Any tips for someone with gastric bypass/lapband surgery for eating at the World???

[Cupcake88]

I had GBS about 7 weeks ago and like everyone else who's had it, I eat extremely little. Probably no more than a 1/2 cup at any meal. We got the DDP for our trip in January. Our plan so far is to let my DH and DS enjoy it while I get an appetizer or share from one of their (or both) plates. Then we can use the extra credits for breakfast or extra meals (since the boy is ALWAYS hungry!)

Does anyone who has had bypass or lapband surgery have any other tips to share? Places that especially worked for you foodwise? Places that were accommodating to your new way of life??? Any kind of tips will be helpful and most appreciated!!!!

Sharon

 

[Withacy]

I had the R-N-Y surgery last August, and went to WDW in March.

If you eat at buffets, you definitely want to have that card they give at the surgeon's office (I've heard that some of the buffets honor it & allow you to pay for the children's price). That said -

I just ordered off the adult's menu and wasted a bunch of food. Well, and my friend (who isn't really overweight) ended up eating a bunch of my dinner along with hers.

By the time I went to WDW, I was SO TIRED of eating the same few things over and over again. And yes, I can still only eat about 1/2 cup of food (a year out). But it was GREAT getting to eat what I wanted to eat - trying new things, enjoying even the few bites I could take. I mostly stuck with the protein, obviously. But still - I don't care that I didn't get "my money's worth". I got a lot of joy out of it.

I'm taking my godson in December, and I'm doing the DxDDP. We'll be going to a lot of different restaurants, and I'll be enjoying the adult menu at each of them (even if I don't eat much).

The others might tell you how to save money, how to get & pay for the least amount of food. And if that's fine with you - no problem. If you'll be happy eating what your family members want/get (and they don't mind sharing), I think that's great, and probably economical. Just make sure you're happy with that. It's your vacation too!

 

[PrinceCharmingsMom]

Hello all! I am three years out this month and we are Florida Ressies so we are there all the time.

We do alot of the buffets since its a group of us and I have such a hard time finding food that I want to eat and that doesn't come with a bunch of stuff I can't eat like pasta, bread and fries.

I enjoy eating things like Pollenta, and Frittata. Rotisserre Chicken, baked fish like Salmon all of which they have on most bars. What we try to do is book a buffett for Breakfast or Lunch and then I bring sticks for my water bottles throughout the day. I always have something with me so that if I get in a bind I can eat it quickly like a protein bar, nuts, etc. Our favorite buffets are Crystal Palace for Breakfast Lunch or Dinner at MK, Donald Safari at AK, Epcot is another story if we are there during Food and Wine we don't book a meal if we are there during spring its usually Biergarten in Germany, but I do have luck eating in Morrocco. I don't have luck eating in Mexico. I get sick everytime. You know how grouchy our puch can be. Le Cellier has amazing Cheddar Soup that is always nice to the pouch as is the Soup at the Pub in England.

I also find that there is always someone willing to eat my leftovers if I have any or I can always take them to the room for a snack later. I have a small son so I carry a baby food bag with me anyway.

Turkey legs are great for protein and you can get them at AK and MK.

As far as the card. I don't use it. I haven't ever tried, but I just see it as they didn't charge me more all the times that I ate more than most people so I kinda feel balanced now.

Make sure you stay on your eating schedule especially if you are walking the parks. And stay SUPER hydrated. You will feel yourself going downhill if you aren't meeting your protein goals. Take water in with you each day along with your vitamins and snacks. It helps alot.

There are also places you can enjoy Ice Cream if you want Main Street has Sugar Free Options as does Epcot just in front of the Water Fountain.

So I hope I have been some help if you want you can ask me anything anytime.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest going to the disABILITIES Forum and look at Post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs. There is a large section in that post dealing with special dietary needs, as well as many related links. You can get directly to the disABILITIES FAQs by following the link in my signature.

This is a very common topic of discussion in the disABILITIES Forum.

