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A group of girlfriends that I work with try and go to dinner once a month. This months dinner will be the first one since I had my second fill. I would never tell anyone, but I am dreading and very excited about the restriction I will have. I will comply with my band and not push it, I just wanted to vent a little!

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I understand, don't fret though. I find when I am in those situations, I will order appetizers and not a full dinner this way they can't see how much is left on my plate, and if there are extra appetizers I can say hey these are great so and so would you like one?

I do that when we are at big events as well, if they are not sit down dinners and if they are I just move things around the plate and/or ask for a container to put half in. Waite staff never questions, and I always give them a "special" tip at the end of the event.

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Don't let eating out become something you dread.. Most restaurants will have band friendly food. the real trick is to know your limitations before you go. and if you know ahead of time check out the menu so you can take your time figuring out what you plan on eating.. for me i usually end up with a Soup and small salad.. Soups for the most part are slider foods and don't do much to trigger the band but combined with a small salad you can maintain the appearance of eating normally if this is something that concerns you. for me pretty much every one in my life both at home and work know that i have the band so it doesn't bother me. what i do not want to share with them is any kind of episode of being stuck.. that needs to remain private :D I know your just venting but you will be fine... go out and enjoy - just make sure that you have your drink before you eat :D

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Those are all very good tips! Thanks. I know it will be worth it down the road!

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Those are all very good tips! Thanks. I know it will be worth it down the road!

Got a little secret for you Kacey. I've been banded for more than a year and go out to eat often. Almost no-one pays attention to what you are eating and how much you are eating. They are focused on their own food. I see it all the time. As you're talking, cut up your food, hold some on a fork, chat away...and when the evening ends, ask for a doggie bag or don't even bother. I've never had anyone say anything to me...including and especially those who don't know I am banded.

Go have a good time, and don't worry.

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It's so true that no one is really paying attention -- I've been pretty amazed by that. If you are ordering only a small thing, like a Soup or just an appetizer, you can say, "I'm saving room for dessert!" Then at dessert time share with some one and only have a bite or none at all if you are on a strict regime. Every one loves sharing with me now because I hardly have any!

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Take your time and enjoy your meal, whatever you might feel comfortable with that being. No one will notice how much or how little you've eaten.

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A group of girlfriends that I work with try and go to dinner once a month. This months dinner will be the first one since I had my second fill. I would never tell anyone, but I am dreading and very excited about the restriction I will have. I will comply with my band and not push it, I just wanted to vent a little!

just go and have a good time being with your friends..dont over think it...the band is merely to help us eat less...what matters is the choices we make and what matters in this case...is you and your friends.....have a GREAT time.

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I am definitely looking forward to it now! Im going to order something small and enjoy myself!

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I just tell people "the band won't let me eat any more!" And laugh about it. Everyone is really supportive. I don't have many haters in my life or work place. Everyone is very supportive. At first I didn't want to tell anyone. But it's easier in social eating situations if people know. At least for me it is. Enjoy your meal! That's the important part. And your friends!

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None of my coworkers know about my band so in these situations I tick with Soup or a small appetizer. If they comment that it's not alot I blame it on a late meal earlier. It's been a year and they have yet to figure it out.

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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