Normally I do to dinner or brunch for my birthday. Im 3 weeks out of surgery and my birthday is next month. I dont know what to do, maybe I should just not Celebrate this year and have something small with just my family.....

What did you all do?

Good question! I need ideas as well - I will be hitting the big 3-0 11 weeks after surgery!

I keep trying to think of ideas..maybe happy hour...LOL

Did your surgeon tell you when it's ok to have your first drink?

I never did drink...so I wasnt planning on drinking but it wont be so obvious that I am not eating yanno?

I turned 40 just 10 days after my surgery. I have four kids and birthdays are a big deal to them. I didn't want my surgery to change what they were used to, so I went out and bought two small birthday cakes (one was an assortment of cheesecakes). The cakes were for my family although I did put candles on the cakes and posed with them.

For me, my daughter made me Jello. That is what I ate on my birthday. It was wonderful.

The big thing for me was at that time, my family was really feeling guilty eating in front of me. I was on a liquid diet, and they felt weird eating when I couldn't. I didn't want them to worry about me, and I knew no one was going to buy a cake unless I did. I felt it was really important that my family still have the traditions we've always had despite my surgery.

I wasn't even tempted to eat cake. The Jello was perfect.

I have told people about my surgery, so it might be different if you haven't. I had a low-key birthday at home, and I enjoyed it.

A month later, hubby and I celebrated our anniversary. It was right around the time I was able to finally start eating real food. We did go out to dinner, and I ate a tiny bit of my meal and took the rest home. I focused on being with him instead of the food, and we had a great time.

My advice: focus on the people and enjoy your time with them.

That sounds good!! By April I may be able to get my 4 bites of something in!

You're right - The focus will not be food and drink! It will be family and health!