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Post op Travel.

fjsinc

fjsinc

Active Member
Even though I was big I never let it get in my way of seeing the world. I've backpacked solo through Europe, and been on overland tours to places like India, Central America and Russia. Now I'm fully recovered and life is back to normal, I find that my thoughts are turning towards doing another adventure tour (maybe early next year). I'm considering Tibet, China or the Balkans. Has anyone been on an adventure tour, or travelled far afield since their op? If so, how did it go? Any problems? And how far post op were you?
 
I haven't had a holiday in over 13 years!
Before I gained the bulk of my weight, I travelled all over most of Europe, and as far as Africa. The last holiday I had was in Amsterdam and I came back pregnant! (I was with my long term boyfriend, so I wasn't knocked up by some random Dutch dude :p)
Over the years as I got fatter, I wouldn't have dreamt of going on holiday as the fear of being refused to board, or the shame of having to buy 2 plane tickets would have killed me. I'd also hate to see the look of fear and horror on the face of the person I'd have to sit next to!
So, roll on 1 year after my surgery... I'm going to NYC at the end of August!
I'm just so excited! I'm going to shop 'til I drop and kit myself out with a new, cool wardrobe!
I checked with the airline that I'm flying with, and your waist has to be no bigger than 53 inches before you have to buy 2 plane tickets. My waist is now 51 inches (from 72) so phew! Hopefully, I would have lost another stone before I go.
I'm so excited, I just never thought the day would come when I could travel the world again :)
 
We overlanded (the posh way) through China and Tibet last year for 2 months just before my first wls. Husband told me at least once a day that I was going to die with the surgery. I had 'one or two' issues with food then, and it was a complete nightmare culinary wise. Comfort wise, Tibet is an utter nightmare, the toilets are a sight to behold, plus the political situation can change with the wind. Fascinating experience though. We just literally completed our sector in Tibet before it was closed to tourists the next day.

We then overlanded and backpacked over the winter through South America, 6-8 months post op. Food was difficult, and eating slowly and with tiny portions in company was uncomfortable. The camping had no difference in comfort with wls. It was still bloody awful as it always is ;). Definitely went with a roughing it company, that I hate, you get to far flung places, but not a company to recommend.

I took protein powder with me and bought a 'herd of cows' load of UHT milk to take overlanding and mainly lived off that, as there wasn't much else that I could eat. Breakfast was high sugar unsuitable cereals or bread. Dinners were buckets of pasta (no way!). Beef, no way!

When we left the truck, and cooking facilities things got worse as no access to self catering etc.

We also went on a cruise boat, where 99.8% of the food was unsuitable.

We are going away later this year and the company has a comprehensive list of what I will eat. I don't want to be the only person on the boat that loses 3kg on an all you can eat, 24 hour a day food cruise!!!! After that we are self catering. I will also be trying to take protein powder with me, just in lots of tubs.

Wls certainly has affected my choices of holiday and the ability to eat. Luckily we have been to most places on the planet already!
 
Thank you! Exactly the kind of things I'm concerned about. I'd be interested to know what companies you've used, I have used two previously, and found them fine (basic naturally). My husband doesn't travel, I go on my own, so its an added worry that there is no one to look out for me. I just dont want to let fear stand in my way post-op, because I never let it pre-op.
To be honest, I would love to go to Tibet, but I'm certainly not fit enough to fully get what I want out of a trip at the moment. As for toilets, well I've been to India so I'm prepared, lol. Actually went to India when I was 26 stone, a somewhat uncomfortable experience to say the least, but amazing all the same. I think China is a strong possibility however.
A large part of me having the surgery was so we stand a chance of starting a family (I'm 31), but if we have children that it for me on the wanderlust front. I'm very conflicted
 
I'll pm you the name of the overlanding company that we have used, not a public forum to be slagging them off. We have had constant issues every time that we have used them with food for mainly me, but both of us have had problems. It's due to the actions of other people mainly in that cook groups can be so possessive in their creations, they don't understand that people don't or physically can't stomach them and they are bordering on being fit for human consumption. Don't even get me started on food hygiene :eek:

We only use them as a means to getting to far flung places, cheaply and hell will freeze over before I use them again, as post bypass this will now be a nightmare that I'm not able to go through again.

Indian toilets are not as bad as some West Africa, Tibetan you will need both bits of your stomach to cope with them, the worst you can imagine and then worse again :D

We self catered in Europe earlier this year, had to be self catering. Food is just an issue.

If my protein powder gets confiscated later this year on arrival I will be gutted, as normal shop ones are too high in sugar. Eating in a group is really uncomfortable for me. Most adults haven't left their playground behaviour behind.

We are contemplating a bit more of India, but I hate curry. Last time I took noodle packets and we got some cucumber that I could peel and lived off that for weeks. If we went again, I can't eat noodles so what would I eat? So.... not booking anytime soone :cool:
 
Hi did not backpack but have just returned from 18 days in Thailand (with doctors ok).Went to Krabi and Bangkok was fantastic had no problems with food or tummy. Most places I ate at where very helpful with my diet requirements. Also took some food from home for snacks and weetabix for breakfast. I told my insurance provider about my op and they where fine just had to pay £15 more on premium. On flight home could even do seat belt up with out having an extension was a great feeling.
 
I have only been on one truck overland, mostly I have been on the guided public transport type (which I prefer anyway), on those, eating is done mostly in restaurants. More appropriate I think. I'm quite lucky in that I dont have any food intolerances, rarely dump, and have a descent capacity. I'm not considering going for more than two weeks, as I think that will be too much for me to handle.
 
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