Yes! You can go on a cruise after RNY and be a SUCCESS! NSV!

Yay!  I just got back from a 1 week Cruise to the Caribbean and wanted to post my victory to the forum to share and encourage others.

In the past, some on here have really worried if they can continue their vacations and cruises they used to do because of the huge amount of food available.  I'm here to say that YES - you can!

I managed to actually lost a 1/2 pound while on my 7 day cruise and I didn't at all feel deprived!  Others in my group gained 5-10+ pounds!

Here's the honesty.... Yes, I did have more "crap" than I would have at home... but I was very, very active compared to what I used to be on cruises.  I couldn't take the stairs all the time because two in my group had physical limitations, but I did when I was alone.  I always volunteered to be the runner to go back to the room to get stuff someone forgot - I had so much more energy on this cruise than I used to!  There was 24 hour food and ice cream along with amazing food to try.  I still ordered two appetizers or main courses at many meals simply because I wanted to try things - yes it is wasteful, but I paid for the cruise darn it!  I'd take a few bites of the dish and share it among the rest of the group.  Yes - I ordered desserts - for the same reason - I wanted it. I'd again eat a few bites and toss the rest - I'd gotten my good protein from the earlier courses (Fish, chicken, etc) so I knew I wasn't neglecting the plan regarding protein.  

Breakfast isn't my favorite meal to wolf down quickly before going out to explore, (most of the quick breakfast choices are high carbs and low protein) so often I'd simply have a protein bar (brought from home) first thing in the morning to reduce the carbs.

Sometimes (about once per day), I joined the group getting ice cream - I'd stick to the frozen yogurt and get a very small cone.  This is a huge shift from last year where I'd have 3-4 HUGE cones or dishes each day.  Many of the times though, I'd get a glass of water and put my Powerade Zero drops in it and sit with them while they had ice cream or brownies (or pizza, or burgers....).

Even beyond the weight loss, I also had huge NSVs!  I bought some VERY daring dresses for formal night - one was strapless and the other was the sort I'd never have imagined wearing before!  Hubby was so amazing encouraging to me and encouraged me to wear dresses and take the formal photographs.  He bought me so many pictures of us in formal wear and casual wear!  He bought me some sun dresses in port and I actually wore them!  Yeah, I got flappy bat wing arms, but it is so much better than my old "over-inflated" look!

He kept bragging that he had a new wife and enjoyed telling me about the men who were eyeballing me as he walked by with me!   It was so awesome!  He even talked me into taking and wearing some 2-piece bathing suits!!  I hadn't worn one of those in 14 years!

Get your head in the game, stick with the life plan, and enjoy life!  I'm so glad I did and it is all so worth it!

Wow this is fantastic good for you

So happy for you.  Sounds like a wonderful time full on NSV.

That's great, something to look forward to.

Oh, I LOVE this post! I have never had the chance to take a cruise but I might in 2015.  Thank you for your post, it sounds like you did VERY well and yet had a lot of fun.  I am so thankful for my WLS, and I appreciate hearing stuff like what you shared here.  Bless you!!  :o)

Wonderful news from a fellow cruiser. I wondered how it would be post op. Thanks for the insight. 

Congrats  I know how you feel. I took my first cruise ever in 2012. I was so scared that the food, 24 hours of it, would call me.  I talked to people in my support group for suggestions.   I took protein powder, crystal light and a water bottle.  My workout gear including weight gloves were packed. 

In the early AM, I walked the running path because the gym was just too crowded. However, each day my husband and I did an excursion that required physical exertion. I walked up and down the stairs as opposed to taking the elevator.

Regarding the food, I ordered what I wanted and tasted it. Yes, it is wasteful to throw away food. But, as a wise person told me "I am not a garbage can". Meaning, we do not have to be a member of the clean plate club.

My husband was also grinning like a Cheshire cat because his wife is HOT, bat wings, saggy knees and all.

For those of you that want to go on a cruise: Do It.... Since 2012 we have been on 3 more cruises and will be sailing off again in December.  Who cares about the food? I am looking forward to putting on my wet suit and getting in the water.

Thanks guys!  Yes it was so much fun! We've got another cruise booked for next year already.  

And to top it off - this morning I was down another pound!  I'm so happy!

Congrats!! how fun!!! what awesome NSV's. I agree with you, life does not stop at a RNY, there is no need to feel deprived... there are an array of choices all around us and we can make it work.  I love this thread so full of fun and inspiration.  Again CONGRATS ... best wishes for a continued AWESOME journey.... and a life full of health, cruises, love, life and fun things!!! I am stealing this "Get your head in the game, stick with the life plan, and enjoy life!  I'm so glad I did and it is all so worth it!" how true.. it fits me and my 7 years 10 months post op journey in maintenance and loving each day more and more....

I've been on a couple of cruises since my procedure.  I actually ended up LOSING weight each time.  I would take the stairs to my room and get to the gym as well.  I try to be SO aware of what I'm eating and how much.  Being on a cruise makes you realize how MINDLESSLY people eat!  It's crazy!

I had an NSV on my last cruise:  I wore a bathing suit..in public...FOR THE FIRST TIME!  I turned a few heads, too!  

I don't EVER want to be where I was before.  That motivates me DAILY!

Congrats to you!  Well done!