International travel with protein powder and passports

Gwen M.
on 1/5/15 3:56 am
VSG on 03/13/14

I'm looking for experiences with international travel and not looking like a drug dealer. :P  I'm traveling to Norway (omg yay) for my brother-in-law's wedding (OMG YAY!) at the end of May.  I didn't even know what a protein shake was the last time I was there.  Heh.  

When I've traveled in the US, I just mix up my protein shakes in small snack ziplock baggies and that hasn't been a problem with flying inside of the US, but I'm worried it might be a problem for travel outside of the US.  

Any advice?  (Yeah, I know it's almost 6 months away, but I'm excited dammit!!)  

Also on the topic of travel... should I get an updated passport before this trip?  Since I've lost 125 pounds so far and, in theory, will have lost a few more between now and then?  

VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)

Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170

TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)

StephK10
on 1/5/15 4:01 am

No answer on the picture thing.  Only that you might WANT a new picture because you're all fancy thin now!  

I traveled to Africa for a medical mission trip and we took dehydration powder in baggies (it had been in a big plastic container - generic gatorade type stuff).  We just put the labels in the bags so we could show airline security what it was.  We didn't have any trouble.  Granted, this was stuff we checked.  No crazy stuff in carry-on!  

Norway is going to be awesome.  I've heard it's a great place - one of my nursing school buddies lives there now!

    

Height: 5'7" HighW: 266 SSW: 253 Surgery date: 11/17/14 CW 165.4

(FIRST GOAL OF 170 REACHED 6/30/15)  NEW GOAL: 159 (BMI of "normal")

M1: 24 M2: 15 M3: 11  M4: 10  M5: 8  M6: 8 M7: 5 M8: 3 M9: 3

 

Gwen M.
on 1/5/15 4:55 am
VSG on 03/13/14

Thanks!  

Norway is pretty awesome.  Last time I was there my partner and I did a week outside of Oslo with his parents and then went up the coast from Bergen to Kirkenes for the second week.  It was a trip of a lifetime.  This trip will be shorter, just a week, and we'll be sticking to the Oslo area.  

VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)

Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170

TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)

StephK10
on 1/5/15 9:36 pm

Sounds like a super cool trip!  I can't decide what my next journey will be.  My 40th birthday is in June so I'm feeling the need to celebrate somewhere!  France? Italy? Iceland?  So many options!

    

Height: 5'7" HighW: 266 SSW: 253 Surgery date: 11/17/14 CW 165.4

(FIRST GOAL OF 170 REACHED 6/30/15)  NEW GOAL: 159 (BMI of "normal")

M1: 24 M2: 15 M3: 11  M4: 10  M5: 8  M6: 8 M7: 5 M8: 3 M9: 3

 

(deactivated member)
on 1/5/15 4:06 am

You should have no trouble if you check the protein powder in your baggage. I haven't and that's how I pack it - in little baggies, labeled and in a larger zip lock bag tucked in a suitcase pocket.

As for the passport: Your call. I haven't had my driver's license picture changed and I'm over a hundred pounds heavier in that pic than I am now. Not once has anyone questioned that picture. NOT ONCE! *******s!@*%$ !

I just pulled it out for a sobriety check point on New Year's Eve and the officer just looked and nodded. I can't tell you how many times TSA has just breezed me through. Makes me realize how easy it would be to use a fake ID!

 

Gwen M.
on 1/5/15 4:57 am
VSG on 03/13/14

Thanks!  I'll do that :)

I haven't had anyone say one word when checking my ID either, which always makes me a bit paranoid.  "Do I not look different?!"  People are just unobservant.  

VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)

Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170

TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)

rumpole6
on 1/5/15 4:28 am

I would check whether you are allowed to bring foods in in the first place. Some Countries (France comes to mind) are very strict about it. My other thought is that the problem will be in trying to bring mysterious powders back into the US not taking them out.

 

I have been fat travelling with a thin passport and thin travelling with a fat passport and I would say you don't need to get a new passport but you will be questioned. If you can afford it with no problems it will save you some hassle to have your passport photo closer to your travelling weight but if you can't its not a big deal

 

 Preop Diet 10/4/14; Sleeve: 10/13/14

    

Gwen M.
on 1/5/15 4:58 am
VSG on 03/13/14

My understanding is that supplements don't count as "food" so it's not an issue.  But I'll definitely use everything up before returning to the US.  

That's good to know about the passport.  I'd rather not have to renew 3-4 years early if I don't have to!

VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)

Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170

TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)

Stacy_WLS
on 1/5/15 5:48 am

I went to Germany, Sweden & Mexico with both protein and BCAA powders in my luggage.  There were no issues.

 

Have fun!

VSG: 12/12/13, LBL, small TL, BL/BA: 11/7/14 Twins 12/9/18 HW after Twins 260. 5'10 37 years old - Stacy_WLS (MFP)

Gwen M.
on 1/5/15 5:49 am
VSG on 03/13/14

Did you use original packaging?  Or ziplocks?  

It'll be a blast.  :D  

VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)

Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170

TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)

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