Like most of us, I really enjoy eating. My question is this: After the surgery, will I ever be able to sit down with family and friends to enjoy a meal? Or is that part of my life over?

James42

I have not had any problem with going out or having family at my house for a special event. I dish up my plate in the amounts I can eat and then I eat - and talk and chew. The only hard part for me is not drinking with my meal - wow, what a hard habit to break and I still have issues with it. When I go out, I order a meal that I want, box up most of it and enjoy it for lunch the next day (or two). I would not go back to the old me for anything - even if it meant sitting in a corner while everyone else ate...I did this to make me healthier and to live a long and happy life. Today I am 65 pounds lighter than I was when I had my surgery on 7/7/11 - I look at that date now a new beginning for me - not as the day I gave up eating my favorite foods (which I can still have just in a smaller portion). I would do this again in a heart beat and would even encourage other s to do the same. Sure there are parts that aren't easy and sometimes not much fun, but in the end - it was all worth it. Good Luck and enjoy your self and mealtime !

I still love and enjoy really good food. The difference is that eat such tiny portions I now refuse to eat anything that isnt exactly what I want and totally delicious! The exception is I do drink a protein shake in the morning because I am too tight for real food. Otherwise I eat tiny portions of really good food!

so my experience has and is very different from you all who have supportive friends and family.

Eating with anyone who is not banded (less my husband and son) absolutely sucks!

I dread Birthdays, Holidays, Summer BBQs etc.

Its not that people are purposely mean or malicious, just ignorant and no matter how many time I 'explain' things, have a positive attitude, try to just 'visit' etc....I get sick of being the freak center of attention.

It know it is just another 'thing' I'll end up having to figure out and reconcile since food and celebration is EVERYTHING to my friends, co-workers and family.

I enjoy food more now than before because even though my meals are tiny, they are guilt free. I used to feel so bad eating around other people becuase I was obese...now I can eat a tiny amount of a ridiculously unhealthy food (fries with aoli mayo!) and not care what people think because i am a normal BMI. It was hard to get used to eating such small quantities in front of others but I have learned not to care what they think!

so my experience has and is very different from you all who have supportive friends and family.

Eating with anyone who is not banded (less my husband and son) absolutely sucks!

I dread Birthdays, Holidays, Summer BBQs etc.

Its not that people are purposely mean or malicious, just ignorant and no matter how many time I 'explain' things, have a positive attitude, try to just 'visit' etc....I get sick of being the freak center of attention.

It know it is just another 'thing' I'll end up having to figure out and reconcile since food and celebration is EVERYTHING to my friends, co-workers and family.

Jen the only reason you are feeling like the freak center of attention is that you let yourself feel that way. If you try to explain it to people then you are opening the door to their opinions! If anyone asks me questions or remarks on what I eat I sort of shrug but I SAY NOTHING! We are not having this conversation...I may be a freak but I am a skinny one...you have to get tough to survive and succeed this!

I would never let anyone (they are not friends, dear!) ruin or make me miss a social event because I eat tiny meals!

I enjoy food more now than before because even though my meals are tiny, they are guilt free. I used to feel so bad eating around other people becuase I was obese...now I can eat a tiny amount of a ridiculously unhealthy food (fries with aoli mayo!) and not care what people think because i am a normal BMI. It was hard to get used to eating such small quantities in front of others but I have learned not to care what they think!

Good point, xavier. I also felt guilty about my eating. And embarassed because I always felt like people were judging my eating. Now I enjoy what I want!