Question:
Traveling overseas/being a missionary after wls

This week at my (wonderful) church it is Missions week. Today I had lunch with a missionary and heard many missionary women speak. One was working with street children in Honduras to try to help them get small businesses started instead of stealing and another lady from India was adopting/finding placement for baby girls to give families an alternative for killing the babies because they were girls (female infanticide). <br> These women were so brave and inspiring! I have such mixed feelings; I would love to be able to go on a short term missions trip and do whatever I could to help. But sometimes I feel like gastric bypass would limit me from doing anything like this. I am scared to consider traveling overseas after surgery; what if the food made me sick. Or worse, what if I got sick and was accidentally intubated by medical personnel.<br> I would like to hear from post ops who have traveled overseas and/or possible gone on short term missions and been successful in avoiding problems. Am I being a worrywart or should I seriously consider the fact that I may only be able to support these people financially and not in person? Thanks so much in advance! :)    — Write L. (posted on October 15, 2002)

October 15, 2002
Such a good question, Adrian. I'm worried about it also and have been searching for more info about RNYers travelling overseas- for an extended period of time. I'm planning on volunteering with Volunteers For Peace next summer in Turkey, and i'll also head down to Egypt for a bit. I'm also planning on college overseas as well, So I'm interested in those who have travelled overseas?? More specifically outside of Europe?
   — amie

October 15, 2002
I guess I would have 2 things to say to answer your question. 1) Having gone on a mission trip to Hong Kong and China pre-op, I wish I could have gone at the size I am at now (-110)! I think it is such a better testimony! I remember while in China I had SO MANY people staring at me. First, they may have never seen a white person before, and secondly, I'm sure they had never seen anyone my size! 2) Did God call you to do this? If so, don't you think He will provide for ALL your needs??? You should pray and ask Him for a clear word on if you should go or not. If He says "yes" then GO!!! Remember Romans 8:28 "and we know that all things work together for our good for those who are the CALLED according to His purpose." I can't remember the exact verse, but it says "my God shall supply ALL your needs according to His riches in glory." Rest assured, if he has called you, he will provide the way. Nothing else matters.
   — Robby E.

October 15, 2002
I was a short term missionary for two years in Japan. Although I did this pre-op, I would do it in a minute post-op if the Lord called me back. I agree with Robby. It is not about if you should do it after surgery, it is about what God is calling you to do. If He is calling you to missions, the only answer to this question is obedience. As far as traveling overseas for other reasons, I plan on doing it. I give myself rewards every 50lbs I lose and when I make my goal I plan on going overseas for a month vaction. Cheryl 19 weeks -86lbs
   — Cheryl S.

October 16, 2002
I've done two short-term mission worktrips in Mexico, several vacations to the Carribbean, a trip to Greece, a summer in Australia and six weeks in Costa Rica since my wls. I always take a supply of antibiotics with me from the surgeon to use if I happen to get sick from the food. You can do well if you follow a few basic rules: drink only bottled water, do not eat anything raw (like an apple or something) that has not been peeled as it has likely been washed in bad water. In all of this travel I have only been sick once; I forgot about shaved ice being from unpurified water and I drank a frozen margarita (naughty, naughty.) I did get quite ill but had my drugs with me and was fine in a few days. hugs, Ann rny 9/10/99 260/130
   — [Deactivated Member]