I'm totally glad to be so close to my surgery date, but why me?! I finished up my last weight management class on Tuesday and yesterday they informed me that my next appt. will be Nov.24 for my pre-op instructions. REALLY?! The week of Thanksgiving? My hubby is such a sweetheart though. He says that he's going to do the diet with me. I will take this in stride as a test of my faith. I can do this!! No better time than the present for healthy lifestyle changes.

Excellent attitude! My surgery is scheduled for November 17th so I guess I'll be lucky. I probably won't even want a taste of the nasty stuff!! LOL

Hopefully your pre-op will be like mine. I was able to eat lean Protein and salad. No toppings, just the salad and lite dressing. I had to do 3 Protein shakes a day and was able to have a fruit. I think you will be okay. I even slipped a few times and in 2 weeks I still lost 10 pounds. Don't be hard on yourself if that happens.

HAPPAY HAPPY HAPPY!

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Last year well in advance of my surgery date I grieved my "last fun" Thanksgiving. I always cook and host. This year will be different. I'll still cook and host but I'm going through a divorce. My daughter suggested we fill our home with "chosen" family. I'm doing that. I'm cooking turkey (this time I won't binge on the turkey skin) and all the regular fixin's. I always make a festive salad and several veggies so we're covered. It's not the same as your pre op regimen but maybe you can take this holiday off and celebrate it a few months later in a low key way. Just take good care of yourself whatever you do. This is for you and saving your life. Lots of folks here are pre or post surgery this Thanksgiving. Find them and support each other. You got this!!

Edited October 25, 201411 yr by JustWatchMe

My surgery was last December, but in November I was in my four month supervised diet. Turkey was perfect for a Protein, and my boyfriend made a cranberry relish with sweetener instead of sugar. He made mashed potatoes, but just enough for a small serving each. We also had chicken livers wrapped in bacon (another protein), and fresh green Beans.

He did make a box of stuffing, but I chose not to have any, as I was full enough on Proteins and veggies. We had gravy, which I also pased on, devilled eggs (also a protein), and celery stuffed with cream cheese (also a protein).

Dessert was sugar-free Jello with sugar free whipped cream in a parfait. I ate enough to be satisfied and had plenty of diet-friendly leftovers for several days. Plus he took the turkey carcass and made Soup. Both broth is a great protein and nutrient rich base for soup.

Both of my daughters were doing Thanksgiving elsewhere, so it was just me and my guy. If I were to be involved in a family Thanksgiving, I would offer to cook and host so that I would have control over ingredients.

The holidays do not have to be a miserable disaster where you feel left out or the family comes over for boiled eggs and tap Water. Get involved and do what you can to have control over ingredients. Make lemonade or ice tea using sweetener (Monk Fruit is natural - Aldi's has it). Just let the family know that with or without them, you are instituting some new traditions in order to improve you health and well-being. Either they will come or they won't. And as far as you're concerned - if they don't want to embrace your new life, oh well....carry on.

I had someone say to me that Thanksgiving was just a day. You can have your family over any day of the year and serve traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner foods. Their point was, that I did not have to feel the urge to over indulge in the meal on Thanksgiving because I could make and serve the same foods anytime I liked. I think that is very encouraging and I try to use that philosophy at other times when I am tempted to eat something just because it is available and I don't want to miss out.

@lovedXJesus. I totally agree. It's just a day. I had to start my pre op diet on July 4th. Yep, I was a little bummed. I chose to start the day before, because I was invited to a BBQ, and didn't want to miss the getting together with friends. Starting a day early helped me to get into the grove of it. I planned it where I had my two shakes before I left home and had two chicken legs there, asking the person cooking on the grill to leave off the sauce. I drank water all night and actually enjoyed

myself.

this coming Thanksgiving will be my 2nd since Surgery. I can remember fretting about what I would eat.. As it turned out, I was able to enjoy the day without stuffing myself.. I had turkey and a spoon full of each side dish, (small spoons) no rolls and even had a tiny bit of pumpkin pie.. I had tons of energy to visit with family and clean up after dinner. This year I am looking forward to having the same kind of day. I am not on a diet, but have control . Thanksgiving for me is very special, I am so thankful this year for my husband's health. He has survived open heart surgery, aortic valve replacement and bypass . We are looking forward to some more good years ahead of us.

I'm having surgery on Nov. 10th, so I should be on mushies by Thanksgiving. We will be dining with my sister's in-laws and there will be tons of great food. I hope not to be tempted, but I know that even if I am, I will resist. Conversations with my doctor have usually included the, "If you don't follow these instructions, you could die!" speech. A piece of turkey is not worth compromising all I've worked for up to this point, much less my life.