Travel for work!

Good Morning All, I have some great news to report, I'm at 230, down a total of 67 pounds after 11 weeks. I will also be taking my first flight as a post-op. I have to travel for work the week of 10/25, I'm excited but nervous at the same time. Excited because I want to see how much room I have in the airplane seat! Nervous because I am terrified of eating out every day for 5 days. In the past when I have traveled, I tended to have bad behavior in restaruats, I would do the appetizer, wine, beverage, entree and dessert. I know I can no longer eat this way, but none the less it terrifies me. The other thing is when I am traveling in the field I tend to work longer hours with fewer regular breaks, so I may go longer between meals,so it may be harder to make decent food choices! Then on top of that I have only eaten out once since surgery. I have tolerated everything fairly well, but I have done most of the cooking. What if something is too rich and makes me sick and I vomit. Lord, Lordy! How will I ensure I am getting adequate protein? I certaintly can't take my scale and measure my food. There are so many things to make me nervous about this entire trip, but I know I have to get through it.

Lady Teah, First, congratulations on your phenomenal weight loss. Second, congratulations on being self aware enough to recognize the potential for pitfalls in this experience. While I don't have too much to offer, I think that the first step is one you have already accomplished -- recognizing the issue. The second part may be slightly harder. Will you be having to go with others from work? If not, perhaps stopping at a local grocery store and finding some quick to make alternative foods for your meals would be a good solution. If you do have to go out with a group, for a sales lunch, or something, then simply order something small, soup, for example, and ask the waiter/ress to make sure your selection is brought to you with everyone else's meal. Alcohol of anykind would probably be a mistake, both because it is empty calories and because you might get too inebriated. If social drinking would be part of any activity, I'm sure you can get away with an ice water in a glass, with lemon. No one will know you aren't adding a little something to the drink anyway. Finally, for the snacks, you may just have to bite the bullet (no pun intended) and bring an Ensure or something (maybe put it in a travel coffee mug when you bring it to the office) and while everyone else is busy grabbing their donuts and doritos, grab yourself a healthy snack. Your self-satisfactied smirk will keep everyone else wondering what you are up to! In any case, I'm sorry it took so long for me to reply. I read your post a few days ago, and I've been trying to think of some advice. Good luck on your trip!