Olive garden

Hi Mia,

I'm not allowed to eat soup on my post-op plan past the modified liquids stage. Again, everyone's plan is different. I plan on following mine.

-Alicia

 By all means, follow your plan.  Everyone should.  

Just stating that post-ops can still go out and enjoy outings with family and friends.  It just takes a little more time to research the place prior to going out when you are early post-op. 

Why can't you eat out for six months, as long as you  make choices that are on your food plan?  That doesn't make sense to me.  What difference would it make if I ate scrambled eggs or cottage cheese in a restaurant or at home?

 I think the main reason is that for the first several months there is a higher propensity to get sick. Avoiding restaurants so that this doesn't happen in public. I also would think that there are usually added fats and sometimes sugars when you eat out. 

I think you hit the nail on the head. You are doing great to follow your plan. Isn't it interesting how everyone's plan is different though.

I was allowed to eat soup...in fact I was cleared for any food I could tolerate at 2 weeks post-op. I went on to become a very healthy eater.

So that is to say, yes, do follow your surgeon's plan! But this process sort of drops us all in similar places so long as we're committed to more mindful eating. Some get there by way of their surgeon's plan and others, like me, got the "baptism by fire" route.

 I'm hoping that I can get to that place where making healthy choices on my own becomes second nature. However, I'm a very type-A person and in the past when I give myself an inch I end up taking a mile. I think strictly following the rules will work for me until I get my head wrapped around this lifestyle change. 

By the way, I'm DIEING to try your baked mozzarella sticks recipe. I'm still on modified liquids for 2 more days and I've been drooling over your recipes all day. *sigh*

Oh yeah...I can relate to that. Plus following the rules strictly gives you good habits you can rely on down the line. I wasn't given a lot of rules at the outset and I'm not sure how I feel about that now. On the one hand, having to figure it out obviously had a good outcome (in Bariatric Foodie) but on the other I got on people's NERVES for a long time after my surgery because I didn't know which way was up.

BUT in the end I truly believe things happen as they are supposed to - for me and for you!

Keep rockin that plan!!! You're gonna be a great success :)

I would call the restaurant and see if they can meet your needs....I have a friend who had a restaurant puree the  soup for her, they were happy to accommodate her!

I think that chicken gnocchi soup would be great pureed!  Just call and ask, you never know unless you ask.

Stay away from the bread!!!!  It will be tempting, just say NO!

Sara in Maui

 That's a great idea.  Same goes with cooking in fats, oils, etc.  If you let them know your dietary restrictions many places can work with you.  

I know what you mean about the bread there! Whenever we go there, we just tell the server no bread so I'm not tempted to take even a nibble.  My family have also told me they don't need the greasy, white carbs either. 

On Feb 1st i went to my 4 week postop group meeting where i was upgraded to soft foods.i was told i could have salad,jus****ch the dressing ,have light,or oil and vinegar,and soup is definatly always an option so if your going to Olive Garden i would do soup and salad,theres no reason you cant eat out,however i have never heard of waiting 6 months to eat out but all doctors are different,,and i agree with the minestrone just be careful of the pasta...Enjoy