International travel - protein powder and passports (crossposted to VSG board)

I'm looking for experiences with international travel and not looking like a drug dealer. :P  I'm traveling to Norway (omg yay) for my brother-in-law's wedding (OMG YAY!) at the end of May.  I didn't even know what a protein shake was the last time I was there.  Heh.  

When I've traveled in the US, I just mix up my protein shakes in small snack ziplock baggies and that hasn't been a problem with flying inside of the US, but I'm worried it might be a problem for travel outside of the US.  

Any advice?  (Yeah, I know it's almost 6 months away, but I'm excited dammit!!)  

Also on the topic of travel... should I get an updated passport before this trip?  Since I've lost 125 pounds so far and, in theory, will have lost a few more between now and then?  

I've traveled to Canada with my own food back when I was on HMR.  That involved a ton of packets of powder and pre-packaged entrees. When I picked up my bags, I had a note in my food bag from the TSA saying it was searched, but that was it.  I figure as long as it's in your checked baggage, it shouldn't be too much of a problem.  Although, with the ziplock baggies that might look suspicious.  Maybe for this trip you should have the powder in the original, sealed container?  You could probably get away with some baggies in your carryon for during the trip.

As for the passport, I dunno!  I had mine redone pre-surgery (or shortly after?  I don't remember) because it expired and I still look reasonably close to my picture.  Do a mirror side by side and see if you look a lot different and if you do, go ahead and update it.  I would imagine that with whatever weight you lose in the intervening 6 months won't make a huge difference in your face.  Also, don't forget that your passport MUST have more than 6 months left on it at the time of your travel in order to still be considered valid.

I've never been to Norway, but I've always wanted to go!  You'll be there in the summer with the super long days!  :D

Jen

Thanks for the suggestions!  

Last time I was in Norway it was about 8 weeks earlier in the year, so the days will definitely be long.  I should make sure I take a sleeping mask!

Norway sounds beautiful, I'm jealous!!

I went to Aruba 5 weeks post op.  I packed Premier Protein ready-to-drink shakes in my suitcase without any problem.  Good question about the passport.  I'd probably get another one.  Wow, 125 pounds...amazing!  

Norway is awesome.  Although I won't be able to eat the same stuff I enjoyed so much last time, which is sort of sad.  But I know I'll be happier weighing 125 pounds less so there's that!  I was in the middle of an exercise kick when I was there last, and, even then, all the walking around Oslo was a challenge.  I'm really looking forward to this trip when it'll be a piece of cake.  :D  I'm even taking exercise clothes!  Shocking :D

I can't imagine you would have any problem buying protein shakes in Norway and in the cities like Bergen and Oslo most shops will have some English speakers. In fact even in the smaller towns, we had no problem shopping (not for protein shakes, I don't use them!). 

Enjoy it - it is a beautiful country. 

My passport is a British one and my photo was until last week of me at 250lbs instead of as low as 140. No-one ever queried it! 

I can't imagine that I'd have a hard time finding protein powder either, there's a major mall in the town where I'll be staying, but I'm not sure I'll be able to find -my- brand of powder, so I'd rather have my own stuff just in case.  I'd rather not risk my bowels being wonky while I'm there!  

Last time I was there, we went up the entire coast from Bergen to Kirkenes.  This time we'll just be staying around Oslo :D  

Understandable.  Yes, we did that, up to Kirkenes. And then back.  Went over Christmas so it was pitch dark all the time but BEAUTIFUL with navy sky, white snow and twinkling villages in the fjords. We were on the Hurtegruten post boat and it was almost empty apart from people returning to their villages for Christmas. Other oeople tell me it can be horrendously crowded but there were 48 passengers with accommodation for 400!!  

I have never eaten so mu*****redible sea food! I guess you could probably get all your protein from that. Do you have to have protein supplements (genuine question - never quite sure when people talk of having shakes after the post-op diet whether it is necessity or choice).

We did the Hrutigruten too :D  But we flew back to Oslo from Kirkenes instead of doing the ship back to Bergen.  (Since visiting with my partner's parents was important too.)  It was especially fun for me since we saw parts of the country that my partner had never see in his 30 years of living there so it was really neat to see those things through his eyes :D

I also made it a goal to eat smoked salmon every single day when I was there, hehe.  

I could get all of my protein from whole foods, but my bowels are happier with a shake a day since I add stuff like benefiter and magnesium citrate.  So it's definitely not a requirement in terms of protein, just in terms of my bowel function.  I'd rather not have to deal with wonky bowels while I'm on vacation :D

Can you eat your protien for the short time you are there?