My first Bank hosted luncheon

[Scubagecko]

I work for a large corporation and have to keep up n the trends in banking and finance. This means that I often go to lunch forums hosted by banks to tell us the state of the world. This may seem dry to many but I actually enjoy them. The problem comes as they will schedule these during the lunch time hours where they put on a hotel catered meal that is 6-7 courses. I was always nervous looking like some sort of oddity not eating or even worse getting the slimeys during the main course.

Well I was at one last week and I have to report that it went fantastically well. I skipped the coffee and Hors d'oeuvres during the pre-meeting meet and greet. Then after the meeting began the salad came out, smoked salmon with shrimp salad with pineapple compote. I had a shrimp and some of the salmon, left the greens and pineapple. Next course was cream of broccoli soup which I had a half sip but then left, many other at the table weren't impressed either. Before the soup the brought out the bread which I tore open and left alone. Then the main course black angus steak with mashed potatoes and asparagus. I had a few bites of the steak, it was about an 8oz tenderloin cut. I chewed forever until it was liquidated in my mouth. By the time I had had my sleeve full they were clearing the dishes and no one noticed I'd only eaten a quarter of my steak. Then dessert came which was a wonderful dish of truffles and fudge chocolate. I'd had them before and would often eat mine, yours and the speakers if they weren't paying close attention. But, I actually was so full that I couldn't imagine eating it and didn't eat it. And, of course I refused the coffee as well.

I used to get so guilty eating in public settings cause I had the feeling that everyone was judging me while I ate, especially the third dessert. But, I love my sleeve, my food tool, I was able to actually focus on the speakers and the reason I was there and not on eating everything without getting sauce on my tie, I've ruined many ties over the years. I feel so empowered.

I wish I had done this 10 years ago but I am so glad I didn't wait another 10.

[Bilby]

That is great David ... congratulations on your achievement!!!!

[JessG]

Way to go!! Healthy is looking good on you!! Keep up the good work!! And if the others don't like, let them finish your food!!! LOL

[sleeveinbama]

Congratulations!! I had to attend a League of Municipalities convention, 2 months after I was sleeved!! And like you,I was scared of how it would affect me!! Of course, our food was awful!!! I did eat 2 bites of chicken, the walnuts out of my salad!! And the girl next to me, but her hand on my shoulder (the whole time stuffing her mouth) and said "Honey, you not sick are you? You have not eaten anything" I like to have fell out! And I politely told her "No, I just had WLS" And she replied after tasting three different kind of cakes, "Oh, I would love to have that done, but I would starve" And didn't talk to me anymore!!

[Its_Me]

Congrats - that is a great feeling (and the meal sounds wonderful). Amazing how we used to be able to eat all of that AND more. Hight five.

[Cindola]

Congratulations!

[Technomancer]

I look forward to that.

[lindmar]

I went to a meeting like that last year (pre-sleeve) and the lady sitting next to me wasn't eating anything. I asked her about it and she said, "I had a bypass and have lost 200 pounds!" Then she pulled out her before pictures. It was great and actually the first time I started thinking about WLS for myself. Also, it turned out she was the mayor of the town next door

[Scubagecko]

The only thing I have to worry about is the dinners with the copious amounts of alcohol expected. I've told everyone at work that I'm giving up alcohol for 6 months, which I have. But my boss made sure to put the 6 month point in his calendar. I used to be the biggest drinker, not that I drink that often just that I was on average twice the size of my coworkers as I'm the only western person in my Korean company so I always said it wasn't a alcohol tollerance ability it was just basic physics and chemistry. I would match they drink for drink but they would be twice as intoxicated as me.

Even after I hit my goal I will be bigger than most of my colleagues but I'm sure that my tolerance will be the worst. Oh well I'll have to cross that bridge when I get there. Maybe I'll have to get myself a spit cup or something.

[NicciT]

A book I read recently advised to get comfortable with wasting food to lose weight, which is something I am trying to take on board.

You did very well!