As long as you like leftovers, it's great. My husband and I went to breakfast and I got a veggie egg white omelet that I ate for four days. It was very cost effective!

I would make sure you check your feelings before deciding to go out. Make sure you are not emotional, and are prepared to eat just a little. You may get concerned questions from servers about why you didnt eat more. Prepare to be surrounded by things you cannot have. It takes a lot of willpower, but with preparation and the right state of mind, its doable. Oh! And maybe look at menus online ahead of time so you know what to get and are not overwhelmed! You can then research nutrition info and ingredients lists as well!

This topic hit home today. One of my colleagues is organising a group lunch for Christmas. (We have to do it in November because so many people are on holiday in December). I didn't want to go because of the whole I-can-only-eat-a-tiny-portion thing. Now, I'm sure they would be happy to choose a restaurant where I would feel comfortable ordering a side dish, but frankly that would make me feel just as bad, knowing that I had limited the choices.

Also, they want to do a Secret Santa gift exchange. However, I'm trying to to limit the amount of waste I generate. Giving gifts to family or close friends is OK, because you know them well enough that there's a chance they will actually want the gift you choose. But whatever you get for a colleague is too likely to just go in a drawer or be re-gifted to someone else who also doesn't want it.

I hate to be a grinch, and I really enjoy Christmas, so I agonised over the decision, and whether or not to explain. (The colleague who is organising it knows I've had WLS, so I wouldn't mind explaining my concerns, but I don't want to make her feel bad for organising this.) Finally I just said sorry, I won't be participating, but I hoped they had a lovely time. I am doing other things to bring a bit of Christmas cheer to the office, though.

the month before my surgery me and the mrs ended up buying some Monk fruit. And it sweetens really well as a sugar substitute. i hanvt tried putting it in anything yet as im only just starting my 3rd week post op and still limiting my self. But i remember they made great cookies or lemonade prior though i didn't indulge hardly at all due to diet restrictions. so my experience is limited but that's what i have tried =P GL finding what works for you ^_^

For your water,have you tried the flavored powders you can get at Dollar Tree stores,or even Crystal Light.Another good thing are sugar free Popsicles,though they are small,its still a way of getting water in

Yes,I too had water issues and I still do,you are not alone. Even if you can have tea,that counts. Everyone who has had this surgery needs to stay hydrated. You dont want to get dehydrated and wind up in the hospital, otherwise you will need hydration infusions,yes,I have had them. Who wants to sit in a room at the hospital getting water dripped into you. Hang in there kiddo,it gets better,one day at abtime

It was challenging in a first year. After that - not so much. Year 2-3 as my poouch matured, it was more challenging what to order and how much to eat. But overtime it's not a problem.

At the same time, just because I can eat something, it doesn't mean I should eat it. I know people IRL, that go out often and don't deny themselves anything. Unfortunately the same people regained a lot of weight. They believe that because of the surgery they should be able to eat regular food in moderation, but not regain. It's not working for them. Every time I had a period of time I did that, and allowed myself to have some alcohol, I regained and had to work hard to lose it.

Some people can do that, but for some - our metabolism is broken, and we can't do that and not gain. After you reach the goal, you would need to find for yourself what works, and what doesn't.

Even 11 years post OP, I eat much less that a typical portions served in US. I can eat a burger, no bun, and a few fries (if I chose to).

But I still have days that a few bites and I am full. I often end up getting "to go box".