Disney for Weight Loss Surgery Patients

[tydna]

Anybody who has undergone weight loss surgery got any helpful hints or tips that you can share for a trip to a Disney Park / Resort?

I've been a couple of times and have learned quite a bit, but would love to hear others' questions or comments about their experiences or perhaps their concerns.

TIA!

 

[burnsoc]

Don't get the meal plan! I've been twice since my GBS last year and love how I'm not tied into making any ADR's anymore. My DW (GBS also) and I just worry about what my son is going to eat. We usually get some type of grilled chicken entree and share. I really enjoyed the chicken at Flame Tree Barbecue last time. We loved WDW when we were at our heaviest, but now it is even better and much easier. We definitely save a tremendous amount on food while in WDW now.

 

[TandyR]

We are traveling with my in-laws on our next trip and my father-in-law just had the weight loss surgery in December or January. So any hints to help us help him would be great.

thanks

 

[mrsbug]

I went with my dad about 5 months after he had gastric bypasss, and 3 years later went about months after I had a lapband put in. If you have the bypass, ALWAYS make sure you have something to eat with you. You can't always get food fast if needed and the first night there, my dad almost got in trouble after standing around in the heat, then not having anything to eat. Luckily, I had snacks in my dd's diaper bag and got him something. He was getting lightheaded and clammy, definately needed to eat. After that he always kept a small bag of nuts in his pockets. They don't melt and get him the protein he needs fast. Also, watch the sugar if yoiu get dumping syndrome. Not something you want to have happen in the parks!

If you have the lapband, just know beforehand what you can and can't eat. And don't forget to chew! The last thing you want is to be pbing your food back up in the middle of the parks. As gross as it sounds, I carred a couple ziplock bags with me just to be safe. Thankfully, didn't need them, but it was nice to know I had them if I got stuck and needed to spit something out. Also, I'd stay off the fast rides for a bit after eating. I only had a problem once, when I tried a piece of dh's prime rib. That didn't go down very easy and I was in some pain afterwards.

We were on the dining plan, but it still worked for us. I'd get the appetizer I wanted, then entree that everyone wanted to taste. I'd split my dessert with the kids. We had no meals left over by the end of the trip, just a bunch of snacks! Of course, I wasn't that tight when we went, and was able to eat more than I should have. If I went now, the dining plan would probably be a waste for me, but then again, my dd is a big eater (thank god she's got her daddy's metabolism and is thin as a rail!) so she'd probably do better eating off the adult menu and I'd eat her kids meal.

 

[tydna]

VERY good post, Tracey.

Thank you!

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

My hubby and I were looking into the lapband last summer. Im glad to hear everyone having success with it.

 

[tydna]

Yes -- though I had gastric bypass surgery instead of lap-band, I've lost 200lbs. with weight loss surgery.

 

[PrinceCharmingsMom]

I love this post. I had Gastric in August of 06. I love doing Disney and love Disney food, but I always have someone to share it with. I am -120 pounds since surgery but would like to do a little more.

 

[tydna]

Me before WLS :: Me after WLS

 

[ehrn]

If you've had a procedure that involves malabsorption, like a ds or distal gastric bypass, know where the least busy bathrooms are, bring a small air freshener with you and watch your fat intake.
With the cost of food in the parks, if you plan on doing many "nice" meals, the ddp is still worth it. The problem I have is that I eat what I can eat at whatever meal, then a couple hours later I need to eat again! DH and I usually share a cs a couple different times a day around the ts meals rather than getting two cs meals at the same time. I usually pack things like nuts with me.
I'm 5yrs out and can eat a good amount(ds so I can eat more anyway). I do wish they had more healthy options for desserts especially.

 

[ehrn]

PS AndyT, you look GREAT!!! For me, the hardest thing about going to Disney now is that I haven't had any plastic surgery and I wish I could wear shorter shorts and sleeveless tops--but it's a scary sight, lol!!!

 

[tydna]

PS AndyT, you look GREAT!

Thank you!

 

[Chedstro]

Wow Andy T - congratulations!

 

[Disney Brat]

Me before WLS :: Me after WLS

WOW!! That is amazing, good for you!

 

[EverythingDisney]

CONGRATS Andy !! You look great !!
I had gastric bypass in 4/2001 (happy anniversary to me). I lost -125 lbs.
I don't do the dining plan (to much food), and I did find sugar free ice cream- but only in MGM back by where they show Fantasmic.
I also pack a lot of my own snacks (very high in protein, low in fat), and crystal light packets for water.

me before

me after

 

[EverythingDisney]

PS AndyT, you look GREAT!!! For me, the hardest thing about going to Disney now is that I haven't had any plastic surgery and I wish I could wear shorter shorts and sleeveless tops--but it's a scary sight, lol!!!

I hear ya sister !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would love plastic surgery.... less see on my arms (batwings), tummy tuck, lower body lift, breast implants... oh the list could go on and on and on... LOL

 

[JennandJaryd]

Thank you!

I agree, you look great. Looks like you are working out too. That's a great habit to form.

 

[DaBoo]

WoW . Tydna & Andrea you both look great. I am so glad you started this thread. I am 8 months postop (GB) and have lost 125 lbs. but still have around 50 to go. We are doing the DDP and I wish they would let you choose either an appitizer or dessert (still way to much food for me at once). I dump bigtime on anything with sugar in it. Like someone else mentioned I will only be able to eat a small amout of my meal and then be hungry again in two or three hours, wishing I had my meal back to nibble on. Oh well...the pro of the surgery still out"weigh" the cons for me. Congrats on all your success.
Tammie

 

[tydna]

WoW . Tydna & Andrea you both look great. I am so glad you started this thread. I am 8 months postop (GB) and have lost 125 lbs. but still have around 50 to go. We are doing the DDP and I wish they would let you choose either an appitizer or dessert (still way to much food for me at once). I dump bigtime on anything with sugar in it. Like someone else mentioned I will only be able to eat a small amout of my meal and then be hungry again in two or three hours, wishing I had my meal back to nibble on. Oh well...the pro of the surgery still out"weigh" the cons for me. Congrats on all your success.
Tammie

Thank you so much...

Props on your success! Keep up the good work. Going to WDW is ALWAYS a good workout for me. I just wish they had Smoothie King there!

 

[MinnieNurse]

I am glad I found this post. I just had lapband on 4/2 and my first WDW trip as a "Band"ster will be in December. We are going to do the DDP again because it allows us to go to so many fun places. DS (9) prefers the adult menu and desserts so I will just nibble on whatever DS & DH dont get first.