BMI

So you have had a gastric bypass and are now on the way to normal life. You have a party you need to go to. Fine. Till you realise that you can’t eat most things there, and people are staring at you — someone who is saying ‘No’ to every dish being offered. It’s not that you are being picky. It’s just that you are not feeling like it (some foods turn you off) or you know some foods will make you sick. Like gulab jamuns and sodas.

At work, your colleagues are eating samosas and cutlets along with sweet tea or coffee from the vending machine. You politely say, “No” to all these, because you know these are not good for you, and you don’t want to eat this junk, anyways. “What’s wrong with you?” your colleagues ask. You mumble about being on a special diet. But this situation is going to come up every now and then. Life will keep throwing up newer situations every day to challenge your status quo, your resolve and your health. Temptations are everywhere. How should you,  the patient, handle this?

Here are some suggstions:

1. Do not be shy of admitting or revealing to people that you have undergone a gastric bypass (or any bariatric procedure). You don’t need to advertise the fact, but do tell those people with whom you are regularly interacting and breaking bread. The truth shall set you free!

2. Once people realise you cannot eat like they do, they will not impose their foods on you. This will make social life far easier and healthier.

3. Avoid people or situations that are not compatible with your freedom of choice. This does not mean I want you to be a social recluse. I am merely asking that you avoid those people who do not have the sense not to force their food choices on the unwilling or unable.

4. Carry a couple of ‘lifesavers‘ — foods that you could just pop out of your bag and eat when you don’t find anything you can eat. Realise that society is still far away from being responsible and user friendly to special populations. Yes, with a small stomach and many medical problems, you are part of a special population.

5. Prepare for a party. This means calling up the host in advance, and specifying your needs (for example, you could ask for a small portion of a salad, a tomato/chicken soup, a small serving of a kebab or grill (paneer/fish/meat). If you cannot ask the host, tell your family member or person accompanying you to find your kind of foods for you, even talking to the host if needed.

6. If all the above are not working, don’t eat anything. This kind of sucks, but not as much as getting sick after eating junk.

Note that the above is more valid for the bypass patient, but also very relevant to the patient of the lap band, and less so for the patient of the sleeve gastrectomy.