Christmas After Surgery: Navigating Joy, Food, and Reflux

Christmas in our house has always been a joyful time—a celebration filled with amazing food and the company of people we love. However, for me, the holiday season has changed since undergoing weight loss surgery. While I still cherish the festive spirit, my relationship with food has shifted dramatically.

These days, I experience significant restriction when eating, and combined with terrible reflux, I often find myself staring blankly at foods I can no longer enjoy after certain hours. Why? Because indulging even a little too late comes with an unwelcome “gift” that keeps on giving—stomach acid.

Case in point: during a podcast recording this week, I had to apologize to our guest because I was constantly clearing my throat. Reflux doesn’t just show up at night; it can intrude on my day in unexpected ways. And while I know many of us deal with reflux, sometimes it feels particularly unfair when it flares up during moments that matter.

Understanding My Triggers

Reflux isn’t random. I’ve come to understand my triggers, though it took some trial and error (and a few sleepless nights). For me, they include:

Dark chocolate

Cake

Red wine

Anything overly sweet after 3 PM

And... some people (yes, I said it—stress can be a trigger, too).

While I was planning to address the reflux issue through surgery this year, life had other plans. Family health crises have taken precedence, and as much as I’d like to fix this problem (the reflux, not the people), it’s something that will have to wait.

Letting Go of Expectations

One thing I’ve learned from this journey is the importance of being kind to ourselves. Sometimes, that means letting go of expectations we’ve placed on ourselves. Right now, scheduling a gastroscopy and potential surgery feels like more than I can handle. So instead, I’m focusing on managing my reflux triggers and finding peace in what I can control.

As we approach Christmas, I’m reminding myself—and hopefully, you too—that it’s okay to adapt, adjust, and take things one day at a time.

Wishing You a Joyful Holiday Season

To all of you navigating similar challenges, I hope you have an amazing Christmas. May your holiday be filled with love, joy, and perhaps a little less reflux. Here’s to starting fresh in the new year and continuing to share more of this journey together.

Much love

Damo