THANKSGIVING QUESTION FOR ALL POST OPS

Hi everyone!! So we all know what this Thursday is right? Here's my question to all post ops: **HOW DID YOU HANDLE YOUR VERY FIRST THANKSGIVING ON THE OTHER SIDE?** Did you freak out? Sit in a separate corner AWAY FROM ALL THE FOOD AND THOSE GRUBBING IT UP? Did you not even go to (anyone's) dinner? Did you walk with your own "little" dish of a 4 to 8 oz meal? See, I was cool about the whole thing , but now that I am hearing all the "food" talks amongst my family, seeing all the groceries being bought and seeing a menu, I am starting to get a little bit nervous here WHAT DID YOU DO??? I'd love to hear your cool, silly and serious responses...thanks!

Candie- Well I just had surgery a week ago so it will be REAL interesting for me. I will be on blended no chunks food. I am figuring maybe some mashed potaoes, maybe a small bite of the inside of pumpkin pie. Who knows maybe I will show up at my motherinlaws with my blender, throw the whole thing and give it a go!!! Janet

This will be new to me as well but I did make it thru all the summer picnics. I took the little plate and used that and no one said a word. I have to work this Thanksgiving so I will probably do the same at there also, we have a huge buffet for all that work the holiday. Teri

Thanks for the responses. I think I just might make myself my own little plate, but once I get full (which won't take long) I will definitely be leaving everyone at the table.

I'm 7 weeks post tomorrow, so I'm new to this...but I really don't anticipate any problems...I'll eat til I'm full, then sit & chat or go play w/ the kids. For the first time, I'm happy not to have food as the center of *my holiday (that said, I'm guilty of running around the store today, buying all I need for apple & mince pies, chocolates, brownies, cookies)......food is a big thing for my extended family, and I try not to foist my new routine on them..... Claudia

Hi Candie, By Thanksgiving last year, I was just about 2 months post op and had not been on solid food for very long. Food or the lack thereof was not an issue for me as I really wasn't hungry. I think the hostess was more concerned about what she could "feed" me than what I chose to eat. I assured her that I could eat almost anything that she was preparing and that she didn't have to cook anything special for me. To be honest, I don't remember exactly what I ate. Since the family background is Italian (although I am not) our first course was an antipasto - I don't remember eating any of those things except for a small piece if fresh mozzarella cheese. Thenext course was homemade manicotti - I think I had a taste of that. I beleive next they had turkey soup - I passed it up. For dinner we had turkey and a sprial cooked ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, sweet potatoes, artichokes, green bean casserole and goodness knows what else. If I remember correctly I tried the turkey (still have trouble with poultry today) but ended up having a slice of ham. I think I had some mashed potatoes and also some green beans and perhaps a taste of carrots. Please keep in mind that we are talking small quantities of each thing. By the way, I did stay away from the dessert table when that was set up but to be honest, I really had no desire to eat any of it. So in answer to your question, I joined the rest of the group, didn't freak out and just enjoyed being with my family and loved ones. In the end shouldn't that really be what the holiday is about? Here's hoping that you conquer your fears and enjoy your day. Patti

Patricia, thanks so much for the response. Given the fact that I chose to have this surgery, at times I feel like food will become my focus taking away from the actual event. Since having my surgery I haven't gone to any events where food had a dominant presence (wedding, dinner parties, etc.) But you are definitely right...the focus is on family here and after eating my small portions, I'm sure I won't even want to see the dessert table either. I'm sure I'll have a great time though. Have a Happy Thanksgiving too!