Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

When can you travel after GS



Recommended Posts

Hey question

When can you start traveling after you've had the sleeve? I'm about 5/6 weeks out. Need to take a flight to another state for work next week. Is that to early to travel?

I already called my doctor but he hasn't gotten back to me yet, so I decided to ask you guys.

Let me know! Thanks

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just think og all the WLS patients who fly home after surgery. Anything is possible.

I flew 3 weeks after. You need to be careful about lifting too heavy a suitcase. You'll be fine 5 weeks after to fly. Just plan your meals. No heavy lifting

Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I took a 12 hr road trip with the family at around 3-4 weeks out to Disney. It was fine :)

Sent from my iPhone

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm having my surgery in Tijuana and will fly back to Japan a week later. A month post-op I will be on another flight to Europe. I've been cleared for both trips - the only things to worry about are weight restrictions (but it's easy enough to get someone to help you), obviously walking around during the flight, and planning what you'll do about your meals ahead of time.

There are some people on this site who do a lot of business travel and were travelling on major flights 2-3 weeks out. I guess a lot depends on your particular condition and doctor.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

After 3 weeks I travelled by flight for work x5. After 5 weeks i did long haul flight 30hrs with 7hrs transit in airport.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hydration (double your normal amount) and wearing TED stocking as well as mobilising your feet in flight is the key

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I remember my doctor saying that the first 30 days after any surgery, patients are at a higher risk of blood clots. He said travel was fine as long as I got up and walked around frequently - at the very least, once an hour.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I flew a week after surgery...12 hour flight. Not my ideal situation, but would have costed a small fortune to change the ticket. I ordered a wheelchair assist and so glad I did. My hubby handled all the suitcases and was such a hero. Also wore support stockings, stayed hydrated and got up a lot.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I flew my 4th week post surgery. The travel itself didn't bother me, but between working out of a different location and staying in a hotel, I got totally out of my routines (food, Water, walking, etc.) For me, it was too soon, so I would recommend waiting until you have been for your 30-month follow-up at least, and preferably until you've adapted to some "regular" foods. I've been back home four days, and I'm still feeling ick.

Good luck.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Day 15 post-op I took a 2 hour flight, returning two days later. Pre-board was helpful both ways (had a Dr. note, didn't need it). The bigger challenge was bringing Protein along for the ride. Not a problem, really, but was anticipating it might be. Flew to a celebratory gathering, so it was my first time eating with others in public. Lox was great in small pieces. Salmon was good, too, but I was chewing for days, just to be sure. Four waiters came by to take my plate while I was working on each of those meals (lol)! "No thank you, I'm still working on this." And I was still eating my Protein while others had finished their first and second plate and were into their Desserts.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ok, here is a gloom doom scenario for you. A lady had emergency C-section in California and was fine but about a month later drove to Idaho to be with family. Survived the drive but as she walked upstairs to second floor of house, collapsed and died from blood clot (pulmonary embolism) I am no doctor but I wouldn't travel until Dr. Cleared me 100%. I also wear compression thigh high "socks" while I sleep and try to walk around every hour or so. Be safe!



Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my surgery in Mexico and flew home to Canada on day 5 of my post op. Wasn't comfortable but I survived.

Ask your Dr. but I'm sure you should be ok.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×