Question:
Hi everyone...I'm going to a job orientation tommorow morning-plans have changed I was originally scheduled to go toward the end of the day but my new boss wants me listening in on a presentation, so she said come by for lunch. Pizza is going to be ordered! I'm only 3.5 weeks post op-pizza was definetly one of my bad binge foods pre-op. I have been following my nurtitionist's instructions religiously and I don't want to fall off the wagon. I'm usually pretty open about the fact I had surgery with people I know but I don't feel like I want to "tell all" at a first meeting. I also don't want to be rude either because I want to make a good first impression. If I do have a slice of pizza I definetly will only eat one (if I can even eat that much!) But I'm afraid if I can tolerate the pizza (I haven't had any problems with food yet) I will want to keep eating it on a regular basis. Has anyone been in this type of situation? Any advise would be greatly appreciated-thanks a bunch :) — mzcath (posted on April 1, 2004)
April 1, 2004
No way would I try pizza at 3.5 weeks postop! I'm almost a year out and
still have problems with pizza crust. At 3.5 weeks I was still on pureed
foods. I agree with the previous poster - if you are allowed to eat solids
foods at this point, try picking off the toppings, but leave the crust
alone! Barb 4/07/03 235/134/130
— Barbara C.
April 1, 2004
Why not just pick at the topping (cheese) and if anyone is RUDE enough to
ask, just laugh and tell them you've joined the low-carb fad. That should
shut them up.
— [Deactivated Member]
April 1, 2004
Just eat the cheese off the top. I do this at times. then throw away the
crust. or you can eat something before the pizza come then you can't eat
nothing else, tell them you are allergic to some sauce or something .
— B4real
April 1, 2004
Not a good time to try pizza yet. I don't know why people think it's rude
to not eat. It's amazing. It's truly no ones business if you choose not
to eat anything. If anyone is rude enough to not accept your "no
thank you" when you are offered a slice, that's their problem, not
yours. Simply say, no thank you. If they ask why, just state politely,
but firmly, "I'm not hungry, but thank you anyway." If they
continue to push it on you, walk away." Yes, I know it's a business
meeting, but it does not mean you have to put yourself at risk, and you owe
no one an explaination. Good luck to you. :-)
— KellyJeanB
April 1, 2004
Hi Cathy-
At 3 1/2 weeks I was still "drinking" my food- 2 weeks of liquid
and a month of pureed. I didn't come back to work until 10 weeks after my
open rny. I've been back for almost 2 months and have had to deal with 2
pizza parties. Like many others, my company eats like its a sport. The
first one was just within my department and I ate my own lunch. The second
one was with another dept. and I made an excuse to get out of it. That
necessarily isn't the right thing either. I would eat before hand or take
your own lunch. You are still healing at 3 1/2 weeks and way to soon for
pizza. Both times I was asked if I wanted something else ordered for me
and declined both times because I didn't want anyone to think I wanted or
needed any special treatment. Good Luck!
— Kathy *.
April 1, 2004
The cheese topping may be too fatty for you at this point. Can you bring
your own container of soup and say you've had a mild stomach virus, if
you're not yet comfortable telling people about the surgery?
— Leslie F.
April 1, 2004
Hi
I agree with taking your own lunch, or you could always take some premixed
protein drink with you I know at 3 1/2 weeks out I couldn't drink very much
at a time and it would keep me filled up.
— Lisa Cameron
April 2, 2004
Would you rather try a few bites of pizza and end up puking in front of
everybody(it can come back up FAST) or would you rather play it safe and
bring your own lunch? If anyone asks, you could say that pizza gives you
bad gas (farty type gas) and you don't want the HAZ-MAT team showing up to
investigate a noxious odour LOL(only if this is a relaxed group of ppl).
Or you could say you prefer to BYOL that's all.
