Question:
I'm going on my first vacatioin after surgery....

I'll be 6 months post op in December, and I'm going on vacation to Mexico. I'm not sure if there is anything I should be preparing or knowledgeable about to ensure I don't get ill or anything on my trip...Thanks for you help    — Erin W. (posted on November 11, 2002)

November 11, 2002
At six months I went on a Cruise to Mexico. I didn't eat anything while in Mexico, but I wouldn't even before my bypass. If you do eat there, try to go to the cleanest places and make sure that what your eating is well cooked. Good Luck and Have Fun.
   — Gail M.

November 11, 2002
Never drink the water, only drink bottled water. Eat in the hotel restaurants where you can get well cooked food. HAVE FUN!! You may want ot take your protein drinks with you in case you can not find lots to eat that you like.
   — Vicki L.

November 11, 2002
I'm sorry, I have to disagree. I don't know where all these people go that say "don't drink the water." That may have been true years ago, but there is no place that doesn't serve bottled water. You can order drinks with ice or order water in restaurants, even in remote places, and you'll be safe. ALL restaurants HAVE to use purified water. Now, if you stay at some out of the way bungalow, rather than a resort, don't drink the tap water or don't even brush your teeth with it. I go to Mexico all the time and we venture off into a little more remote areas than the big cities like Cancun. We eat everything and have never had a problem. I'm not sure where you are going, but we go to the Mayan Riviera. You should not have any problems. Lots of great fish and chicken dishes you should be able to eat.
   — Kathy S.

November 11, 2002
I did all of the right things, but forgot and brushed my teeth with tap water. It is not because the water is any worse than our water, it is because they have different flora and fauna than we do.
   — faybay

November 12, 2002
I travel a great deal. Two months ago I was in China for almost a month. The best thing I take NO MATTER WHERE I GO is my protein shake mix. I had my physician write a prescription for it, and take the copy when I fly. This has allowed me to pass thru customs in several countries. I take the mix in my carry-on. I find that I do not have to worry about what I eat while I am away, as long as I stay consistent with the amt of protein I take daily. Hope this helps. Also, I always suggest bottled water in Mexico...it is not expensive and the old addage, better safe than sorry seems to work for me. I also carry Lomotil or any antidiarrhea medicine with me whenever I travel. Have a great time!
   — bsktofdreams