Anyone 6-8 weeks out I have a few questions?

I am planning a 2 week vacation up North and wanted to ask you.

How are you feeling are you back to 100% yet?
What types of food are you eating?
Have you been out to eat yet and if you have what did you eat?
I have 4-8 hour long car trips do you think you would be able to handle it?
Lots of walking visiting DC and Baltimore for a few days do you think you would be strong enough for it? Plus it is in August in the strong DC Heat!
I will be relaxing in Pittsburgh and NJ/NYC so that should be easier just worried about food and eating out. We are staying with family for the most part so I can make my own meals but I am sure they are going to want to go out to eat at least one night in Pittsburgh and in NJ.

Any advice you want to give? I will be 6-8 weeks out depending on my exact surgery date when we go away. Thanks a ton!

Hi Michelle, I'm 5 weeks out now and I could definitely do that. I'm pretty much back to normal...or better...since I'm down 36 pounds. I haven't had much difficulty with food and am already eating most "normal" foods, though still staying away from raw vegetables and really fibrous stuff. But I've been out to restaurants a few times and easily found stuff to eat. One time, a grilled shrimp appetizer that I took very small bites of and chewed thoroughly. Ditto, the hamburger patty from a burger joint I'd promised to take my son too. I actually even had a few ounces of steak at a friend's house...very small bites, chewed very well and eaten very slowly. There's no telling if you will have such an easy time, but with a little creativity you can make it work at restaurants. It's good that you'll be staying with family so you can make sure that you have your protein shakes or other high-protein foods for other meals. Another good high-protein easy to take snack that's easily portable is low-fat string cheese sticks. They seem indestructible (I've left 'em in my purse for a day or two with no ill-effects...of course that makes me wonder whether they are "real" food....) It'll be too early for protein bars.

when my husband was 6 weeks post op RNY we chaperoned a bunch of high school kids to Europe. My stubborn husband refused to get up and walk around on the plane and had a huge bruise on his calf when we landed. Blood clot he was very lucky, I wanted to kick his ass.

So, make sure you stop frequently on the car ride and walk around. My rule when I used to road trip with my Mom was every 100 miles. Yes it takes longer but you are worth it


How are you feeling are you back to 100% yet?   He was just starting to feel normal but he had open

What types of food are you eating?  he had been cleared for anything but needed to be pretty careful about meat.  The lean thin meat seemed to  work well for him.  He had an ugly incident with fish and chips but we won't go there!

Have you been out to eat yet and if you have what did you eat?  He ate soup, some grilled pork believe it or not.  If I were you I'd consider eating at home and enjoying some nice coffee and conversation so you don't need to worry. He didn't talk much during meals as he was focused on not eating too fast and chewing well since it was so new and he didn't want to hurl

I have 4-8 hour long car trips do you think you would be able to handle it? see above about blood clots

Lots of walking visiting DC and Baltimore for a few days do you think you would be strong enough for it? Plus it is in August in the strong DC Heat!   You should be able to handle the walking. Walk as much as you can as soon as you can post op and you will build up your strength. We walked for 10 hours a day no problems. Carry your water and hydrate!

have a great time!!

I am 9 weeks out now and i felt i healed very slow and I could have done it.
Make sure you get out of the car and walk at rest stops, make sure to continue to drink your water!!
I am on daily pain meds for knee and hips so sitting in one position even for 2 hours makes me feel old and decrepid ( which I may be)
I can eat anything,with in reason, if you get stuck , just order soup or poached eggs, you will know by then what you can handle or not take your protein drinks.
I would be exausted if i did all the things you are talking about BUT it is not because of the RNY.
I think you will be fine

I'm six weeks out and would LOVE to go on that trip right now!  

How are you feeling are you back to 100% yet?   I feel absolutely fantastic!

What types of food are you eating?  I'm still on "soft foods," but I'm doing well and only had one case of the foamies (had something stuck) and only vomited once (pouch decided over easy egg was not what it wanted for dinner).  I eat deli chicken, turkey, and ham, green beans, (drink) V8, cooked carrots, vegie sausage, chicken sausage (minus the casing), low fat cottage cheese, other low fat cheeses, Greek yogurt, fat free refried beans.  I haven't done very well with beef yet; I tried it last night and no matter how much I chewed my pouch didn't care for it, so I pureed it with some au jus so I can eat it tonight.
 
Have you been out to eat yet and if you have what did you eat?  I've not yet been out to a regular sit-down restaurant, but I've had chilil from Wendy's once.  When we're out and about I usually bring something to eat in a cooler.  I'm sure there are things I could handle if I chose to eat out, but I just really haven't had the inclination to sit at a restaurant yet because I'm really not all that interested in food at this point.

I have 4-8 hour long car trips do you think you would be able to handle it?  I went on a four-hour ride this weekend, and I'm sure I could handle up to eight no problem.  I'm flying to Poland in a little over two weeks and I'm sure I will do fine.

Lots of walking visiting DC and Baltimore for a few days do you think you would be strong enough for it? Plus it is in August in the strong DC Heat!  Yes, if you have recovered enough and have no complications.  I began walking in the hospital and I walk every day for exercise.  If you build yourself up for it over the first few weeks, you should be okay to do it.  But, bring plenty of water and make sure your travel companions know that if you need to rest, you really need to rest!

