Ok,

After all the positive feedback I have gotten here I have decided to go for this. I'm psyched! Thanks to all for your encouragement and support. I have contacted Dr. Rumbaut and await his response.

If I may ask for some more advice here. I am planning a trip to the carribean in early February. I can't possibly get the surgery done before early January. If you were in my shoes would you wait until after the trip?

Thanks in advance.

Nope, I'd Git 'Er DOOONE! It would be nice to recouperate in the Carribbean.

I didn't feel good until 5 - 6 days after surgery. Some folks are up and at it the next day so go with your instincts.

GOOD LUCK PETER !!!!

Awww....the sun! One thing you might want to consider if you swim or snorkel...will your incisions be totally closed and healed? I would check with your surgeon to see if he will want you to avoid the Water because of the bacteria....I think most of them would.

My incisions healed in two weeks, my mom's are still not healed three months later.

Just something to think about.

Lots of luck- Debra

As long as your incisions are healed, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't go to the Carribean. I think it would be wonderful for you to get away after such a huge decision. It should definitely relax your mind.

Now, I want to talk my Husband into taking me on a cruise!! LOL

I was banded, a year ago today, and went on a trip the beginning of February, without incident I might add.

Congratulations on your decision.

I have the same exact dilimia. I was supposed to have the surgery Jan 11th and it was moved to the last week in January with a vacation coming the 1st week of February.

I postponed the trip. I don't want to have to worry about experiencing any complications and being away from the needed medical care. I also anticipate some pain and discomfort from a new surgery and I don't think I would enjoy my vacation as much.

For me, I chose to wait.

I was not so much worried about post op complications as I was about being around all that food and not being able to eat. I would be on the mushy stage. I dounbt there are a lot of mushy resturaunts around.

Bruce

Mushies are easy. Lots of food is mushy. Guacamole. Egg salad. Refrieds. sauces over well-cooked pastas. If you are careful and creative, use lots of side sauces with your foods and avoid hard chicken, beef, etc, you could do it easily. Tell the server you need a very soft foods diet and they will be helpful. Pick through your food before eating. Chew chew chew chew chew and chew some more.

It's hard to predict how you will do and how you will feel, but if you aren't really able to eat, being around all that food won't matter. You will experience a whole new world of "wow, my world doesn't have to revolve around food!"

It's pretty interesting to have abundance at your fingertips and not care.

i'm so happy too hear that you're going for it! good luck and here's to a quick recovery in the sun!

If it were me, I would wait until after my trip, I have been to the Islands many times and depending on where you are going, many are third world countries and do not have the medical facilities that we have. And the big question would be if something were to go wrong, is there a doctor on that island that is familiar with your surgery and the complications that can arise? Let this be your last hur-rah and party it up. Relax and enjoy yourself. I had surgery in August and felt pretty good in a week, but it took a good 4-6 weeks to feel normal again. I too had a vacation planned the last week in August to Disney, I did go, and I was fine, but I was still a little sore and tender. But whatever you decide, Good Luck and you are the one who knows best!!!

Go for it!! I can say that only because I went on a cruise not even 3 weeks out and I lost 5 1/2 pounds. I felt great and was able to try food I wwould have never spent money on at home.

When traveling to the islands or anywhere for that matter, If you arent a regular visitor you may have an experience with runs or food sickness that makes you vomit. I would wait till after surgery so as not to risk these things. The water change can do this or eating fresh local salad. Even if you eat in clean looking restasuranuts you can run into trouble as you cant see bacteria. I think you would want to start off on the right foot and not risk it, let your new band settle in and heal properly. You wouldn want to be stuck in your hotel room driving the porciline buss. My hubby in Cancun... never mind, it isnt a very pretty picture.