My surgery was on 11/7 and I would like to go on vacation as soon as I heal. We are driving from San Francisco to Victoria Island. Eating on the road is going to happen. I will bring as much as I can but it's going to happen. I will eat out. I really don't want to screw up this surgery and stay overweight... Any ideas?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using the BariatricPal App

Soup soup and more soup

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My surgeon said I could travel after my post op check and travel to Europe ( blood clots with very long plain ride and elevation after 6 weeks. When you eat out don't bother ordering your own meal you won't be eating more than 3-4 oz per meal bring your food and protein drinks/powder and a tiny postal scale and measuring cups for eating out 2:1 ratio of protein to carbs, pick low calorie carbs.

I would say in order to make it easier to wait until you are at least on solid foods......once you're on solid foods eating out is easy. I always just eat off my husband's plate....stick to Protein and maybe a little bit of veggies....no starches or breads.

eating out before you're on solid foods is dangerous.....not from a diet standpoint but risky from a health standpoint. You must give your stomach time to heal before eating anything that is not on your plan.....if you must eat out before the solid food stage ask if they can puree something for you. Good luck!!!

I'm only going to travel when I can eat solids. Otherwise I will hurt myself and that would ruin all my hard work. I absolutely think that sharing food is responsible. Although, my boyfriend thinks it rude to the restaurant if I ask for a plate to share his meal. I think he has a lot of things he needs to get used to. I only see eating as a means to survive, not pleasure anymore. I'm hoping he will get used to this new way of life and start making changes to his diet as well, he is not thin and needs to lose weight too. Thanks for your advice. I'm so glad to have the support of everyone here.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using the BariatricPal App

Not sure what your definition of "as soon as I heal" is, but you can prepare appropriately. I think meeting your liquid goals will be the most challenging because drinking so much doesn't bode well with a road trip because of frequent bathroom stops.

I eat out a lot and have done so since week 2. Restaurants usually have soup on the menu and they have blended them for me. When on mushies you can get creative with menu choices. I eat the insides of enchiladas and tacos, meatballs, chicken salad, tuna salad, refried beams, soft veggies, etc. And, once on solids, you have more choices. Just take everything new slowly. Victoria is one of the most beautiful places I have been. Enjoy!

I don't cook, so I am an expert at eating out and keeping my goals in check. If you'll be on solid foods, you can go to a sandwich shop and get the lunchmeat and cheese rolled up into lettuce leaves, or chopped on a salad (I only ever really eat the meat and the cheese anyway). Every fast food place serves a burger on no bun. Hardees calls it a lowcarb burger. Some call it 'on the green'. Wendy's will serve any burger they sell in a dish with a leaf of lettuce, a tomato, and a knife and fork. Get a side salad and dig in. Agree with eating the insides of everything! Burritos, tacos, just open the tortilla and ask for a fork. I still love refried Beans and cheese.

At restaurants, I stick to the soup menu or the appetizer menu. Ask for the lower fat versions, they are less likely to be breaded and deep fried and DO NOT be afraid to ask for it how you want it. They might say no but they might say sure, we can do that! Omelets are great, eggs are great, bacon and sausage is great. avoid pancakes, waffles, biscuits and the like. You won't be able to each much of it, then you're full but still hungry if that makes sense? it just pisses me off if I fill up too fast.

You don't have to disclose your surgery to everyone you talk to but it does help people understand that you REALLY can't eat much.

Also, many restaurants will let you order off the kids menu-- smaller portions for teh win! You will have leftovers. I always keep the Protein and dump everything else. i know good and well I am not going to eat that later.

I almost never order drinks anymore unless I am taking them to go (lots of ice!). I have to wait at least 20 mins after I eat and I never get to it.

Edited November 17, 20169 yr by TheCurvyJones

I agree with curveyjones. Look for Protein on the menus and order that. Or pick the protein out of whatever and just eat that. I'm 6 years out and this is still how I eat when I Go out. Leftovers will be hard on the road, so as much as you may hate to waste food, don't feel obligated to clean your plate. Bring some Protein Bars or tuna packets or string cheese to nibble on if you need to. Take lots of Water (or whatever you like to drink) and sip every chance you get. Vacations are fun and distracting, so it's often too easy to forget to drink.

Good luck, you will do fine if you just remember these six rules....sip, sip, sip, protein, protein, protein.

Just make sure you are healed enough for that kind of travel, bring along anti-nausea pills just in case!!

I had my surgery the Tuesday before college football season began. I was at the bar, eating eggs (on my doc's approved list) that Saturday. I continued to go out and socialize at bars and restaurants with no issue from that point on out. I had not problem doing that and sticking to my doc's plan.