What do you miss most...?

Once a year at my office we are treated to a fantastic and unbelieveable meal at Gibby's in Old Montreal. That day is tomorrow Monday.

That got me thinking this morning about how I'm going to miss that after surgery.It's actually almost an event in itself because for a week prior we print out the Gibby's menu and try to figure out what we want to eat. We have no "set" menu. We can have anything we want to eat or drink.

I have to tell you that we go all out...I know last year I still remember that I had the seafood crepe cardinal, rib steak with salad and Monte Carlo potato and veggies and a side order of shrimps. For dessert I had crepe Jubilee. I also had virgin ceasar (I'm not a big drinker) and a glass of red wine. I was so stuffed after that it was  almost too hard to get up...lol

This year we shall see since it may be my last time to totally indulge at Gibby's I'll let you know...

I know that post-surgery I will bring home alot of doggie bags but it seems a bit sad...but I have to think of all the sexy cute outfits I'll be wearing to these dinners as opposed to what I wear now!!

Think positive...that's what's going to get me through...

Happy Sunday to all...
xoxoxo

Ohhhh my .... your post was like food porn. Sigh.

I'm hoping that once you are post surgery and eating regular food again, you will still have a fantastic meal at Gibby's, although with much smaller portions! The ambiance there is fantastic, and you WILL look fabulous as you have a bite of this and that

Enjoy dinner tomorrow!
Liane

Hey Liane...Thanks...I will enjoy it tomorrow!!
 
But am looking forward to that day when I can "strut" in wearing a cute little summer dress and killer heels!!

OOH I love that place. Lucky girl, sounds like a blast. You got the right attitude thinking about how good you will look.

And it will be more about socializing and having fun and less about food I think. I worry about these kind of things too. Like family dinners and stuff like that.

Cindy

I have never been there, and by what you said, I am really sad about it!! Too late.LOL!!
You will be able to go and eat some, but you'll have effectively a big doggy bag! But it is a good thing, you can have lunches for all week with this meal! So the pleasure will last longer!  Don't worry, we can still go to restaurant and gatherings... We talk more than we eat! Sometimes I found it difficult not eating all my plate when it is very good... Today was the first time we went to a chinese buffet since my surgery...it was my husband's birthday and he loves that. I didn't want to spend so much money for the little I eat...I printed a card I found here that state that I had surgery and can only eat a child's portion, and brought it with my surgeon's card. I showed that to the waiter, and he accepted to charge me half price. I ate in a small plate a skewer of shrimp ( about 5 littles shrimps) 1 spare ribs, a tablespoon of cashew chicken and 2 crab legs... I was very full. When the waiter saw that I ate so little, he gave me my meal for free!!  Some waiters are understanding, some are not...
I don't miss going to resto because I still go often...what I miss most is not being able to eat the good bread they serve in restaurants...and not being able to eat a four courses meal! But I steal some little bites from my husband's appetizer plate or dessert.
For the wine, I didn't try, I don't drink often...I tried a light beer the other day, and it gave me heartburn after a few sip, so I didn't drink it.
But like you said, to feel healthier and sexier is really worth the sacrifices... since they are not so importants,because we get used to eating less and not being hungry!

Have a very happy meal, and indulge now that you still can!

I miss eating a great big bowl of pasta! My your habits change and as time goes by you think about it less. I would definately savour this outing Gab and no matter how good food tastes I still like the way I feel better! My friends allow me to taste their desserts so that helps out when you are at a restaurant. You don,t feel so different. So enjoy yourself and happily walk out the door as if you are changing your life path....

Thanks for posting this Ada because I feel the same way about this upcoming surgery. The closer I get the more I want to eat and even sometimes I tell myself "This might be the last time I come here so indulge"! We have a nice little seafood restaurant here in Aylmer that my girlfriend and I love to go to. Here is what I usually order.

Entrée: Soupe à l'oignon gratiné
While we wait: 1 roll of whole grain bread w/butter and a small house salad with raspberry dressing
Supper: 12oz steak with a fully baked potatoe with sour cream and butter, a side of asparagus and a side of my speciality entré, the Derek's special Shrimp with jalapenos and cheese in a garlic sauce.
Dessert: A piece of cheesecake with blueberry coulie.

How can I not have this after surgery I tell myself?

Also, I watch this show on the Travel Channel called Man vs. Food (not Man vs. Wild). This show is amazing. Adam, the host, goes to all the biggest pig out joints in the US to find the best food. He usually tries 3 restaurants and the last restaurant there's a challenge where he needs to eat X amount of food in X amount of times. Ice cream, steaks, sushi, oysters, burgers... you name it he's tried them. Watching this show I'm like I'll never have a chance to try these places out. I always told myself that when I got the call for surgery, I would call Lone Star and order up the 72oz steak challenge to try myself. If I eat it with all the sides within 45 minutes my meal is free. I know it's crazy but it's the way I have been thinking since my consult last year. I would have thought that I would have gained weight since but apparently I've been good.
 
I can't wait to see what the transformation will do to me though. I just have to think about the reason why I want my surgery. I want to have a long and healthy life with my girlfriend who I would like to marry in the near future. Have beautiful kids who I can play and crawl and just have a blast with. It's not so much about the looks. It's all about feeling better inside. I just have to remember that and I should be good. Like most of you said, the cravings go away after you get into the habits of eating the right food.

Sorry for the long post. I just had to get it off my chest.

Derek

Personnally, now 6 months out of surgery, I do not miss much of anything I used to love before surgery...For example, last week I had a crave for steamed hot dogs. I went where I used to pig out on dogs and fries, picked up 2 all-dressed steamies and headed home. As I begun to eat the first one, I realized that I didn't enjoy the experience that much...The second hot dog ended up in the garbage can...Lesson learned: I don't miss hot dogs and don't need them either...

Shortly after surgery, I did realize on many occasions that food had occupied an enormous place in my past life and that no one need  to eat as I much as I have to stay alive!!!

The possibility of getting a chance to have a longer, healthier and happier life after surgery litterally crushes any regrets about not having the possibility to overindulge on food...I have the firm intention to "use" food as I need it, and not being its slave no more!

The last paragraph of Derek's post (see above) clearly states the importants things surgery can help us to achieve...One's got to choose between food slavery and a decent life...I chose life!

I still enjoy a great meal but I will try hard to never regret again not having eaten enough...

Ada, I sincerely hope you've enjoyed your night at Gibby's, but please keep in mind that tons of really enjoyable meals will come post-op!

Eloquently said Joel!Derek it is a journey and with time and alot of practice things change. I can't speak for the long term as I still consider myself a youngster in this process but I can say this for sure....you make a mindshift when you enter into this journey and with the help of the surgery you attain certain goals which leads to behavioral changes. Usually when I crave something it isn't the food per say but the emotional attachment to what the food was for me. Either a healing experience or a festive happy experience. These experiences are being replaced with other experiences.I am still on the fence on my success with this surgery. I am staying positive but I do have anxieties about failing especially now that I know what this weight and body feels like. So I still need some psychological tweaking to do but I am going to do my darnest to make it happen. Food just takes on a different role in your life postop.

"Usually when I crave something it isn't the food per say but the emotional attachment to what the food was for me."
Right on Brenda! That's e-x-a-c-t-l-y right!