Hi all, I had my GS surgery back in February, and its been VERY successful (lost a third of my body weight already between the surgery and crossfit). I've been extremely good at keeping to guidelines, but I do have a question on an upcoming vacation I have on a cruise to the Caribbean. I've already worked out where and what to eat to keep my protein goals and to avoid too many calories as well as fluid intake, and I've only overeaten once since surgery (and have zero plans to do so on the cruise). However, I wouldn't mind having a few non-alcoholic cocktails (pina coladas, etc.) on the ship each day. Problem is, they do not have nutritional information (sugar, calories, etc.) available.

Would I cause lasting damage to my surgery / progress if I were to go over calories on the trip (again, not via overeating). I don't mind if I put on a couple pounds as long as it won't stretch things out or screw my body up. I'm trying to find a good balance between enjoying myself while staying disciplined on not making myself sick / stretching out my stomach.

Thanks for any advice!

The germs..

I've never been a fan. They skeeve me out. Just like all those people trapped on a boat for days. Planes are bad enough but at least those are just short time periods.

An elegant cruise is wonderful. Fine dining, Three meals a day, in the really nice restaurants. Avoid Carnivall because they cater to kids free, so families take 10 kids and the buffet area is the nightmare. My husband and I get a nice room with a balcony, and spend lots of time reading, talking, and relaxing with the beautiful ocean view. The Oceana and Norwegian met our every need as far as not being a floating all you can eat disaster.

14 minutes ago, StartingFreshNana said:

Most cruises have a diabetic menu. You can always ask if it's available for you if you're concerned with sugars and calories. My husband is diabetic and we've never had an issue with them catering to his diabetes.

I'm honestly not worried about calories and sugar on the cruise as long as it won't cause lasting damage to my surgical journey (i.e. stretching the stomach, etc.). Its illogical but my biggest fear.

On 7/11/2017 at 2:33 PM, IveGotThePower said:

Would love to hear your experience when you get back.

Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Will do, particularly on the good and pitfalls so the next schmuck like me heading on one of these things has the info

22 minutes ago, Pescador said:

An elegant cruise is wonderful. Fine dining, Three meals a day, in the really nice restaurants. Avoid Carnivall because they cater to kids free, so families take 10 kids and the buffet area is the nightmare. My husband and I get a nice room with a balcony, and spend lots of time reading, talking, and relaxing with the beautiful ocean view. The Oceana and Norwegian met our every need as far as not being a floating all you can eat disaster.

We're doing Royal Caribbean, which I consider something in the middle - Not Carnival, but not quite elegant luxury either (I do have two older kids in tow after all haha). I'm actually pretty disciplined with eating in general (buffets will be great for getting small meals throughout the day I hope), but I want to allow myself my pina coladas at night.

58 minutes ago, DBDude said:

We're doing Royal Caribbean, which I consider something in the middle - Not Carnival, but not quite elegant luxury either (I do have two older kids in tow after all haha). I'm actually pretty disciplined with eating in general (buffets will be great for getting small meals throughout the day I hope), but I want to allow myself my pina coladas at night.

In my opinion I think you can have your pina colada and enjoy it. You probably won't be able to finish it but ENJOY IT!!!

We only cruise about every 5 years. It is the ultimate vacation as you get older. I do worry about food poisoning. We avoid any Buffet.

Don't drink the mocktails. They're everything you shouldn't be eating right now -- and they're likely to give you dumping syndrome, even with sleeve, or at the very least an upset tummy. If you want to indulge, you're better off having some straight liquor on the rocks, as someone said earlier. Clear liquors are better because they're lower in sugar. Have like ONE on the cruise MAYBE.

If you're itching for something sweet, pack some crystal light. (; They'll allow it on the cruise!

40 minutes ago, Brandeis said:

Don't drink the mocktails. They're everything you shouldn't be eating right now -- and they're likely to give you dumping syndrome, even with sleeve, or at the very least an upset tummy. If you want to indulge, you're better off having some straight liquor on the rocks, as someone said earlier. Clear liquors are better because they're lower in sugar. Have like ONE on the cruise MAYBE.

If you're itching for something sweet, pack some crystal light. (; They'll allow it on the cruise!

That's it - Most of the trip I'll be likely drinking coffee, water, and iced tea. I won't drink more than 1-2 mocktails / cocktails a night (and if they're big, I likely won't get through 1). I just want to make sure its not going to permanently wreck anything.

I'm not worried about going off the rails as far as my diet - I've been pretty disciplined the past 6 months. If I do manage to get dumping syndrome, then that will nix that idea

1 minute ago, DBDude said:

That's it - Most of the trip I'll be likely drinking coffee, Water, and iced tea. I won't drink more than 1-2 mocktails / cocktails a night (and if they're big, I likely won't get through 1). I just want to make sure its not going to permanently wreck anything.

I'm not worried about going off the rails as far as my diet - I've been pretty disciplined the past 6 months. If I do manage to get dumping syndrome, then that will nix that idea

I honestly wouldn't even do 1 a night, GOOD LORD, they're like 300-500 calories each on a cruise ship -- which is like half your daily calorie intake, I dare say! Of course you're an adult, who can make your own decisions, and usually I'm one of those people who's very flexible on taking little breaks (I love a square of chocolate in the evening) but....these are just a terrible idea. They're everything we're not supposed to do: high sugar/carb, no nutritional value AT ALL, liquid calories....

seriously, you're better off just drinking actual alcohol.

1 hour ago, DBDude said:

That's it - Most of the trip I'll be likely drinking coffee, Water, and iced tea. I won't drink more than 1-2 mocktails / cocktails a night (and if they're big, I likely won't get through 1). I just want to make sure its not going to permanently wreck anything.

I'm not worried about going off the rails as far as my diet - I've been pretty disciplined the past 6 months. If I do manage to get dumping syndrome, then that will nix that idea

Have some of those fancy cocktails they make in the schooner or the english pub. not going to kill you. Once the cruise is over go right back to watching your intake and you will be golden. With all the walking on excursions, etc you will work it off. Plus take the stairs as often as possibl.e

Enjoy your mock cocktails. Take it slow, see how you feel.

From everything I read, it will not do permanent damage. Probably no damage.

what will do damage, is that diet mentality, that makes you crazy.

Enjoy your cruise! Enjoy your new life and everything that comes with it.

Yes, that may include a couple of mock cocktails. It sounds like you have

a good head on your shoulders and have thought a lot about this.

Happy Cruising!