I fear Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is around the corner, just a few days away... I can't believe time has flown by already. This time last year was when I started checking out things about WLS and what not, I dont' think then that I would have realized I'd be here today having had it done!   I will admit being a little scared about Thanksgiving... I mean what the blazes am I gonna eat.   I'm going to a big get togther that I always go to, its my little one's godparents dinner.  They have a large extend family... there will be tons of food... and I will only be able to have 1oz ... that be it...    I do love to cook though so when i was asked to bring a turkey I got very happy and still am. I love to cook... just love it.  So I have my 20lb turkey already defrosting, DH is making is Lousiana Gumbo and I'm trying my hand at making some No sugar sugar cookies, a recipe I found on Splenda.com.     Every year before now I've always gone to my friends house, my family has spent it with them and I love it!  Every year we have a blast, however every before I've been able to eat till I felt I was gonna blow...   what am I going to do this year? I'm so afraid of doing something stupid!   How did you all do it for your first thanksgiving?  Anyone here that has had surgery this year fearing this holiday as much as me???? Don't get me wrong I also have a lot to be thankful for ... the surgery, my family, better health already, being the smallest I've been since college.... but the dread of this year' s get together... and I will not miss it though.. I love the people there, the family atmosphere and my kids have a blast with all the other kids there.

Your first big holiday after wls surgery can sure be scarry. You can still enjoy your self visiting with family even though you can't eat much. Be sure you have whatever you can eat available for yourself so that you can eat as well as you can. A little turkey with a touch of gravy  and maybe a tablespoon of mashed potatoes, or sweet potatos. Not sure at what diet stage you are at now, but you shouldn't have any trouble finding something that you can eat. Before dinner keep a glass of water at your side to sip on. Remember your pouch will tell you when you have had enough. You don't want to end up sick . Enjoy your holiday. Sher

You are showing remarkable self-awareness of what you feel are your limits, and you are attuned to potential problems.  That sense of self-awareness should help you avoid any unconscious eating that could lead ot problems.  And, just in case your self-awareness fails you,  you've also had surgery so that you can't  "eat till [you] felt you were gonna blow".   You know your limitation, and you recognize the importance of treating thanksgiving like you would any other day in which you have to make wise food choices.   Have confidence that the same strength that got you to take the major step of weight loss surgery will also guide you through the potential pitfalls of Thanksgiving dinner. A few things to keep in mind that might help ease the burden.  First, your body doesn't care what day of the year it is when you are overeating--- those excess carbs are going to be ultimately converted to fat whether its cake you eat on your birthday, some cookies at Christmas or the spoonfuls of mashed potato at Thanksgiving.  Secondly, the cheat foods will make you feel lousy-- even if you don't dump, they will bloat you and make you feel uncomfortable.  And, if you're like many other people who experiment a little too early and a little too aggressively, you might convince yourself that you have damaged your pouch (which is kind of tough to do from one meal) and then be plagued with days of guilt and shame until your surgeon can assure you that are fine. Third, what better way to celebrate a day of thanksgiving than by giving thanks that you are breaking the hold food once had on you?