I started my two week pre-op diet this morning. The day before Thanksgiving, and my co-workers are having a luncheon that I am not participating in and everyone is asking me why I am not eating. I have been telling them I am not feeling well and that I am going to pass. It’s going to be a long day because the break room is across the hall from my office so I can smell all the food and watch everyone walking back and forth. Do I close my door and cut myself off or due I muster up all my will power and just say know?

I would recommend pulling up your big girl panties and go be social with your friends. Visit, laugh, talk to them like normal - just don't eat. If someone asks why you aren't eating, another good lie to tell them is that you are fasting today due to medical tests the next day (everyone understands prepping for certain tests - colonoscopies, for example). Deflect the questions about you with questions about how they are going to celebrate their holdiay. People love to talk about themselves more than wonder why you are doing or not doing something.

Have a clear image in mind of something you want to do or wear when you are at your goal weight before you go be around the food. If you indulge in the food, you will be that much further from what it is you desire. Nothing you can put in your mouth will make you feel as good as being thin will. A moment of fleeting pleasure from food is nowhere near as satisfying as knocking down the barriers that stand between you and being at your goal weight.

Try to enjoy the holiday - as I few days where we focus on being thankful for the blessings we have received. There are many things I am thankful for besides being able (or not able) to eat a huge meal. You have a wonderful thing to be thankful for - you have been approved for surgery! YEA!! You have been given the key to join the "skinny" people - it just requires you to perform certain tasks - like your preop prep diet.

Hope this doesn't seem harsh - I don't mean to be. Preop is not easy - the "head" part of the preop is much harder than what you aren't eating. The "head" part after surgery is much harder than the eating part, too. Try to get a handle on being around food and not letting it bother you. The sooner you can master this, the better for your success.

Good luck.

Sharon

I just had my surgery on Monday, so I also had to endure a Thanksgiving PotLuck at my office last week while I was on my pre-op liquid diet. Just as suggested before, I just went in and socalized as normal, talked to my co-workers, although most of them knew I was having the surgery. I just kept thinking about how it was going to be after surgery, and how many calories I was saving!! Lol You will do great! Good Luck with the rest of your week. It gets easier! Congrats on your decision.

Thanks for the advice; I have been good and not cheating. I have been socializing and my first day of pre-op is not going so bad. I am thinking about the bigger picture and where I want to be this time next year.

You've received excellent advice already. I just want to add that, keep an eye to the future. This is just for this year, in the future when you are at goal, you will once again be able to participate in all the fun - even when they are surrounded by food. You will have your sleeve as backup to keep you from eating too much, which is so freeing, I can't even begin to tell you!!

Blessings, and have fun socializing today.

Hi Chunky! I don't have much to add to the great advice others have given. I just want to add my support and say congratulations on all the effort you are putting into this phase. You will get through it!!! and it will be so worth it!!!!! Hang in there! We are all rooting for you!!!!