Hurricane survival after bariatric surgery

I want to know what you are doing or wish you had done to survive times of natural disaster. I'm compiling a list of tips for SGBR newsletter, but I will make the full list available on the boards and through my blog.

My experiences post-Katrina were a lot different because I still had a lap band. Not being able to stomach sandwiches are just one small issue that I experienced going days without electricity. This week, I've still had some problems just not "feeling" cold sandwiches, burgers or survival food. I've cooked more than the average person without electricity because I had three diabetics in the house and another right next door and we were sharing meals and a generator.

Getting enough protein supplements and vitamins may be a problem for some of you. How are you getting/keeping your levels up?

Please share your tips and/or concerns ...

 

Frances,
I live in the New Orleans area and one of my tips would be to keep plenty of protein powder on hand during hurricane season.  The only protein I like can not be bought in stores, so I must rely on myself to have enough protein when I evacuate.  Also I found that during the long car ride to evacuate, I did not drink enough liquids.  Once we got to the hotel I was able to take all of my vitamins and drink my protein.

I had a problem keeping anything down for several days before and after the hurricane.  While I didn't feel physically nervous, I expect I had some adrenaline running through my system that made my pouch close right on up!  I did find myself drinking a bit more and drinking things such as OJ just to kind of keep some sugars in my system so that I didn't start to feel "heady".  I am also thankful that I don't really have hunger yet so sticking the liquids really was no big deal.  Unfortunately there is no way a protein drink (which I struggle with on a good day) would have been palatable and I fear I would have thrown up more if I tried to drink them.  So - I am just thankful Mr. Gustav left and now I can get back to life as I knew it before he decided to visit. 

Hi there . .I believe I'm still in the hurricane survival mode because I'm out of town working (yes, this RETIRED person is working food stamp distribution out of town) ---- although it has been a challenge to eat the right things during this trying time, I was able to do ok . . .I love Isopure, which is a protein supplement.  It is zero carbs and 40 grams of protein . . .--- the week before Hurricane Gustav I had stocked my refrigerator at our camp with a case of Isopure and I had another case of Isopure in the refrigerator at home (what a mistake--I realize that now-keeping it cold was rough and once it is cold it has to stay cold --- cannot get hot) ---- My husband and I packed 4 ice chests when we left --- one with frozen stuff, one with soft drinks, one with food, and one with Isopure . . . after cleaning up our Baton Rouge home, we headed "to the country" to the camp and the new house that we had purchased the Thursday before Hurricane Gustav --- still no electricity at any of the locations . . well, by that time we had either given or were able to save some of the frozen stuff and some other stuff --- and I continued to keep an ice chest of Isopure --- I would even stop at the distribution sites giving ice and would pick up ice for my Isopure --- determined to get in that protein!!!! . . .when a generator became available to us (after a couple weeks), I was able to make my Smoothies (luv those Smoothies) . . I had gone to Smoothie King the afternoon before the storm (had to get the MOST important things!) and gotten another container of the Smoothie Gladiator -- so when I had the generator I was able to make myself Smoothies with my Gladiator mix and my Magic Bullet blender (what a WONDERFUL invention) ---- if I was lucky, I was able to find a banana or some other kind of fruit to put in it . . .After the storm I even stopped at a Smoothie King that I thought was open --- but no such luck--- they said they had closed and didn't know when they'd re-open --- after getting into the car one of the young employees came to my car --- I just knew he was going to find a way to make me a Smoothie --- but he asked me if I was an evacuee and if I wanted water -- although that was very nice of him, I sure wish he would have had a Smoothie to offer me!!! . . Then at some point I convinced myself that Vienna Sausage was a protein and decided to eat a few --- wow how my tastebuds have changed since my VSG . . . something that I always loved became something that tasted like salt and was able to only eat one and know I no longer had a craving for that!!!! . . .once the electricity was restored in some places I then went into the comfort soup of my choice --- egg drop soup from any chinese restaurant that I could find open --- don't know if it's good for you, but it sure tasted good!!! . .now for the bad part --- where I'm working (temporarily, of course) they provide lunches every day --- although I still can't eat a lot of it, I started eating rice, spaghetti, and bread ---which I was not doing pre-Gustav --- I try to walk a lot to compensate for the foods I shouldn't be eating, so when I get on the scale I'll have to see how that is working!!!  I know both hurricanes have been a trying time for everyone --- having damage to their homes, losing possessions, etc. -- it has been a trying time for all of us who have had weight loss surgery and are trying to contend with all the damage, etc. and then also try to eat somewhat sensible!!! WHAT A CHALLENGE FOR ALL OF US! . . .I was able to get back on my computer a couple days ago and I sure miss the conversations I've had with all my Obesity Help friends ---- hope to get back to some type of normalcy real soon --- it's getting better every day --- hope everyone is coping ok . . FAYE   

I live in New Iberia were we took a direct hit from Gustav and lost power for 5 days. We were able to buy a generator right before it came, but prior to the generator I stocked up on atkins bars, in case we couldn't cook anything, (we have a gas stove but perviously during storms we have had our gas turned off, due to leaks) Once we got the generator I got some frozen chicken breasts, ground meat for burger patty's, steaks and eggs. Plently of water and crystal light mixes. By having just these items I hit my protein goal everyday.

This is a great idea.  I evacuated from new orleans to Gonzales (so i still got hit w/ hurricane), and was w/out power.. so no smoothie making for me at the hotel..
the hotel made fried catfish one night (and shrimp/pottatoes/bread, none of which i could eat), but i took the fried part of catfish off and ate what i could of the meaty party of the catfish

finally after 1st day, we found a gas station open, and they had muscle milk in containers in their fridge, i stacked up on it and put them in an ice chest so i had those for 3 days

i wish they'd make a small blender/mixer that ran on batteries, if anyone knows of one, let me know.

I ate a little bit of tuna fish from can as well
(i know i did nit get all my protein in, but i tried)