Going on Vacation

Hey guys, I had a question with going on vacation.  I am scheduled for RNY on 3/28, I am aware of the recovery process and such but I am a bit nervous as I am going on vacation 2 months later for a surprise 30th Bday for my wife.  It is AN all - inclusive resort, which I am worried about being that i will be fairly new to reintroducing food back into my diet (i will take plenty of protiens shakes & supplements with me).  I am also scared of not being able to do water activities (jet skiing, parasailing and most in importantly, SWIMMING) Did anyone go on vacation fairly close after their surgery?  if so, can you share some insight as to what to expect?

I wasn't released for swimming and water activities until 8 weeks postop.  As for the food thing well you have the rules and if you follow them you will do fine.  For meals fish is always a good choice as long as it isn't over cooked.  other forms of seafood I seem to have an easy time with, small bites lots of chewing.  I would say avoid chicken and beef. 

Obviously avoid the sweets and ENJOY!

Thanks Paul, The eating bit isnt much of a problem, I have been to this resort a few times and have been familiar with the options for breakast, lunch & dinner.  My main concern was going to a tropical island and not being able to enjoy the water.  Was there a specific reason as to why you weren't cleared until 8 weeks?

I wasn't cleared to lift anything over 30 lbs until 8 weeks after surgery.  I also had to wait for the drain incision to heal (removed after 6 weeks, took another 3 weeks to stop "seeping") before I could submerge in water - even my own bathtub.  Not sure I would have wanted to be in Mexico with questionable water sources - what a nightmare it would be if you got an infection that passed through the incision into your "innards"...  

I sure the heck would not have been able to parasail, jet ski, or swim before that 8 weeks passed, even without the drain.  Any way to put the trip off for a couple of additional weeks?  I'm pretty sure I would have enjoyed a vacation a lot more 10 weeks after surgery than 8 weeks after...  (Not least of which because I would have been wearing at least 2 sizes smaller swim trunks!)

You needn't worry about it.  I'm guessing you are going either way so worrying won't do any good.  The food shouldn't be a problem with all the options that all inclusives offer.  You should be able to eat every 3 hours like you are supposed to.  As for the water, if you are having laproscopic surgery and everything goes as planned the water shouldn't be a problem.  My wounds were healed in 2 weeks, I drove ski boat in show ski nationals 5 days after surgery with my doctors permission so jet skiing shouldn't be a problem after 2 months.

You need to wait until after your surgery to find out how everything goes.  If everything goes good and you don't have issues eating a lot of foods I would think you'd have nothing to worry about.  I played in a big dart tourney for 11 hours 3 days after surgery and spent all day ice fishing on day 5, but all our bodies and pain thresholds are different.  

Good luck using your new tool it's a awesome ride

Be sure that you check with your surgeon about the water. I had no post-surgery issues and a lap surgery, but my surgeon restricted immersion in any water for at least two months. I was also restricted from any lifting, straining, etc., so the watersports would have been out of the question. It may be a mistake to pu**** if your surgeon's advice is to avoid these activities.

Contact your Surgeon's office, every doc is different..  I was able to go swimming in a pool 4 weeks after surgery.  I think it is how strenuous you are, not as much being in the water.  I was also back to work, without weight restrictions in 4 weeks.

Jim

I wasn't cleared for excercise until about two months. I had a different surgery than you so it may be irrelevant yet still may apply. My incisions were just about healed at that point. But I wouldn't go into a public swiming area until the incision areas are absoultely closed up.

Also remember that your insides are a bit tender and swollen so you don't want to put too much strain on them.

I was also told to wait 8 weeks before swimming.. but it sounds like the timing will work perfectly for vacation.. I found the surgery and recovery way less painful that others led me to believe. BUT I sure didn't have a lot of energy for a long time..  When they told me 8 weeks before lifting, cutting the grass etc. I thought they were nuts.. but it did take about that long before I got my energy back.. I think that's because you are loosing muscle during the liquids and pureed stages.
As for the "All inclusive" part.. that will work out amazing for you.. You can pick and choose what ever you want.. and what ever quantities you want..
Restaurant meals are still a problem for me, because I never know how much I'll be able to eat and I hate paying for a meal and then only being able to eat a few bites of it.  Also some things just don't sit well, or taste as good as you remembered... but at an all inclusive.. you can just push the plate away and try something else... The only rule I followed was to try to eat the protein first. So start with a piece of fish or chicken before sampling the other goodies.. It sounds like you should be perfectly fine with your timing for this vacation..
You might want to take a bottle of Papaya Enzyme. (get it in the vitamin section)  When you start experimenting with lots of different foods (some prepared differently than you are used to) you might sometimes feel uncomfortable.. Food gets stuck, or doesn't sit well.. Chew a couple of these pills and it relieves the pain..
J