Question:
I have a pre-planned Cruise scheduled for Dec. 3, 2008
however I'm waiting to be scheduled for roux-en-y gastric by pass surgery. Will I be well enough to take this 10 day trip if my surgery is performed by mid October? — zwoozieq (posted on September 21, 2008)
September 21, 2008
We can't tell you for sure. Each patient varies. Your trip is only 6 weeks
after surgery. Some patients will be fine, and others may have eating
issues. I'd opt to stay around home. If anything arises as a complication,
it's more difficult to get good treatment if you're away from your surgeon,
another reason to re consider the trip. DAVE
— Dave Chambers
September 21, 2008
Dave is right. I would say you would probably feel fine for the trip but
you are spending a lot on a cruise that is serving you loads of food, much
of which you will not be able to eat...waste of money, wouldn't you say,
when you will just be on Pureed foods or softs? Hold off for 3 months to
play it safe. Lyn
— SkinnyLynni2B
September 21, 2008
I am having RNY tomorrow morning and my cruise sails on the 2nd of
November. I asked the doc about postponing and she said she saw no need.
The nice thing about a cruise is that they do have a wonderful buffet where
you can stay with your soft foods and not worry about what to eat. As far
as problems, as long as you are doing what you are supposed to, you
shouldn't have any. I am not postponing this cruise as it is an annual
thing for us and our friends and it is already paid for. I figured I
would've still gone whether the surgery was tomorrow or six months ago.
Still would've had restrictive diet.
— Brenda S.
September 21, 2008
I am out 8 weeks RYN. So many things can come up.
everyone is different. my issue would be pain being able to get around,
body's changing from 67 pound weightloss .
eating is not the only issue trust me. nausea can really put a damper on
getting out. take nausea pills with you. they really help.
the left side friend (pain) is a owey . I know u said 6 weeks out, I am 8
and a half out now would I go yes. You have your room u can rest if needed,
remember though u r incontrol of your tool u need to learn how to use it.
getting sick from not using it right is no fun, What if something happened?
what if u have problems that show up late. only you will know
Have fun and best luck on surgery
If I had to make a choice I would not put off my surgery. ed to ling for
this. Good luck
— Tammi Sandoval
September 21, 2008
I could have taken a trip one week after. I had one of the easiest surgerys
i have heard talked about on the boards. I have never thrown up, was
slightly nauseated 1-2 times..,Weight loss is slow ( mine is a revision
from band to rny) but i have no pain, just a little gas the first day, went
home 24 hours after surgery. Wishing you the ease i had!
— Terri C.
September 21, 2008
I wouldn't go, simple as that. You will be so new to the whole eating
changes. Why put yourself in a place that has 24 hour a day buffet, THAT
YOU CAN NOT EAT. At possibly 4-6 weeks out you could still be on soft foods
only, what are your post op food requirements? I would hate to see you in
the middle of the ocean with an issue that the "Ship" Dr. will
know nothing about.
Better safe than sorry, cancel the trip or post pone the surgery.
— imaswtgrl
September 21, 2008
Physically I could handle a trip at 6 weeks out. I didn't have any
complications from my RNY. Just be very carefull with what you eat. I have
never been on a cruise, but I am sure there are plenty of things available
for you to do on the ship besides spend the entire trip at the buffets. You
might even be able to get special meals prepared for you. couldn't hurt to
ask.
lisa
— Lisa B.
September 22, 2008
I think that, in all liklihood, you will be able to handle the trip
physically, but there certainly are no guarantees at just 6 weeks out.
People run the gammot in how they do after any WLS.
My concern would be the emotional part. A cruise is all about the food and
drink. You may still be dealing with the mourning period that most of us go
through. That is a part that most pre-ops don't understand. You could spend
a great deal of time being upset that you can't sit down to those wonderful
meal that they serve and enjoy yourself.
My husband and I love to cruise. I am nearly 6 months out from the sleeve
and I still wouldn't go on a cruise just yet. It is simply too much to deal
with when you should be going for complete relaxation. And I do love my
sleeve. At least when I do go, I will be able to go to the beach and not be
embarrassed.
