I am a complete nervous wreck,, Tomorrow my husbdand and I are going out to dinner with two of his co-workers and their wives, neither of which I have met before, PLUS this will be my first time eating out in a restaurant since I was sleeved (6/21/12). I asked my hubby to find out about the restaurant so I could research their menu but he said it's an Italian place grrrrrr---that means almost every menu item will most likely include Pasta and of course the bread that they probably will place on the table. So i am scared of eating out plus eating in fron tof others. What if I overeat -which I have a tendency to do-and get sick thats gonna be embarrassing, and what if they notice my eating habits and think odd of me. I have gotten amazing support from you guys opn here and was wondering how some of you have handled a situation like this

My suggestion....order broiled fish, and a soft(mashable) veggie, if they have one. Don't be afraid to just get the fish....and don't be embarrassed to take a pass on the pasta, or anything else that's bad for you!! You've made a huge decision to have surgery, and to take control of food.....this is just an opportunity to do just that. Be in control of the situation, do what you need to do...FOR YOU...and don't worry what anyone else thinks about it! Best of luck!

Antipasti is a platter of meat cheese olives and pepperoni, there is no Pasta in it and if they ask "that is all you are eating?" just tell them you currently don't have much of an appetite.

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Thank you so much, you are right and the suggestions are great, I am gonna try to see this as a new adventure and a new part of my life. I will concentrate on the conversation and not the food. I do mindlessy eat sometimes when I go out, or I used to that it..now maybe I will learn to pay more attention to my surroundings like artwork and things other than food. My husband is completely on my side and my number one cheerleader through this new life . I am sure they will have a chicken dish, I can order or another good protein choice. I was thinking maybe a soup or an appetizer as a main course , but I liek your suggestion better and I will enjoy the meal twice with the leftovers.

Antipasti is a platter of meat cheese olives and pepperoni, there is no Pasta in it and if they ask "that is all you are eating?" just tell them you currently don't have much of an appetite.

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I have wondered since surgery how I would respond if someone mentioned my lack of appetite, and I have decided that I will be honest and just tell them that I've had the surgery and my stomach is small. After all I wouldn't have known abot the success of surgery if my sister in law wasn't so open about her gastric bypass.So maybe someone else will benefit from my experience too, and you know what even if they don't I have benefited in many ways !!!!

My suggestion....order broiled fish, and a soft(mashable) veggie, if they have one. Don't be afraid to just get the fish....and don't be embarrassed to take a pass on the Pasta, or anything else that's bad for you!! You've made a huge decision to have surgery, and to take control of food.....this is just an opportunity to do just that. Be in control of the situation, do what you need to do...FOR YOU...and don't worry what anyone else thinks about it! Best of luck!

exactly...I am happy with the changes that I have experienced and I will learn how to handle this type of situation. I have made a positive choice to change my life and health for the better and I m gonna be proud of that

While I have told my immediate family, when the time comes, I'm preparing to say that I had a hormonal imbalance (grehlin) and had a procedure to fix it. And now I can finally lose weight and keep it off. All true. This is assuming that I feel that I have to explain anything. I may tell certain people to mind their business since there was no concern from them while I was getting fat.

As for restaurants, I plan to just simply say I lost all but one tenth of my stomach to surgery and as a result, I can only eat small amounts. Regardless, I'll be truthful in what I say, even if I leave a few details out. Hopefully people can leave it at that, and don't feel it necessary to keep poking. If they do, an honest "Why do you ask?" should shut them up. They won't want to admit they're just nosy! LOL!

I'm one that LOVES to eat also I will go with a soup and salad. Ask for a to go box and store half of the food away in box prior to eating so you can limit what you eat. Other wives might look at you like what's going on...just say i'm controlling my portins and keep it moving

I love italian restaurants because I order a bowl of sauce (no meat) and cheese baked on top- It is awesome- NO bread NO pasta.. It is very yummy!!

Also you if you like fish most places offer a baked white fish that is very soft and you can order it baked with sauce on the side- and take home whatever you dont eat- also move your food around the plate that helps distract people if they focus on your not eating...

I frequent an Italian restaurant and I order meatballs in sauce, or I order chicken parmisagn (sp?) with broiled chicken. There is my always go to safe soup. I guess you could see if they have some type of non fried calamari, don't be afraid to ask for a special order, I always tell the waitress I just had surgery and cannot eat anything greasy. Good luck.

All good suggestions. My two cents: who cares what people think? No explanations necessary. If they ask, I'll go with "i don't have much of an appetite".

I have had plenty of dinner dates with friends and people who don't know about my surgery. Honestly, people are not paying attention to how you are eating; they are concerned with what they are eating. Just pick at your food, eat slow, and get a to go box. It's very common to take food home with you that you don't finish. If someone happens to mention it or ask you why you haven't eaten much, it's ok to tell them that you are dieting. If you're not comfortable with that, tell them that you have a stomach ache. You could also try blocking the view of your plate by placing the bread basket in front of it or something. But, as I said, I have noticed that people aren't really paying attention at all.

Thanks everyone, your suggestions have helped me feel more comfortable, and excited about dinner tonight,I am focusing on the postive things ,like meeting new people and getting to know more people that work with my hubby...either way if its a great step ahead or a total bomb ( which I doubt) it will be just another day good or bad....Thanks for all of your perspectives...hubby says I worry too much about what others think and even though I know he's right it's a hard habit to break