Question:
What can I eat when I go to a restaurant 8 weeks post op?

My birthday is on Monday and I am going to go to the movies and dinner to celebrate. Since I am only eating 2 oz. of protein at a sitting, with maybe one carbohydrate on the side, I don't know what kind of restaurant I should choose. I live in NYC so I have zillions of choices. I could go to a Japanese restaurant and get miso soup and maybe some sushi--I just don't know. I'd appreciate any suggestions on this.    — Elizabeth B. (posted on March 29, 2001)

March 28, 2001
Whatever you get, make sure that you have had it before, and don't have a problem with...you don't want any surprises...things like salads, like a chef's salad can be a good choice, because you can mingle over it for a longer period of time, and you won't necessarily finish before everyone else....eat the meat and cheese before the lettuce...and if you can still eat, pick at the lettuce until everyone is finished...or thereabouts anyway. If the salad does not appeal to you, you can do the sushi, as long as you know that you do well with it...when I went out for the first time, I think my nerves got the better of me, I think I ate too much too fast, and was sick...I really think it was about being nervous being in public eating the new way...be aware of how fast you are eating, and how much...basically, anything you know you don't have a problem with, is what you should get...consider getting an appetizer...I went with the regular entree, and felt so guilty that it didn't look as though I ate at all...the waitress asked me if my dinner was ok..she looked worried...anyway...Happy Birthday...and good luck
   — lynne S.

March 28, 2001
I have eaten out twice since my surgery on 1/8/01. Both times I ordered soup and salad. This seemed like a "normal" order and didn't raise any suspicions that I was eating differently. The week before I went out the first time, I had my first salad to be sure that I could handle it. I did. The second time was this past Friday for our 16th anniversary. I ordered Manhattan clam chowder (the only option). I was hoping that they would have something less dense and more creamy. I was worried about the clams being a little chewy, but I didn't have any problems. Of course, I only ate about 1/3 of what they brought me. My salad lasted the rest of the time while my husband had his filet mignon. I really lingered and only ate the lettuce, as I am not sure if I can handle other raw vegetables yet. I would definitely only order something that you know that you can tolerate and EAT SLOWLY!
   — Shelley.

March 29, 2001
Hi there. I order mashed potatoes w/ gravy and steamed veggies, these are 2 soft things that taste good. Also you can order some flavored rice or some baked fish too. yummy. Happy birthday by the way. Good luck with everything. I had wls on 11/13/00 and I have lost 103 pounds, please email me if you need any other help ok?
   — LISA K.

March 29, 2001
At eight weeks out I went out for my birthday and had sashimi. At that point I couldn't handle the rice part of sushi, but the fish and miso soup were WONDERFUL. It was one of the first things that tasted as good post-op as it did pre-op. It's also a great source of protein. Enjoy yourself and Happy Birthday!
   — Sharyle L.

March 29, 2001
I went Japanese for my first time out at 6 weeks...I had shrimp and veggies(zucchini,celery,onions)prepared on the hibachi...it was awesome! I had to concentrate on eating slowly since everyone around me seemed to be eating so fast! I did have a problem one other time I went out to eat...we went to a Chicken place and the only thing that looked good to me were the mashed potatoes (after all, that seems to be all I ate the first couple days after surgery!) well, I didn't think about the fact that they were prepared with butter...it made me really nauseous! And another time I had Chinese...chicken teryaki...oops! too much sugar in the teryaki sauce! Like other people have said..if you haven't had it at home, be careful experimenting while eating out...better stick with chicken or fish and if you have veggies, ask for them to be prepared without butter. I think most waitstaff are use to people ordering their meals in very particular ways...so don't hesitate to be picky!! Good luck and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! :)
   — DolcezzaVT