Band unexpected events

Lately I’ve been preparing myself on how I will live with the band and how to deal with certain situations that may arise.  

A perfect example is a couple of weeks ago- The board of Directors surprised me by bringing me to The Keg and presenting me with an award for my achievements. I was not aware beforehand and  was basically “kidnapped”. I got there and got thinking, “If I was banded right now- what would I do?”    

Steak is not a band friendly food.  

The good thing is that they seemed to have excellent soup on the menu but what would you tell an Executive if they asked- “Why are you only eating the soup at such a good restaurant?”    The meal was the company’s expense so of course I ended up taking a $24.00 Steak but its things to think about.  

Another example:  

I had meetings for two days at a hotel yesterday and the day before (and the reason I wasn’t around here much). Breakfast, snacks and lunch was served by the Hotel for these two days in our Conference room.

I have to say that nothing offered was band friendly: Sandwiches, muffins, cookies, carbonated drinks, etc.  

I don’t think the food is going to tempt me when situations like the ones above arise- but it’s the possible questions I may be asked regarding my food choices. I’m very open about my surgery mean to a certain extent, with my family, friends and immediate boss but I don’t think I want to announce it to the world either.  

What’s your opinion about this and how to do you plan on tackling these situations?  

M

Eating out with the band is not much different than eating on while on weigh****chers.  They should not judge you about what you order.  My best suggestion at a dinner like that is to order what you want, but only eat some of it.  Steak is band friendly as long as you chew the sh*t out of it.  small bites very slowly.  There is no reason you can't eat out comfortably.  I've been on ww since Feb and never had a problem.  I think once you are in the situation you would deal with it.  It just seems hard before hand. 

Thanks Patsy.

My best friend who is banded swears up and down that she just can't eat steak. She was banded in Dec 05 by Dr. B.

She says no matter how much she chews she can't do red meat or bread but everyone is different. I find my best friend tends to lean more on soups when she eats in public, not sure why.

One of my coworkers who is in WW was in the meeting with me yesterday- she avoided most of the food and brought her own. She did eat some vegetables off the vegetable tray though.

Are you allowed to eat fruit on WW? The reason I asked is because she seemed to avoid fruit all day yesterday.

Steak isn't impossible for everyone.  its like bread rice and pasta.  you have to try it for yourself and see if it works for you.  everyone is different.  as for fruit on ww, you can have it but it's limited due to the natural sugars in it.  Its high in carbs.  so small fruits are allowed.  like a small apple, small orange, small or half of a banana.  I'm curious about raw veggies with the band but its never been said that we can't have them...they even said we can eat nuts.  everyone has to try their own things  Anyway  these things are not good reasons to turn against the band.    Just imagine becoming diabetic and having to adjust your eating to THAT menu.  no thanks.  i'd rather the band menu!!!!!!!!!!!!   This is just my opinion, but I'm already sold on the band !
PATSY

I was wondering about raw veggies also- I imagine celery may be hard because you already need to chew it to death. Everything should be ok in small bites.

I'm happy about the nuts because I love almonds and they are a good source of protein.

I am completely sold on the band 100%. I was just thinking how I was going to handle unexpected scenarios. I know there was a post where I said I wasn't sure. I was always sure- just making sure I turned every rock possible.

I think the reason I was over thinking about it different scenarios  is because my best friend when to the Aulac Irving Big Stop a couple of months ago. I don't recall what she ordered but there were 2 scoops of patatoes involved and it takes her a long time to eat. The waitress kept coming by and asking her if something was wrong with her food because she was barely eating.

She kept saying no, no I'm fine. On the THIRD TIME she finally told the waitress that she had a small stomach and that she can only eat so much. I found that quite rude but I imagine it's scenarios you will encounter with people who don't know- questions like: Why are you eating so slow? etc.

I have to admit that if I was sitting besides my friend without knowning- watching her eat would prompt questions to pop in my head. Not negative questions- maybe just "Are you feeling well?"

It does take her a long time to eat and for such a small amount. I was simply wondering how to successfully tackle inquiries you may receive from people who aren't aware of your situation and that you don't necessarily want to make aware.

it was suggested to me that you should continue to eat like you are on a diet.  I would never order something that comes with two scoops of potato.  one suggestion was to order an appetizer instead of an entree.  that way it's smaller so if you take longer to eat, it won't be as noticeable.  I am continuing with WW during this so won't be eating any big entrees from The Big Stop.  I would probably order soup and a roll or something llike that.  Its no one's business but your own, what you order and why.  Jay and I went to swiss chalet last night for supper and he ordered a quarter chicken dinner and i ordered a bowl of soup.  it was perfect.  perfect size and perfect content and perfect price $3.99 !!!!!!!!!!!!!  the waitress never questioned why i didn't get something else and even if we had been with someone else and they questioned me i would just say that that's all i feel like right now.  "IT FITS INTO MY PLAN" !!!!!!!!!!  It's human nature to force food on people and question why you don't eat like a horse, but it's your business and yours alone.  You could also order a side salad or appetizer of mussels or something like that.  We aren't supposed to eat any more than a cup of food at any meal so if you order a big dinner and stop at a cup it would look odder than ordering small in the beginning.  plus once the big plate is in front of you, you need to depend on your own will power to stop and that ain't gonna happen.;  After all how did we get obese in the first place.  You have to stand confident and make the right decisions and not worry about anyone else. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sounds like a lecture but that stuff doesn't bother me one bit.  You'll do just fine,... wait and see !
but it is good to think about this stuff and ask questions beforehand to make sure you can live with it.  keep asking !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have had this problem as well.  We eat out alot here at work and have alot of "over meal" functions.  Lucky for me (I know that sounds horrible) we have a few people  in our office with food alergies and such here.  So when they order food for us, they have my list of restrictions.  I just look at it as any other dietary restriction. 

One thing that does help though it you are keeping your surgery private, is that most of what you can't eat (bread, muffins, pasta, cakes, etc) are made with wheat, and there are alot of wheat allergies now.  You dont have to lie, just offer a different explanation:)  All I have said in the past, when in a group of people I dont know well, is that  wheat products do not agree with me. There are so many people that have celiacs disease that it's just common place and no one has ever questioned me.  As for rice, I just say I don't like it. (it works for my son who HATES rice :)  I can't eat rice at all either.


I hope this helps a bit :)