So I was wondering what was the soonest people went out to eat after surgery? I know I can go out with friends and not eat anything, but what was the soonest that you found something on the menu that you could actually eat?

Thanks!

A month - Order a appetizer or a high end meal

For examples a shrimp cocktail is my go to meal when i go out, or the Ahia Tuna - You will never eat it all no matter what you eat unless you are out of ordinary

I go for the fish first seems to be the smallest portions on the menu or any shellfish - Due to food costs these are usually the smallest portions, I have a culinary degree so i focus on things like

Sea bass - Shrimp - Crab - In the seafood

Filet - Steak medallions- Hanger steak = Red meat

Do not touch the roles, Do not get a salad and the sides are pretty much a waste of time - Be real careful on the prep of the food, Most places use a ton of oil, pan sprays, and coatings to do there unique twist on the meal. The sauces and chemicals will not work out well - Keep it simple

But if done right you can have 1/3 and two more meals for the next two days.

2 weeks post op (I was in soft foods stage, we didn't have a puree stage) I had like 2 oz of a chipotle bowl. I've also had some BBQ (really soft brisket) without issue. Breakfast places if you order an egg a la carte should be fine as well.

I went out to eat at like 2 months? When I could eat some solid foods. It was kinda' dumb because I managed 2 cheese cubes and a chicken wing, which had Old Bay on it and I choked on the spices and then didn't have any water since I didn't think it was OK to drink while eating. Pro tip: Get a drink anyway in case you start choking.

Soft phase

I found a lot of places had cottage cheese hummus or yogurt on their menus.

Soup, coffee and tea. If nothing else

Good Luck ?

I went out to a restaurant at just under 4 weeks (it was my mother-in-law's 75th bday so I couldn't bow out).

I ordered fois gras (ate about 1 tbsp of it) and a butternut squash soup (had maybe 3-4 spoonfuls).

My leftovers were finished off by the Kid.

P.S. I also had my first post-op glass of wine (a very dry red)...I drank maybe 1/4 of the glass. It felt weird going down (like I could feel it traveling down my intestines or something), but was otherwise uneventful.

We went out to Outback while on a short vacation when I was 3 weeks out. I wasn't planning on eating because I didn't think there was anything I could have. The waitress talked me into having some whipped potatoes and she said no charge! Turned out alright, I felt fine and that was my first meal on the pureed diet.

My dad had his 65th birthday 2 weeks after surgery. I had minestrone soup, I asked the kitchen to strain out all solids and enjoyed the broth.

My first meal out was a baked Camembert- I didn’t have much but it was fabulous!

Few weeks post op when I started looking. Golden Corral buffet to go. They weigh your food. It's like 3 dollars. Huge selection of Protein. Soups from Panera and Newks. Shrimp and fish from seafood places. I mostly cook at home but when I do go out i order to go. If I absolutely have to sit at a restaurant, I usually eat off my husband's plate or my bestfriends. Feels like a waste of my money to order an entire meal so I try to avoid it.

Hi I had my surgery on Halloween also I just went out to eat this weekend a couple of time and each time I had a cup of soup and only had probably 1/2 and hubby finishes the rest. The food others had didn’t bother me at all. It seems like my relationship with food is changing. Did you go out already?

Shrimp cocktail was my go to for a few months.

3 weeks after surgery, I went out to eat with a friend and got a cup of chicken noodle soup, and just ate the broth and some of the chicken.

Starting at 6 weeks, I get a chicken caesar salad and eat about 1/4 to 1/2 of it.

It’s was 2 months post op I believe. I still didn’t recover (my beginning journey was rough) but I ended up having a small piece of chicken and then instantly felt like crap after. It all depends on the person. Stick with soft foods

I eat out quite frequently as that was always my lifestyle. Just approach it entirely different now. Been going out since 5 weeks out. Greek is easy & go often. Initially had side of hummus. Other times soft gyro meat with tzaziki & a bit of tomato & cucumber with no skin. I always order from appetizer menu or sides & can always find something. My spending @ restaurants now is crazy. Where I used to spend on average $25-$40 now spend under $10! At Italian got side meatballs. Sports bar cup of chili. Sashimi @ sushi. Ma Po Tofu or Eggplant with some protein in garlic sauce @ Chinese. When in doubt I google if ok. Never feel cheated out that can eat & enjoy with friends. Besides it’s not just about the food. It’s also the company & possible ambiance of restaurant. Good luck!

My husband calls me a cheap date ?