Celebrating the Holidays After Bariatric Surgery

4 Holiday Tips for Bariatric Patients

As bariatric surgery patients, the holidays can be a challenging time. With parties and family gatherings often centered around food, it can be easy to feel tempted and overwhelmed. But the holidays don't have to derail your progress and hard work. Here are some tips for navigating holiday celebrations while maintaining your bariatric surgery recovery:

1. Plan ahead and set boundaries.

Before attending a holiday event, decide what you will or won't eat and stick to those decisions. It's okay to politely decline certain foods or bring a dish that fits within your post-surgery dietary guidelines. You may also choose to let your host know about any foods you may avoid so that you can feel included in the holiday meal.

2. Allow yourself some indulgences— but in moderation.

It's okay to treat yourself occasionally, but be mindful of portion sizes and go for quality over quantity when choosing which treats to indulge in. The key to keeping up with your post-surgical results is a healthy lifestyle, so remember to balance your diet while allowing yourself to enjoy the treats you want.

3. Don't let food take center stage at gatherings.

Many holiday traditions center around food: from Christmas cookies to favorite side dishes. However, it’s healthy to find ways to come together without food being the center so that everyone feels comfortable. Focus on enjoying quality time with loved ones and participating in non-food-related activities, such as playing games or going for a walk.

4. Reflect on the journey you’re on.

Remember your post-surgery journey and why you decided to have bariatric surgery in the first place. Whether this was for health reasons or personal choices, you deserve to continue your journey and live a healthy life according to your own goals. Keep yourself motivated by reflecting on all your progress and successes so far and share these experiences with your family so they can best support you.