Cheesecake Factory

Alright! It's my mom's 50th birthday on Thursday and she wants to go out to dinner. She chose Cheesecake Factory the following sunday. So I need to find something for me to eat there. I will be on the end of the full liquids and two days before the pured stage. I'm going to browse the menu but was wondering if anyone had suggestions. I only ate there twice preop so I have no idea.

The one time I went there I had one of their Lettuce Wraps...I think I had the Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps.....was very delicious. I rarely eat out!

UGH...that's tough. I hate to say this but if you'll still be on a liquid diet based on your surgeons plan...then bring your own liquids...and enjoy the time celebrating your mother and others joining the event. There are many battles we all face and this is your first one. In a months time you'll be on soft food and you and mom can go back there and you can get yourself a piece of chick,steak or fish. But for now...stick to your own plan. Just my 2...

 I often have the crab cakes

I looked at their menu online and there isn't much that is suitable during full fluids. I'm pretty open about my surgery, so the way I'd handle it is to say to the server,"I've recently had gastric surgery and am still only allowed fluids. Would it be possible to have a serving of your delicious soup run through a blender in the kitchen?" My experience has been that if I'm pleasant and appreciative people will do their very best to help me. (And I make a point of tipping well)

If they can't accommodate you, then just order tea or a glass of milk and focus on enjoying the company and celebrating your Mum. It's only 1 meal, after all.

Kelly-Anne - who went out for lunch with friends 10 days out and had a great time while enjoying off-menu chicken broth

 Soup and water

I agree with Kelly-Anne.  Perhaps take whatever flavoring you are putting in your water with you just in case (if you are using flavoring), and then be honest with your server and explain that you've just had abdominal surgery and cannot eat solid food yet... when I was at your stage, I found that most people were more than willing to be accommodating where they could when I was honest about it and friendly.  No need to say WLS, if you're uncomfortable with that... just simply saying "abdominal surgery" is enough detail for them to understand that you have some reason why your stomach cannot handle food right now. 

If they can't strain a soup for you, just order water and enjoy everyone's company... no big deal.  It is just one meal, and this will get easier once you get to solids... hang in there!  

 

I'd definitely stick to your plan.  I know it sucks to sit there while everyone else is enjoying their food, but since your sleeve hasn't experienced any sort of solids by that date, if you try something new, most likely you will feel crappy and it will put a downer on the whole shin dig.  Ask politely if they can make something broth based for you if not, bring your own and ask them to warm it up in the microwave.  In most instances they are willing to accomodate you if you ask nicely!  Good luck and remember its about celebrating with your loved ones, not celebrating with food! :D

Thanks everyone for the tips! It's definitely about my mom's birthday than about me which is why I can't back out!

Good to know I have options!

 You might want to have a protein shake just before you go out so that you won't be hungry or craving foods that you can't have.  Although we have been sleeved, we can still experience hunger (or what we think is hunger) and the smells of good food are still very appealing.  

Most importantly, the focus is on your Mom's birthday, not the food.  Bet you never thought you'd actually feel that way, huh.  It's a new emotion for me, too.

Have a wonderful time!