Went to "dinner" with a friend last night. Had no idea what to order so I ordered but didn't eat. Just brought it home. That was no big deal. The part that was strange was how I felt. I am 30 days post op and I felt out of place. Like I shouldn't even have been there. Anyone else have strange notions like that?

I've been out to eat a few times with my husband and kids since surgery. I order something that I know I can eat, then just eat the amount that is comfortable (not much!) I take the leftovers home if they'll reheat well, and just enjoy the company and conversation in between my small bites, spread out over the meal.

I'm almost 2 weeks post-op.

My bf and sister took me to a mall so that i can walk.

They were hungry and i didn't want to make them feel bad so i said hey let's go to Applebee's.

I ordered a Soup and a dish from the weigh-watchers menu. Ended up taking the entire dish home.

It was weird. To have no drink or no appetizer. I was killing time by using my phone while everyone finished eating.

The soup filled me up but i can just imagine if this is how its going to be in the future i will have no social life

We all usually (we being friends) usually do dinner/drinks and then a movie or bowling or billiards, etc.

It never crossed my mind that part of "hangin out" with my friends was also stuffing our faces.

You are only two weeks out. It gets better and at some point you will be able to eat more. Besides social activity shouldn't be tied to food anyway. There's so many better ways to hang out with friends that sitting around chowing down. A good conversation with a good friend or a walk in the park or playing cards are great ways to hang out, but without food.

I am almost 2 weeks post op. My friends 40th birthday was last week, so a few friends planned a luncheon for her at a local fancy restaurant. They talked me into going. I just ordered iced tea and sipped it (without a straw!). I felt very awkward and out of place. It seemed to make everyone else uncomfortable that I was not eating. Maybe I just felt uncomfortable being there. Weird. I figure that once I am back to solids, I can probably just order a plain piece of fish and nibble. But at this liquid stage, it was awkward. And of course everyone had advice for me ("try juicing some fruit!") that of course, was not what I needed - they don't have a CLUE as to what I am going through or about the reality of this surgery and the postop stages.

You are only two weeks out. It gets better and at some point you will be able to eat more. Besides social activity shouldn't be tied to food anyway. There's so many better ways to hang out with friends that sitting around chowing down. A good conversation with a good friend or a walk in the park or playing cards are great ways to hang out, but without food.

Yes. I agree with you. It just never crossed my mind that this was actually what i we did when there is so many other fun things we could do besides sitting down to eat. And when your with friends you tend to make the wrong food choices.

Soup was my go to at 3 weeks out. I felt good being able to feel like part of the group and order something. I always order water to drink but the don't drink it.

I'm four weeks out and have been out to eat twice so far. Last night we went to an Italian restaurant to celebrate my husband's birthday. I tried a little bread and a small sip of wine but it tasted funny to me. I ordered soup for my meal and ate about half. Then everyone ordered dessert and I order gelato. It was a small portion and I had no trouble eating it. Sigh. Just cuz I've been sleeved doesn't mean I don't have to think about my choices anymore.

We get creative! DH and I went to a neighbors party 3 weeks post op. host asked which wine I wanted, so I picked my favorite. Played with it for an hour, but didnt drink any, then when DH finished his, then we swapped glasses and I played with the empty one!

My surgeon gave me a medical card staying I had "stomach surgery" and need to be allowed to order off the kids menu. This helps w portion size as well as cutting the cost of a meal.