Question:
EEK! The holidays are coming....
OK - maybe I'm pressing the panic button a little early, but do any of you long-term post-ops (or short-term too!) have any helpful hints, suggestions, etc. to offer regarding the upcoming holiday season? I've been doing great (almost 7 months post-op and down 107 pounds), but I'm beginning to worry about the holidays and ALL THAT FOOD! (And most of it not GREAT food choices...) Any suggestions/comments would be appreciated! Thanks! Lisa — sssuzie1 (posted on October 15, 2002)
October 15, 2002
I can't help you because my surgery is just 9 days before Christmas, but
I'd be very interested to hear what the others have to say.
— Toni C.
October 15, 2002
Lisa, sorry but I am not long term. I am almost 3 months out though and I
CAN tell you that when I was about 4 or 5 weeks out my sister made a
traditional type Thanksgiving dinner, complete with turkey, dressing,
mashed potatoes and gravy. The only thing that was missing really was the
pumpkin pie. I had my little saucer with a tiny spoon full of potatoes,
tiny spoon of dressing, tiny piece of meat, and one green bean. Everyone
thought it was cute. The key is moderation. I still got to taste
everything and had a wonderful full feeling. If you are worried about the
dessert part of the holidays why don't you make a couple of sugarfree
desserts to have there. That way you aren't denying yourself any of the
sweet treat that holidays always seem to offer. That is what I plan on
doing. Just to put some fun into it, I don't plan on telling anyone they
are sugarfree. I have noticed that people tend to avoid sugarfree sweets
as if they have poison in them or something. But when you don't tell them,
they never know. I can make a mean SF cheesecake and banana cream pie!
Anyway, I hope that helps.
— Laurel C.
October 15, 2002
I was almost a month post-op last Christmas and I had no problems at all.
We had Christmas at my cousin's home and there were 17 pies and cakes and 5
different fruit salads, all with high calorie dressings. I ate a little
turkey, a small spoonful of stuffing with gravy and two green beans. I was
perfectly happy. I am not anticipating any problems this year - I know
that sweets won't be a temptation because I dump really badly. Just
recently I got nauseated from just smelling doughnuts. The main think is
to eat small portions and remember - don't over do it - this far out, it's
not as easy. I am looking forward to the holidays though because I am 150
pounds lighter than I was last year. It will be wonderful not to be the
biggest person at the dinner table and to be able to wear fun holiday
clothes. I fully intend to have an really neat Christmas sweater - that is
much better than all that food anyway.
— Patty_Butler
October 15, 2002
What I MAKE is Chex mix. The butter & spices won't hurt me, and all
those nuts & grains are good for me. Besides, over 2-3 weeks, how much
can I eat, esp when I treat it as if it is a meal. At the big parties
& such, I literally don't LOOK at the sweets, but focus directly on
nuts & tiny tacos, those kinds of non-sugar things. Sugars will burst
my bubble (and my jeans), fats do not make me fat, since I am malabsorbing
them largely, as does any BPD or RNY. As far as "GASP" the
relatively high fat of the constant bombardment, I soon lose my taste for
it and can do the rest of the days eating the salads and such in reasonable
proportions. I can make no such claims once I start withe the sugars,
though.
— vitalady
October 15, 2002
Last Thanksgiving I was 2 1/2 weeks post-op. I was really bummed that I
was going to miss my 'turkey day'. But I was really pleased with how it
turned out. I had my 'taste' of everything that I wanted and felt
satisfied with my small amounts. I lost 4 lbs. over the 4 day 'weekend'.
But of course I was a newbie. This year at Thanksgiving I will be a little
over a year out and wonder how I will do since I am able to eat more than a
pinch of this and a pinch of that. And people tend to graze a lot during
the holidays, eating the good stuff all day long. I have a feeling that it
will be a little more difficult than most days. I am curious too, how the
longer-term post-ops handle the holidays. Next year I will be able to
answer this question with a little more experience. But this year I will
enjoy lookin' cute at the table, compared to last year:~) Enjoy your
holidays!
— Cheri M.
October 15, 2002
I was kind of worried about the holidays too, until I got my date for my tt
and breast reduction/lift for December 2nd. I don't know about
Thanksgiving,my pre-op is 1 week before Thanksgiving anyway on the 18th,
but I'm sure I won't feel much like celebrating/eating during the Christmas
Holidays, that's okay with me, because THERE'S NO BETTER FEELING THEN BEING
THIN AND HEALTHY!!!!! I am so glad I had this wls surgery, just wish I
would have did it sooner!!!
