Holiday Party - Can I have pasta

novbeginning · 12-10-2007, 08:51 PM

I've been banded two weeks, tomorrow is my office holiday party. I was on liquids the first week but starving so my doctor put me on mushies and all has been fine. Tomorrow is my office holiday party and it's a sit down lunch. The choices are: pasta, chicken or beef. What do I choose. Can I choose pasta and cut it up real small and eat.

Please help???? I'm nervous.

:help:

lovekatz1975 · 12-11-2007, 01:42 PM

IMO, I wouldn't consider pasta to be a mushy. Call your doctor and ask what they think.

Jachut · 12-11-2007, 03:16 PM

See for me, pasta is quite easy to eat, certainly easier than chicken or beef. And depending on the sauce, you could eat the sauce and push the pasta round your plate a bit.

But 2 weeks out, ooooh, I just dont know that I'd try that in public - or at all.

Seriously, I'd take a can of soup or something that can be microwaved or heated for you, hang the embarrassment of having to eat differently, you just shouldnt take that risk at this stage of the game. I wasnt eating solids for four or five weeks, at 2 weeks, even half a mug of thick soup could keep me full for hours.

And if you really cant do that, I'd call in sick and miss the party. I'd just avoid the situation alltogether.

Having told all and sundry I'd been banded would have made it easy for me to say in a work situation "oh, I cant eat that". That's what I would have done. I had my christmas dinner all mashed up in the blender with gravy - turkey, veges, cranberry sauce and gravy, it was delish. And Christmas pudding is DEFINITELY a mushy! So is brandy custard. Only time in my life I've had such a tiny serve and not gone back for seconds, Christmas pudding is my favourite food ever.

VegasGrace · 12-11-2007, 07:20 PM

Follow your doc's diet...but I had pasta shortly after surgery...probably a few days out.

**Kat817** · 12-11-2007, 07:27 PM

Pasta is one of my more difficult foods!!! We are all sooooo different!
I can eat it without pain, or anything, but I can only eat maybe a quarter of a cup! Other foods I eat normal yet small servings, not so with pasta, or rice. It feels like I eat them, they hit my stomach, and begin swelling---I am able to enjoy small amounts and stay full for a long time. BUT it is very easy for me to push it just a bite to far, and be hurting and on the verge of a PB.

I second Jachut, either take your food, or opt out of eating all together!

Life will get back to more of a "normal" just don't rush your healing. I too was on liquids for a month! You have your entire life ahead of you----let the band heal well, so you have success ahead!

Kat

ladybug3 · 12-11-2007, 10:05 PM

I'd probably opt out of the party if I could. That's what I did for Thanksgiving with my hubby's family, since I haven't told any of them that I had surgery.

If it's a party you can't miss (some companies are like that) I'd take my own food and just say that I'm under doctor's orders for a health issue I don't want to discuss. Lots of people have to have special diets for one reason or another. But I wouldn't risk eating something that you're not supposed to.

The party is one night, but the band is for the rest of your life. One bite here and there probably won't hurt you, but a whole dinner? I don't think it's worth the risk. You could certainly call your clinic and ask their advice, too.

Good luck!

WorththeWeight · 12-11-2007, 10:18 PM

I'm in the same boat. Holiday party is Thursday and the choices are the same. I chose the chicken because the sides are mashed potatoes and fresh green beans. I'm not quite two weeks post-op so technically I should still be on liquids until Saturday.

I've had a "mushie" here and there to see if it would hurt or come back on me and it's been okay. I figured I could eat the two sides and "play" with the chicken enuf to where it looked like I ate some of it.

So crazy, right? But I'm not going after the meat just yet. Don't want to get myself so uncomfortable at the party that I have to leave because I'm uncomfortable.

GL...you'll pick the right thing!:)

novbeginning · 12-12-2007, 09:39 PM

I survived. They offered soup or salad and a main dish. I had the cheese & Ale soup, I only had about a 1/4 cup and I was full. When the pasta came, I played with it so it looked like I was eating and then the waitress wrapped it up when she noticed I really wasn't eating. My husband had a good dinner last night. The soup was so thick that it worked out for me. I'm on my 3rd week and the doctor said I can start solids next week. Does anyone know how it works with chicken, turkey etc. I'm afraid to try them. I tried the fish and I was fine.

lovekatz1975 · 12-13-2007, 11:41 AM

White meat chicken bothers me. Sliced turkey cold cuts are ok with me. Steak, if it's REALLY juicy and I have something to dip it in works ok. Pork chops bother me. Fish works AWESOME for me.

**FairyFacade** · 12-13-2007, 12:01 PM

I was going to suggest what you did!
Our Xmas Company party was yesterday. We have about 100 employees and it was a potluck. There was SO much food. I can't keep anything down lately, so I got a little bit of stuffing, mashed sweet potatoes, and green been casserole. Took 2 bites, then played with me food the rest of the hour so I didn't stand out!
Everyone kept telling me how the deep fried cajun turkey was AMAZING.. buggers. I wouldn't dare eat meat right now :(