I am approved by insurance, and was hoping to be banded the first week of September. I have a vacation planned with my family to Disneyworld the beginning of November, and felt that would give me 8 weeks to heal, and adjust to solids by then. My surgeon is not available until 9/18, which brings me down to 6 weeks of recovery. I have requested an earlier surgery date, but if that isn't available do you think I would be better off waiting until after vacation in Nov. to be banded? Or will 6 weeks be enough time to feel comfortable eating out for a week (oh yeah, and riding roller coasters)?

Thanks!

Everyone is different and heals at their own pace. I can tell you that for me, it took several weeks of "mushies" after two weeks of liquids. Even after 8 months I can find it difficult to make good (and successful) choices out. Good luck making your decission.

Anyone else out there go on vacation shortly after banding?

There are a few issues involved.

Many of us flew home uneventfully just a few days post op. (It wasn't pleasant by any means, but there were no emergencies involved.)

As far as eating is concerned, you will probably be at the stage where you are screaming that you don't have any restriction and you think the surgery was a complete failure. (That's the averge 5-7 week deal.) So you'll probably be able to eat most anything you ate pre-op.

However, are you flying? A lot of people have real problems flying. Sometimes, restriction kicks in and they can't eat or drink anything...so just go somewhere where they have heard of the band.

Good luck.

banded 13 june 2006...went on vacation 05jul2006....ate from a grocery store!! all went well!! you don't have to put off the surgery--just be careful what you eat!