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Hi I was sleeved on 12-14 and prior to scheduling the surgery, we had already paid for our cruise. I should be in the soft food phase after my doctor visit tomorrow, and I'm meeting with the restaurant manager for the cruise ship, but I wondered if anyone had any advice for me.

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Just go for the soft stuff and if all else fails take Protein powder to make shakes... you can always make shakes on the ship there's plenty of milk????

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There is so MUCH food on the ship, you'll find lots of choices! I took a cruise at about 6 weeks out. My suggestion is make sure anything you try is very wet, chew chew chew, and stop as soon as you are feeling full. Drink tons of Water. I did bring my own Protein shakes too. I found they have lots of good fish on the ship, which is easy to digest and a fantastic source of Protein. Take advantage of the variety! And chew chew chew! Have fun! And try not to look at people with crazy full plates from the buffet line with pity. It will shock you how much folks eat and you'll be trying to control your urge to recommend a good bariatric surgeon! Enjoy your trip!

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It's actually very easy. Cruise ship food managers are more interested in meeting with passengers who need to inform them of food allergies and or gluten free type issues.

The easiest is to forgo the main dining room, where dinner is typically 2 hrs long, you need to wait for everyone to finish their course before they bring the next, you'll be confronted with seeing everyone's meal including desert.

I suggest you just take yourself to the buffet (my main lines offer the same meals as in the dining rooms). Here you can pick your own Protein be it fish, chicken or meat. Sit away from others and not looking at the buffet. This soon post op, you'll be full very quickly. Chew to liquid consistency. The hardest part for me was trying to just cut away a quarter portion slice from the buffet. I hate wasting.

No bread, no potatoes, no Pasta, no sweets, no sugar free Desserts.

It's actually very easy, just don't deny your family and friends from indulging.

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@ @auntberber....

Hoping to get my surgery by the end of January 2017...Will be cruising the last week of April 2017 (7 day cruise)...... How did you arrange to meet with the restaurant manager? Is that something you can arrange once you board the ship, or should it be done before boarding?

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@ @auntberber....

Hoping to get my surgery by the end of January 2017...Will be cruising the last week of April 2017 (7 day cruise)...... How did you arrange to meet with the restaurant manager? Is that something you can arrange once you board the ship, or should it be done before boarding?

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It was really easy actually. I sent an email to the person who handles special diet requests to ask permission to bring my Protein shakes, and during our conversation, I explained my diet needs. I was told to meet with the restaurant manager shortly after boarding.

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Thanks so much for that info! I'll be putting that on my list of "things to do before the cruise"!! Best wishes to you during this journey!

@ @auntberber....
Hoping to get my surgery by the end of January 2017...Will be cruising the last week of April 2017 (7 day cruise)...... How did you arrange to meet with the restaurant manager? Is that something you can arrange once you board the ship, or should it be done before boarding?

Sent from my SM-G935P using the BariatricPal App


It was really easy actually. I sent an email to the person who handles special diet requests to ask permission to bring my Protein shakes, and during our conversation, I explained my diet needs. I was told to meet with the restaurant manager shortly after boarding.


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We cruised exactly 8 weeks post op from my sleeve surgery. I was sleeved in july, did a 7 day cruise in sept. No issues at all, i am not a Breakfast person, so i did bring my premiere Protein shakes. Lots of great choices. Main dinning room was actually easier for me than the buffet. Buffet tended to be a bit over whelming. In main dining room, i would order an appetizer, have a bite or two and share with hubby or kids, i would typically order two Entrees (one always the fish) so if it was something i didn't like, to tough or dry, i would have a fish to fall back on. Again, i have 3 kids and hubby that always wanted to share or taste so it wasn't a huge waste of food. And a BITE of a desert. In the dining room, because it is so long and drawn out, i didn't feel rushed, and food had time to "settle" between courses.

I did do the buffet for lunch but wasnt really into it. It was more, i have got to put something into my stomach and ehhh this looks like it may be ok.

This was a HUGE change from cruises in the past where EVERYTHING was about food food food. We had a blast. I wasn't full and out of breath and in need of a nap the whole trip.

My sleeve isn't picky at all though. I can handle anything from bread and sweets, to Pasta, rice, and spicy. It can be both a blessing and a curse!

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Please let me know how you do. I just had my surgery on Dec 21st and I leave on a cruise Jan 15th.

I am sure you will have a great time!

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A friend of mine just got back from a cruise and she was only 3 weeks post op... she said the cruise line had a special menu for BARIATRIC patients... you may want to check with your cruise line and see if that option is available for you.

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Thanks everyone I will keep you posted!

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I am sitting in the Ft Lauderdale airport waiting for our flight home, and thought I would update you. The cruise was wonderful. I ate within my soft foods stage without any trouble at all. Small portions because at 26 days out I'm still only eating about 1/2 cup total at a meal. I didn't even need to ever with the restaurant manager, as it was very easy to stay within my limits. I am excited to get home and get on the scale...I know I lost wait on the cruise because my jeans are too big, and they fit before the cruise. Also did a ton of walking and stairs onboard and at port. I'm feeling pretty good about how it's going .

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I am sitting in the Ft Lauderdale airport waiting for our flight home, and thought I would update you. The cruise was wonderful. I ate within my soft foods stage without any trouble at all. Small portions because at 26 days out I'm still only eating about 1/2 cup total at a meal. I didn't even need to ever with the restaurant manager, as it was very easy to stay within my limits. I am excited to get home and get on the scale...I know I lost wait on the cruise because my jeans are too big, and they fit before the cruise. Also did a ton of walking and stairs onboard and at port. I'm feeling pretty good about how it's going .

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Welcome back : ) I'm happy things went smoothly for you

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A friend of mine just got back from a cruise and she was only 3 weeks post op... she said the cruise line had a special menu for BARIATRIC patients... you may want to check with your cruise line and see if that option is available for you.

Which cruise line did your friend cruise with?



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