I am set to be sleeved on November 30th. I come from a big Italian family where eating is a hobby. I am very worried about how I will handle holidays, get togethers, dining out with friends, etc.

I know I will be eating very little and mostly Protein. I keep thinking of all the foods I will miss, even though they are negatively affecting my health.

Any advice?

Thanks!

I haven't had any trouble and I eat out frequently. I first ate out at 6 weeks post op. Went to iHop with my sister. Ordered and omelet and got fruit as my side. I order Water to drink then pushed it aside. Of course most of it went home but it wasn't difficult.

If you focus on the socialization aspect of eating out then it shouldn't be a problem. If you are easily tempted to eat what you shouldn't then I would wait. I order either a Protein based main or an app and ask for it to be brought out with everyone else's meal. Skip the drink orders and request water then put it to the side so you aren't eating and drinking.

You will have a real challenge in that you likely won't even be on solid foods before Christmas. Once you are on solid foods, it will be much easier to eat out or to eat at other people's houses, because you just eat the protein from whatever option is available. Until then, you have to hope for a soup or soft food option, which isn't always easily available. Worst case, you can plan ahead and bring your own protein shake.

That soon after surgery you will prob be on purées or soft foods depending on your plan. I've noticed almost everyone is different lol. We've had cookouts, and went out to eat since a few days post op. I stick to my plan and everyone supports me. We had a friend have a BBQ at their house just a week post op and she made me some broth with out even saying anything.

Now that I'm almost 7 weeks post op I still stick to my own but now it's easier. I can eat lean ground meats and steamed veggies or Beans. So I make that as part as our meal. I'll order chili or other soft foods when out to eat. I've lost 43lbs (including 9lbs from 10 day pre diet)

My husband and I went to the shore with friends when I was just starting my soft foods phase. I portioned out little containers with a 1/4 cup of refried beans and a sprinkle of cheese, took along yogurt, protein shakes, and stuff to make scrambled eggs. Everyone knew about my surgery, so it wasn't a big deal. And at that point, I didn't really want to eat much, so I wasn't in envy of what everyone else was eating... the exceptions being lusting over an amazing-looking Greek salad they made one night, and having a passing desire to eat a homemade chocolate chip cookie.

During the holidays you should just walk around with a Protein shake or concentrate on cleaning up and helping prepare foods rather than eating. You probably won't be able to eat anything they are eating because you will be less than a month out from surgery. Maybe sit down with a bowl of non-chunky soup? The best part is that you won't even miss the foods they are eating!! Your cravings will be gone and you won't even feel like eating at all. The sleeve is a blessing!!

Bring your scale... makes ure you makeup how much you can eat and then but away in To-go container so you do not overeat.

Check menu before to find option

As for the family things... I have discussed I need to take a year off. I too come from big Italian family and I just am not ready. So, we decided on a no holiday this year with family -instead husband kid and I are heading to a little vacation. I am sad to say - I can eat out at a restaurant better than when I go to family (since they are always pushing food my way).

So for the holiday family meals make a ricotta bake which is safe for the soft foods stage and is so good my whole family loves it. Then you can have an Italian meal and still be a part of prepping and eating food.

Coming from a Hispanic family that also pushes food on me, I thought of taking these "holidays" as a holiday away from them as well. God bless!