I had my lap band surgury on 8/5/10. I am feeling pretty good. I'm down 20 lbs since starting the pre-op liquid diet. The hardest part for me has honestly been socializing since starting the pre-op diet. It is hard when everyone wants to meet for lunch or dinner. It got me to thinking about how much food revolves around our social lives. I have started to ask friends if we can get together for non-food related activities.

I was wondering if anyone else is or was struggling with trying to keep their social life normal after surgury and what tips or suggestions you might have.

Thanks,

Paula

Everyone that I am in those situations with knows I'm banded. That makes it easier for them to understand if I only order a cup of chili.

On a hot day I add a Protein bullet to ice Water and take it to sip on.

i had a hard time too....completely understand you....i asked my friends for 100% support and i got it from them, they actually lost some weight too.LOL. so hang in there, you'll survive.

Yes for sure! Most of the time when I get together with friends, its over lunch or meeting for dinner. They all understand and we have been doing things non-food related.

I still go out to eat a lot. And I entertain a lot---food is always involved. But I don't eat a lot--that's really the only difference.

It was harder before I had restriction, but even then, I could find something on almost every menu that fit within the way I eat.

The hardest is when you're invited to someone else's house to eat--a sit-down dinner with a fixed menu can be hard to navigate. In those situations, I tend to let the host/hostess know in advance that I will be sticking to Protein and veggies, so that s/he is not offended. I couch it in terms of medical necessity---people don't question that, or urge, "oh, come on--just this once won't hurt you."

I worry about this too! I love to entertain and cook. But not only that but one big social thing to do with my friends is dinner and drinks! I'd hate that I think that this will completly change! I have found hope by reading some "bandsters" blogs that I will learn what I can and can't do...but that I can still go out and enjoy..just not over-enjoy! I hope this is the case for me!

Thanks for the support and advise. I realize that I am not the one who is uncomfortable if I go out with friends and don't eat. I have heard from others that friends and family eventually adjust and not eating or eating little when going out becomes a non issue. Hopefully that will be the case with my friends.

I feel terrrific though. No regrets. Glad I did this.