less excess weight. So, I am curious how people who have been sleeved for a while handle/handled restaurants. I have to attend a fair amount of business lunches and I just wondered if there were people out there who have had to handle this challenge and what worked for them. I am not the most comfortable talking about my weight and weight loss struggles so I am guessing that coming right out and saying that is not going to be my first choice. Especially, not to a group of salesmen who are doing their best to bilk my company out of money. I am a large man 6'5 + . People will undoubtedly notice when I don't each much of anything.

Thanks for any suggestions.

CR

I do eat out a lot in restaurants and love it. I do try and order meals that are high in protein. I ordered a salad yesterday and ate the chicken and some lettuce. I order steak dinners that are small cuts and eat the meat, skip the potato, and order veggies. So I eat part of the steak and some veggies and I'm done. If people notice then I tell them that I'm cutting back and eating healthier and smile. I don't always want the healthier meals, the fatty foods are calling my name, so I have to tell myself no, I don't need that, healthy is the way I'm choosing to eat. I have a great dialogue with myself. LOL

I have only been sleeved for almost six weeks, but I also travel on business a bit. I'm on solid foods now. I had a business trip last week. I just ordered really healthy, high protein food at meals. One meal, I ordered the steamed clams and ate a few. No one noticed I didn't eat a lot. Another meal, I ordered meatloaf, skipped the mashed potatoes and asked for more veggies. Same thing, ate about a half cup or so of the meatloaf and a couple of bites of spinach and done. No one said anything. Another meal, I ordered fish. Fish goes down well with me. Soup is a good thing to order too If someone would have said something, I probably just would of said that I' m watching what I eat. It's none of their business about my surgery if I don't want to tell them. This weekend my husband and I went out for lunch. I ordered a chicken and cheese quesidilla. I ate the insides of two pieces and left the tortilla and then took two pieces home which my son then ate. I thought eating out would be difficult but it's not. The hardest thing is not drinking during meals, especially when you are waiting for your food.

I have a few business lunches/dinners a week.. Usually, I order some type of meat appetizer or lunch sized portions... We get so caught up in talking and stuff, I don't ever finish my meals, but no one notices.. and even if they did, I really don't care...

Tender cuts of steak or grilled chicken w/ veggies are always good choice.. Moving the food around on your plate will give the illusion that you've eaten more.

You will find that living the sleeved life becomes much easier as you navigate situations like this.... The servers and managers are always concerned that I didn't eat much.. I assure them that the food is fine, I just can't eat anymore right now...

It will be fine...

I order what I want, taking the advice of one poster here. I love BBQ, but not the huge portions. I'll order ribs with steamed veggies or a sweet potato. I eat a couple of ribs, box the rest, have a bite or three of the veggie, and I'm done. Just push it around if you're with someone who you don't want to know that you've had surgery (first date?). Most people are concentrating on their own meals and not really paying attention to what you do or don't eat, in my experience.

If I'm in a non-BBQ restaurant, I'll usually order something high Protein (steak or grilled chicken) and concentrate on that for my meal.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I am sure they will prove helpful.

You guys rock!