Holiday Surgery

[Neese 75]

So I am committed to this new lifestyle. I refuse to give in to 'food funerals,' though I am not in ANY way judging anyone who does. Personally speaking this is not a good idea because it will back pedal most of the self discipline I have built up to this point.

I have a really weird and bizarre 'dilemma' that has been a bother to me. All of my appointments should be finished by the end of October/early November. If by any chance my surgery date falls in late November or December even, am I setting myself up for failure? My family has a huge tradition of a big Thanksgiving (which I doubt Id get my approval and surgery THAT soon -- one can only wish ) AND Christmas dinner. So will I hate the surgery more than I already might, immediately afterwards, because of having a surgery around the holidays? I just don't want to regret the surgery because of the aroma of the holiday meal and seeing everyone else eat and feel like crap because I am a reformed over-eater. Any insight or advice would be helpful, I am almost there!!!!!

Hope everyone has a great weekend

[Driver Deb 10]

So I am committed to this new lifestyle. I refuse to give in to 'food funerals,' though I am not in ANY way judging anyone who does. Personally speaking this is not a good idea because it will back pedal most of the self discipline I have built up to this point.

I have a really weird and bizarre 'dilemma' that has been a bother to me. All of my appointments should be finished by the end of October/early November. If by any chance my surgery date falls in late November or December even, am I setting myself up for failure? My family has a huge tradition of a big Thanksgiving (which I doubt Id get my approval and surgery THAT soon -- one can only wish ) AND Christmas dinner. So will I hate the surgery more than I already might, immediately afterwards, because of having a surgery around the holidays? I just don't want to regret the surgery because of the aroma of the holiday meal and seeing everyone else eat and feel like crap because I am a reformed over-eater. Any insight or advice would be helpful, I am almost there!!!!!

Hope everyone has a great weekend

Congratulations !! I too am going to be ready for surgery the end of November or early December. I am so excited to have this done during the holidays. I view it as a christmas gift to myself and an early birthday gift too (Jan.). It just happens to be the best time for me to be away from work too, as the winter months are the slowest at work.

[longer-life 139]

Weird or bizarre it may be but I have the EXACT same dilemma. I have never had surgery on a Friday fearing staffing issues over the weekend, imagine my fears over the holidays when everyone seems to go on vacation! The foods and smells worry me too, of course.

I am looking forward to other peoples responses.

PS. I am having food funerals though. One ethnic or gourmet meal a week in a nice restaurant. My family ordered the same old delivery pizza yesterday and I passed. It wasn't even hard. I wish I would have been this discriminating my whole life.

[SKCUNNINGHAM 298]

Although I had my surgery in February - I hosted my husband's three day family reunion not long after my surgery. I cooked, baked cakes, bought bakery goods, etc - and served food throughout the three days. I had decided before the surgery what I could eat and when, and just set my mind to it - with little or no problems. I sat at the table with the family - ate my meals - and talked up a storm with folks I hadn't seen in a year. Everyone knew I had gone through the surgery, and eveyone was supportive. Looking back on the reunion - it was a lot of fun and I have great memories of it - and I don't remember any feelings of deprivation.

Once, years ago, I was on the modi-fast diet. For nine months, I mixed powdered Protein mix into smoothies (no calories added except the Protein powder) and ate nothing but smoothies and broth. I went through Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations with the family. My sister and law and I cooked the whole shebang for both celebrations. She was suffering from really bad inflammatory bowel syndrome at the time - and all she was eating was mashed potatoes. She had her potatoes, and I had my smoothie and my broth. We had a great time during those holidays. It really came home to both of us that the celebration of the holiday with the family is about so much more than just eating a great meal. It is about family and friends, and sharing accomplishments, and catching up on what people are doing. Both holidays have much deeper meaning than just a gift exhange and a calorie festival. The important thing is making up your mind before hand, and making a plan. Then - you just do it. It got to the point that it really didn't bother me.

Good luck with your surgery. If you do go through the holidays on the pre-op diet or just after surgery - my thoughts and prayers will be with you.

