Hi folks,

I've been a lurker mostly till now and I can't thank this community enough for all the information and support. I have decided to move forward with a VSG but I don't know how to work around ... well, my life!!! I work and I have recently gone back to school. I have a mandatory 1 week trip in late July, it is a conference. I must fly out of state. My surgeon can have my scheduled in about 4 weeks but I would be about 4 weeks post recovery for this trip. I am wondering of those who have gone through this, is this a realistic thing? Should I wait till after the conference. It seems like I should however, due to other simmilar constraints, if I wait, I will not be able to schedule it till about early September. Any thoughts? What have been your experiences with energy, travel, and food management at about one month out. Thank you so much in advance to this entire wonderful community!

Nan

I am 4 weeks out and just booked a vacation. Will be flying out next week for 10 day visit with my sister. I am eating regular foods - very soft, but normal foods. (eggs, cheese, turkey sausage, shredded chicken, etc.) Also, you will have shakes so you should be ok. Energy level is difficult some days, but overall I feel normal! Good luck on your journey!

I am 4 weeks out and just booked a vacation. Will be flying out next week for 10 day visit with my sister. I am eating regular foods - very soft, but normal foods. (eggs, cheese, turkey sausage, shredded chicken, etc.) Also, you will have shakes so you should be ok. Energy level is difficult some days, but overall I feel normal! Good luck on your journey!

THANK YOU SO MUCH. This is very helpfull. How do you find your focus and thinking?! One of my concerns is my ability to continue reading and writing and focussing on lectures. It's quite sedentary work so "fatigue" per se doesn't worry me as much.

Nan

4 weeks seems fine, I would suggest walking on the plane with they turn off the seat belt sign just to get some circulation. How long is your flight?

I don't think you will have any trouble at all. I am 4 weeks out and could get on a plane and go anywhere right now. I agree with Candace who suggested to get up and walk a bit if your flight is very long.

If you will be having business meals you may have to plan around them a bit and ensure there is something to eat in the restaurant. I fall back on brothy Soups when I have needed to eat out with people who don't know that I have been sleeved. Mention that you aren't too hungry...order a Soup and you can have all of the broth you want and a bit of the solids. My sleeve restriction is pretty tight at this stage so at 4 weeks I couldn't go out and order firm/solid Protein and get much in but soft foods are very doable. You should be able to eat cottage cheese, tuna, yogurt, string cheese...stuff like that.

I went back to work after 2 weeks and haven't had any trouble focusing or with my stamina but I do have a desk job. Good luck with your surgery!!

4 weeks seems fine, I would suggest walking on the plane with they turn off the seat belt sign just to get some circulation. How long is your flight?

Thank you Candace! My flight will be about 6 hours total. It's a couple of flights from California to Virginia. I really like your idea of moving around. I was concerned about not having access to any Protein drinks during this time. In fact, it will be several hours by the time I get in and am able to have anything really. (Can't really bring any shakes/drinks on plane). But it sounds like eating before hand and then when I get in should be okay! I really like your idea of moving around as soon as I can to keep the circulation going. Good thinking Candace! Thanks again!!!

I don't think you will have any trouble at all. I am 4 weeks out and could get on a plane and go anywhere right now. I agree with Candace who suggested to get up and walk a bit if your flight is very long.

If you will be having business meals you may have to plan around them a bit and ensure there is something to eat in the restaurant. I fall back on brothy soups when I have needed to eat out with people who don't know that I have been sleeved. Mention that you aren't too hungry...order a soup and you can have all of the broth you want and a bit of the solids. My sleeve restriction is pretty tight at this stage so at 4 weeks I couldn't go out and order firm/solid Protein and get much in but soft foods are very doable. You should be able to eat cottage cheese, tuna, yogurt, string cheese...stuff like that.

I went back to work after 2 weeks and haven't had any trouble focusing or with my stamina but I do have a desk job. Good luck with your surgery!!

