Had surgery 2/26 and am still in liquid phase. Husband made last minute plans with friends for dinner. I was a bit freaked out. I drank half a protein shake on the way to the restaurant and then ordered a cup of corn chowder. It ended up being more chunky than I expected but I was able to skim the broth off the top and act normal. Friends commented wondering if soup was ok and I just let them know I was eating a lot less these days. I SURVIVED!!! And I'm a cheap date at $2.99!!!

My surgery was feb. 18th... I have been to tgifridays, and couple more places. I just order all soft healthy foods.

It's always possible to find good choices at restaurants once you are able to leave the full liquid stage. We went out with friends this weekend and I had poached haddock with clams, spinach, and potatoes. Ate a few bites of everything and had lots of leftovers. I told people I didn't want any appetizers because I wouldn't be able to eat my meal too, they seemed pretty satisfied and didn't question me--even if they didn't know about the sleeve. I drank water and a little fresh squeezed OJ when my blood sugar got a little low. (I am diabetic.) It was a nice evening, and it felt good being "normal" again!

Edited March 12, 201412 yr by Teachamy

Wow my surgery was 2/27/2014 I wish I could go out to a restaurant, my dr's plan is so strict I am suppose to be on protein shakes, water, jello, broth sf ice pops for 3 weeks, then purée. I'm not sure if this is working for me, I feel like I could eat something, like caned chicken or tuna, or cheese. Not sure how much longer I can hold out!!!

Glad you survived and were able to get something that agreed with you!

I know when I got to the "Whole liquids" or pureed stage, I requested that my creamy chicken be ran through a blender at a local restaurant, and they were able to do it no problem. I have also had them puree the black bean Soup at panera and it's like thin refried black Beans. Basically if they offer smoothies, or blended mixed drinks they have a blender and will usually puree Soups for you. I also order my salad with no lettuce, just the toppings, so I get tomatoes, cucumbers, cheese, onions and a few croutons, dressing on the side. I dip my veggies in the dressing and nibble while waiting on the main course, or I get a soup to go if that's an option, and it's lunch the next day or dinner that night when we do lunch out. My 12 year old is not able to finish an adult meal, and isn't much for the kids options, so we usually split something grilled, or blackened. We love blackened chicken, and if she eats the soup or salad I get to choose the side, if I take the soup home she chooses the side. Sometimes we take turns picking the meal, but honestly I eat so little, and I'm not really a picky eater so I try to get her to make the selection. I think it's a good way to get her to make healthy choices for herself, and starting her on a better path to adulthood. She knows my limitations, and almost always makes good choices for both of us. I guess I'm lucky, she was never a hotdog, grilled cheese, or spagetti kind of kid, so kids meals haven't ever really appealed to her. They offer such horrible choices to kids at 99% of restaurants. But we have learned over the coarse of the last year or so that some places have kid sized portions of the adult options, just ask.