Question:
Eating out for the first time since surgery
I'm about 6 weeks post-op and have not yet eaten out at a restaurant. I have plans soon to go out, some know about my surgery, some do not. I am concerned about what to order for the first time. I'd like to try not getting sick out in public! Any suggestions? What is my best bet? Thanks!! — Lynne Z. (posted on October 22, 2003)
October 22, 2003
My rule is never try something new out. I stick to things I've eaten
successfully at home before.
— Leslie R.
October 22, 2003
The first time I ate out was about 2 weeks after my surgery and I ate at
Luby's cafeteria. I had baked fish and two green beans. It was WONDERFUL.
The next time I ate out was at a Chinese restaurant and I ordered Sizzling
Rice with Shrimp soup - didn't eat the crisped rice - just the broth and a
shrimp. I got so sick - not throwing up sick but I had my very first
episode of DUMPING - BIG TIME. The soup was tomato based and evidently had
a lot of sugar in it. As much as I love that soup, in the 22 months since
then, I've never ordered it again. I did find that Hot and Sour soup from
Chinese Restaurants works great - and it's very high in protein. I
actually craved it for for months after my surgery.
— Patty_Butler
October 22, 2003
The first few times I ate out I had: 1 egg fried with corned beef hash -
chopped the egg into the hash and ate a few tablespoons. Was heaven! Also
tried chicken soup but could only eat the broth the first few times with
some mushy veggies. Tuna sandwich and at the tuna with a spoon, tossed the
bread. Poached cod was good. I even had a bowl of oatmeal at one
restaurant. Eat what sounds good and that you are pretty sure won't have
bad affects, but be prepared for it just in case.
— [Deactivated Member]
October 22, 2003
The first time I went out, I had grilled chicken. It is not easy because
you feel wierd. I ordered a fruit cup. You are also good with mashed
potatoes, and salad. I was afraid to eat salad for a while because I
thought if I were to throw up, it would get caught in my throat. Now, its
all I eat. If you have eaten salad before, try a grilled chicken ceasar
salad, or fruit. You can also try oatmeal and farina if it is cold out.
— Girl from B.
October 22, 2003
Unless you know you can eat chicken, DON'T order that!
I've puked more on chicken than anything. For nine months I could'nt eat
it. You know, I still sometimes puke on it yet although I dearly love it.
5-8-01
— Danmark
October 22, 2003
When you know the resturant you are going too, call ahead and have them fax
then menu to you or ask them to make a copy for you and go pick it up.
This was you can plan ahead. When you've made your choice...try it out at
home first. Either order it via take out or make your own. This way you
will KNOW whether you will get sick. And remember while you are out to eat
slowly and enjoy yourself. Chew well, take small bites. Don't feel
obligated to finish the entire plate. If you feel sick, just excuse
yourself. If you are going with a spouse or friend that knows of your
surgery, work out a singnal that says "I NEED TO GET HOME NOW!"
So they aren't asking you what's wrong if you get sick. This will save
some embarassment. Maybe some thing like "If I eat another bite I'll
explode" or a squeeze of your hubby's leg. GOOD LUCK!
— Renee B.
October 22, 2003
I went out to eat 6 weeks after surgery.I had a small salad,sauted shrimp
and a baked potatoe.I ate what I felt comfortable with and ate very slow,I
did just fine.Nobody but my husband and oldest daughter know I had
surgery.I'm a slow loser so nobody has questioned my weight loss.
— Gussie
October 22, 2003
My husband had WLS 6 months after me. When we went out the first time
after he had surgery, I told him "Potatoes are your friend." You
can usually find baked or mashed potatoes or potato soup at most places. It
seems to sit well. We rarely have potatoes at home, so having one at a
restaurant is no big deal. Avoid the fries, though! Chicken also worked
for each of us, and soup - usually a vegetable or something like that. Like
others said, going to a restaurant is not the place where you want to try a
"new" food for the first time! Enjoy!
— koogy
October 22, 2003
When I went out for the first time I ordered a regular meal (chicken
breast, potato, veges). I only ate a few bits from each and brought the
rest home. Remember you are going out for the company not the food. You
may have to remind your friends and family that if they give you a hard
time about wasting food. When I select food I still make sure that the
food is low in fat, etc. When I go for breakfast I may have 1 scramble egg
and a slice of ham but I only eat a few bits and bring the rest home. I'm
six months post-op and have lost 118 lbs. Good Luck.
— Linda R.
October 23, 2003
I can eat something fine one time, and get sick the next. Just choose
something that is comfortable (lots of good suggestions have come in)...
certainly eat slow, enjoy the company and pick at it... you should be
fine...
MF
— MF
October 23, 2003
My first meal out was Wendy's chili LOL..I eat out ALL the time- My last
few meals out have been 1)Cheif salad 2 bites of cheescake for dessert
2)chinese lunch buffet. I really like this because usually they are cheap,
and I can just pick out what I want 3)chicken and ribs platter, side of
cooked veggies, 2 onion rings (most of the ribs/chicken came home with me)
4)KFC- One chicken thigh (yup skin and all LOL) a few bites of Mac n cheese
5)a Roast been hoagie sandwich (ate most of the insides) and about 1/4 of
the bread (i'm a sucker for a good crusty italian bread) Doggie bags are
great..when ordering- try to pick something you know will be good re-heated
— WABBIT F.
