Navigating Dining Out after Bariatric Surgery! 

I've only recently started on my journey so this info is good to hear. Tfs.

Great video. Dining out gets easier as we progress. I’m 18m post op GB. I follow many of the tips you shared. I request a box at the time of my order so I’ll just have what I plan to eat on my plate. I find breakfast easy since there’s often a variety of egg dishes on the menu. I usually defer to my friends or family to choose the restaurant because I really am not creative with thinking about where to eat. I make my I choices when I see the menu. I have had dessert at a fundraiser dinner. I removed the middle layer of frosting and had about 3 bites of the cake (raspberry enrobed in dark chocolate) After I ate the portion, I removed the plate from the table to avoid temptation of having more. It was soooo yummy and only my 2nd time having a dessert. Thankfully I didn’t experience any dumping. Maybe it was the time I spent on the dance floor right after that helped. 😂 Sweeter cocktails are my preference so I order a shot of vodka and use Crystal Light and water with lime instead of juice. Dining out and social events are more about hanging out with my family and friends and the experience vs food. It feels great!

I also look at a menu ahead of time. It helps me not feel so overwhelmed with trying to make the right choice when I get to the restaurant. I like your tips with asking to modify meals and separating food out before eating. I usually just start eating and the usually means I end up eating a little more than I should. I don't do desert either. Only took one time of being miserable on the way home from a restaurant to stop that. lol I am seeing an endocrinologist tomorrow about most likely having reactive hypoglycemia. I have been wearing a CGM for 2 weeks and it has been very eye opening. It has been helpful too see how my body is reacting to carbs and has helped me make better choices with foods. If you have any tips on keeping RH in check, a video on that would be amazing!

I agree that planning ahead is always best. I always find a protein that I enjoy and sometimes request substitutions when available. I might share a little dessert but not too much. I’ve found that there are things I can easily eat once but may cause dumping syndrome the next time so I am cautious. I personally don’t eat out much but I am looking at dining options for upcoming trips. It does get easier as time goes by so hang in there if you’re in the early post op phase.

I am just over one month post op, and have only eaten out once with my aunt. She was very supportive and understood, but it was awkward. I could hardly eat anything on the plate, and felt so bad sending the plate back with so much food left on it (I couldn't take leftovers because I wasn't going to be home all day). I forgot I shouldn't drink for 30 minutes after eating, and I had some decaf coffee and was instantly ill and in the washroom. It was horrible. I am going to wait a while before eating out again.

Thanks for the video. Do you feel like your GBP(tool) is still working for you and if so, in what way - maintenance or continued weight loss or do you feel like you’re back to having to focus on dieting like before GBP?