Going on a Cruise.. help!

[Ninababy 5]

I am getting banded next week and my husband has scheduled a Cruise for us this winter.. I am terrified of the food.. I have been on Cruises before and worry about the ability to eat.

has anyone gone on a cruise and what was your experience? In addition, do you have any tips for me?

I love to eat.. and I am worried I will be very frustrated by being around all the food...

[honk 780]

I am preband but I have some thoughts for your trip. When I brought my 77 yr old mother on a cruise; we did LOTS of walking. Just walking the ship is exercise. Also even though we did tours of islands by car we still did a lot of walking there too. I had a friend tell me I was the only person he knew that lost weight going on a cruise. If you are a morning person go to the pool before Breakfast and either swim or do Water aerobics. At the breakfast buffet ask if they have made to order eggs; if so ask if they have egg beaters or can make you an egg white omelate. For lunch we ate at the buffet. At the buffet you serve yourself and can decide how much to take. At dinner if you have formal dining you may have the same waitor for the week. In my opinion sit down cruise meals are small portions becuase they give you lots of courses. Pick what you feel comfortable with and stick to it. If you only order the entree and no app or dessert they may ask if you are sure. Say yes I'm fine and smile.

Edited May 19, 2010 by honk

[Ninababy 5]

thanks..! I have been on cruises before and I love the Water so I do exercize alot..

I just worry about making food choices... I love lobster.. filet.. and all the great food.. I wonder what peoples experience is in handleing all the food without getting stuck..!

[mumof2boys 71]

Hi Ninibaby...I just went on a cruise last month and I'm 3 years post op. Believe it or not I did not gain one ounce (I still can't explain that one). I understand your worry but I gotta tell you...I really didn't have any problem with the foods on the cruise...there are soooo many things to chose from that you can make healthy choices. Also, if you are at a good fill level, you will feel satisfied after just a little bit of food and you will be fine. Since you are going in the winter, you still have a couple of months to go beforehand and you can prepare yourself for it. The cruise that I just went on was my very first one and I was warned before about all of the food. Well, the warning really didn't do much for me but when I got on there and saw all the food, all of the time, I understood what they were talking about. Anyway...just enjoy yourself on your cruise and don't be too hard on yourself. If you do gain a little weight, it's alright...you can take it back off. Try to focus on just having a good time and you'll be fine.

Where are you going for your cruise? Have a great time and don't worry about the food...you will handle everything just fine. :w00t:

[nawlinzlady 1]

I just came from a 14day cruise seven months after banding. It was wonderful. I ate what everyone else had, just ate slowly. You must come to terms with the fact that you will NOT be able to eat more than 1/4 of your portions. But I had whatever dessert I wanted but could only eat a small bite or two. Eat your Protein and then veggies, you will be full quickly.

I walked the deck every morning after breakfast and I gained only 2 lbs which I lost within the first week I was home. I think it was just Water weight from the extra salt in the foods.

[Ninababy 5]

Oh this is good news.. I am getting banded next week and then I will sail in February.. I think that gives me plenty of time to be used to the band... I hope... ! Hearing others did well... is giving me some confidence...!

[IAmJacksLapBand 5]

Oh this is good news.. I am getting banded next week and then I will sail in February.. I think that gives me plenty of time to be used to the band... I hope... ! Hearing others did well... is giving me some confidence...!

I was banded 27 April and have vacation at Disney this Friday. But I am mentally prepared to control myself regardless of what my travel companions do. We then have a Disney cruise booked in February 2011 and cannot wait to get back on a cruise. I love all the food selections and am looking forward to having restriction and being able to sample all the foods I like but not be able to finish them all.

Since banding my appetite has returned but I cannot wait to get that full feeling again after a small portion. It was great for the few weeks that I had it.

[MaggieB 6]

I'm nervous about this! My surgery is scheduled June 10th and we are going on a 7 day cruise Aug 1st. My doctor is pretty conservative about the eating after surgery - I have 3 days of Clear liquids, 5 weeks of Full liquids & Protein supplements then solids. My first fill is supposed to be around that time but he said we would hold off until I return.

