Thanksgiving coming up

With Thanksgiving coming up and me not that far along in my surgery was wondering does anyone have any suggestions. what to eat, how did anyone else handle it, pretty much just looking for advice any would be helpful.

Hey William:  What does your nut and doc recommend?  Most are different.  Mine say no bread, rice, pasta, but others allow that in moderation.   Mine also says protein first, then if you have room maybe a few veggie...  This is what I suggest -- turkey first, if you can handle, then some kind of vegetables.  MOST IMPORTANT, though, almost as much so as what to eat (you really probably know what you should have and/or handle) is don't make your portion or what you eat a big deal.  So many get caught up in the poor pitiful me syndrome and want everyone to feel as sorry for them as they do for themselves.  This was a choice I made and desperately wanted.  I read where some avoided dinner with family because they didn't want to be around them eating.  I consider this so sad -- to miss any time being around my wife, children, and other family members.  I knew this was a life decision, so I fixed my mind on not getting stressed out from the very beginning about being around other people eating -- ESPECIALLY family.  Get the food and portion you know you should and concentrate on enjoying the season, enjoying being around family/friends.  Don't let this dominate you and make others feel uncomfortable.  Enjoy those around you and the time you are able to spend with them, so they can do the same.  Focus on familiy, not food.  Ok, a little Dear Abbey, but it helped me keep focused on what was really important.  Happy Thanksgiving to you and everyone on the board.  Michael

Wow Michael what a great perspective - thanks for sharing I know I'll keep it in mind for Christmas when I am 10 days post-op

Hey Bill.  I had my surgery in early Dec and the holidays were tough.  During Christmas I was on the puree stage and I had pureed prime rib.  I have to say that it was much tougher mentally than physically.  Hang in there.

Hey William or Bill or whatever you prefer to go by........By the time that Thanksgiving gets here you'll be three months out.  Speaking only for myself, at that mark I could eat about anything that I wanted.  Not to say that I did eat anything that I wanted nor am I telling you to do so but........You could have some turkey (if it's moist), mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, veggies, salad, really just about anything that would be served.  I can't say about wine because I'm really not a drinker so you're on your own there.  Mainly it's about moderation and chewing your food and taking your time eating.

Most people think Thanksgiving is about the meal.  The meal is only a part of Thanksgiving.  To me, the important thing about Thanksgiving is being thankful for all of the blessings that we've received.  For me, this year will be extra special because of the WLS that my wife and I have had.  We've been so blessed this year.  We went through the surgery with no complications.  We've done very well with everything.  I've lost 145lbs and she's lost 103lbs.  Our health is good now.  Our doctors are so happy with us both.  Saturday we've doing our first half marathon.  Seven months ago we could hardly walk to the end of the street without hurting.  In these tough economic times we've blessed to have good, stable jobs.  The list goes on and on.

So on Thanksgiving enjoy yourself.  Enjoy your family and or friends.  Think about the things that you're thankful for in your life.  Practice good eating habits.  You know the difference between good and bad.  After dinner you and all of those around you can go out for a walk.  These are my plans.

Duane 

Thank You all for your responces I will be enjoying the holiday and am not worried so much on the food just wanted what some of you did eat and how you handled it. I do have alot to be thankful for this year also. I have lost 98 pounds since my surgery and I am feeling great. I am making the turkey so I know it will be moist and good. Once again thank you all for you responces.

William, my surgery was also in an August.  That first Thanksgiving has been just like the past 4.  I take an 8" plate and put some turkey,and a little bit of anything else that I want to try.  I eat slow and do a lot of talking.  I am satisfied with just a taste of everything, and no one cares because they are happy to have the extra.

It all works out great, just be sure to eat right all day and don't graize on the crap.  My wife makes me a sugar free pie so I get a taste of that too without the dumping.

I am wondering the same thing.  Though, I will only be a couple weeks out. A little nervous, and more so after Scott's response, about the emotional connection with food that I have.  I am going to try to stay in a room other than the kitchen/dining area and try to be a social butterfly rather than the grazing cow.  Hopefully, that works.