 

[celerystalker]

Here's a cut and paste I did in another forum:

Hello! I'm a disney Addict! I went to Disney less than 3 months after my RNY in Feb 2007.
For that trip, I packed a lot of bottled water (since the price for dasani is outrageous!!!) and crystal light type to go drink packets. I usually took two bottles into the parks with me and filled them up throughout the day -
actually, I still do this!
(PS - my current favorite drink mix is the ocean spray white cranberry peach!!! Yummo!)
Also, since I was so recently out of surgery, I brought the vacuum sealed packets of tuna with me and had those three times a day - I got pretty sick of tuna for the first 6 months!

We would go to restaurants with my friend and I would just watch her eat.

I went again that September for free dining and just ordered regular meals - I wasted a ton of food, but Hey! It's free!

Since then, I've gone many times and usually just try to avoid buffets - not only are they not worth it after bypass, they're too much of a temptation!

I usually order either just an appetizer or a meal with lots of protein.


Reduced price - It still happens sometimes. I was there in March and took my friends to Boma - my friend has celiac's disease and a dairy intolerance, so the chef had spent tons of time at our table.
At the end of the meal I asked nicely for a to go box so I could sample the bread pudding later - I explained I'd had gastric bypass and there was no way I could eat dessert then, but would love a few bites later.
The waiter obliged and then offered to only charge me the child's price - I told him not to worry since I'd prepaid for the dining package and had eaten tons anyway!
My advice would be to ask nicely for the child's price of the buffet - if you get it, it's pixie dust. If you don't, maybe next time.

Hair loss Yes, I lost quite a bit of hair - most people didn't notice, but I did! I think it was due more to the anesthesia than the sugery, however. After about a year, it came back and now my hair is back to how it was pre surgery - only much shorter because my face can carry it off now!
__________________

 

[Cupcake88]

Thanks for all the tips and ideas. Exactly what I need is what you have given me...good places to eat that work for you. My husband will eat what I want and if he doesn't, I'll figure out something. Don't worry about me being deprived!!!

Good info about Morocco and Mexico and the soups at Le Cellier and Rose and Crown!!!! I know we're doing Chef Mickey and I am sure I'll find something to nosh there.

I think what I need to know is what works for you and what didn't, what gems don't I know about? I am so lucky...I can handle sugar without dumping!!!!

Thanks again!

Sharon

 

[Withacy]

I can also handle sugar without dumping (YAY), but fat is a little more problematic. Can't do fried food, even for a treat.

And unfortunately, I'm allergic to Nutrasweet - God's little joke, since it's just about the ONLY thing I'm allergic to. So no Crystal Lite for me. I do occassionally suppliment my water with Gatorade.

And I've become lactose intolerant - so my biggest weakness, icecream, is completely off the menu. Bummer. Though it's probably for the best.

And pasta has become a garnish. Who'd have thought?

One thing I've noticed is that Salmon is EVERYWHERE! Almost every buffet & menu has it. Same with shrimp. One of my favorite buffets is Boma. Nice change of pace with different spices. I find seasoning provides the true variety in my diet now.

You can get the menus online - even the official sight is adding them slowly (actual pictures of the menus). And I recently got the iPhone app with all the menus. Check them out in advance, to see what appeals to you. I find breakfast can be a bit of a challange for getting protein that isn't sausage/bacon or includes dairy. That's where the protein bars can come in handy (brought a bag of my own for my trip). Good luck, and enjoy!

 

[DISboardser]

Disney isn't unlike anywhere else you eat - home, work, movies, ballgames, etc. It's about choices.

Order any meal you want and just eat your normal 3-5 bites. Box it up or throw it away...your choice.

I just get 1 meal for my daughter and then I order a side of something. I just simply eat a few bites of hers or what she has left over. This way there is no wasted money or food.

I'm 2 years out and never before could I have went to Disney for a week and not worried about weight gain. I love the band!

 

[donnaf516]

My DH will be almost 1 year out when we are back at WDW this August. I'm really trying to consider his diet restrictions as I plan out our ADRs but theres just some places the kids love so I don't want to skip them. The main one thats sticking out to me is the Hoop de doo review. There's really nothing on the menu that he'd be able to to eat. I'm wondering if they'll accommodate him with grilled chicken or a veggie dish if I call ahead or speak to someone when we get there to alert them of his restrictions.

Has anyone ever tried it?