By: Sandi Henderson and Gloria Samuels

One of the most frequently asked questions of newly banded patients as well as those who are considering lap band surgery is "Will I be able to eat out in restaurants?" The concern seems to come from two places:

• What can I eat?
• Isn't everyone going to be able to tell I had weight loss surgery?

The answers are pretty straightforward.  Yes, you will be able to eat out in restaurants.  Some of you may want to wait a while (weeks or months) before you attempt to go out to a restaurant, but some of us do not have the "luxury" of waiting.  Some of our lives force this issue on us when we travel for work, or eat in restaurants as part of a regular social or professional group meeting. 

What can I eat can get a little trickier though.  This one takes planning.  If at all possible find out what restaurant you will be going to and see if they have their menu on line.  Many restaurants do and they also have their nutritional values noted so you can make your selection while sitting at home or in your office.  If the menu is not on line when reviewing it at the table use sound judgment.  Look for some form of protein that you like and you can easily handle.  If all else fails, try a soup of some sort.  While not always the best selection nutrition wise, it will work and allow you to eat with a group of people around you, and putting your spoon down between bites will be pretty easily accomplished.

Isn't everyone going to be able to tell I had weight loss surgery is answered with a resounding NO.  Just because you eat a small portion and don't drink with your meal does not mean you have a sign on your back that says Lap Band Patient.  You are definitely more self conscious and if you take a moment and look around you'll see that nobody is watching you eat.

Gloria and I were together recently, and, as is our custom at the end of our time together, we went out for sushi.

Share this Article

Facebook  Twitter