Hi all,

I'll be two weeks post op tomorrow. I get my first fill in two more weeks. I'll be going on a cruise soon and would appreciate any tips or advice you have for me.

I chew my food about 30 times before swallowing & I do take small bites. I'm getting all of my Protein in first, too. I've been on solid food since POD #5. I haven't had any red meat but I don't eat much of that anyway. I've mostly had seafood & very tender white meat pork.

I know I'm the one in control, I'm just afraid of getting some type of obstruction while I'm on the cruise. Is there anything I should avoid?

I just returned from a cruise...I did everything I could to eat, and drink, anything I wanted.

However, because of the band, and the restriction I have, it was impossible to do and I lost weight. It was no different than any other day.

But sine you are a newbie, you have no alternative but to diet the old fashioned way, counting Calories and good old will power.

I don't think you have much of a risk of getting stuck. You have not had a single fill yet, let alone anything near optimal.

Don't forget to get your Protein and Water, exercise every day, and use the stairs instead of the elevators.

Other that that.......

I have this exact situation coming up. Getting banded on the 19th, filled just before my cruise on the 12th of August. 9 People on that cruise and NONE of them know I am getting banded.

I know they offer a lot of Soups. That's good. I will bring my Protein shots. I will be indulging in a bit of tequila, but not too much. Beer will be a no-no this time

Hey B-52, I see your profile pic, you have a beer in hand. Do you drink it with no problems? Don't worry, I am not going to try it anytime soon, but in the future, when I travel, I like to indulge in a local brew.

With just one fill, you will probably have very little to no restriction so you shouldn't have any problem with getting "stuck". The most important thing to remember is DO NOT OVER EAT! There is always food available on a cruise ship, so you don't need to eat everything at once. I have cruised frequently, and even before the band I rarely gained weight on a cruise because I keep in mind that if I don't have room for it now, I can just have it later, therefore, I rarely get that stuffed feeling. Also, like B-52 said, take the stairs everywhere!

I went on a cruise 4 weeks post op with only 1cc in my band. There was no restriction so thats probably not going to be an issue. I was worried that I would undo all my hard work....but it turned out ok. A few things to consider.

Breakfast was the hardest for me.....It seemed like everything was either all bad carbs or full fat items... There were not healthy options other than fruit. In hind-site I wish I would have thought to just order breakfast to the room for my husband and I could have just had a Protein shake.----I think breakfast added an additional 200-300 calories a day to my totals.

lunch was hard because we did the excursions and what was offered was always cheap quick foods like rice hamburgers and sugary drinks like kool-aid. I wish I would have thought to just have brought a healthy Protein Bar and a couple healthy Snacks and just skipped their stuff altogether.

When we were at sea, lunch on the ship was fine because there was always salad and a grilled protein of some sort.

Dinner-Instead of the buffet, we opted for the restaurant instead....The food was always excellent and the portions were smaller. I skipped the appitizer and would just take a bite of my husband and daughters Desserts.

I made a point to walk the ship once in the morning and once in the evening.

I have this exact situation coming up. Getting banded on the 19th, filled just before my cruise on the 12th of August. 9 People on that cruise and NONE of them know I am getting banded.

I know they offer a lot of soups. That's good. I will bring my Protein shots. I will be indulging in a bit of tequila, but not too much. Beer will be a no-no this time

Hey B-52, I see your profile pic, you have a beer in hand. Do you drink it with no problems? Don't worry, I am not going to try it anytime soon, but in the future, when I travel, I like to indulge in a local brew.

Yes it is, and yes I do. July 4th I had a few....with no food at all of course.

I do not advocate it and do not recommend newbies try it. Follw your Dr.s instructions.

My Dr. Knows I do and understands how I get away with it.

As veteran, it s one of a few things I gave figured out how to do with no side effects (to the band) or any harm.

Radar, this is exciting!

(9 People on that cruise and NONE of them know I am getting banded.)

I dont know which line you are cruising on....but RCCL has some wonderful soups. The garlic soup is to DIE for. Lots of chilled soups on Carnival. I am just assuming that you are going out of Galveston? I love soups so tried them all. I too have a cruise planned for Oct. and getting banded tomorrow morning. (skeeeered)....at True results!

No cruise here til feb, but I was banded on June 14. I was at the beach for a week last week and ate a lot of soup. I have been stuck twice already. I was usually eating too fast or too big of a bite. There was nothing I could do but go to the bathroom and bring it up! Luckily both of those happened at home. Other times I thought I would get stuck and it passed on its own. Good luck! Just chew a

Lot like you said and take your time!

B52- the book I was given allows for carbonated beverages (sugar free). So it is so weird the differences in opinions o this one. I will not do anything to jeopardize the band until properly healed, but the book says carbonation is just fine. It is jusnt the empty calories in beer that concerns me.

Kathie52, Yes, CCL. I cruise a lot! Good luck tomorrow. My doc is Hollis, and although his staff sucks, HE is absolutely aces! He did my EGD 2 days ago.

B52- the book I was given allows for carbonated beverages (sugar free). So it is so weird the differences in opinions o this one. I will not do anything to jeopardize the band until properly healed, but the book says carbonation is just fine. It is jusnt the empty calories in beer that concerns me.

Kathie52, Yes, CCL. I cruise a lot! Good luck tomorrow. My doc is Hollis, and although his staff sucks, HE is absolutely aces! He did my EGD 2 days ago.

Just don't mix with food, or after eating. The gas plus the food will really bloat you, even cause pain.

Thanks everyone. I'll be on a Disney cruise and I've looked at food pics for what is available. They have plenty of healthy options.

I don't have a big appetite since being banded but will have had my first fill prior to the cruise, so I was just concerned about that.

I went on a cruise a month after my surgery. Like above posters said, remember water and walk as much as you can. Since you have no restriction you should be fine, but don't try anything new on the cruise just in case you get sick. That was my biggest fear. For breakfast I stuck to yogurt, eggs, and banana. The buffet usually has some healthy options like fruit, deli meats, and fish. the hardest thing for me on the cruise was avoiding all the fruity cocktails! My weakness. lol