I'm curious about social situations, like work events with copious amounts of food and drink. How do you skirt around that without everyone making a big scene about your lack of consumption?

I've been to about 4 receptions (both work and non-work related), and maybe another 3 or 4 parties. The receptions included sit-down meals.

The first was a couple of weeks out. I was staffing that one, so I had the kitchen bring me Soup with everyone's Entrees. People knew I had had surgery and weren't surprised. Same with the second. By the third and fourth, I was able to eat and drink a little more normally and no one noticed anything.

The parties? Same thing. Unless you make a big deal of it, everyone else seems to be fine.

As far as taking smaller amounts than you used to? Well, you can always say that you're not too hungry, that you're following a different nutrition plan, or that your stomach isn't quite agreeing with you today. They all work.

I agree with the above post, you don't owe other people an explanation about why your not eating. If you have to respond then as fluffnomore stated......I'm not hungry/I am trying to cut back.....etc

The day before my surgery I sat at a fancy banquet table at my husband's christmas party with a group of people, some I knew and some I didn't, and watched everyone eat a prime rib dinner while I sipped on Perrier. I didn't feel deprived but I think people wondered why I wasn't eating? It felt kind of odd.

I eat. No one has ever questioned me at a party or wedding (especially bc they give you ridiculously small plates if its buffet style )

We have avoided restaurants with friends because we tell them we are still on our lifelong diet (lol) rather than share our surgery procedures. Thank goodness the holidays are over. My husband and I both were sleeved, so at one party I got one small plate with 2 meatballs and 2 devilled eggs and we shared. No one noticed. We will continue avoiding eating out right now until we are further along. We can go anywhere and eat certain things, but I tend to talk and eat faster than I should, and I already had one choking type problem. Honestly, we are just enjoying not having the urge to stuff ourselves! So happy!

You just put some food on a plate and keep pushing it around taking a small bite here and there. You are more conscious of it than the people you're with, especially at a larger party. It's not a big deal unless you make it one. And if questioned you can tell the truth or just respond that your belly is just not happy with food that night.

Eat! Enjoy yourself! I can only eat about 1 bite of numerous things (like a buffet or something). Luv my sleeve. Never had to explain my lack of pigging out!

I was sleeved 12/03, and hosted a food-heavy Christmas party at my house on 12/13 when I was still on full liquids. I just kept a mug of SF hot apple cider in my hand, and just kind of kept moving around. Everyone else was so busy with their own plates, no one noticed I didn't have one. It was no trouble at all.

Thank you all for sharing!