what do you do?

Hi all! Ok I am going to have my surgery lap rny ...2 weeks from Monday I am very excited! Today I attended a bridal shower - It was a full 6 course Italian meal served family style. I was thinking .... now what would I do if I was post op? I know almost all of it was OFF LIMIST! MY question is ... How would you handle that situation? How have you handeled it? I would have certainly brought attention to myself not eatting a thing! I don't feel I have to or want to announce to the whole table ... I am not eating this because I had WLS. just curious? Britt

when i was post op i was on full liquids only for 3 weeks ....during that time i was invited to a bridal shower a baby naming and 5 bbq's if your still in that stage then you can have tomato juice or soup...... if you are past that stage then basically you can have whatever anyone else is having only smaller portions.... for me and only me the only thing i wouldnt eat would be the pasta.... hope to meet you soon Stacy

Thanks Stacy

Britt: Quite frankly if this was in the first 2 weeks when I was only on liquids, and the people participating were not aware of my surgery, I might choose to not go, or go after the meal was served. I didn't go out to eat for 2-3 months postop. Did I miss out, maybe but for me this process was more important than any dinner meeting, shower etc. Thanksgiving my first yr was awesome my family understod; I had 1 T squash, a small piece of turkey a bite of stuffing and was satisfied and full it was probably the BEST and MOST memorable time I had (watching others be so overstuffed and miserable when I was full and happy and content!) Some wait until after the Holidays to have surgery thinking they can not possibly get through it w/ being a fresh postop, I appreciate that but reality is holidays come ang go every year, so do office snacks, celebrations, birthdays, showers each can be a roadblock or an opportunity to grow and challenge self, no escaping it really. I (chose to) learned early that celebrations are about friends and family and not the food (new mind flip). I think others had more of a problem than I did truth be told, I was so high on living healthy (using my tool/hoenymoon) no one could bring me off that cloud 9 feeling! I chose to tell everyone about my decision so that may of helped it a little, people are fascinated by this and hey an opportunity to educated naysayers and validate my own beliefs this was the right thing to do. I guess instead of seeing this as a hinderance see each celebration, shower etc as a new challenge to excell and learn about living in a food dominated society when you are working on refocusing it to a people focused society for yourself. Bring a water bottle with you and enjoy the time and people and the true reason you are there to celebrate the upcoming birth (not the 6 course italian meal!) of course this is just how I wrap my brain around it, for me it is a matter of perspective, change the old lens you used to use pre wls to a new one and see how beautiful and fascinatig the world can be and quite enjoyable as well when food isnt taking center stage and we are no longer binded by its chains! Good question, very thought provoking, I hope others answer as well, that is how we learn! HUGS~ Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=c1132518510 "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

Thanks (again) Jamie! I agree if I were newly post op ... I probably would have passed on the invite. I know that those things are a part of life ... and I know I will learn how to deal with them ...1 at a time! your post helped me Thanks !

As long as i was feeling up to the event I would go. I had a party about 4 weeks after my surgery. MOST people didnt know of my surgery some did... I just went and enjoyed to the best i could. I had no interest in food and mostly drank water all day. I picked a few nibbles here and there and was fine. I wouldnt not go unless i was too ILL and tired too or was experiencing complications! THIS sugery has not stopped me from doing anything!

Lisa, I think - that if I sipped water and had a what I could I would have been fine and content ... I think "me being content" is key ... Maybe I am making more out of these events than they really are ... like Jamie said - Its about the celebration and NOT the food. thanks, britt

Britt, If you wanted to go then I would, if not then stay home...it is up to you and you would have to see how you are feeling about this at that time. For me if I was on reg food then I would taken small amounts and picked at my plate, no one would know what you are eating if you are trying little samples of stuff and leaving others. Make it look like you are moving food around your plate, trying things here and there. I might have snuck a protein bar in there as well. breaking off pieces of it when no one was around. It is about YOU now and you need to do what YOU need to do. I hope that helps some.. Debra P

(((debra))) yes, you are helpful! Thanks - I think i'll be just fine ...especially with all you you all are AWESOME! I feel better Britt

When I was 3 weweks post-op I attended a wedding, and the reception had evcerything imaginable. What I did was to focus on proteins, tried to stick with fish as it went down easier and veggies. I only drank water and cranberry juice, but was mindful of the 30 minutes that I needed to wait after eating. I didn't eat any wedding cake or other desserts (dumping syndrome which I still have). Hope this helps.