Question:
Out of country Traveling

I am pre op right now. (i know everyone is different and everyone heals at different rates) Butt typically how long would one have to wait post op to travel outside of the USA to say mexico or west africa ... 1 year post op, 2 years ? I know a lot of different ethnics have spicy food, can you eat it ?    — pixiefairy (posted on April 11, 2007)

April 11, 2007
I don't think you need to wait at all as long as you feel okay. I wouldn't go expecting to eat mounds of food! I went on a cruise 5 months post op...I was fine. Just ate like a bird:). you'll be fine...just go have fun. Don't make food your fun...
   — Lisa M.

April 11, 2007
I went to Europe 9 weeks post-op. I ate like a bird, which is what the previous post said, but you eat like a bird for quite some time... I can eat spicy foods all I want, but my mom who had the surgery (she is 5 years post op) can't eat spicy foods at all or it makes her stomach burn. Everyone is definitely different. Have fun
   — JGDugar

April 11, 2007
Six months after surgery, I went to Jamaica to celebrate my 10th year anniversary and my 200th pound lost. I was able to find plenty of items to eat that contained protein. Also, I packed a couple of protein bars for each day I was there and some protein powder (best to keep it in the original packaging).
   — SteveColarossi

April 11, 2007
Hi Nichole! Go...have fun...don't pass up a great vacation. I will be 7 months post-op in July when my family and I go to Denmark, Sweden and Russia on a 10 day cruise. I can't think of a better reward to myself for weight loss than this lovely trip. Finally, instead of rewarding with myself with food, i will reward myself with travel. What could be better? So have a great trip, and God bless you.
   — midaem

April 12, 2007
I travelled abroad by myself (plane flight, met up with others at destination) 6 months after surgery. I went to Germany. Most people do not have a problem. I took protein powder with me and a shaker. I got water or milk (hardly any skim milk in Europe) and mixed together. I also took peanut butter tubes and rice cakes with. It really depends on the person as to how they can tolerate foods and the different styles of cooking. Remember many people go abroad for their surgeries and travel back home without a problem. Chris
   — ChristineB

April 12, 2007
Hi Nicole, thanks for asking. The real issues for travel are how you are recovering. If things go textbook and you are recovering well, you probably can travel within a few months after surgery. I travelled after 6 weeks, but it was only a few states away. The issue there is when you travel, you need to have in place a plan if you have an urgent need. If you get an obstructed bowel or something that needs fixing, you want to be sure you have access to a hospital that can help you and have some experience with weight loss surgeries and complications. It isn't just about food. Spicy food is in the mouth of the beholder. One wls patient can take a ton of spice, another can't, so if you like spicy now, chances are you will like some spicy then as well. You will be eating just a small portion, and if you travel to eat, that in itself is a problem. It is great to try other countries cuisine, but if you are trying to get that in check in your life, why introduce it so soon after surgery? Surgery is not a miracle, but a tool. You have to use the tool or you will be sorry you ever researched surgery. If you have complications after surgery like leaks, or other issues, it could be quite a while, maybe upto a year before you would want to consider travel. Hope this helps. Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

April 12, 2007
Hi Nichole....just another thought about travel. I have traveled literally all over the world, and even though I travel with my own personal surgeon (my husband), I have yet to be anywhere without medical facilities and competant physicians and surgeons. This is not the dark ages after all. Please don't let the uninformed spoil your trip. Take reasonable precautions and remember your doctor's recommendations. And enjoy yourself. Thanks for your question. good luck. Joan
   — midaem