What great responses. Thanks again for all the input. P.

I usually go for a salad with grilled chicken added. Sometimes I just order an appetizer.

I dont usually eat soup (because of the no liquids with meals thing) and I dont eat sandwiches. There is one restaurant that Ive found with super-tender hamburgers on a toasted bunI can eat of the burgerwith a couple bites of the toasted bun.

Mexican is the easiest for me. I order guacamole and a small bowl of shredded chicken (whatever mixture they use for their chimicangas). I pile the guacamole and chicken on a few tortilla chips.

JJ

Good question. I haven't had surgery yet but I play the what if I had surgery what would I order.

Most bariatric docs to discourage the soups...but frankly, for me, they work nicely and they do fill me up. I also like salads (dsg on the side) that have meats, cheese, veggies in them. I also order burgers without the buns. If I ordered quesadillas, I'd eat one triangle, pick at the insides of another one or two, and take the rest home.

If im at a sandwich shop I get whole whete or multi grain bread. I try to stick with the tuna salad it sits longer with me then anything else or if I have to I go with turkey. I am 21mths out now. As for the mayo when Im home if I use any its the lt when im out I don't worry because I may get through a quarter of the sandwich and 10 to 1 the leftovers hit the trash beefore they hit my belly again anyway. :)

I tend to go for meat. For example, I may get a hamburger and then eat just the meat. After making the mistake of drinking water while eating out, I've started not asking for a drink. On the other hand, if I'm going somewhere after we eat, I'll ask for a to go cup of water so I can start drinking as soon as my 30 minutes are up.

don't stress! after your surgery, you will know what "goes down" easily, and what to avoid. it's different for different people. I often order a "pocket" or wrap, and eat a bit of the bread, then mostly the insides... that way I'm filling up on protein more than carbs. Cheesy quesidillas are a good choice too. Often, I will order an appie as my meal, something like a shrimp cocktail, or side salad with a "scoop" (tuna, egg, chicken salad) or order soup, )my husband had GBS also, and lives on chowder when we go out).

Tell hubby to be patient in the beginning... as you heal and begin your new life, it will be great! There will definitely be bumps in the road, and your new stomach may not like some of the things you put into it- remember to chew chew chew chew!!!! I know that when I was out with friends, sometimes I forgot the "rules" and ate too fast, didn't chew, didn't concentrate on what I was doing...

AND don't forget- chuckle inside at the difference you find in those people eating with you... the watching, the comments, etc... take everything with a grain of salt and don't let them get you down!!! You are on the way to a more beautiful and healthy you!!! :)

In the beginning when we would go out for meals, we would just order 1 meal and share because I could only eat a few bites at 1 meal. Now I order a meal and eat about 1/3 sometimes 1/2 and sometimes I take it home for later, usually the dog would get my leftovers lol.

I eat bread, tortillas now, but like others have stated in the beginning I would eat just the meat and cheese.

I don't eat whole wheat bread because it has way more sodium in it then white, since my hunny had a massive heart attack we have to watch the sodium.

It's a tough new life but if you are determined you can get through it.

A lot of hospitals will give you a card so you can order from the child's menu which means your portions are more post op sized. This works well if you can't take home a ton of left overs. Always make sure that you concentrait on protein- its something I still struggle with. Tacos, quesadillas, and some soups are a great choice, and you can ask for little or no broth. I lived on chili for two weeks because nothing else would stay down. Be careful of bread because carbs of any kind can actually cause weight gain, gas, and or feeling like you've eaten a bolder.

Weeks after surgery you should be instructed to be on a full liquid diet for two weeks. Then a mushy period for four weeks or more depending on the proceedure. Don't look forward to going out eating anything for several weeks after surgery. You must heal. I just had my surgery August 27th. On full liquids until the 10th then mushies.

I've tried the kid's meal thing but most restaurants restrict that to 12 and under. Glad to know that despite doctor's recommendation, others are having soup and whoever said guacamole and shredded chicken is bright! Didn't think of that. I do love Mexican food and typically order a side of beans and a small quesadilla or chicken taco. After a year, cheese is still one of my go-to foods. Sometimes I order a side order (like eggs) but sometimes I want to eat what everyone else is eating - I just eat less and take it home.