Question:
Any suggestions of post-op friendly restauraunts?
Hi everyone....I'm 3 weeks post-op I have a sister who's coming home to visit in 2 weeks. One of our favorite activites seems to be eating out-well obviously there will not be a Friendlys trip now but I still want to be able to go out. However I'm scared we'll go somewhere and there will be nothing I can order. I was curious is there any particular chains that carry good choices? Obviously I don't want to make eating out a habit because that got me in trouble in the first place, but I would like some options for special occasions. I'm not too picky but I do not eat any fish except tuna. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks :) — mzcath (posted on March 27, 2004)
March 27, 2004
A lot of that depends on what you're allowed to eat. You're only 3 weeks
out...when I was 3 weeks out, I was eating soft foods...you know, yogurt,
s/f pudding, mashed tators, popsicles, soups, cream soups, eggs, etc. If
your doc was a lot nicer than mine, then you may be on an anything goes
diet...in which case, almost every restaurant has good choices. You can get
a salad, you can get a bowl of soup, some grilled meat, anything. Some
restaurants, such as Ruby Tuesday, have a low-carb menu. But, I'm serious:
You can find something anywhere. Even Olive Garden! (Salad and soup) I eat
pizza all the time: thin crust, half cheese, with every veggie imaginable.
I usually pick the toppings off and if I'm still hungry, I'll eat a couple
bites of crust till I'm full. Just remember the basics: Don't drink with
meals (Order a water, don't even bother wasting money on a drink just so
the waiter doesn't look at you oddly) and try to stay away from known
dumping triggers. Or anything remotely risky. Trust me, you'd rather not
dump in public-it's best to be as safe as possible. :0) If you are still on
a soft diet, order a baked potato and use just a tiny bit of butter and
sour cream. They have potatoes most anywhere, and they always go down
easily. Good luck! Enjoy your sister's visit!
— jenn_jenn
March 27, 2004
Almost any restaurant can and will accomodate your needs to a degree. Even
if it's just requesting mashed potatoes as a side dish. You don't HAVE to
explain...but I found most were very sympathetic and I got 'special'
treatment if I did tell them why. Oh and I recommend the senior menu over
the childrens. The food is much better and not all deep fried garbage.
Hope you enjoy your visit!
— [Deactivated Member]
March 27, 2004
Hi, post-op-friendly restaurants.
I have read or heard that it is a good idea to know which restaurant you
are going to in advance; that, if you are not familiar with their menu, to
call them and ask. If they do not have what you can have, try another one,
ahead of going.
I know some restaurants might frown on this, but when I am post-op, I plan
to carry stuff to eat or drink with me so that I am not stuck somewhere
with no options. Thanks. LM
— catly
March 27, 2004
Eating out that early was a waste for me. I threw up once in a Japanese
restaurant because I had more than 4 bites. At 9 mos post op, I go and get
whatever, I can tolerate most things. I went out to dinner last night and
got a side salad and an order of chicken wings. I ate about 1/2 cup of
salad and 4 wings.
That early out, the issue is more what can you fit in that little pouch as
opposed to what you can eat. Any restaurant is going to have turkey, tuna,
chicken, etc, but really it's more how you tolerate it.
— mrsmyranow
March 27, 2004
My hubby and I went out to eat a few times when I was at your stage. I was
still on soft foods and although I have never dumped I did not want to test
the system, so I ordered soup each time. My husband calls me a cheap date
- even now. I could never finish the bowl of soup but it was tasty and
made me feal like I was eating a meal with him. I am 11 wks post op now.
We went out to dinner last night with some friends. I ordered the crab
cake appetizer as my meal. It was very good and I brought half of it home
for my dinner tonight. Good luck and enjoy your sister's company.
— Char L.
March 27, 2004
Almost all restaurants have soup. I lived on soup whenever we went out to
eat in the beginning, maybe picking a tiny bit on my boyfriend's platter.
I would pretty much just have the broth, depending on what I was able to
tolerate at that point.
— Leslie F.
March 28, 2004
Most of the larger chain restaurants have web sites where you can look at
their menus and get nutritional info. I think the first time we went out it
was to our favorite place (non-chain) and I had a bowl of french onion
soup, which I had ordered many times pre-op. It was wonderful and soothing.
And since we were regular customers and the soup was already a favorite,
none of the waiters looked at me strange. It was nice to feel like a normal
couple going out to eat.
— Le P.
March 28, 2004
your best bet, and my best results have been with NON chain restraunts, the
chains , most food is pre made, so they have limited ability to special
order food, actually , a lot of times in the kitchens they are little more
than re heating food for you , so , try something simple, or , chain wise,
red lobster, orger shrimp skewers, nothign else, make sure to specify that,
else they will charge you for a whole entree
sausage and bean soup at olive garden is good ....
i really dont go to chain restraunts, but i would call some local non
chain restraunts, and ask them , say i have family coming in from out of
town , and they have specialdietary needs, will you be willing to help make
thier experience a pelasent one ....?
and let them answer, give details , if needed, youre not givign your
name, so dont have to get specific...
good luck !
Beth , in Branson
— bethlaf
March 28, 2004
I was like you about fish, but after surgery I decided to try some for the
high protein. Ruby Tuesdays has a Creole Catch and the fish is very tasty.
I sub the rice for double broccoli. I really like fish now if it doesn't
taste fishy. Sweet Tomatoes is another restaurant with some good choices.
