So how do you handle eating with others? I can fake it at parties buy just mingling with a plate with some food, and drinking virgin Vodka Cranberrys

But I have some smaller more intimate events coming up like taking a friend out to dinner for her birthday and a brunch with two old co-workers, and a small company team dinner. We also have large family dinners at least 2x's a month. I have been able to play off not eating by saying I have some stomach issues, IBS, and the good old "im on diet, " but im afraid of what is going to happen with these more intimate situations. Doing something not related to food with my friends is not a realistic approach (I can't eat but they can!). And I need to learn to cope with these situations. I haven't told anyone about my WLS surgery other than my immediate family. And to be honest I'm still dealing with my own issues on this - feelings of selfishness and failure for not losing the weight on my own.

Right now I'm on my Mushie week, but next week I'll be on soft foods. I can't eat more than a few tables spoons without gettng painfully full.

What has worked for you?

I agree with you cuttlecake. At brunch I saw my friend eyeballing my plate. I could have dismissed it as me reading too much into things but at dinner people did speak up and comment on my lack of eating. Hopefully I'll learn to brush it off.

My response (When my band was working) was always "It was wonderful, I just don't eat very much" it seemed to work for me. I also only ever ordered an app or soup.

At a restaurant, I just eat what I can eat without feeling like I'm going to barf and get the rest boxed up. If a waiter asks if the food wasn't to my liking I always say that everything was delicious but that I had a late lunch or a snack beforehand. With friends who know about my surgery I might offer to split what I am eating with them to save us both a little money. In a buffet like setting it is easier because there is just a table of food and you can get as little as you want. So you can just say you ate beforehand and just want a little snack or a sample of something rather than having to pile your plate full of the noms.

Everyone has given good advice. I remember I had to take a client to lunch when I was on full liquids. I ordered a grilled chicken salad and just "played around with it". No one noticed at all and I took the "left overs" home to my husband. I suggest ordering a cup of Soup for an appetizer and have a few sips, then a piece of fish (even a shrimp appetizer-I even did this sometimes before my surgery). Bottom line-it's all how you handle it-make it "not a big deal" and no one will pay attention. Good luck!