[LoserMama 37]

As hard as it may be, I'm actually hoping for this timing. My workplace requires everyone to be off from 12/23-1/1, so with just a couple of extra days off, I'll have a healthy 2 weeks off, with hopefully no disruption from work beyond that. I will be complete with my requirements about November 14th, and they said it will take a week to get approved, and then my surgeon is scheduling 2-3 weeks out, so I am PRAYING for that timing to work out. I am hoping for 12/21 or 12/22.

[Neese 75]

Congratulations !! I too am going to be ready for surgery the end of November or early December. I am so excited to have this done during the holidays. I view it as a christmas gift to myself and an early birthday gift too (Jan.). It just happens to be the best time for me to be away from work too, as the winter months are the slowest at work.

Thanks and congrats to you as well!! It's so exciting to know that the new year will actually mean weight lost rather than just another disappointing diet that I set myself up for! I also said that same thing about the surgery being a present! (Lucky you it's a double gift!!)

I guess I am just worried, like everyone else, that I will be miserable. I know myself pretty well to know that I maintain a positive attitude and this IS a positive thing for all of us. Im so excited for you!!

[Neese 75]

Weird or bizarre it may be but I have the EXACT same dilemma. I have never had surgery on a Friday fearing staffing issues over the weekend, imagine my fears over the holidays when everyone seems to go on vacation! The foods and smells worry me too, of course.

I am looking forward to other peoples responses.

PS. I am having food funerals though. One ethnic or gourmet meal a week in a nice restaurant. My family ordered the same old delivery pizza yesterday and I passed. It wasn't even hard. I wish I would have been this discriminating my whole life.

Haha! Funny you should say I have started to eliminate foods since over 6 months ago when I was researching the sleeve. I used to eat a decent amount of McDonalds, Chipotle, and Wendys. I can proudly say that I have not eaten at any of those places in months. I did try to eat Chipotle just this past Friday, though, and it physically made me feel ill so needless to say I didn't finish!! My only weakness now is Chick Fil a and sweet tea with lemon, other than those two vices I eat fairly well. :angel_smile:

I don't necessarily think that food funerals are destructive for everyone. Some people it is literally a way to say goodbye and have the last hoo-rah and they can be done with it. I, however, feel as if that would take me 10 steps back and have me reconsidering the surgery all together.

I will keep an eye on your updates until the surgery. Im excited for all of us holidaysleevers!!

[Neese 75]

Although I had my surgery in February - I hosted my husband's three day family reunion not long after my surgery. I cooked, baked cakes, bought bakery goods, etc - and served food throughout the three days. I had decided before the surgery what I could eat and when, and just set my mind to it - with little or no problems. I sat at the table with the family - ate my meals - and talked up a storm with folks I hadn't seen in a year. Everyone knew I had gone through the surgery, and eveyone was supportive. Looking back on the reunion - it was a lot of fun and I have great memories of it - and I don't remember any feelings of deprivation.

Once, years ago, I was on the modi-fast diet. For nine months, I mixed powdered Protein mix into smoothies (no calories added except the Protein powder) and ate nothing but smoothies and broth. I went through Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations with the family. My sister and law and I cooked the whole shebang for both celebrations. She was suffering from really bad inflammatory bowel syndrome at the time - and all she was eating was mashed potatoes. She had her potatoes, and I had my smoothie and my broth. We had a great time during those holidays. It really came home to both of us that the celebration of the holiday with the family is about so much more than just eating a great meal. It is about family and friends, and sharing accomplishments, and catching up on what people are doing. Both holidays have much deeper meaning than just a gift exhange and a calorie festival. The important thing is making up your mind before hand, and making a plan. Then - you just do it. It got to the point that it really didn't bother me.

Good luck with your surgery. If you do go through the holidays on the pre-op diet or just after surgery - my thoughts and prayers will be with you.

