I have chosen to keep my WLS private. Only my family and a few best friends know about it. It's just something I want to keep personal, I don't want to talk about it and get questions/judgement/unsolicited advice all the time. Sooo WHAT do I do about dating? I have a friend setting me up and it will just be weird when i can't eat anything at a restaurant. What do I do?! If I was in a relationship I would tell him, but I don't want to share on a first date.

Why can't you eat anything in a restaurant? You should be able to; if not, that's a bigger problem than not divulging you had WLS.

You should be able to eat anything at a restaurant. If you're very recently post op - liquids / mushy phase then yeah wait - but otherwise you should be good to go.

Maybe pick the restaurant ahead of time by reading the menus. My band isn't too tight and not too picky.

Chili's - I get the margarita chicken with the black beans and rice. When it comes I immediately cut it in half and try to show a clear divide and not touch the other half.

Steakhouse - can you eat steak? I get steak and veggies

Carrabbas - grilled chicken with sautéed spinach

Olive Garden - rosemary chicken and get double spinach instead of mashed potatoes

You get the idea. Most restaurants will help you out. Just scope out the menu ahead of time (most have menus online). Maybe even eat at that place prior to the date. Cut small pieces before popping it into your mouth. Chew well and just have fun.

Good luck!!

SO many people eat the way we do...high Protein, low carbs...without the lapband. I've never had any trouble eating at restaurants. I just grin and tell the waitstaff that I'm a picky eater and I'm going to challenge them. Then I customize my order. I've only had one waitress give me grief and when I put her in her place at the end of my meal...well...she won't do that again.

And, I've never had anyone at the table (who didn't already know about my band), ask me why I'm eating the way I do. If you just order with confidence, act like it's no big deal, then no one is going to care. Focus on your date and all the rest will fall into place

Good luck!

S/he will think you're a dainty eater (you are!) or likely won't notice anything at all - they will be thinking about what they are going to have for dinner. I don't eat bread or Pasta -- at restaurants I like to have something I can't cook better at home so I go for something with a yummy or unusual sauce. And I love fish. You can always say, "I'm saving room for dessert" if you're just ordering an appetizer (great option). Then when you do order dessert just have a bite. You'll be a fantastic date.

But seriously, if you cannot eat out because you live on sliders and shakes or you get stuck all the time, please see your surgeon right away and tell them everything. That's no way to live and it's dangerous.

Have fun on your date!

Many if the above are correct. You've changed your eating habits. Don't focus so much on them. Focus on who is in front of you.

Before band life, I would order this special, or that special. After band life, same thing, but a little different and healthier.

If you make it a big issue, he will notice.

Go and have fun. Enjoy.

I eat out all the time & can always find something on the menu that I can eat. If you are nervous about going out, see if you can get the menu on line and decide before you go what you can have. If you are on my fitness pal, you can enter the items that you are ordering to see the calorie/protein count beforehand and gauge how to handle yourself. You will do just fine!