Christmas Eve with the Sleeve

So last night we were invited to my husband's sister's home for Christmas eve dinner. I was sleeved a little over two years ago and DH was sleeved 6 weeks ago.  The guest list included another lady (no wls) and her three grand daughters. Another neighbor was a possible guest. So my sister in law cooked a good sized turkey, stuffing, gravey , cranberry stuff,  green beans, white and sweet potatoes, berries, an elaborate tossed salad, olives, and several desserts.

At the last minute the children all were sick so the lady and the 3 grandkids stayed home. The neighbor did show up. She was sleeved three years ago. So at the dinner table with all of the above food there were five people and three of the five were sleevers!  Needless to say we did not put much of a dent in the food!!! 

As a two year sleever I was able to stick with the turkey and a couple of green beans plus a splurge of a blob of stuffing a gravy and about a table spoon of pumpkin pie. My DH the new sleever had just a little turkey and blueberries.

I feel bad for sister in law who made all that food and so little was eaten but I know others will be by to eat and some will be frozen. It reminded me of how much excess there is in holiday food preparation and how its really not necessary to wear yourself out with cooking all day. Holidays should be about company, family and relaxation; not about food.

Hope everyone has peaceful relaxing holidays.

Diane

Had ham and a couple bites of green beans, plus my first dessert in 8 months - a piece of brownie with a tiny spoonful of ice cream. It was a planned indulgence, one I won't repeat for a while.

I've become amazed at amounts of food lately, at familygatherings and kn restaurant plates - I used to clear those plates never despising how much in excess of what my body needed that really was!

Happy Holidays to you & Shrinking Nerd.

 I would have had a bit of the cranberry with the turkey -- that's my favorite.   I didn't have Christmas eve dinner because I indulged in 2 cookies in the afternoon and was very busy in the restroom and feeling bad for the next 5 hours -- dinner was the last thing on my mind.   Lesson learned.

Our immediate family's Christmas Eve tradition is to go to Red Lobster. I am still on full liquids for 5 more days and my husband is pre-op liquid. Ordered the lobster bisque had 3 spoonfuls and I was done.
My children and husband (full bowl of lobster bisque minus the lobster) enjoyed their meals. I enjoyed the company and conversation!

This just reminds me - It's amazing when I think about how much I used to eat (which I thought was "normal") and I couldn't understand how I got so heavy!

Ditto what everyone is saying. I watched what other normal sized people ate and was amazed. A year ago I'd have done the same. Half a crab leg, one scallop, and about 2 tablespoons of potato. No desserts at all for me.

 I agree; it's hard to realize how much excess food we consume.

I'm 3 weeks post op and on the high protein full liquid phase.  After everyone left, I thought to myself, "OMG I pigged out bad today"... then I realized I only had 1/2 cup yogurt for breakfast & 2/3 cups strained soup (chicken) plus a bite of chicken and plenty of water.

yep, some days I think i have been a total muncher and then look at food journal and realize I have done just fine. Or think I am hungry and complete the journal and realize I have indeed eaten very little.

Sounds like you are doing well at 3 weeks. takes awile to get a feel for what amount we really need (or don't need).  Diane

Merry Christmas Diane to you and your DH.  It sure is amazing how much food we used to eat before the VSG.  I agree we overemphasize food during the holiday.   It made sense when food was hard to come by, but now, it is just an over indulgence.  I had two parties today, first a Christmas party at my dear friends house and then a Hanukkah party at my children's friends house.  The first was Italian Christmas, the second was an Israeli Hanukkah.  I am rather full this evening.  That is all I am admitting to now.  :)  I am not really worried, I did OK, not great but not terrible and there is no other party until New Year. 

 Diane. thanks for sharing your thoughts about that holidays. I am scheduled to have my sleeve today in about 4 hours. So, I was on the liquid diet on Christmas and enjoyed water and sugar free clear liquids. I initially thought I would have a rough time- I cooked and had a family over. But you know what you are right, it was about the family-and it was really ok! I was so glad to know that I could enjoy their company without battling with food issues. This is keeping me hopeful for my post-sleeve gatherings. Thanks again!