— corky1057
September 22, 2008
Marie,
Sorry, this is a tough question to answer simply...as you can tell from
everyone's responses! If you have no complications, you could probably
make the trip...but there are so many factors that we can't plan for in
advance. I'm assuming that you are having a RNY by a laparoscopic
procedure. If so, then you would probably be off work for 2-4 weeks...but
if for any reason the surgeon would have to switch to an open procedure,
that time increases to up to 6 weeks off (but if you have no other scar
tissue through the stomach area, then it's probably not going to be an
issue). You should be to the point in your diet by that time that you are
starting to be allowed more of a variety in your meals. Have you ever been
on a cruise before? I have been on some...before and after my surgery. I
wasn't one to eat at every buffet that was set up anyway...but those are
some questions/situations to ask yourself...also, not sure what cruiseline
you are using, but Carnival has what they call their Spa Collection for
dinner...the items are supposed to be healthier and lower in fat. If you
make the decision to go, just be aware of what you are eating and how much
you are eating. You definitely don't want to spend the whole time sick.
You really need to talk to your physician and nut and see what they think
about it before you make your final decision. There are too many
"ifs" that we can't really give you a 100% answer...and this is a
10 day cruise...a long time if you have any issues! Best of luck on making
your decision!
— BrendaMS
September 22, 2008
I had Rny on 1/16/08 and went on a cruise this past August. Take my advice
stay home! All that food availabe all day long, plus everyone you will see
will be eating. Too much to handle! When your not at port then there is not
much to do besides eat, drink, eat & eat. This cruise will be so hard
on you emotionally, besides you might get depressed because everyone else
is eating at the buffets and all you'll be able to eat is maybe three bites
& then your full! Good Luck!!
— Shopgrl714
September 22, 2008
I had surgery on July 14th and am going on a cruise Nov 9th. I wouldn't
have surgery til after just b/c I know I had a couple complications. I got
very nauseous all the time and still do. There is going to be more food for
you pre surgery than post surgery. I had a friend go on a cruise shortly
after surgery and she was miserable all she wanted to do was eat and there
was nothing for her b/c they had pizza, hamburgers, fries. I have cruised
before several times and my advice is to have one last hoorah and then have
the surgery!!! Best of LUCK!!
— IamMrsMcDole
September 22, 2008
I had surgery on 5/28/08 and went on a cruise on 7/12/08 and had no
problems. (had the sleeve) Cruises are pretty food oriented but I had one
bite of this, one bite of that. I even ate some sugar free desserts and
lost 3 pounds that week! You can do it. But there are some challenges
because there are lots of things you just can't eat or don't have room for.
Go and enjoy the company of your traveling companions and the scenery!
Have fun!
— GlitterGal
September 22, 2008
I would not do it knowing what I know now. At 6-8 weeks I was very ill and
nauseated, throwing up. I developed an ulcer. I needed my surgeon and would
have been very ill had I tried to vacation at this time...let alone
isolated on a ship at sea with a doctor who would have no idea how to treat
me. Not a chance I would take. Cruise if you must and surgery later. You
have no way of knowing in advance what may happen.
— Gena L.
September 23, 2008
well, my question would be, is there enough foods that you can eat on that
ship? i would be crazy enough to try it. but weather or not you have any
problems. i had a concert sat after my surgery and at the last minute had
to let someone have my tickets.
— peggy R.
September 23, 2008
I will be 9 weeks out when I leave on my 8 day cruise. I contacted the
cruise line and they are preparing special meals for me, low fat, low carb,
no sugar. Almost all cruise lins will do that for you (this is my 31st
cruise, but 1st since RNY). I am also bringing a lot of my own food that
travels well (protein shakes, small packages of tuna, chicken, peanut
butter, crackers...). Buy insurance in case you are in pain and can't go or
if you have a medical issue onc onboard, but if your doctor OK's it, go
have a ball.
— poohisme2
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