my first real challenge

Saturday is my nephews first communion, as my inlaws are italian, the dinner will be at villa pennas where they serve tons of food family style.  I am on pureed foods still and am wondering how in the hell I am gonna get through this.  I dont want to be not eating anything and have them upset that Im not eating, and I don't really want to bring pureed food in and have everyone giving me wierd looks.  So what should I do? the family knows I had RNY as I sang it on the mountain tops when I got my date!

 If your family knows they also know that you're on some severe food restrictions.  They'll understand and yeah you'll probably feel a little self conscience about it.  Don't have an easy answer for this, I know people still kind of watch what I'm eating.  They do that out of curiosity and I can't blame them there.  I've been vocal about my procedure and my friends/students often ask about what I can and can't eat.
At this stage you've got a several options: 1) bring some pureed food, the family will understand. 2) bring a protein shake or the powder to make a protein shake and just drink it while you're there instead of eating.  3) don't eat!!  Get your food in before/after this dinner and spend the time visiting with those that are waiting to eat or those that have.  
Have fun and trust that this will be easier than you think!
--Sax

If it's a reserved party, then I would call them up and tell them someone in your group needs a special dish.  Have them prepare some ricotta, marinara, and mozzerella in a bowl.  That shouldn't be a big deal for them to have for you.

If you are just walking in, then you can ask the server for the same thing.  No need to give a big explanation, just ask for that (if you are tolerating those kinds of things now).  When I was on pureed I ate meatballs and just mashed them up with a fork in some sauce.  I don't know if you can have that or not, use your best judgement.  You can also ask for some soup, and just eat the broth.  That way you'll have something in front of you and won't feel weird while everyone else is eating.  With all of the food allergies these days, it's pretty hard to come up with a request that a place won't honor.

I totally understand not wanting to skip eating.  It's kind of awkward and then everyone feels bad for you because you are not eating.  It will take a while before people realize it's not like eating a sundae in front of a dieter.  

Most of the time I find if I don't make a production of what I can or can't eat, no one else even notices.  Usually others are busy worrying about getting their share of the goodies, so they don't look twice at me.  But if everyone knows, they should be fine with you having a small cup of soup or some other pureed food from the menu.

Penna's is wonderful.  Have some of that wonderful Italian Wedding Soup and have a wonderful time.  I'm sure it's going to be hard tho.  It's just one of the steps we'll have to overcome after this WLS. (I think anyway)
Enjoy yourself.

I know when I've been in situations like that (and over the years and years of dieting, I've run into allot of them) people tend to look at me w/ pity and apologize that I'm not able to eat.  Even though it's my choice!  They are just doing it out of concern, not realizing they are making a big deal out of it...not me!  So I can see where your discomfort comes from.

That being said....I love the soup idea, you can sip broth and no one will think it's odd and you won't feel out of place.

Good luck,

Edie