I know that everyone heals at their own pace, but how far out from surgery did you attempt to ride amusement park rides. I live near an amazing park (Busch Gardens Williamsburg) that is great to walk around, but I know I will want to ride the roller coasters - but don't want to hurt myself.

I will ask my surgeon next week - but just wondered if anyone had any experience. :-)

I got on a kid roller coaster at Disney World about 6 weeks after surgery, I figured it would be gentle enough. Boy, was I wrong. Terrible terrible idea which I regretted immensely. So much jostling around and jerking around on the coaster, I was in pain afterwards.

I had surgery on May 8th, and on June 20th I rode everything at Universal Studios Orlando for my daughter's b-day. I was fine. The biggest challenge was finding stuff to eat. I had a small side of grits and scrambled eggs for Breakfast (a few bites off my hubby's plate), for lunch I had a yogurt, and a Protein shake that I made with a Bariatric Advantage pouch and a carton of skim milk, and half a bottle of Water, then for dinner I had a side order of shrimp from Jimmy Buffets. I ordered a shrimp cocktail and just skipped the sauce, I used a few extra lemons and a dash of hot sauce to give them some flavor. It was hard watching my family eat giant cheese burgers, and fries, but I did it, and was satisfied after the meal. I was comfortable with what I ate, and went home without feeling hungry. I live about 3 hours away from the park in North Florida, so on the drive home I stopped at a gas station and bought some propel to help replenish my electrolytes. Just remember to stay hydrated, avoid the beer gardens at Busch Gardens, as the alcohol will hit you much faster, dehydrate you, and are empty calories. Do your research ahead of time on what they allow you to carry in foodwise, I have a card from my doctor explaining that I eat a limited diet, so they allowed me to bring in my little lunch box sized cooler with my applesauce and yogurt in it. I also had my little carton of skim milk for my Protein Shake. If you are on your regular food stage, then look at menus online to see if they offer anything you are willing/able to eat. Now that I'm further out from surgery I just get a grilled chicken salad or a grilled chicken sandwich with no bread, and I eat the chicken, and I ask for fruit in place of fries, or just order ala carte. I was fine on the rides, it was the other changes that surprised me.