Question:
I am traveling abroad to some undeveloped countries, are there any precautions I should take?

I AM 6 MONTHS POST OP,AND FEEL AND LOOK GREAT. HOWEVER I AM GOING TO EASTERN EUROPE THIS SUMMER & I AM STARTING TO PANIC IN CASE I DON'T FEEL WELL THERE. I WONDER IF THERE ARE DOCTORS THERE WHO EVEN KNOW WHAT THIS SURGERY IS ALL ABOUT? CAN ANY ONE GIVE ME SOME TIPS THANKS    — judy G. (posted on June 21, 2001)

June 21, 2001
My best advice is to wear an ID type branclet or necklace showing your surgery type & medications... Mine also says "Gastric Bypass. Do not blindly insert N/G tube. Use Endoscopy (also keep a drawing in your purse or wallet of your surgery type and your surgeon's name)
   — Victoria B.

June 21, 2001
Hi! Can I ask, are you going to Russia? I agree with the poster below. Wear your I.D. bracelet AND have a detailed drawing of your surgery. Most of the people there are taught English, and one would think that doctors, being more educated people, would have a somewhat better working knowledge of English. But I would be worried myself about doctors there knowing anything about gastric bypass. That's why the detailed diagram would be your best bet. If you're uneasy about anything a doctor is doing to you, and you can speak, NYET means no. If you fall ill and it's not something major, like where you're rushed to a hospital or whatever, they should have American doctors avalable at an American Embassy (in a major city). I would also be careful of drinking the water. You can get portable water filters from camping supply stores. This is common sense, but make sure meats are well cooked and hot foods are hot, cold foods are cold. I don't know if they know what low-fat or low-sugar is, so I'd be careful when trying food. Take it from me, a Russian American, Russians LOVE fatty foods, breads, sweets, as well as vodka. It's basically the basically the same in the other neighboring Slavic countries.
   — lalasmommy

June 21, 2001
Wearing a medical tag or braclet is a good idea along with taking a diagram of the surgery. Other than that taking cautions with the food and water is something everyone in you party should do. You can look at some "travel medicine" websites that will tell you if the water is safe to drink, the food, etc.
   — Gina E.