Surviving the Holidays after Weight Loss Surgery

It is officially the holiday season! With Thanksgiving this week, I figured it was the perfect time to talk about how to survive the holiday season when you are on a weight loss surgery journey. This time of the year can be extremely challenging for us as there is food everywhere you look. I remember when I first had surgery, I would cry when I saw special holiday flavors that I knew I could not have. It was supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but instead it caused me significant anxiety and sadness. Many of you are probably in the same boat, so here are a few tips on how to survive the holidays after weight loss surgery.  

• Be prepared. Don’t go blindly into a gathering. Take the time to think about how you are going to make it through the event. If you show up and haven’t given it much thought, it will hit you a lot harder. Be mentally prepared that there will be some emotions there.
• Bring your own food. This helped me so much when I first had surgery. I tried my best to keep protein bars on me so I could eat them when I felt hungry. It is a lot easier to turn down food when you are not hungry.
• Don’t make food everything. I know this one is hard, especially with all the Thanksgiving feasts and Christmas dinners. Try your best to remember that food is not everything. You can enjoy the company of your loved ones without food. It might not seem like it, but it is possible.
• Ask for support. One thing I have learned on this journey is how much support from other people contributes to my success. Tell your family and friends what you need from them to be successful. Perhaps you all decide that it is best for you to arrive late to Thanksgiving, so you don’t have to sit at the table with all the food. Work with your loved ones to come up with a plan that will help keep you stay strong.
• Don’t deprive yourself. There are many people out there that are the perfect examples of how to live a balanced lifestyle after weight loss surgery. Many people can enjoy a few bites of Thanksgiving dinner and be completely fine. If you are one of these people, have a few bites of something if you think you can handle it. Be smart and know your portions!
• Healthier recipes. This is probably my favorite part of the holiday season. I love exploring ways that I can make a recipe more bariatric friendly. If you enjoy cooking, I encourage you to do this. It will help get you excited, and it is a wonderful feeling when you learn how to make one of your favorite dishes bariatric friendly.

You are strong. Don’t forget that. Don’t let the holiday season set you back. Keep pushing! Stay strong and don’t ever forget why you started this weight loss surgery journey.

Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your family and friends and be thankful that you are on the path towards a healthier, happier YOU.