Thank you!!! your thoughts and prayers mean SO much. Your advice means just as much and I value it. I never even thought that the holidays may be a difficult time physically, for what I am going thru, but looking back I will have shared it with the people who mean the most to me. I am usually a positive person but sometimes I get anxious and it's difficult to see past the smokey mirror. You really helped put things into perspective. I'll be happily on the losing side soon enough. :dance:

[Neese 75]

As hard as it may be, I'm actually hoping for this timing. My workplace requires everyone to be off from 12/23-1/1, so with just a couple of extra days off, I'll have a healthy 2 weeks off, with hopefully no disruption from work beyond that. I will be complete with my requirements about November 14th, and they said it will take a week to get approved, and then my surgeon is scheduling 2-3 weeks out, so I am PRAYING for that timing to work out. I am hoping for 12/21 or 12/22.

I am kind of hating on your workplace requiring everyone to be off during the holidays. You are a lucky duck! :tongue4:. I work at a bank so we get major holidays off so that's helpful. Not to mention I have amazing insurance (knock on wood) and amazing accommodations/benefits for paid/medical time off. I haven't told my boss, just my assistant manager, what I am going thru. To look on the bright side this is our new selves with: our new beginning for our amazing new year. :Dancing_tongue:

[lml32937 65]

I am scheduled for surg on Nov 18 so while family and friends are eating turkey I will be drinking broth and I'm ok with that. I have not had any food funerals so to speak but I am in my pre-pre op mode and making wiser decisions etc.. When I had my lap band that surgery was in April and by that November for thanksgiving I couldnt hardly eat anything due to restriction- it was bitter sweet- it was nice because this is what I wanted but it was sad because it made me realize the assocation the holidays had for me with food eating, prepearation, overeating etc.. it caused me to do a lof of inward reflecting that I previoulsy hadnt done and I realized how much obsessing on food I did... It was an eye opening experience because NO holiday since then has revolved around the food anymore... so hopefully after this surgery that new tradition can continue... Good luck! looks like we will be sleeved around the same time!

[Neese 75]

I am scheduled for surg on Nov 18 so while family and friends are eating turkey I will be drinking broth and I'm ok with that. I have not had any food funerals so to speak but I am in my pre-pre op mode and making wiser decisions etc.. When I had my lap band that surgery was in April and by that November for thanksgiving I couldnt hardly eat anything due to restriction- it was bitter sweet- it was nice because this is what I wanted but it was sad because it made me realize the assocation the holidays had for me with food eating, prepearation, overeating etc.. it caused me to do a lof of inward reflecting that I previoulsy hadnt done and I realized how much obsessing on food I did... It was an eye opening experience because NO holiday since then has revolved around the food anymore... so hopefully after this surgery that new tradition can continue... Good luck! looks like we will be sleeved around the same time!

You're so right! I, like most people on here, associate holidays with food. Personally I think I let food completely take over holidays. Hopefully I do get it sooner so I can put more time and effort into decorating and talking rather than obsessing about how much I can eat and what Ill have for leftovers. You are so right, it is going to be a HUGE step and it's going to give me a lot of insight into myself.

Here's to new traditions and an amazing gift that we are giving ourselves :cheers2:

Congrats and good luck on your surgery. I know you will do great!

[Driver Deb 10]

Thanks and congrats to you as well!! It's so exciting to know that the new year will actually mean weight lost rather than just another disappointing diet that I set myself up for! I also said that same thing about the surgery being a present! (Lucky you it's a double gift!!)

I guess I am just worried, like everyone else, that I will be miserable. I know myself pretty well to know that I maintain a positive attitude and this IS a positive thing for all of us. Im so excited for you!!

I am a firm believer that we create our own reality. We created the "fat world" we have lived in and we create the "failure mode" we set ourselves up for. I have spent the last couple of years working with a life coach who made me realize that if I wanted success, all I had to do was create it. Create it in my mind first, then watch it become reality. If I want happiness, I create it. I make it real in my mind and it radiates out and becomes real. If I want anything to manifest in my life, I have the power to make it happen, simply by believing that I do. It is a beautiful thing, and we are all able to do it... if we make it so. We do not have this power over other people or material objects, but we have free will to create "our world" the way we want it to be.

I spent years miserable and unhappy waiting for someone to make my life worth living... never realizing that the someone was me all along.

Maybe you can understand and relate to what I am trying to convey. I am so excited for all of us that have chosen to make our realities worth living.