I'm just nervous about the "bandster hell" everyone describes. I don't want to be on the ship eating everything in sight! I'm glad I have a supportive family - my mom assures me there is plenty to do to keep my mind off the food.

[nawlinzlady 1]

I'm nervous about this! My surgery is scheduled June 10th and we are going on a 7 day cruise Aug 1st. My doctor is pretty conservative about the eating after surgery - I have 3 days of Clear Liquids, 5 weeks of Full liquids & Protein supplements then solids. My first fill is supposed to be around that time but he said we would hold off until I return.

I'm just nervous about the "bandster hell" everyone describes. I don't want to be on the ship eating everything in sight! I'm glad I have a supportive family - my mom assures me there is plenty to do to keep my mind off the food.

Maggie, do you journal or blog? I started one with my pre-op diet. It keeps me focused. This link, is my first post during my vacation, we spent a week exploring the Northeast before we got on the ship. This link,is from when I returned. Like you, I did not get my first fill until I returned from a 3 wk vacation. I gained a couple pounds, but lost it in no time with the band.

I took another 3wk vacations this past April, I gained a couple pounds in lost it in the first week I returned. I really think the weight gain is from all the extra salt in the foods.:thumbup:

[get fit 0]

I was banded May,2009 and went on a cruise in August and then again in January of this year. The both cruises were great and I went on Nowegian cruise,freestyle cruises,which means I could eat whenever I wanted so I would eat small but often. It also depends on what resyriction level your upto. In Aug. I only had a 7 fill in a 14 band, and in Jan, I was about 9. Right now I'm up to 12.4 and planing on cruising this winter and I have no worry at all about the food. Believe the choices are many and if you eat at your own pace you'll be fine. At breakfast i would get mixed cutup fruit and sit poolside and snack at my leisure and later progress to the band friendly foods available. Good luck and enjoy your cruise,you will find you get more exercise than you think with all the walking you can do; Suggestion,pedometer and walkie talkies to keep in touch with other people you go with especially if you are waking the track on the ship.

[sistasassy 6]

I just got back from a week long cruise in April. It was awesome! I ate what I wanted but because I am banded, I ate less. I had frozen yogurt every day and as many times a day as I wanted. You get so much exercise while onboard that I would not worry. You walk everywhere.

I had Mongolian stirfry for lunch everyday and formal dining fantastic menus for supper. I did not skimp. I did not worry. Just remember that you will be eating less.

I lost four pounds during the nine days I was gone and I ate the most fantastic food onboard and in every port.

[elcee 3,341]

One of the guys at my support group went on a 3 month world cruise last year and lost weight! He was the only person that wasn't complaining that his clothes had shrunk - his were getting bigger.

[katbabie34 0]

You can go to your doctor and get all the Fluid taken out of your band then you will be able to eat. Just be careful not to eat to much to gain weight back. I am going on a cruise and this is what I am doing. I want to be able to enjoy myself and have fun without getting stuck.

[nawlinzlady 1]

I'm sorry if I sound like I am preaching here......

When I made the decision to be banded, I knew this was a lifetime committment. That means I am banded during summer, fall, winter & spring. I am banded during birthdays, holidays, baby & wedding showers AND VACATIONS. This is my new healthy lifestyle and I have to live my life within the restraints of my band. First, I have an absolutely fabulous doctor and there is no way he would agree to unfill me just so I could go on a cruise and gorge myself. He would tell me to find another doctor, which I am sure I could find who is willing to take my money to do it. Second, You would miss one of the best benefits of being banded. Being banded means you can live your life just like everyone else. You will be able to eat meals on your cruise like everyone else; just smaller, healthier portions. You will return from your cruise with a smile because you did not gain or if you do it will very little. I go on several cruises a year and have a great time, the fun doesn't come from eating until I pop, there are so many other activities that I doubt you will have time to think about grazing or head hunger issues.

Go on your cruise with any worries, your band will not hamper your fun.:thumbup:

[katbabie34 0]

As I stated I plan on having my Fluid taken out before my cruise. I also have a great doctor and he is one of the top MD doctors for lapband and he has stated it is very safe to do this. When I go on vacation I do not want to be sick which seems to happen everytime I eat lately and I do not gorge. I eat very slow and small small portions.