male only Traveling back home after surgery

[brothamike 11]

Hey folks. Im from the deep south where everything is fried, smothered, full of sugar, etc. Havent been back since 2012 and going back mext week for the first time since being sleeved in February. A little emotional because I know where I came from and now know what made the old me, me. Little crazy feeling going on.

[brothamike 11]

Ill have to explain everyday why I'm not eating like they are and eating as much. Lord give me strength! !!

[haleytrim 244]

I know what you mean. I live here and if it doesn't taste good, they just add another stick of butter and a cup of sugar!! LOL

[brothamike 11]

You got it! What state r u n

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Oh, boy ... the South!

I grew up there, too.

Yeah, there are the traditional foods and cooking conventions. Although you can find clean eating in bigger cities, if you're going to be eating mostly in the homes of older relatives then you're going to have a hard time.

But worse than that is the general Southern cultural assumption that your business is everybody else's business. Yes, in some more gentrified Southern cultural milieus people won't ask you awkward questions to your face. But in most Southern society you are fair game when you walk in the door.

And as we all know, everywhere you go everyone will talk about you behind your back.

Frankly, I hate going "home." I think they're effing crazy down there.

My best tip: ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS drive your own car to wherever the gatherings are -- so you can leave if you need to, even if all you do is drive around town or to the nearest cemetery to walk around just to catch your breath.

Oh, and carry bottled Water wherever you go in the 24-bottle carton. All they will have to drink when you get there will be sweet tea, Bud Light and white zinfandel.

One more ... take Quest bars with you, so you don't get ravenous and hurt yourself.

Last one ... take comfort in the knowledge that you will be leaving soon.

Edited August 27, 2014 by VSGAnn2014

[brothamike 11]

Lol. You got all that right. Minus the alcohol. I come from a strict religious family. But eating is our thing. But im going to make the most of it. Mississippi is something I can tell u that. Thank goodness for my medical card for going out to eat

[brothamike 11]

I made it!! Went home to Mississippi and boy was it a great trip!!! They tried to feed me but it didn't work. Tyj

[Camarolegend 185]

The never ending supply of comfort and soul food everywhere. I'm from a North Carolina/Virginia family. I loved the country cooking, but my tastes have changed post surgery. I don't even miss it. I even tried a bite of a biscuit and was happy by how let down I was by the taste and texture. When I'm around the big home cooked meals I'm thinking how Good a Greek Yogurt would be. lol.

[Bigboy76 102]

Haven't had to experience the family meals yet. I haven't told most of them about the surgery. I'm sure once I do they'll understand that I'll no longer be "feasting" on the "comfort food". Not to say I won't have a few bites of something, IJS, but won't be like "old times!" I feel like I need to be realistic, and also be able to adapt when these occasions arise.