I’m going to a 50th birthday party on July 9 and will only be able to eat soft foods at that point. Unfortunately it’s a preset menu at Italian restaurant so there will be things like pasta, fish and eggplant. What do you think I’ll be able to eat?? I don’t want to have to resort to bring my own food for various reasons but will if I have to.

fish is considered a soft food just make sure you have some sauce on it to make it nice and moist. I would consider pasta a soft food to but for many pasta doesn't sit well in the early stages after surgery. any well cook veggies would be considered soft too you could mash them up a bit on your plate. you're not going to be able to eat a lot at this point anyway so go and enjoy the company of your family/friends and try not to focus on the food.

Thank you for the advice. That sounds like a good plan.

I was in such a position early on. I had had a couple bad experiences eating in public, so it was not something I was interested in repeating. Still not, really, but that's neither here nor there. I played with the food on the plate, whatever it was, and if anyone asked said "It's just not agreeing with me. It tastes great, but I just can't manage it" and shrugged.

Then ate what I could when I got home.

Of course, it helped that I'm just a delight and a conversationalist extraordinaire at parties (huh) so that everyone was just intoxicated with my patter.

Good luck,

Tek

If your anxious about it just eat before you go and don’t eat. Just say you had a big lunch and your still full or that your stomach has felt off or something like that. People comment for something to say but they really don’t care that much whether we eat for the most part.

Edited June 20, 20224 yr by ShoppGirl

Problem is it’s 2 hours away, then inhave to endure all the party and then drive 2 hours home so that’s a long time to not eat!

12 minutes ago, Melissa4444 said:

Problem is it’s 2 hours away, then inhave to endure all the party and then drive 2 hours home so that’s a long time to not eat!

Hummmmm…I guess You could bring something with you to eat before or after. I mean if you feel comfortable eating a little fish there that’s obviously the easier option but if you don’t want to eat there then you will have to pack a snack I guess.

Edited June 21, 20224 yr by ShoppGirl

11 minutes ago, Melissa4444 said:

Problem is it’s 2 hours away, then inhave to endure all the party and then drive 2 hours home so that’s a long time to not eat!

Take an insulated lunch bag (with freezer puck) in the car, packed with a spoon and containers of hummus, Greek yogurt, applesauce, cooked baby carrots, or whatever other soft foods appeal to you. Problem solved.

Thanks!

Honestly if you going to be gone for 6 or more hours you are probably going to want to pack a cooler of some sort anyways for drinks. Or at least I would. Post surgery I invested in a nice little yeti cooler and I take it everywhere so i have my water and crystal light with me at all times. I also bring my own salad dressing when I will be out for the day and know I will be eating out as long as I can do it discretely. Comes in handy to bring home leftovers as well. Probably don’t have to splurge on Yeti if you don’t live where it’s hot but packing drinks and snacks helps alot to make sure you can make the right choices all the time instead of having to eat what you shouldn’t because it’s all that’s available.

Oh, yes the fish is the way to go and maybe the eggplant depending on how it’s prepped & served with. Just watch the sides. You won’t be able to eat all you’re served but that’s ok. Ask to take your left overs home as others have suggested if you want & yes a cooler can be invaluable. And yes try some fish at home before you go just to be sure. (I ate a lot of fish from soft food.)

Don’t be afraid to give the restaurant a call before you go either to let them know you are on a restricted diet post abdominal surgery. They may be able to offer you an option just like they would for a vegetarian or vegan or for someone with food allergies. Most restaurants are very flexible & understanding these days.

Enjoy the party.

Call ahead to see if you can have some soup if it’s on the menu or eat the cheese as sauce from the lasagna.