So I'm in Atlanta for business and I'm looking at the agenda and it's mostly "Breakfast, meeting, lunch, meeting, Dinner"

Everything is food, I don't know how I'm going to get away with it this trip! It's my first time traveling after surgery and I forgot how much eating at resturants there is!!!

Anyone have any suggestions on what to get at resturants so I don't look like a jerk at the end of the table not eating?

Can you have solids yet? I've been ordering meat (steak or chicken) but can only eat a tiny bit of it. Or chili/soup would be a good option.

Can you have solids yet? I've been ordering meat (steak or chicken) but can only eat a tiny bit of it. Or chili/soup would be a good option.

Still in the Purée/Soft food stage. I guess Soup is always an option. But I'm here 3 days and I almost can guarantee they will figure something is up when I order soup for lunch and dinner everyday.

If anyone asks, just tell them you are watching your diet and trying to eat healthfully---not a lie, right?

Good point moofish, as well, maybe take a wall during supper or lunch and have breakfast in your room in the am...that way you only have one meal a day with the crew and this will help take your mind off all the food to. I travel a lot for business and I love doing my own thing at meal times, gives me a better energy for the day. You'll do great! Remember you did this due you, you come first.

Hey, what part of town r u in? As far as soft foods go, you may want to stick to Soups so Panera or Jasons deli is a good place. Are you able to eat eggs? If so, u can go to IHop and get the healthy plate which is egg with spinach and tomatoes with a side of fruit. If u like sea food and your approaching 3/4 weeks you can eat crab legs or scallops from several places - no dipping sauce of course. Send me I'm if u need names of more places!!!

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I totally understand your situation.... I was back to work the week after surgery, we were having a baby shower for a co-worker, I had to cook food and then attend the shower and not eat anything because I was still on liquid. It was a busy shower and lots of people so no one really noticed that I was not eating or drinking. I did have a business lunch at the end of the week where it was just me and a vendor, we went to a diner and I had a spinach omlet, I chewed the heck out of the egg and spinach and ate about a tablespoon full. My vendor said "is there something wrong with your omlette? I said that I had surgery and I have to eat minimal food. He was fine with that answer and we just started talking about work.

Honesty is the best policy, you can say you had surgery and can only have soft food OR that you are watching your weight etc. Make believe you are eating, cut up your food, move it around on your plate, take tiny bites and eat slowly!!! You can do it. Its tough but it can be done.

BTW.... how are you feeling.... didn't you go to the emergency room a couple weeks back ????

I totally agree with BBdoodle. Tell them you had surgery and are still on a soft food diet. Not uncommon for a number of different surgeries. There is a learning curve when it comes to ordering from restaurants. Since you're on pureed foods, keep in mind that restaurants have blenders too. Ask them to blend up a veggie smoothie. Or blend one of their soups. There's a very good chance that it won't be the first time they had the request and most restaurants are more than willing to accomodate any reasonable request. When you get to solid foods and you're out for dinner with your significant other, order one entre and ask them to split it up on two plates. Some restaurants will charge you a "plating" charge but many are happy to split it for no charge. Or order your own and just put half in a doggie bag. It's amazing how much more cost effective "eating out" becomes when you're getting two and sometimes three meals from one order!! There is ALWAYS a way!!

I did Indian or Mediterranean - lots of purreed foods. Baba ganash became my favorite, and of course there is hummus. You could probably convince em to purée lamb or beef.

It saved me in the early days. And then they serve lentil soup as well. (yum!!)

I went to San Francisco 2 weeks after surgery. It was the same kind of conference. Breakfast meeting-lunch-meeting-dinner for 3 days. I did great. They had a buffet for lunch which included soup, fish, Pasta etc. I chose the fish and soup. I put the soup cup right on my plate to take up space. At dinner I ordered an appetizer crab cake made with no extra butter or sauce and a side of mashed potato. Only ate a bit of each but it was yummy.

As far as questions are concerned, there won't be as many as you think. If someone asked I told them. Straight out. I am proud of my decision to get healthy and to use RNY as a tool to get there. People were positive and supportive.

Im in Atlanta what part of town r u in maybe I can give some suggestions

I totally understand your situation.... I was back to work the week after surgery' date=' we were having a baby shower for a co-worker, I had to cook food and then attend the shower and not eat anything because I was still on liquid. It was a busy shower and lots of people so no one really noticed that I was not eating or drinking. I did have a business lunch at the end of the week where it was just me and a vendor, we went to a diner and I had a spinach omlet, I chewed the heck out of the egg and spinach and ate about a tablespoon full. My vendor said "is there something wrong with your omlette? I said that I had surgery and I have to eat minimal food. He was fine with that answer and we just started talking about work.

Honesty is the best policy, you can say you had surgery and can only have soft food OR that you are watching your weight etc. Make believe you are eating, cut up your food, move it around on your plate, take tiny bites and eat slowly!!! You can do it. Its tough but it can be done.

BTW.... how are you feeling.... didn't you go to the emergency room a couple weeks back ????[/quote']

I'm feeling like a million bucks now and days! I'm in the Norcross area...

Well today went as horrible as I thought it would be! They decided on a pizza joint and come to find out even after scrapping the toppings off I still had to sprint to the restroom to vomit.

They all looked at me like I was crazy when I scrapped the toppings off. I told them I recently had surgery and limited to what I could eat and they didn't seem like they understood. Oh well! Just can't wait for the trip to get over with!

Hang in there people just don't understand what we are going though.

I tell all severs that I have had gastric bypass and needed to have my food prepared a special way, they so far don't have a problem with special orders after all its still money to them, and a better tip for outstanding service

My problem will start as soon as I return to work

Good luck

Surgery Anniversary 7/30/12

Before you go someplace to eat... Find out where you are going. If there are no eating voices for you at the restaurant of their choice...just say no. Tell em that it needs to be someplace that serves soup, and lighter eating choices. Asian, Indian, Mediterranean, even Mexican has scrambled eggs and refried beans. No to most Italian places, too heavy and tomatoes are too acidic on your stomach. Breakfast? Yogurt, oatmeal, cream of wheat, scrambled eggs wet...no carbs. No sugars. Watch your yogurt sugars, even Greek yogurt. Just remember what they teach kids in school..."just say no..."

Oh that sucks I'm in norcross there is the best soup at this Mexican restaurant if you need to be saved let me know and I can direct you to it

Why are you allowing the pressure of eating with your colleagues to determine your health? You've made a decision to change your life and your body is still healing, be kind and gentle on your body. Take a walk during meal times, go get a real iced tea with Splenda and do what your body needs you to do. Suffering is optional.