As the festive season approaches, this is a question that we are currently asked on a daily basis.
The simple answer is – YES!
It obviously depends on where you are in your journey though! Where are you?
Week 1 Post –op? Then its Turkey consommé for you.
Weeks 2 -3? Homemade Turkey soup (remember – no lumps)
Week 4 -5 post-op?– Plate up a small portion of your Christmas dinner and mash thoroughly with a fork.
Week 6? – A very small helping of your Turkey roast – remember to eat your turkey first and it’s wiser to have the brown meat (as it is softer). Chew chew chew. Eat slowly.
Dessert? After weight loss surgery, you will feel fuller on a smaller portion of food, so by the time the Christmas pudding is lit – you should feel full.
After sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass surgery, your hunger hormone (ghrelin) is altered, meaning a marked loss of appetite. However, sometimes we eat out of boredom or habit. Avoid high fat and high sugar foods at all times (not just at Christmas) as you will suffer from “dumping”. Stay away from the cream and chocolates, otherwise you will miss that afternoon Christmas film!
Alcohol? It is recommended not to drink any alcohol for your first 6 weeks. So instead of having a glass of prosecco, opt for a glass of orange juice, full of vitamin C and guaranteed not to give you a headache!
It is worth noting that many gastric band patients struggle with fizzy drinks after surgery as it increases your wind, and can make you feel bloated. The effects of alcohol after a sleeve or bypass are more rapid – so be warned.
So if you are having bariatric surgery soon, just remember, you can still enjoy Christmas. It will just be a little bit different this year! It’s worth adding though, that you will not feel as if you have “dipped out”. You can still taste all the flavours of your Christmas dinner and you will feel satisfied. If you ignore this simple advice, your Christmas Day could be spent in bed. Imagine missing Charades?
By this this time next year, you will have lost the majority of your excess weight and will be wearing clothes several sizes smaller. You may even be off all of your medication and will be full of energy.
Will you be “rocking around that Christmas Tree? Next year”
Good luck
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Disclaimer: Please note that weight loss surgery results and benefits are unique to each individual and in such The Bariatric Group cannot guarantee specific weight loss goals as results for each surgery can vary. If you have any questions or would like to know more about weight loss surgery please contact our expert team.
