I have a family of five. Children age ranges from 18 down to 11. Next week is my surgery and I'm concerned about dinner time. How to manage ? Does anybody have any great suggestions/tips how to handle this and still keep it a pleasant experience?

I bought a lap band cook book that had family mills and on the side it had what my serving should be

Good luck

Since I was on liquids the first week post op, I premade meals for them that could just be heated up. I also avoided the dinner table that week! Good luck!

I try to cook pretty healthy meals to start with. I'm really fortunate because my kids (12 & 14) actually like healthy food, and my husband prefers to eat light. We're not a health food freak kind of family, but basic steamed vegetables and grilled meat are favorites.

I had my band for 2 years before I married my husband (kids from his previous marriage), so the initial liquid/soft diet thing was long over before I had to cook for a family. Most of what I cook is band-friendly. As I work on getting back on track, it's a little more difficult. Now I'm trying to stay away from things like spaghetti or other kinds of sauces/gravies.

But I don't want to deprive them of some of their favorites just because I'm not supposed to have it. The other night I made sloppy joes - my son's favorite and something he requested. When I browned the hamburger, I just took out 3 oz and cooked a hamburger patty for myself in another pan. Everyone was happy and I was able to stay compliant. I refuse to cook 2 completely different dinners, so i try to have a solid meat/protein dish that I can fill up on without necessarily eating the other sides I fix for them. As long as I eat the Protein first like I'm supposed to, the rest really isn't an issue. Maybe I'll have a few bites of mac and cheese, but I'm already full, so I don't need a whole serving.

Hope this helps!

Shelly

It takes a bit more will power, but you will eventually be able to eat whatever you feed them. Just less. In the mean time, I would cook in advance and provide reheating instructions. The first few days you will likely not enjoy cooking. And... even 11 year olds can cook! Give them each a day! It will be good for all of you!

They do like cooking ! I've got a couple of meals prepared .. Take out wont hurt either I'm less anxious now, more excited!!

I started making meals for my family that I would be eating once I was on solid food. That way they get use to it. My family agreed to eat what I can eat because if it's not in the house, it's not going to get eaten. I quit buying junk food. I do have a little stash for grandkids, but my family gets only what I buy. You're not going to be starving them. You're teaching them to eat better and healthy and make good choices now.

I am nearing my three year anniversary and I don't have any issues with cooking for my family who ranged from 8 to 19 when i started my journey. I cook the same thing for all of us. I use a few more marinades and sauces than I used to, but I don't make myself a separate meal. You are going to live with your band for the rest of your life so you may as well learn to "live" with it!

I had to be honest with myself and stop feeling like a martyr. Why should I make a special meal for myself? So I can show them how much I'm suffering to lose my excess weight? I cook healthy meals with a lot of flavors and spices so If they don't want what's on the menu, they can choose to not eat it.

There are so many resources out there for recipes, etc. You may need to modify your old standard recipes to be more band friendly, but it really isn't that hard. Don't worry, your family won't starve just because you had WLS.