First Dinner Out

Since we had everyone home from college and everyone had finished their summer jobs, we decided to have a family picture taken. After, we went to Logan's Road House to eat. Rarely do we ever get to eat out together anymore. So, there I am looking at the menu and seeing all the things I used to order and trying to figure what I could eat at this stage. I remembered all the tips that I got from other WLS people and tried to look for something on the menu that fit. Our drink orders were taken and I passed, then everyone at the table said, forgetting my 30/30 requirement, that I needed to ge****er. Just then the wait person placed this tray of hot homemade yeast rolls covered in butter on the table under my nose. The aroma was almost irresistable. My son asked me if I was alright and I said, "No, I am not alright. I am trying to make sure I eat right and this is testing my will." But I survived and finally ordered a "cup" of chili. The waitress came back later with my chili and said "I'm sorry sir, but you meant that you wanted a "bowl" of chili, right? I told her no, the cup was what I wanted. I ate about 3/4 of the cup slowly and then stopped, even though I did not feel full. Then when the bill came I ordered a unsweetened ice tea to go, and drank it once I got home (30 minutes later). Another eatting out tip. All in all it was a good experience and helped me to know I can do this.

Wow!  You did so WELL!  Way to go! Next hurdle is that 4 hour round trip to/from work and getting in all your nutrition and water.  How much longer before you start work? Best of luck. to you!  You're really tackling this new life with resolve and vigor!

Thanks Cleo, of course the idea of throwing up all over everyone at the table was also a big deterrent in not eatting the wrong thing or too much of the right thing. I go back to work tomorrow.

Michael- You did great...those bread baskets are the hardest to resist!!  Just a tip about iced tea that I got...make sure you drink extra water when you enjoy tea. The tea's caffiene will dehydrate you (I think this is right...experts?) I try to make it a treat, not a regular occurance....but hey...you deserved a treat after resisting the rolls!

Thanks Christina for the tip on the ice tea. Lately my biggest treats are SF Popsicles and small cans of Spicy V-8 juice. I did by some Ocean Spray diet cranberry juice sweetened with Splenda, but I haven't tried that yet.

WOW Michael - you did great! I don't think I would even try a restaurant so soon. I am a bread person and those yeast rolls would have put me under the table!!! Congrats

BJ

Michael if my smileys where working I would be aplauding you right now !!! You did great it is hard making that going out  w/ the family to the resteraunts. There is always some type of pressure. And it sounds like you did very well. So congrats!!! And now work on that round trip to and from work and take your time it will all come, dont get discourgaed if you dont get it right the first time, Im here to tell you none of us are perfect and we all have learned from our own as well as  others mistakes. We are here to help in any way we can. Best of luck tom. going back to work....

I already replied in your blog, but you deserve another pat on the back!  You did a great job on your first dinner out.  :-) 

Great job Michael.  You did fabulous.  Another tip for you, Logan's has great sweet potatoes so if you want a little variety to go with your chili order a sweet potatoe also.  If you haven't really felt that full feeling yet don't worry.  Sometimes it takes awhile for the nerves in your stomach to heal and you might not feel it right away.  By limiting yourself you did great.  With things like chili, soup, depending on how thick it is you may find you can eat more so limiting is the best way to go.  Look for weird body signals to indicate you are full.  Some people suddenly burp when they never used too or sneeze when eating and that is their indication that they are full.  Christina was right with the tea.  Caffiene can dehydrate us more so if you allow yourself that treat add some extra water. 

Michael I applaud you - you did great!! All the rest said everything I would have said. The rolls are really the best and I haven't had one since my surgery because they are very yeasty and I am afraid they would swell and would fill up my pouch to the point of discomfort. You did great resisting them.   There will always be challenges when you go out but it gets better when you decide what you are not going to eat before you go into a restaurant and then just ignore those foods. That is what I do.  You will also find once you can eat salads etc life becomes easier. I am proud of you - you are doing very well! Jackie