Any Cruise tips

I will be taking my first cruise since I was band 11/15/10.  I have lost 45 lbs with 35 to go.  I have good restriction but sometimes take just one too many bites.  I am a little nervous.  Any past cruisers with hints?

Hi there!   How wonderful, a cruise!!  They are such fun.  I've not been on one since being banded but I know others that have been.   They always have healthy selections on the menus so look for those.   Sample what you want to.   Just a tiny bit of this and that.   If your waiter questions you as to whether you don't like your meal cause you're not eating much just tell him you've had surgery and can't eat much.  You don't have to go into it if you don't want to.
I think I would do ok on a cruise now cause my obsession with food seems to be gone most of the time.  I go to social gatherings now and don't even care whether I eat or not or what they have
that I "can't".   Before being banded all I thought about at social things was the food.   And if I was dieting when I had to attend a party or something I was tortured the whole time I was there.  All that seems to be gone.  I just hope it lasts but I'll take it while I have it and be thrilled!
You will have loads of walking opportunities too so that will help.  Have fun!

I'm also going on a cruise in May and I'm planning to hit the gym first thing in the morning to keep myself on track all day. The buffet might be a good place to start only because you can take as little as you want and not feel like you have to finish your full plate. The last cruise I went on offered selections from Cooking Light at each meal but it was in the main restaurant, not the buffet. You also get to know your waiter so they'll want to do everything they can to keep you happy.

By the way...where are you going on your cruise??

I have been on 2 cruises since my surgery 8/09, with a 3rd scheduled in 2 months.  I did the buffet at breakfast and lunch lots, but if I ate in the dining room, I specifically asked for very small portions (like 1 egg scrambled and 1 piece sausage, no bread for breakfast).  Actually, it was really fun eating on the cruise ship with much more variety than I had at home.  At home, when I make something or bring leftovers home from a restaurant, I'm eating the same things for several days.  On the cruise ship, I didn't have to worry about the leftovers!  Enjoy yourself, and don't beat yourself up if you have a little treat now and then.  The ice cream bar was mine, but just a spoonful or two was enough to satisfy my cravings!  The best thing about the cruises was feeling like a "normal" person, buying new clothes for the trip, and having a great time.  You'll do great, and don't forget the exercise room, or just walking on deck.

Phyllis

I've been on two cruises since I've been banded.  I just ate small portions when I went to the buffet and when I was in the dining room, I has two or 3 courses (instead of picking something from EVERY course) and didn't finish any of them, so I could still get a variety.  Just eat your recommended portion sizes and you will be fine.  

Remember to walk, drink lots of fluids and eat lots of protien.  You will be fine!  Fluids, fluids, fluids.

Hope you have a wonderful vacation...

To avoid taking one too many bites, look for the soft stop signs..

a runny nose (just a little dribble)
feeling like your food is going down slower
a little cough..

In the dining room ask for half portions when ordering your food or ask for a small plate to come out with your meal, and move only the food you are going to eat onto it and have them take the fuller plate away immediately.

Cut your food into tiny bites before eating anything...put your fork down between bites.

In the buffet, get a salad plate and just place one bite of whatever looks good on it.  If you taste all of them and a couple of things seem really good, you can go back and get a small portion to finish.

I am sure you will do fine, have a great time!

I have cruised since my band and the one thing that I did that I had never done before was worked out in the gym on the ship.  I was the heaviest one in the gym but got so many "atta boys" due to working hard before breakfast. I had to take my time with chewing due to some problems with the first day of the ship's movement but no other problems.  I did have my favorite desert (choco molten cake) but what was different this time is that I have one every other night instead of two each night. I was proud of the way I didn't visit the food line that served burgers and fries and ate very healthy due to the variety of the meals. I am going on vaca in Florida next month and look forward to it without food worries like I had the first time.
 
The one thing I did that I would not do again is I had some fluid removed from my band because some where I read I might get tight on the plane but all it did was allow me to eat more frequently then I needed to. Then  I found out that an unfill may have applied if I was flying for more that seven hours.  Go figure.

Have a wonderful time and enjoy yourself.     

I've done a lot of cruising, several pre-band, and two since.  Every single time I went on a cruise before getting the band, I gained a lot of weight (at least five pounds, but up to 12 in one week!)  On the first post-band cruise, I lost a pound, and on the second one, I gained 1 or 2.  I love my band!  

Make sure you wash your hands frequently, and use hand sanitizer!!  Cruises are notorious for stomach viruses, and you don't want to waste your vacation and risk your band by being sick and throwing up.  You might want to pack some anti-emetic meds, too.  

Have fun!!

Tami

Tami, great advice about the handwashing...I have always been cognizant of handwashing (26 yrs in food service) am so much more diligent about this since my surgery!!