First meal

hi all! I posted my frustration about my first meal! Now some may find it strange that I asked the waitress to portion my food! I was given a card for EMS and restaurants explaining that I had a gastric bypass the nurse assured me they would be more than willing to help! That didn't happen. Anyway I've been looking at menus on here and I'm ashamed to say I've never heard of some of the foods! I'm finding this challenging and looking for help

In general, I try to avoid asking restaurants to do anything that requires extra effort. "Veggies instead of potatoes please" is an easy one, but having them box up food seems like too much effort.

Most of us got cards like that and most of us threw them away. There were also cards saying that the restaurant should let us eat off the kid's menu. Like we needed hotdogs, chicken nuggets, pizza, or mac and cheese.

When I go to a restaurant I order my meal and a box together. I pack up my "leftovers" before I start eating anything. I usually have enough for two meals to take home and still have plenty to eat in the restaurant.

It was many months before I could actually eat three ounces of food at one time. I still can not always get in three ounces at one time.

Just take your time and see what you are able to eat. You have the rest of your life to do this, there is no rush. You will learn day by day.

My first official meal was on Thanksgiving. I was six weeks out and had a one inch square of turkey and seven kernels of corn. I felt as stuffed as the turkey.

Thank you! One step at a time! I'm learning. Today I just had shakes stomach was upset! I thought they said if your nose runs your full. I just know after three bites I was stuffed. I'm so scared to mess up! They had to remove scar tissue, remove my gall bladder then do the bypass! I just want to do the right things. Thx for helping

How big were your bites? Each bite should be tiny, like the size of a grain of rice.

Ask questions if you are interested in a food but don't recognize it -- I ask about things all the time! We're here to learn from and support each other.

(I think we all received one of those "I had WLS let me order off the kids menu" cards - I think it was a waste of good paper and ink, lol). Appetizers are my friend although sometimes those are huge too (and depending on the restaurant, can be limited unfried options!).

I travel a lot for work, which means I eat out a lot, one of my rules for myself initially was to not try something new away from home, until I knew how my body would respond. That lasted for months and I'm still pretty cautious about it, to be honest!

Those cards are ridiculous. Throw it away!

A restaurant is under no obligation to police your diet for you. If you want to eat out, order something from the ADULT menu. Ask for a box and portion what you wish to eat and take the rest home.

Alternatively, order something, eat what you can and leave the rest.

Wait staff are not interested in your medical history and you don't owe them an explanation as to what or why you can or cannot eat.

Same with drink. Accept the water and leave it. Don't make a big fuss of explaining that you don't drink while you eat.

In 15 years I have never asked for a discount or to eat of the crappy children's menu.

Lots of people here have had to experiment with new foods - morbidly obese people are notoriously malnourished. Part of the learning curve here is forming new habits and getting GOOD nutrition. Nix the processed food and shop the outside of the supermarket. Try new proteins, vegetables and dairy. Ask questions on the menu thread if you're not sure what something is, or how to prepare it. There's a whole new healthy world out there for you to try!

I'm surprised they still give out those cards. I never got one, but my nutritionist said I didn't need it. I like the Olive Garden because they put how many calories are in a dish. I normally just order soup when I go there or the zoodle dish they have and take the leftovers home with me. It usually gives me 2-3 more meals. Also I typically ask for a water to go and don't drin****il after I leave the restaurant. It has taken me some getting used to the whole not drinking while eating, but I think I'm finally getting the hang of it. Lol

Also, speaking of the menu thread....everyone there is super nice and was very welcoming when I started posting. So feel free to ask questions! I'm sure they won't mind and would be more than willing to help! There are some very knowledgeable posters on there so ask away!