— bikerchic
October 15, 2002
Maybe I'm not being wise, but I eat whatever I want just not much of it.
It's not like it's an every day thing. I want to enjoy life. Sure I can't
sit down and eat and eat and eat... but I take alittle of everything I
like. However when it comes to sweets I'll have alittle taste and that's
it. You know, holidays are usually the only time I regret WLS as I miss the
"volume eating", especially the dressing and gravy for
Thanksgiving. Oh well... down 157 pounds and 33 more to go so I won't mourn
long.
— Danmark
October 15, 2002
Lisa, I had my surgery 2 weeks before Thanksgiving last year and it wasn't
that bad. I ate what I knew I could and felt just as content because I was
FULL. Now this year will be different, I plan to eat whatever I want just
in small amounts and I also plan to ask my family if they will make the
deserts sugar free if possible, not only for my sake but theirs also, and
they usually taste just as good so it won't hurt anyone. I feel if I
deprive myself of the "Good Things" every once in a while that I
will eventually fail because I will learn to hate it, and sabatoge myself.
You will know what your tummy can handle and what it can't and I really
think that you will be OK to sneak a bite or two of whatever you may want
without hurting anything.
— Lynda T.
October 15, 2002
I agree with Daniel and Lynda, that its not a bad thing to have a little
taste of everything or anything you want, and for me, that includes the
sweets. I had this surgery to eat "normal" and that means eating
what other thin people eat. Even if I gain a pound or two at holiday time,
my goodness, its so much better than the 5 or 7 pounds that we used to gain
between Thanksgiving and X-mas. I'll just increase the exercise a little
or be a little better the week before or the week after.. It sure will be
fun to not overeat this year!
— Cindy R.
October 15, 2002
Well surgery was july, and by thanksgiving had a great time. The relaxed
atmosphere of a traditional meal helps tremendously. Slow eating = eating
more! Noticed this on our cruise too. Had some of everything and a great
time. I wouldnt want to be 10 days out on clear liquids:( Just graze if you
want this special day and enjoy!
— bob-haller
October 15, 2002
My surgery was Nov. 8th, 2001, so I went through the Thanksgiving and
Christmas holidays last year. I had three med cups or 3 oz. of turkey,
mashed potatoes and green beans. Believe it or not, I was full. Now, of
course I can eat more than that.
I have lost 109 lbs! I have not found a food in this world that makes me
feel that good! You will do fine.
— Lori K.
October 15, 2002
hi there! i had open rny feb 8 which is 7 days before my birthday, 8 before
valentines, and only a short time before easter. i was fine on my b day and
valentines as i wasnt able to eat much of anything yet and by easter i was
able to eat more but was amazed at the feeling of control i had.i enjoyed
the things i wanted all except the sugars. and i felt normal and so glad to
not feel as if i had over done it like always. im heading towards this
holiday season with the confidence that ill have more control over what i
eat this year. ill still enjoy eating what i want just on a much smaller
scale and ill be sure to increase my water and activities during that time.
happy holidays and best of luck to you.
— carrie M.
October 15, 2002
My surgery was 10-3-01, Thanksgiving and Christmas were fine for me. I was
VERY careful about the amounts that I ate because I was around my HUGE
family and didnt want to get sick and give anyone a reason to think badly
about WLS. I did not have any problems at all. I ate very
slowly......probably because I was constantly answering questions from
every family member there. haha My mom had wls some 25 years ago, she
says the holidays have always been the hardest for her as far as eating too
much. Just watch what your doing....its just another meal. : )
— RebeccaP
October 16, 2002
You can still eat just about anything, within reason. Just smaller
amounts. Is it sweets and desserts you worry about or regular food? Since
you are asking a specific question about choices for holiday food, I'll
answer your question by saying I have a recipe book available for special
occasions with wonderful desserts and more. It is available by going to
the website http://www.freewebs.com/recipes-after-rny
I also hear that Victoria Bowen has a web site and recipes, but I haven't
tried any of them. Good luck and enjoy the holidays!
— Lynette B.
October 17, 2002
Hi lisa,
i thought this might help with recipe ideas and such for the holidays
before i had the surgery, a couple of years ago i joined a group (lowcarb)
and they have great recipes at their site for free i used a couple for the
holidays low in sugar and carbs here is the address i am there now getting
my recipes for thanksgiving www.atkinsfriends.com i hope this helps have a
great day!!!
open rny 8/14/02 261/219/?
— nice n sweet B.
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