Hi there, I'm starting the second week of my pre-op liquid diet so naturally I am thinking about what it will be like to go out to dinner once banded. Granted this is a fantasy for a couple of months down the line after I am healed up completely and understand how my band works, etc. Let's say I'm in the green zone. So, is this in any way what it's like to go out to a restaurant?

We sit down, the waitress comes over and we order drinks. I am not eating and drinking together, nor am I having alcohol very often, so the drink is a big deal. Maybe it's a glass of wine or perhaps a cocktail. If it's a cocktail I don't chew on the lime or eat the slice of orange. I sip the drink and enjoy every moment of it because it's a big treat. My spouse orders an appetizer and I finish sipping my drink. I need to clock it so that at least twenty minutes have elapsed before I have anything to eat. I order something high in Protein and soft -- something that will absolutely positively not cause me to get stuck. Perhaps I have ordered an appetizer. If it is an entree I will likely need to divide it to take some home or pass it over to my husband or son who will gladly absorb the extra from my plate. When the food arrives, I take a good hard look at it to determine the best approach. I am only going to have 1/2 to 1 cup and I need to listen especially hard to my body so I don't overdo it. Plus I've had a drink so I need to be extra mindful. I have ordered something very high in protein but I love veggies, too. I may need to move things around on the little plate so I am able to go very slowly and be sure to put the fork down.

Am I over-thinking this, LOL? I will still be able to eat out, I know, but I guess it's that week two pre-op and minor anxiety about upcoming surgery that is bringing up these little worries.....What's it like when you go out to dinner?

Unless we're dining out with friends, it's rare that I ever order a drink (cocktail) when we eat out. But the times that I do have one, I don't worry about drinking it with food.

On the weekends we eat out for just about every meal. I order what I want, and follow the eating rules; small bites chewed well, eat slowly and listen for the signal. When I get the signal, I stop & ask for a to go box. I don't order things like french fries, but I'll eat a few of my husband's. If I order a hamburger, I'll take one or two bites with the bun, but end up pushing the bread off to the side. Learning to eat after surgery is truly a trial and error process. I've never been stuck since being banded, so that never crosses my mind when we're out. I chew so well, that by the time I swallow the bite, that last bite has gone all the way down. I love eating out, and once I got the hang of how to eat while listening for the signal, I just go out and enjoy "dining". My biggest frustration is when something is SO good, I resent having to stop at the signal. I may push another couple of bites, but then I feel the signal yell a little louder. At that point, I'm done