Hubby and I are both long term planners & we were talking about 2016 vacation last night.  I'm fairly early in the 6 month pre-op phase. Probable surgery date is April or May if all goes well & the insurance approves.  We like to camp and are hoping to do a camping trip in September.  I need thoughts/opinions from the experienced ones here on the board.  Do you think I'll feel up to a camping trip 4 months post-up?  If I've lost enough that my feet/back/knees are up to it I'm hoping the trip will include some hiking.   Thanks for any feedback.

HW 329, CW 275

Barring complications, if you are 4 months out by then I'd say yes you'll feel up for it. 

I say yes! The biggest challenge will be food, but if you plan on drinking a protein shake each day, it will alleviate a lot of stress. I went on vacation at about that time, and I brought a cooler with premier protein shakes, greek yogurts, string cheeses, mr. cheese o's, and premeasured baggies of nuts. I was just fine.

At 4 months out, my biggest challenge camping would have been the availability of a flushing, unoccupied toilet. Pay attention to the number of "likes" this one gets, pr31, because I think a whole pile of people will agree (pun intended). 

Agreed. My plumbing has been the biggest hassle.

Four months after surgery you'll feel a lot better than you do today.

Thanks everyone for your encouragement.  I call myself a "city camper."  We camp in a remote state park but we have a camper with a flush toilet, refrigerator, microwave and real bed.  If I'm able to hike by then, we hardly ever see anyone in the woods and hubby is used to "standing guard" for me.    Hubby is worried about eating steak, etc. in front of me.  I told him not to worry about that.  If I can lose weight and more importantly keep it off, I don't mind sitting on the sidelines when it comes to big meals.  I much rather not sit on the sidelines when it comes to any physical activity.  I also told him it will just be that much less food to pack.

I didnt see this.

By all means then. It is not heavy lifting/carrying stuff.

I'm 4 months out and was at your weight when I had surgery.  I feel like a million dollars. As long as you're complication free, you should have no problems.  

I have been camping since I was 6 months out. It is great. so much more active now. Food should not be an issue by then. Have a little of the steak. Just small bite that are well chewed. My DH and I eat all the same food just differently. I have meat balls he has pasta and meat balls. It is all about planning.