October 23, 2003
I would try an order of chili or some types of soup (if not too rich), or
maybe a cheese and fruit plate that you can pick at (though I remember not
touching any fruit with skin at that early stage, not without peeling it
anyway, afraid I'd get it stuck in my new pouch). At that early point, I
think I also remember ordering a chicken pot pie and then mostly eating
tiny pieces of chicken and veggies out of it (forget the pie part!). I
also had a bite of apple pie at about six weeks out, 'cause it was my
birthday. I didn't touch things like hamburger or chinese food while
eating out for many, many months, though.
— Suzy C.
October 23, 2003
I think I was about 6 or 7 weeks post-op when I went out for lunch for the
first time. I had lunch with another post-op who had surgery the same day
as I. We split a tuna salad plate (tuna on crackers) and a side order of
chili. I'd stick to foods that are somewhat familiar. Depending on the
meal (breakfast-eggs with cheese, lunch or dinner-chili, sandwiches (take
off the bread), salads with chopped meats/fish/cheese in them...crab cakes,
shrimp cocktail ), you can do well at this stage. If your prone to getting
sick, don't get adventurous.
— Cindy R.
October 23, 2003
Boy, do I feel at home with this question. I am 4wks post op and have
eaten out a few times. The first time I was with my husband so when the
fish that I ordered didnt agree with me and I had to excuse myself to the
bathroom, it wasnt too bad. I had to get rid of the fish,but then felt
fine. The next time I went out was the best. I went out with my daughter
and I ordered shrimp cocktail and cup of french onion soup. Ate 3 of the
shrimp and it was okay, but the soup was to die for and felt so good going
down. I did leave the bread part on top and just ate the broth and cheese,
but it settled so good and I was so happy not to get sick. The third time
was at a fast food place. I ate at Subways and ordered the crab salad. The
crab meat went down well and the fresh veggies tasted so good as this was
the first time that I ate fresh veggies. Didnt eat alot of the lettuce,
but more of the tomatoes, green peppers, and olives. Hope that this helps
with some suggestions!
— Corrina B.
October 23, 2003
I have eaten salads, chicken, steak, pasta. I would suggest staying away
from bread (takes up too much space in our little pouch), sugar (dumping)
and anything deep fried. Good luck!
— Kamy
October 23, 2003
Early post-op I did a lot of broth based soups to be certain. I also would
just share part of my hubby's meal or get a salad or shrimp cocktail...now
I may could have only eaten 2 shrimp or so, but I enjoyed it. I did get
sick at times and have to go the restroom while with my family and they
grew to know what it meant if mom went to the restroom and wasn't feeling
well. Grilled chicken or other meats is hard early on, fatty foods aren't
good ever, MSG gave me fits and never did pre-op, and salads with mayo or
dressings or milk or ice cream have been tough as I became somewhat lactose
intolerant post-op as well. Sometimes at 2 years plus post op, I eat so
little the waitress asks if something is wrong, but we all ususally just
get the doggy bag and bring it home for the next few meals. There is an
argument in my own mind even still about whether I should spend the money
to order a full entree that I know I can't eat or just get a salad or
appetizer...sometimes I do one and sometimes I do the other! It's funny,
but even eating so little of a favorite restaurant or food is great
post-op.You will learn, sometimes maybe the hard way, but I hope not! Best
Wishes!
— Molly S.
October 23, 2003
I think the first time I ate out, I had an open face turkey sandwich and
avoided most of the bread on the bottom. The gravy helped the turkey go
down, but I still ended up bringing most of it home! Chili, chowder and
soups are usually a good bet, they go down easy. Dry meats are more likely
to get stuck, so early on I found that things in gravy or sauce were easier
to eat. However, greasy things bothered me more than they used to. Avoid
bread as it will fill you up way too quickly. Often I would say "I'm
not that hungry" and order something off the appetizer menu, like
barbecued chicken wings. Also, it's easier to share your appetizer with
your fellow diners than if you ordered a whole meal. I've never thrown up
while out at a restaurant, just lucky I guess.
— sandsonik
October 23, 2003
I didn't feel near normal till I ate out. I do it frequently. Make sure
to order things similar to what you know you can tolerate at home. Never
try something new. Eat a small amount, and eat SLOWLY! I used to get
embarrsed by the waitress/waiter asking if anything was wrong with my food
because I didn't eat much. I ask for a carry out box when I order. After
I eat what I want, I put the rest in the box. They don't know what I ate
and what I took home. No questions. At first I didn't want to appear
cheap by ordering appetizers and ice water. Now 9 months later, I care
less. Why pay for a full meal, when I can't eat it and leftovers get very
boring by the third day. Be prepared for the waiter/waitress to ask why
you don't want something to drink. I usually ask for water or my beverage
in a carry out cup. The amazing thing, is you can still do normal things
and your way of life now, will be normal to you in a few months. Good
Luck.
— june22
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