how do you handle buffets?

The word buffet has just about exitted my vocabulary.  Which is a shame, because I used to love to go to a Mongolian buffet and any Chinese buffet. 

Now I just simply stay away.  It would be a waste of my money.  Now this buffet sounds like a church social or something of the sort.  Those are different.  I use a small plate (bring my own if necessary) and take a one teaspoon size sample of anything I want.  Or just a tablespoon of the items I know and trust already.

You know-- had my own smaller plate but a small spoon is a good idea.  Thanks.  I know there will be more potlucks in my life--and yes I do plan on staying away from buffet restruants.

Helga,

At 3 weeks out you are still very new and learning. At home I still measure and am learning how to portion food when I am out.

Itty bitty bites, and don't feel guilty if you leave food on your plate or toss it out.

I used to spill more than I now eat. You will get accustomed to your new eating with time.

Kisses
Annette

Itty bitty bites are one of the hardest things-- think I need to carry a small spoon so I aways have it--I am getting better at waiting between bites.  Thanks for answering--I appreciate it.

Don't fret about it.  You are not always going to make the right choices.  You did the right thing and only ate a small amount and threw the other away.

We have fellowship dinners at our church once a month.  I pick out things I want to eat (mostly protein) and a few vegetables.  I stay away from desserts. When my pouch is full, I throw the rest away if I got too much. 
I don't go to buffets when I go out to eat.  One restaurant here charges $5.00 to WLS people for their buffet.  But I don't go there very often.
All of our doctors have good reputations or there wouldn't be so many successful people here.

Keep up the good work!

Mickey

Good to know I am not the only one with social eating monthly.  Your picture shows your success.  Cruising the line to pick out proteins is an excellent idea.  Thanks for reaponding.

HI Helga,

I'm with George, I just do go to buffets, they're a waste of my $$.  But, since this is more like a "pot luck" situation, what I do when I go to those is just go for the protein first, and maybe take a "taste" size spoonful of other things.

Yep, this whole thing is a learning process.  You're doing fine.

To misquote an old saying "Just when I make plans, life happens!"  And I enjoy this group with lots of experience--because I am always ready to learn.  Thanks for taking the time to write me a note.

Hi Diane--There is wisdom in your statement.  The problem is with social groups in my life.   My red hat chapter is going to spend Thursday on a houseboat and we are all bringing food.  First, I can’t go in the water because of incisions and it will be around mid 90's so it will be hard to stay comfortable.  And it is a potluck.  This time I am taking cottage cheese and tuna salad and the left overs of my black bean salad.  But I definitely plan to stay out of buffet restraints.  Thanks for your support.

At 3 weeks out, I was on soft foods, so I wasn't eating anything like you had ... but your doctor is allowing you different things and you follow that plan. Every doctor does it differently.

Now, about buffets ... when I'm by myself, I don't go to them. But in a group or with a friend, I'll go ... and I have a little bit of this or that that I like. Yes, I don't get my money's worth anymore, but so what? I enjoy the companionship of my friends, I eat slowly and enjoy the food I get. It used to be all about the food; now it's all about the friends. It's more fun that way now. I talk more than I eat.
And I sure understand about not getting up enough to exercise ... bad knees, bad back; when I was 3 weeks out, all I could do was swim, and still had the stitches in, so I couldn't get in the pool yet, and my knees and back were too bad to do walking, so I tried doing little things around the house. Unfortunately, even though I've lost the weight, I still have the bad knees and back; now the bad wallet too ... can't afford the pool anymore ... have a little exercycle that costs only $39 and sits under my dining room table. Very low impact and helps with my exercising. Also, a pair of hand weights helps with the upper body workout. Cheap! And with that, you have your own home gym.