This is my first Thanksgiving as a bandster. I am more nervous about dinner thursday night, than I have been this entire process. I know that 1 meal can't undo 3 months of hard work, but isn't thanksgiving dinner a gateway drug to holiday foods??? These next six weeks are going to be brutal. Any advice as to what foods are may be be tough going down, and or experiences with holidays would be helpful. Thanks!

I am planning on sticking to turkey and veggies with maybe a bite or two of dessert. But really I don't think it will be too bad if you treat it as any other meal.

This is my first holiday with my band. I know we can do this. After all we can only eat so much. I will eat small amounts and then later eat some more. You can do it!!!!

Remember that your band is your TOOL! It will help you not eat too much. Load up on turkey and veggies and add a few special treats...it's a holiday! Go for your walk or whatever exercise you do! If you keep your focus, it will not be as hard as you are fearing. I do all the cooking, and I have not found it very hard. I've been banded three years! Good luck and have fun!!!

We had Thanksgiving Dinner at my mom's today. We do Thanksgiving Day with my husband's family. Today was my last day of food...I start my liquid diet tomorrow. Surgery is December 4th. I have been dieting since starting my lapband journey and I have dropped 19 lbs so far. I enjoyed dinner today but I did overeat and now I feel miserable!

with the Band I finally experience the Holidays as a season not of dread and failure and gluttony, but rather a time of immense personal power, satisfaction, appreciation and true Thanksgiving...

:clap2: I totally agree...even though this will be my first holiday season with the band, I'm at good restriction now, have almost 6 months under my belt and feel so liberated from the urge to binge. I'm not saying I never have that urge, but now, I don't freak if I eat a small treat, because it's enough.

PS...one meal won't undo 3 months of work...2-3 days perhaps...if you really dive in...but heck...the band is supposed to liberate us from the fear of food. It's a process...I still fall into that mentality at times, but over all...I feel SO liberated...and that feels GREAT!

I go with the dark meat rather then white, a little too dry for me, plus my veggies, then I will do a very small sliver of pie usually with out the crust.

Just make sure you eat your turkey first. YOu may not have room for much more! Enjoy the day. It only comes once a year.

My thoughts...enjoy!!! it only happens once a year. That said, I'll overeat but might not even care about the pie...I'm looking forward to stuffing and lima Beans. Cranberries... turkey...yummY...

Just don't allow it to rule more than one day..and many many wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving!

Rain

Each day only comes once a year - it doesn't give us license to over eat - one meal isn't going to undo 3 months of hard work - but one meal can lead you to making bad choices on a daily basis - 1 drink to an alcolholic is 1 too many.. 1 piece of pie can be 1 too many for a food addict

The Lap Band is NOT a DIET but a tool to help you control your portions - the lap band is A LIFETIME LIFESTYLE change

So why not take a different look at the day - Give thanks for what you have - IT's NOT ALL ABOUT THE FOOD - food will be here from now to the day you die - Have a little turkey - have a little mashed potatoes - have a little veggies and if you can have a little pie - but if having that little pie will put you back into that SUGAR mode - then make one that is sf and have 1 tiny piece - this is my plan - double layer pumkin pie - made with lf cream cheese - splenda - sf pudding - sf cool whip and pumkin..

Don't Graze - eat your meals as you would any other day

It's not all about the food - It's all about a healthier you....

i dont even want to go because of all the food that will be there...

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i dont even want to go because of all the food that will be there...

</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Why Purplegirl - You have done so well - it looks like you have things under control -- It's just another day.... You can make the healthly food choices and say no to things that you know aren't good for you..</p> <p>You are strong - you are woman... It's only food and you have the power to say no thank you... Think about how good you feel right now - and just know that as those pounds keep dropping you are going to feel better than you do right now...</p> <p> </p> <p>You can do this... 54 pounds gone - You can do this...</p>

I think I an do it. I have my family making me a "low fat version" Like no cream or butter in the potatoes, and healthier veggies rather than starches like corn. I'm thankful I have LBT to go to when other people wouldn't understand my standoffish-ness for Thursday!

thanks a lot indiogirl, ha purplegirl... indiogirl...

I can't get away from the holiday or the food if I wanted too. I'm cooking for 16 people! BUT, since I'm doing the cooking I control how much butter, cream, and so on goes into the food. I also know the menu so I am well prepared to be choosy about what food I put on my SMALL plate. I will still use a small plate and fork. Dark meat turkey, veggies (fresh steamed grean beans & carrots) and some salad in a small desert bowl. That is it. Maybe later, MAYBE.....I may have a sliver of pumpkin pie which is homemade by my father-in-law. But we will see if I have any room, I don't plan too!!!

Drinks - Lite beer (12 oz) or 4 oz wine = 100 calories

4 oz champane 86 calories

Holiday Coffee Gingerbread Latte made with skim milk and no whip cream -200 c

Candie yams with brown sugar marshemallw or pecans 500 C vs Mash potatoes 240 - 300 depending on how made- (make with skim milk and just a tad of butter - increases the protien and cut the calories)

Gravey vs Cranberry Sause - choose gravey 80 c per 1/2 cup compared to 180 for the same serving of cranberry sause

Ham vs turkey vs prime rib

Turkey -skinless white 193 c per 5 oz dark 260 c

ham 5 oz 340 c

Prime rib 400

Pumkin vs apple vs pecan

Pumkin 270 c per slice (make with splenda and cut the calories)

Apple 370 c per slice

Pecan 700 per slice

Dinner - Skip the drink I would rather eat :hungry:

120 1/2 cup potatoes - 155 4 oz Turkey - 40 1/4 cup Gravy - 25 veggies - Stuffing 1/4 cup 60 c = 400 calories

1/2 slice of Pumpkin pie Pie 135

Ok gang just gave you Thanksgiving dinner for 535 calories

and those with restriction most likely couldn't eat all of that food

and if you made the food - like tatos and pie you could reduce the calories futher ...

See it can be done without breaking the band !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!