Should I get banded before or after my 14 weeks in India (volunteering & backpackin)

[annab1984 0]

Hello.

I have decided to get a gastric band and being impatient I want it asap! I am going to India on 6th June and would love to have it done between now and then. I have email the surgeon about this issue and am awaiting a reply (only sent tonight though). What are your experiences? Should I wait until I return or will it make little difference. I really would love to get it done before I go so that I can come back and wow!! I have looked at a few private clinics in New Delhi incase there were to be any complications and they do look very clean and I am confident in them. Am I likely to have any complications? I would hope to be banded April so would have approx 2 months or slightly less to become used to it.

Thank you all

Anna xxx

[Jachut 487]

I think you could do it and not really start a fill schedule till after - like maybe have just one fill. That way you can eat quite normally - just less - but are unlikely to have enough restriction to cause problems if you dont have control over what you have to eat for example.

[Jaffa 5]

Backpacking and such right after surgery, or even for the first 4 weeks after, may be a bad idea.

I was restricted on what I was allowed to lift.

[brittu 42]

If you're ready for it I see no problem with doing it. It sounds like you have adequate recovery time. The idea of going unfilled could be good but your surgeon can help you decide. If you were going right after your surgery I'd say wait but you're going to be banded the rest of your life so it shouldn't affect your enjoyment of your trip. The only thing to consider is whether you're the kind of person who vomits with food poisoning or not - you don't want to be vomiting with a band. I've traveled a lot and gotten sick a lot. I'm not a vomiter so it wouldn't matter to me but it's worth considering.

Congrats on your decision and on your upcoming trip!

Britt