Eating Out

Wondering how all of you handle eating out?  I have not had the surgery yet, but it is my goal.  Wanted to know when you are out with friends and family how or what you get when you do eat out at restaurants or when you are at holidays gatherings? I am sure everybody is different.

We went on a cross-country trip to visit family and friends 3wks after my surgery, and it was hell initially. We'd stop at a Super Wal*Mart to get some produce (watermelon, pineapple, kiwi, bananas...easy stuff) that I could take w/me while they ate. Well, EVERY Wal*Mart we went to I got bad produce (totally spoiled) and I'd get sick. I resigned to just eating soup if they had it.
By 4-5mos out though it wasn't bad. Sometimes I'd show my restaurant card to be able to eat off the Sr menu, but I found there were a few places that would accomodate me better than that. (Famous Dave's is AMAZING w/how they treated me...not just 1 location either, but 5 different locations in 2 states) Sometime's I'd just order off the appitizer menu, or if there was something I really wanted, I'd get 1 of my kids to share it w/me. After about 2yrs, I just started ordering off the regular menu. I ask for a box immediately and bring home my leftovers...sometimes it would feed me another 2-3 days or I'd just let my hubby eat it.
When we are at special gatherings/parties/etc or out to eat w/family or friends, I just order what I want, but take my time eating it. I only eat what I know (for the most part) won't give me any issues, eat slowly and ONLY take what I'm comfortable eating. Every once in a while I get the "Are you sure you don't want more?" or "You haven't eaten very much, are you sure you're ok?" Mostly that's from my mom as she just 'forgets', but others say it too sometimes and I know they are well meaning. I make sure they know that I'm fine, yes I've had enough to eat and no I really, REALLY do not want any more. It sort of gets easier the farther out you are, but I'm finding now that I'm almost 6yrs out, there are many people that have forgotten now that I had WLS and I'll have to remind them on occasion. Heck, sometimes "I" forget I had WLS...but my pouch sure reminds me fast enough!

Now when I eat out it's usually seafood or fish broiled....Once in awhile steak or prime rib or BBQ ribs.....

I usually share a meal with hubby......

Kelly

I'm still early out & figuring things out as I start to venture out more when it comes to eating out.  Here's some of the things I've tried when I've been out & about that have worked for me:

Taco Bell-
refried beans & soft chicken taco (minus the lettuce & I don't eat the soft shell)

Wendy's-
Small chili with cheese

McD's-
Grilled Snack Wrap (minus the lettuce & I don't eat the wrap part) & yogurt parfait

Chipolte-
Bowl with meat, cheese, beans, & whatever veggies you may like (minus the lettuce) - this didn't completely agree with me, but I would try ordering from them again just order a different meat choice I think (for me at least).

Ate at Perkins the other day & used my card to order off the Seniors menu & still had way too much food.  I was able to share with my mom & still have a very fulfilling (and inexpensive) lunch. 

At sit down restaurants I look at their appetizers & I've had shrimp ****tail (which I love), soup, and other seafood dishes usually (with veggies as the side).  Applebee's has a great menu with some lower cal options (under 500 cal)...I love their shrimp & island rice one (I just get extra veggies instead of the rice).   

I've been avoiding lettuce, but just had my 3 month check-up & the dietician said I could start having salads again (concentrating more on the meat with a small amount of lettuce) so I'm really looking forward to adding those back into my diet.  I was also told if I could tolerate it I could have pasta & rice (the whole wheat kind) but I'm really avoiding those since I've heard how much problems they cause others.

When it comes to eating at others homes I usually find out what kind of food will be served & I'm sure to bring along a "dish" to share that I'll be able to eat.  That way I'm sure to have food that works for me that I'll enjoy, but I'm also contributing to the party. 

It's definitely an experiment for me everytime I go out & I try to look up the menu before I head to a specific restaurant just so I'm sure they'll have something on their menu that I'll be able to eat.  I haven't had a 'dumping' experience yet, but I have found that I get sick to my stomach real fast (like after 4-5 bites) if something isn't prepared "light enough" or is too high in fat (even if I ordered it not to be that way).  I think it's my body's way of not having me dump, which is nice.  Kinda like my own personal off switch...I literally get so sick to my stomach I have to stop eating & I know it's from the food (from the way it's prepared).  This never happens at home, it's only happened when we've gone out to eat, when the food preparation is out of my hands & I've even asked for them to prepare it a certain way but my pouch must not like it. 

When it comes to eating out it definitely is all about how you order things...don't be afraid to say what you want & return it if it comes out now how you ordered it.  You have to eat it, so make sure you can! 

 STEAK!!!
It's my favorite thing to eat out because it's a protein loaded meal and I can take the rest home.

I also am big on asking for a substitution of potatoes/fries/bread to steamed veggies instead.

I would also encourage you to put off going to a restaurant until you've got a couple months under your belt with your new eating habits after surgery. There's nothing quite as disappointing as going there all excited about the adventure of it and getting out of the house, only to discover you can only eat about 3 bites of something and your best bet would have been to just order some soup and take a couple sips of it. This might not make sense now, but go to a restaurant too early after surgery and you'll quickly realize what I'm talking about.

Congrats on your decision to have WLS. Which procedure and which surgeon are you looking at?

STEAK?? UH?!  I heard meats might not work too well with some people...so its good to hear.

I (hopefully) will be doing the RNY thru Park Nicollet.  By the way things are sounding it won't be until summer (HOPEFULLY)!! still keeping my fingers crossed!!

are you happy with your decision?

 Let me clarify something...I have the Duodenal Switch, so I do not have a pouch, like that of a RNY patient. Therefore, my food does not get stuck.

So, yes, STEAK! I always order it Medium now vs. well done. And it is always perfect and yummy. Plus, I love having leftovers for the next morning and I do very well eating it for breakfast. We have to add fat to our diet, so you would also see me load up that leftover steak with shredded cheese and warm in the microwave as well. oh dear, now I'm hungry! LOL

Am I happy with my decision? HECK YES!!! I had a beautiful surgery with an incredible surgeon and I fought insurance hard to get coverage - I appealed twice and won & it was worth every frustration because THIS NEW LIFE I wouldn't give up for anything right now!! I am alive and I am healthy and my co-morbs are gone.

Keep pursuing if you know in your heart now is the time for you!!!

ROFLOL
That AVI of your boots CRACKS ME UP!  Love it!!

I with you on the STEAK.  A big juicy filet mignon AND a salad with high fat dressing and LOTSA CHEESE! 

HealthPartner's kicks buttocks.  They just simply cover the Duodenal Switch; just like RNY or Band.  Just part of the options for Weight Loss Surgery for ANYBODY who qualifies.  Gotta love 'em.

Nom Nom Nom !!