Eating Out After Bariatric Surgery

Posted by Patient Help Desk on March 4, 2008 under Diet and Health |

Eating Out After Your Bariatric Surgery Procedure

Have you recently had weight loss surgery? Well, you’ve taken an essential and health-boosting step for yourself and your loved ones. And as you’d expect, one area that will involve many alterations is that dining out. You may want to avoid restaurants, as your body simply can’t handle your previous amounts of food.

Today, most places serve huge amounts of food, swimming in fat and calories. Multiple studies have concluded that for bariatric surgery, larger portions are associated with slower rates of weight loss. Be on the alert for signs of “dumping syndrome,” a harmful condition in which undigested food (sugary treats are particularly bad) leaves the stomach, and rapidly gathers in the small intestine’s lower end (or “jejunum”). This condition can lead to weakness, sweating, and dizziness.

Dining Guidelines Away From Home

If you must eat out, you can monitor your dietary habits. Don’t think of this occasion as an excuse to ignore your condition. You should definitely plan ahead: consider reviewing the menu online. But it’s also important to eat something, and not starve yourself, which is just as dangerous. And here’s some good news: (very) occasional overeating won’t result in weight gain!

You may want to have a glass of milk or a small snack before leaving for the restaurant, as this can minimize your hunger. Once you arrive, avoid eating bread before the meal, as well as appetizers, in general. Another good idea is to order your salad with the dressing in a cup, like a dip. It’s wise to share your entree or take half home for another meal. Engaging in conversation while you eat causes you to eat much slower, as does sampling small amounts of new dishes.

Dining Out With Your Loved Ones

No matter how hard you try, when mealtime rolls around, you may end up inadvertently offending family and friends. But think about it this way; isn’t your long-term good health worth a little awkwardness now? Below, you’ll find some guidelines that should make dining out a more comfortable transition:

• Talk It Over – your family, friends and co-workers may not be familiar with what you’ve gone through, or will go through. So, you may need to have a conversation that tells everyone what to expect, as well as why you had the surgery. Of course, you should only do this if you’re comfortable.
• Support System – a bariatric surgery support group can provide you and your loved ones with an understanding of the procedure, as well as vital information
• Provide Information – it can be helpful to show the research and literature you used when considering surgery
• Subject Change – if you just don’t feel like explaining things, that OK, this is a private matter! You may want to try talking about something else (but approach this politely)
• Practice Avoidance – as with any situation, certain individuals just don’t “click.” You may need to keep away from these people, now and in the future