I will be relaxing in Pittsburgh and NJ/NYC so that should be easier just worried about food and eating out. We are staying with family for the most part so I can make my own meals but I am sure they are going to want to go out to eat at least one night in Pittsburgh and in NJ.  You should be able to find something that will agree with you when you go out to eat.  Like some shrimp ****tail, perhaps?

I hope you have a great time!

 I had my surgery May 2nd 2011 and by the middle of June drove from Southern California to Idaho.

Take a cooler with cheese and yogurt.

Taco Bell has pintos and cheese, no sauce.  Perfect meal when in a pinch.

Lots of bottles of water, stay hydrated.

When eating out choose things you know you can handle, that you have tried at home first.  Eat SLOW, over eating the painful and will ruin your time out.  

Explain to those you are going with that you must eat every 2 to 3 hours.  "normal" people eat this huge breakfast then don't want to eat again until like 2pm.  That won't work for you.  People have this misunderstanding that our surgery is out not eating, but it is the extact opposite, it is about EATING more often, smaller portions and better foods.

You are going to be fine and have a great time.  I am a US history teacher and I LOVE LOVE LOVE DC and Balitmore!  

How are you feeling are you back to 100% yet?
Pretty much.... I am 6 wks out and feeling good.... energy is still alitle drained, but its more at the end of the day.

What types of food are you eating?
I am on chicken, turkey, eggs, yogurt, seafood, low fat cheese, cottage cheese, fruits veggies.... almost anything... very low carb and high protein foods.  I eat my protein first then fruit and veggies.

Have you been out to eat yet and if you have what did you eat?
Yup... I have a card from my surgeon that states that I've had surgery.  I've used it once when I was 3 wks out....  But, if I do go somewhere, I usually take a doggy bag home with leftovers.  But, if you're gonna go out to eat, I totally reconmend going to Applebees, they have a Weigh****cher's menu, not huge but pretty good.... I had the jalepeno lime cilantro shrimp and veggie entree..... the zuchini were to die for....  If you dont have a card, ask for a reduced price meal or ask to eat off the kids menu or senior citizens menu.  Asking is always free.  :)

I have 4-8 hour long car trips do you think you would be able to handle it?
Take breaks and pull over and walk.  I'm going to do the same thing when I go to Denver and Idaho Falls in July for my brother wedding....  pack a cooler with food to eat.  dont rely on fast food.... their food isn't as healthy.

Lots of walking visiting DC and Baltimore for a few days do you think you would be strong enough for it?
Take it easy and pace yourself.  HYDRATE HYDRATE HYDRATE!  :)  Take breaks when need to.  Dont push yourself.  You can do it!!!  

Any advice you want to give?
Refer to above answer....  :)  just pace yourself, slow down and enjoy our Nations Capital.  You'll love it.  A must go see is the WWII Memorial.  Take your water with you. And one last thing, HAVE FUN!

Thanks ladies! I am so excited for this trip. Hoping and praying I am down enough for anyone to notice and hey if they don't I am just excited to rock the sundresses I am buying haha!

I am from Alexandria, VA and I love the DC Mall. I used to work on Pennsylvania Ave and I look forward to bringing all of my kids back to take pics at all the landmarks. My son never has been and I can't wait to take family pics too! The aquarium and inner harbor should be fun with all the kids we love going to aquariums and I hope they have paddle boats I really want to go on one with my oldest daughter!

I will walk walk walk and take breaks in the drive. I already called my hubby and said every 100 miles we are taking a break. He said that is fine we will do whatever we have to do. I am going to warn my family and friends they have all been so supportive that know about it so I am sure they won't mind me saying lets go for a walk around the lake instead of dinner. Maybe I can make them some yummy recipes from Bariatric Foodie of EggFaces blogs. That actually would be quite fun to do.

Thank you again I am not so worried about this anymore.
Michelle

Michelle,
I was four weeks out and traveled to NY and loved it.  By then I was just introducing some regular foods in but make sure you eat things that you know you can tolerate. I know when I was there I tried haddock and was pleasantly surprised that I tolerated it so well.  At that time, I was able to eat chicken but not tuna..good luck and enjoy your trip.

 How are you feeling are you back to 100% yet?
What types of food are you eating?
Have you been out to eat yet and if you have what did you eat?
I have 4-8 hour long car trips do you think you would be able to handle it?
Lots of walking visiting DC and Baltimore for a few days do you think you would be strong enough for it? Plus it is in August in the strong DC Heat!
I will be relaxing in Pittsburgh and NJ/NYC so that should be easier just worried about food and eating out. We are staying with family for the most part so I can make my own meals but I am sure they are going to want to go out to eat at least one night in Pittsburgh and in NJ.

Any advice you want to give?


1.  By 6-8 weeks I was back to normal
2.  After my 1 month visit I was cleared to eat pretty much everything except things high in carbs etc.  Just chew chew chew and when all else fails drink a protein shake.
3.Sitting shouldn't be a problem.  Just get out and walk around a rest stop when need be.
4.  Walk as much as you can and then rest as you need to.   I can do 4 miles straight without a problem.  In the heat, just remember to drink as much as you can.  I'm in GA and walk outside often, this heat is MUCH worse lol.
5.  I can eat out.  I just make good choices.  At japanese hibachi restaurants I get shrimp, barbeque places I get pulled pork.  I look for the protein first and if things come in sauces you can ask that the sauce is put on the side.  If all else fails, eat before you go out to avoid issues just in case.