It is a salad buffet and has a great variety of soups plus they accept our
discount cards. Any place with cottage cheese is also good,(protein). I eat
out all the time and can find something anywhere I go. I have a link for
nutritional info from several restaurants and if you want to send me your
email address I will send it to you.
— Tawnda C.
March 28, 2004
I usually ask for a second plate... and share the meal of the person I'm
with. I'm honest and tell them I've had a gastric bypass. Actually almost
every waitress I've had knows someone how has had surgery. And they've all
been very good about accomidating me. Especially when they see how little I
eat. By the way, I'm almost three years out and still prefer to share a
meal at times.
— Danmark
March 28, 2004
If youhave a fresh choice in your area, they will charge you the childs
price (2.99) at least the one in my area did when we went out for
birthdays. :-) and they have good soup and chicken
— Katrina K.
March 28, 2004
At 3 weeks out, I will be surprise if you get past 2 french fries. I tried
to eat out and found it a waste of money - but I did manage to sip some
soup (creamy type) and eat about 2-3 very small pieces of lettuce and that
was a 6 weeks. Good Luck.
— Anna M.
March 28, 2004
I just went wherever the first several months. Most places had soup, and I
knew I could eat that. If they didn't a salad or potato worked for me. I
started out telling people about the WLS to explain the small meals or
childs portions. But I was generally met with odd stares or stupid
questions. So I just tell em that I'm not that hungry now. Anyhow,
soup...that's your friend.
— RebeccaP
March 28, 2004
Just another two cents. Yes, others have told you you can find something
you can have just about anywhere, and they 're right. Personally, I had to
escape a hurricane in VA at about 3 weeks and eat on the road all the way
to IL and I found something I could have at every place I went. Just 2
months later I had to move cross-country from VA to WA, by way of Orlando!
The trip took over 3 weeks, with all the side-stopping we did, but I got
really familiar with my choices eating out, in the process. Every
restuarant either had something on the menu that I could have, or allowed
me to alter an order to fit my needs. It's hard to break that "I don't
want to talk to strangers about this" barrier, but believe me, if
you're going out to eat, the wait staff will be asking you questions
anyway, afraid that you didn't enjoy your meal since you ate so little.
Bringing it up gets easier and easier, especially as you lose weight and
and want to brag! Don't fret about not going someplace you want to, don't
hesitate to ask questions or ask for special portions, and if in doubt, you
can always call ahead! I've even had a couple of nicer restuarants make a
special sugar free dessert for me when I inquired about my dietary needs
while making reservations. And as always, you can print out the special
cards on this site that explain your situation! Good luck!
— christied
March 28, 2004
I have eaten out often since early after surgery. When I was on liquids I
ordered soup and only ate the broth. I NEVER explain my eating it is none
of their business. To be quite honest no one has ever questioned other
than to ask if I need a doggy bag. I am 18 mo out now and eat out a couple
times a week at least. My husband and I like to go out and have time alone
as a couple. If you are allowed solids by then, shrimp cocktail is a great
standby. so are a side of mashed potatoes. I never order from the childrens
menu as most of the time it is fried stufff that I simply do not eat. I do
love japanese places as I can order sushi by the piece and only get what I
want. I have never gone to a restaurant and found there was nothing I
could eat. often go to Panera, get a cup of soup or a sandwich, save
half for later, eat the insides of the sandwich and a little of the bread.
— **willow**
March 28, 2004
Just wanted to share with everyone -- I went to the Cracker Barrel this
past weekend. They have choices of sides. As an adult you can order a
"meal" of 4 side choices for $5.99. I only wanted two sides as I
am almost 5 months out and cannot each that much. I order Carrots and
Mashed Potatoes $1.89 (?) each -- HOWEVER the waitress OFFERED me the
children's menu selection of two sides for $2.99. She said -- that comes
with your choice of drink and I kindly declined saying that water was fine.
I ate about 1/2 of my carrots and about 1/3 of the potatoes. She brought
me two little take out containers. I have another meal. I have also
ordered ala carte veggies with a side salad from many different places, no
explaining involved. Hope this helps -- hey at least we can brag about
being "inexpensive dates"!
— LisaL.
March 29, 2004
I'm 6 wks post-op and I have been to a few restaurants and they have all
allowed me to order off the childs menu, it is still too much but I just
take the left-overs home and make it my next meal. Ruby Tuesdays, in my
opinion was the best because they are very diet friendly with great
low-carb choices.
— Brandi7920
March 29, 2004
By the time your sister visits, you will be 5 weeks post-op and able to try
lots of dishes. I started on salads at 5 weeks post-op. My first
restaurant meal, which was for lunch was split with another post-op and we
ordered a side of chili and a scoop of tuna with crackers. We shared and
both of us still were able to take home leftovers! I would stay away from
the childrens menu, they are usually all fried and bad for you stuff.
Early restaurant meals were chili, crab cakes, shrimp cocktail, egg drop
soup.
— Cindy R.
March 30, 2004
Hey! I'm prolly saying the same as others, but didn't have time to read
thru them all. I have noticed i can get Kids menu items or Lunch size
portions. At Bob Evans they offer Lunch size portions, which i think is the
same as the Seniors menu items. But most restaurants seem to work with on
it. And if they don't... you always can make more meals out of leftovers..
which has been *great* because i eat more often than my boyfriend! So i'll
eat even though he's not hungry. Even the smaller portions can sometimes be
large enough for leftovers! Good luck!
1 year 8mos Post-Op.. down 112lbs at 142lbs...sizes 7-9
— Sunny4x4chick
Click Here to Return