Help! Haha I'm leaving for a 10 day vacation and I'm 4 months out from surgery. Down 73ish lbs from preop and feeling great!

I'm so worried about how I'm going to stay on track in Europe. I don't know what the food will be like and how I will get in all my protein. Thinking about packing 10 protein drinks but that's silly right? Not sure. Thought about 100 calorie nuts packets and protein bars.

Any suggestions for what I can bring with me or any suggestions from anyone that has been to Paris/Loire Valley or Barcelona while on track and seen or know of any good ideas or options so I don't come back 10 lbs heavier.

My weight loss journey has been a battle and I fight the demons every day. I haven't had an easy, not hungry time of it and I really don't want to lose now!

Thanks in advance for your help!

Band to sleeve revision surgery 1/16/17

HW: 283

CW: 210

GW: 160

I have not been to Europe since surgery, but the food is not really that different. In general they cook healthier with less sugar.

You can always order a sandwich and just eat the meat and cheese.

If you can access a grocery store, you should be able to find protein shakes and bars, that is fairly universal.

If you can eat out in America and make good choices you can eat out in Europe and make good choices. It is all about knowwing your plan and knowing how to order and what to avoid. Should be easy.

You'll notice the portion sizes aren't as crazy big as in America (though probably still too big for us). Have fun!


RNY 14 April 2017
SW: 295 lb / 134 kg
GW: 187 lb / 85 kg (I'll see when I get there)

I am American living in Europe and you will be just fine. The food here is better quality. You have plenty of protein choices. You will also have plenty of smoothie type options. The food here is more natural and they use very little sugar and salt. Of course they have the bad options that are so yummy lol, but there is so many healthy options as well. You will be so busy seeing sites and the beauty around you that food will take a back seat.

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I think it's very smart too take Protein drinks with you. I just got home from a 7 day cruise and I packed a case of Premier Protein drinks with me. Being prepared is half the battle.

You're allowed to have liquids as long as they're in your check baggage. I took a case of 12. i didn't gain a pound and lost 1 pound, even though I'm at my goal weight already.

I knew there would be an insurmountable amount of temptations around me and I was determined not to screw up.

You got this!!

Pack your drinks...

My partner and I went to London and Paris in February. I packed a 12-pack of Premier Protein in my checked luggage, and focused on meat, cheese, and green vegetables the whole time I was here. It wasn't much different than it is at home (minus the cottage cheese that I eat each day).

I just came back from a 10 day trip to Paris and went to Barcelona a number of years ago before surgery.

I think you won't have too many problems in Barcelona if you stick to tapas scene. It was quite a bit of struggle to stick with the post-op diet in Paris. This was mainly because I packed the day with copious amounts of sightseeing so I rarely had time to stop to eat. The only quick bite/street food options were crepes and sandwiches. I brought along a few packets of jerky and that helped somewhat. Also, the steak portions are quite big (the most common steak entrecote is about 8-10oz) and are almost always paired with fries or mashed potatoes.

In the end, the limited food options made me give into temptation more than I liked to and more than I do at home. I ate one crepe during the trip, which you can ask for in buckwheat at all the crepe restaurants and some street stands. I also averaged maybe half a dozen fries daily and had foie gras almost every day. Foie gras has alot of protein but is also fat-heavy. The flip side is that the amount of walking/climbing I did overcame the extra calories, I came home about 5 lbs lighter. Paris is wonderful in terms of public transit options but I would walk from the Bastille to Notre Dame to the Arcde Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower. Climbing up the Arc de Triomphe works out to about 30 stories and the observation deck at Eiffel Tower works out to be even higher. The latter has an added bonus because if you can climb on your own to the first tier, you can instantly take an elevator the rest of the way up while the rest of the tourists line up for hours to go up the elevators from the ground.

The Loire Valley is beautiful but I assume you are going to go easy on the wine tasting. Hope you find this helpful and most of all, you have fun!