Hi, I am being banded on the 25th of this month and I just recieved two invitations for family bridal showers (one on March 9 & March 16). I will only be 2 and 3 weeks out from surgery. How do I handle this?? i will still be on liquids. I have only told a few people about the band, but I am having my gall bladder taken out at the same time, and they do know about that. I really don't want to be flat out obvious. My MIL and SIL do not know and I want to keep it that way for as long as I can and they will be at one of those showers. HELP!! I wouldn't have a problem not going, but I would like some thoughts, please!!

That's a tough one. I had a diner party 2wks after being banded that my husband (also banded) declined going. It was going to be impossible to be surrounded by our friends *all drinking wine, good food, etc* - not to be noticed that we were visibly not "partaking in the festivities".

A month later my Inlaws were in town, and rather than "look" obvious to them I made meals that were "Soft & Soup" natured. Was kinda odd, because I'm a big cook who always made a BIG meal...but it turned out great and nobody noticed.

My mom and younger brother are the only ones that know DH and I were banded, and I just told them recently....so, Not sure I actually gave you advise :cursing:, you could just send your gift ahead or just pop in - not stay long enough to be noticed..Good Luck!!

Just go, and ignore the food. If someone asks, just say something about some minor complications from the gall bladder surgery, and that your doctor asked that you follow special instructions. It's pretty much the truth, and will hopefully embarrass the asker enough to shut them down.

Just put a little food on your plate, push it around and toss it later. I bet no one will really notice. If they do, just say the gall bladder surgery is affecting your appetite.

Don't worry about other people. You will be surprised how few people will comment. If someone asks just tell them you are on a strict diet after having your gallbladder removed. If they say they didn't have to do that just tell them this is what your doctor instructed and you are going to follow it. Heck, you can just say your not hungry and leave it at that. Don't worry about what other people think. It will drive you crazy.

Offer to bring something you can eat to the shower???

I too was worried about a bridal shower while I was still on liquids. Push a bit food around on your plate. If someone notices you're not eating, then laugh and say "Oh my gosh, you're right! I guess I've been too busy gabbing and catching up with everyone" If it persists, tell then that you are still not up to par after the gall bladder surgery. Get up on the pretext of getting a new drink, move to a different area, and ditch your plate. I PROMISE you, no one will notice. It felt awful not telling the truth, but it was really no one's business but mine, and that certainly wasn't the time or place to discuss things that take the attention away from the bride-to-be.

Best wishes!

A surprise I learned, was such events are NOT about 'how much -I- could eat'.....

I went to my first banquet postOp just as I was entering the 'solid food' phase after 3 weeks liquids and 3 weeks mushies.....

so I had minimal food on my plate.....it didn't make any difference to anyone....

What I did notice, was how many at my table were trying to stuff down their 3rd dessert....

Go. Enjoy. Follow your surgeons orders. Don't worry.

I hosted Thanksgiving for my husbands family 10 days after banding, None of them know about my banding. I put a little food on my plate, in my cup I had chicken broth, I pushed my food around and did alot of talking and watching, and like Jack was amazed at how much they were eating it was like a contest to see who could eat the most. Me I drank my broth, and ate a few bites of very soupy mashed potatoes and gravey.....

So enjoy yourself, eat before you go and it shouldn't be a problem for you.

I don't know if what I say can be any help, but I was on the liquid pre surgery phase for two Christmas parties and was able to speak with the people who planned it that helped me out. It would be smart for you to talk to the doctor or nutritionist too.

I would go and have a plate of food that I would carry around and than put away. If anyone ask me why I wasn't eating I could honestly say I just put my plate down, I am finish.

I read this comment from someone else on this site and thought it was clever....and kinda funny. She was at a wedding reception I think, she just carried around someone ELSES half eaten plate of food and no one was the wiser. Just don't get tempted and try to eat any of it, maybe sabatoge it with a ton of salt or something.