hmm...roadtrip advice?

hey guys, i need advice! so i'm going on a very random road trip this weekend with my dad and brother. i'm only 2 months post op and plan to bring a bunch of my healthy snacks that i usually bring to work. however, i'm worried about all the eating out we're gonna have to do. i have yet to eat out anywhere and i know my dad will want to do a lot of fast food. plus my dad and brother are junk food addicts. being around food doesn't really bother me, but i'm really worried about what i'm gonna be able to eat.

also! i'm quite worried about the fact that i can't have caffeine when it's my turn to drive! plus we'll be driving in the middle of the night. i've always relied on mountain dew so now what am i gonna do?!?! i was thinking of trying one of those 5 hr energy things? has anyone tried them post op?

any advice would be awesome!!!!

I think you are going to have to explain to your family that fast food is not always and option for you, or you might have to eat at a separate place than them.  So if you explain to them that it might mean an extra stop then maybe they will agree to eat at a place appropriate for you. 

I wouldn't recommend the 5 hour energy, maybe try to rely on your b12 vitamins???

So here are some suggestions I've eaten as a college student on the run if you do in fact end up eating at fast food places:

KFC- Get 1 grilled drumstick (like 50 cents) and take the skin off and just eat that.
Subway- order a few meatballs with light sauce and some chesse and just eat them with a fork
Taco Bell- order a burrito that doesn't have rice and open it up and eat the veggies, meat, cheese and beans and leave the tortilla
Hamburger place- order a hamburger and eat it without the bun

As for caffeine, I was allowed to start drinking caffeinated coffee again 6 weeks after surgery if I was getting enough fluid in so maybe 1 cup of normal coffee would be okay?

I don't think I'd worry too much because at 2 months you really aren't going to be eating enough for it to be a super big deal if you plan in advance.  Do you have a small cooler or insulated lunch bag you can bring?  Stock it with ready to drink protein shakes, string cheese, deli meat, yogurt, etc. It won't take up much room in the car if space is an issue.   If they are gung-ho on fast food, let them eat it and just grab from your stash.   If you are in a situation where you have to eat something from fast food, thinking McDonald's, I'd just order a plain hamburger or grilled chicken and throw off the bun and eat the meat...that should be plenty to fill you up.   If you are worried about sneaking fries, go for a walk while the rest of them are still eating.  

I know it's not the end of the world to have caffeine, but I'm telling you once you get the monkey off your back like I did, you'll never miss it.  I have just as much, if not more energy since giving up my regular coffee, pop and such.  I still get some from green tea and decaf but nothing like I use to.   I would say get some unsweetened bottled green tea if you are really concerned about staying awake.  

Good luck, you'll be fine...have fun on your trip!!!

~Emily~

hey girl =)

like 6 months ago we drove cross country (and i was around your time period out). i had some worries but with some planning i got thru it successfully and if i remember correctly even losing some weight in those 4 days too! haha

anyways,  i remember being prepped with protein shakes galore, at the time bars too (even thou now i barely eat bars), beef jerkey, cheese in the cooler..

and when it came time for meals, i rememeber not having a big appetite for being 2 months out, so i ate alot of soup & eggs. be careful with road food, im always really cautious even if something seems wls friendly, is it REALLY? (like grease wise, what they use to cook it, etc.)

REMEMBER - stay hydrated! ! dont forget to sip sip sip sip when in the car! 

i wouldnt suggest 5 hour energy. is it your dr or nut suggesting no coffee at this time? i would think honestly a cup of coffee to you is healthier then a 5 hour energy drink. mabbe im a bad example but ive been drinking coffee again since early out..

good luck! 

I don't have a whole lot of advice food-wise, especially since I'm barely a week out..

However, I've done my fair share of long distance driving and often alone.  One thing that has always been really helpful to me when I'm worried about staying alert is chewing gum.  I don't know if it's allowed post-WLS (I rarely chew it) but for some reason keeping my jaw going keeps the rest of me going.  

i know it's weird, but it helps me for whatever reason.
-Gillian

thanks guys!!!!!!! all the advice is great. im definately planning to bring a cooler with all my stuff i usually eat.. but there is only so much i can bring. i think my dad will be understanding as to where i can eat, because he went through this with my mom two years ago.

as for the caffeine, im allowed coffee but have never drank it because i don't like! i'll just have to be sure my dad lets me take the first shift cuz i'm gonna come home from work friday and nap before we leave, and when i'm tired i'll just have to be done.

but thanks again!, you guys have definately lessened me worries, as you always do! :)

soo how did your road trip turn out????




i have taken the 5 hour energy shot.. it doesnt have any sugar... and only 4 calories..

i needed it coming home from new orleans on the bike.. i didnt want to fall off.. but i only took half of it..bc i didnt know how it would effect me...

well it was great minus the food. lol. i didn't try a 5 hr but i was going to if i needed it. i really just munched on cheese all weekend. which i know isn't good but it got me through and allowed me to enjoy  myself :)