Thank you Bea! This is quite helpfull. I didn't even think about eating meals with others LOL! You're right though, a statement of "I'm not that hungry" followed by a small order of cottage cheese or brothy soup should cover!!! LOL Also, I can probably avoid several of the group meals since there will lots of people and they will think I've dined with an other group. I could go up to my room and have my shake etc. But thank you for bringing this up! I would not have thought about planning this aspect.

I also appreciate your comments about your energy level. This is my biggest concern: that I will be pooped out and not wanting to do much. Of course, the first week or two is understandable because of healing, adapting etc. My concerns are more later.

Thanks again!!!

No problem The only other thing I can think of is once you are through security, you can go into one of the little shops that they have at the airport where they sell beverages and you actually may find some protein shakes. I know that usually will have stuff like muscle milk protein shakes and you could buy that before you get on the plane, so if you do get hungry then you will be ok. I like the idea for the Business meals, a soup would be great lol.

I don't think you should have any problems. Honestly, I understand that I have had a major surgery, but I have been able to go back to work one week after surgery. I feel great. I don't have a sit behind a desk job either. I am always up moving around. I think you will be more than fine. I do agree with the others that getting up and moving around the plane will be very helpful. I felt like I just had to move on the plane when I came back from San Diego because my legs just had that twitch in them. Good Luck and have fun!

I remember thinking at four weeks out that I was finally on my "A" game"again. I work in education and do a lot of research and writing. I felt that at four weeks I was finally at full speed for those activites. I also attended a conference at 6 weeks and felt completely normal- I believe I could have done it at four weeks.

Good Luck!

Amanda

take a sample pack of protein mix with you or even a baggy of a scoop - you can get water on the plane and mix it then.

I don't think you should have any problems. Honestly, I understand that I have had a major surgery, but I have been able to go back to work one week after surgery. I feel great. I don't have a sit behind a desk job either. I am always up moving around. I think you will be more than fine. I do agree with the others that getting up and moving around the plane will be very helpful. I felt like I just had to move on the plane when I came back from San Diego because my legs just had that twitch in them. Good Luck and have fun!

Wow, that's great Nichelle! Thank you so much for your imput! Sounds like you had/have plenty of energy!

I remember thinking at four weeks out that I was finally on my "A" game"again. I work in education and do a lot of research and writing. I felt that at four weeks I was finally at full speed for those activites. I also attended a conference at 6 weeks and felt completely normal- I believe I could have done it at four weeks.

Good Luck!

Amanda

Thanks Amanda!!! Actually that's exactly what I am talking about. I am in the middle of working of some research/writing with huge deadlines, most of these deadlines unfortunately will not go away any time soon. So basically I need to be up and running as soon as possible or the alternative is to wait three to four years till I'm done with dissertation LOL! Don't really want to do that. Your post is encouraging. Sounds like you were still quite productive soon after and that after 4 weeks basically 100%. Thank you again!!!

Everyone has been incredibly helpfull. I truly appreciate it. I will post here as soon as I get my date! :-)

Thanks Amanda!!! Actually that's exactly what I am talking about. I am in the middle of working of some research/writing with huge deadlines, most of these deadlines unfortunately will not go away any time soon. So basically I need to be up and running as soon as possible or the alternative is to wait three to four years till I'm done with dissertation LOL! Don't really want to do that. Your post is encouraging. Sounds like you were still quite productive soon after and that after 4 weeks basically 100%. Thank you again!!!

Everyone has been incredibly helpfull. I truly appreciate it. I will post here as soon as I get my date! :-)

My biggest suggestions for having a clear "working" mind are take your Vitamins religiously and hammer the Protein. If you aren't taking a sublingual B Vitamin and Vitamin D, then I would suggest adding those (with your Doctor's blessing, of course). I was very lucky in that I never struggled with introducing foods and that meant I got my protein intake up really quickly. The amount of protein you consume and your level of mental dexterity are closely related in my opinion. Drinking plenty of fluids seemed important as well.

Good Luck!

Amanda