Passport?

I am having surgery in August and next June am taking a group of students on a study abroad trip overseas. Since that is almost 10 months out, I'm hoping to have lost quite a bit of my weight. Has anyone used a pre-op passport after losing the weight? Should I plan on having to get a new one?

Perhaps if you had an updated driver's license picture it would be easier? Seems like I've read of people being given a hard time. I wouldn't want to risk it, especially if my face changed a lot. Perhaps about 10 weeks before you leave you can see how you look?

I know that I have business cards for Real Estate, and so many people make comments about my picture (I haven't updated it yet)... and I know I need new ones, but... I just haven't.

I'd say it depends on where you're headed.

You likely won't have an issue in the US.

We are headed to London, France, and Italy

Well you'll like have lost at least 100 lbs if you play your cards right. Possibly even more. But ones features never really change. Eye color and shape, nose, mouth. Is your hair relatively the same? Italy, France and England are probably the 3 most popular destinations for American tourists and I doubt you'll be perceived as a threat. You'll also have the truth on your side

On the other hand it's $110 bucks for a renewal which is what you'd have to do. I'd orobably wait till early Spring and see how much different you look.

Regardless it's a nice problem to have!

We went to Italy, France, Germany, Austria and Poland in 2010 for a couple of months. We had to show our passports when we landed in Amsterdam. Some hotels wanted to see them and we needed them for the conductor with our Eurailrail pass. The only time we needed to show was on a flight to and from Poland. If you are flying between countries, you might want to update your passport. For hotels and rail, I don't think they care very much, just routine.

My passport pic is pre-op, but you can tell it's still me. My hairstyle is the same and that helps. I've even to China, Canada and the UK on it with no trouble. My DL finally expires this year and I'm looking forward to a new pic on that for sure!

Jen

I travelled to over 20 countries in the years after losing 120lbs and before getting a new passport and even lived in Asia for the first 4 years travelling every month.

Had a few comments from immigration, but never had a problem.

I live overseas and travel extensively. It isn't an issue. You'll be fine - as long as your passport is valid for 6 months longer than you plan to be in the country and it is a biometric passport you shouldn't have an issue.

Have a great trip!

I've lost over 200 lbs since my passport pic -- not an issue. I have been questioned, and even checked twice -- but it's not an issue.