At 3 and a half weeks out, there is about an 80-90% chance of puking
whatever part of the pizza you try, too greasy, too heavy, too chunky, too
doughy, etc. You get the picture. Stick with foods you feel safe with esp
in front of so many collegues. You also want to avoid binge triggers as
long as you possibly can, you don't want to test THOSE waters.
— mary ann T.
April 2, 2004
Don't eat it. You don't want to be throwing up during your meeting! If
anyone asks, which they probably won't, say you're not feeling well.
— mrsmyranow
April 2, 2004
Oh wow. I am WAY surprised you could consider pizza so soon. But I've
learned different docs allow different things. If your doc still has you
on pureed or liquids then DO NOT deviate. Heck I was home 4 weeks and then
only worked part time after my lap RNY. Again, yea for you you are feeling
well. I think there are many good suggestions here. This is a good time
for you to learn to eat what your body needs - not what you want, or what
you think you need to do to please others. What will you do when family
starts saying "but it is Thanksgiving, surely you acn have a little of
this?" or will you start justifying eating things you shouldn't but
you want to, rationalizing it is for these social concerns. Bring some
soup and a protein drink. Say you aren't feeling well. I think that's
your best option, you'll have something to "eat/drink" while they
have pizza. TELL US HOW IT WENT!!!! OK?
— Calleigh Q.
April 2, 2004
I am 2 1/2 weeks post op and I don't think I'd try pizza. My doctor has
allowed me to eat pretty much anything but red meat (steaks), fresh
veggies, or salad since 1 week post op. His philosophy is to get you back
on a regular diet asap for the mental benefit of eating "real
food". I was told anything that is bread like is a no-no, including
pizza dough. The analagy I was told is to take a piece of bread and roll
it into a ball like you used to do when you were a kid. That is what the
bread-type products do in your pouch. I agree with the other suggestions
of taking your own lunch. Just tell them Thanks, but no thanks. You don't
need to explain yourself. Good Luck!
— Julie Rich
April 2, 2004
I understand about trigger foods. Lasagna was one of my passions and I
think I've only had it once as a post-op but found myself going back to
pick at it after I was already full - just like the old days, only the
capacity was much diminished.
But at 3 1/2 weeks out, most people are still on pureeds and I really don't
think you need to worry about overindulging on pizza because your pouch
simply won't allow it. I don't think this is one that you're going to want
to try in public - doughy stuff like bread, pizza, and pasta will fill you
up quite quickly and make you very uncomfortable. I don't think you want
to risk being ill at this event. So many people are on Atkins or South
Beach these days that I don't think it would be that unusual for you to
demur from the pizza that way. Or if you're joining halfway through the
session, maybe you could say you already ate?
— sandsonik
April 2, 2004
At 3.5 weeks post-op I will be shocked if you can get 2-3 bites down. If I
were you I would stop by McDonald's and get a small salad or even better
make a small egg salad at home and take to the luncheon. You can say
"NO THANK YOU" without an explanation to the pizza - but if you
must just say you're watching your weight and PIZZA is one of your
"triggers"
— Anna M.
April 2, 2004
I agree with most posters, I don't think I would try pizza this early, You
never know how a new food will sit. I would bring my own food and just say
the sauce wouldn't agree with me (acid reflux or something). I personally
have avoided foods that were triggers pre surgery (I'm 19 months p/o) I
don't know if old habits would re-surface, but I'm not taking any chances.
Good Luck.
— Penny D.
April 2, 2004
I had to attend a business meeting out of town when I was about 3-4 weeks
out. They had a sandwich, sweets, fattening stuff buffet for lunch. In
addition, we were taken out for Mexican one night and barbeque the next. I
was so afraid of dumping that I ate very little. I took a couple of
protein shakes and had some cheese sticks with me. So I made it thru. I
don't think anyone will think too much about it. If they ask and you don't
want to divulge info on your surgery. Just tell them you can't tolerate
the exceed fats due to gallbladder or are allergic to cheese or something.
And of course, drink that water. It'll be ok.
— lharbison
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