I had surgery 12/14 so I’m just a little over a week out. I did not share with many people that a had wls. I really don’t plan to at this point. Tomorrow starts the first day of family celebrations and I’m nervous. I lost 10 lbs the first week and I stuck to the guidelines that were outlined for me. Any advice on how to handle this food and drink laden holiday....

You didn't say whether everyone gathers at one house for eating, or if it's multi-family, multi-food occasions, multi-days. Does everyone bring a dish to pass, is it traditional sit down dinner, are you Italian?

So many variables to navigate.

Edited December 23, 20178 yr by Sosewsue61

55 minutes ago, Croudy said:

Any advice on how to handle this food and drink laden holiday

Yes.

You don't have to share knowledge of your weight-loss surgery with anyone you don't want to know.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT XMAS MEALS:

1) be definite ... think about what you see before you. Take your 'right' amount if you can serve yourself or if there is some semblance of a buffet or smorgasbord system. Pick small amounts of lean protein and minimal 'extras'.

2) be firm ... If a host (or other guest) eggs you on to take/accept more food, just be brave enough to say, "I can't fit much in at the moment, [Beryl/mum/Alex/name]. I have had a few tummy upsets in the last couple of weeks and I'm trying to be careful." PRACTISE IT!

3) Try to drink water 15-20 mins before the event ... AND AGAIN 15-20 after your first intake of food is completed.

4) Have a few personal anecdotes or funny stories or topical news points in mind so you can DEFLECT conversation away from you and your food/drink.

5) You may have to say "NO!" with firmness and aplomb at some point ... maybe more than once. Also be ready to say, "Thanks for your concern, [Beryl/mum/Alex/name], but I'll take it slowly today ... and yes, I'll telephone you next week to tell you if I'm better or worse."

6) DEFLECTION # 2: "Let's listen to what's been happening to [Uncle Bert/Grandma Essie/name]. I'm quite sure it's more interesting than discussing my tummy's queasy xmas!"

GOOD LUCK!

She really can't eat much at only 11 days out by Christmas. I was on cream soups, cottage cheese, yogurt, and sf pudding. That doesn't give much leeway for holiday food choices. And she will not know how her sleeve will react to any new food, especially in a social situation.

You can say you picked up a UTI and the antibiotic upsets your stomach - so the doc said you should stick to yogurt to get your gut bacteria back in shape. And when I'm better I would love some of your lasagne so I'm going to take some home and freeze it if that's okay with you?

28 minutes ago, Sosewsue61 said:

can't eat much at only 11 days

I must have raced by that detail.

Mea culpa.

Head numb ... was just out of the pool after a six-hour Saturday swim (6:10am-12:25pm).

Sorry, @Croudy ... keep that plan for four to five weeks hence.

Fake a stomach flu. Look, if you don’t want to tell the truth than commit to a good, feesable lie. You’re sick, not feeling well and we just drinking broth.

I would just be honest. Tell them, if they even ask, that you're on a special diet right now, which is the truth. I have Christmas dinner with my sister next week. I'm not planning on telling her, though everyone else at the table will know (And who knows? Maybe my mother told her already.) If she asks, I'll tell her special diet.

Thanks for asking this! I am a month out and very anxious about the holidays. I was sleeved 5 days before thanksgiving and the smells and sights were tempting but my family didn’t push me. I know they all have been worried about my weight so saying no wasn’t pushed back that hard on. I definitely think there is no harm in a white lie. Saying you have a little upset stomach won’t hurt. If the gathering gets too stressful you can leave early and blame it on not feeling well. I have already told my partner that we need to come up with an excuse to leave my famillg early because I don’t want to deal with all the temptation. I am also bringing some homemade no sugar added applesauce so I know I have a safe sweet to have. You got this! Just remember why you are doing this.