I finally have good restriction after months of re-learning the band (long story). I'm losing. I'm happy. I also have 3 social events coming up in the next 2 months w/ people I don't know very well. I am not out there with the band. I choose not to tell anyone except my immediate family.

How do you who have tight restriction eat when out in groups? One issue is a sit-down dinner party. The hostess sent around an e-mail asking if we have any dietary restrictions. I don't want to say I don't like something like steak because I think that might sound rude. I'm thinking to take small portions if possible and pass things I can't really eat off to my husband.

Advice on subtle ways of managing this would be helpful!

Thank you!

Regarding dietary restrictions and if you would like to avoid steak, perhaps in the future you could say that your doctor wants you to avoid red meat? I wouldn't want to sound too picky either, but you do actually have a medical reason to avoid it!

It depends if you're up front about whether you have a band or not I guess.

I cope with these things by taking what I know I can eat if that's an option, eating TINY portions and eating TWICE as slowly and HALF as much as normal, so that mistakes and pb's dont happen.

All my friends know I have a band - if its a group I dont know so well, I just dont worry about what they might think.

I never ever EVER push it to fit in more so taht I look more normal. that ends in disaster every time.

I say I prefer vegetarian options because it's usually something with veg and cheese that you can mash.

I have to eat out a lot with people who don't know I have the band. If it is a restaurant I just order Soup and salad with extra dressing to get it to slide down.

If it is someone's house I just eat tiny, tiny pieces and if someone asks I say I had a large meal earlier in the day or I'm not feeling well.