Disney for Weight Loss Surgery Patients

[tydna]

WOW!! That is amazing, good for you!

Thank you very much!

 

[tydna]

Thank you all so much!

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

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!!!

Wow Andy T - congratulations!

WOW!! That is amazing, good for you!

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

 

[ngneer98]

just FYI, for those of you NOT on the dining plan (we never stay onsite, so we can't do the plan anyways).......if you have a card from your surgeon that states you're a surgery patient (every LapBand patient should have one anyways), you can pay the children's price for all the buffets. On my first post-op trip in '05, i even paid the kids' price at CRT for breakfast, but since i was limited to the kids MENU, i didn't do that again! blech! now I only pull the "surgery card" (literally!) at buffets......it usually saves at least $10!

in my experience, the staff have been more than accomodating. i even had a chef at 1900 park faire come to the table and ask me what i COULD have....he made me some grilled chicken and brought me a bowl of cottage cheese. nice! as long as you tell them when making the ADR and then again when you show up, i've never had a problem making special requests or getting the kids' rate.

now, if only i could get DH to share a meal with me, dining out would work perfectly!

diana
lapband, 12/30/04
-100lbs.

 

[marciemouse]

Congrats to those of you who have posted your amazing transformations! I was wondering about this subject just the other day. I'm not overweight enough to need surgery, but I have been trying to mentally prepare myself to not overeat on our trip. All of your tips were good, and I was excited to find out that anyone of any age can order off the kid's menus at all the restaurants. Here's to health!

 

[Carlyzmom]

Great thread!! My DH had Lap Band last October. He has lost 47 pounds. He actually can eat quite a bit more than I figured he could - but he still gets choked up if he eats too fast or takes too big of bites. We will probably be sharing meals quite a bit on our Disney trip.
I appreciate all of the great tips!

 

[LisaInNc]

I had Gastric Bypass a year agoI lost 110 pounds and I have done 2 Disney trips. I am eating small to normal portions of things, not Diney sized my 7 year old still eats more than I do!

sugar doesn't bother me but I don't eat desserts.

I did some fine dining this trip Jiko and CA Grill and it was heavenly. I just focused on the protein. I did eat at 1900 Park Faire and Tusker House and Crystal Palace and all times I just told the server I had Bypass and they charged my the chilrens price. Twice I was asked to show my card. They could not have been nicer about it. I love the buffest because I got a little bit of a lot of different things. I am finding that I try more things than I ever did before the surgery.

I brought protein bars and nuts with me and I used them when I needed to. It was vey easy but I have had a very easy time with my eating since Sept.

I have been working out 6 day a week for 7 months and I noticed a huge change on how I felt in the parks and at the end of the day. Nothing ached, not my shoulders, my feet my back, nothing. I didn't get tired walking. I am always cold (I lost all my insulation) so the heat didn't bother me, I heard people complaining and every time I saw someone with a mister fan I laughed, I was wearing a sweater the whole time. Disney is a whole new experience.

 

[ScrapperKimmyD]

Me before WLS :: Me after WLS

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

Wow, you guys look GREAT!

just FYI, for those of you NOT on the dining plan (we never stay onsite, so we can't do the plan anyways).......if you have a card from your surgeon that states you're a surgery patient (every LapBand patient should have one anyways), you can pay the children's price for all the buffets. On my first post-op trip in '05, i even paid the kids' price at CRT for breakfast, but since i was limited to the kids MENU, i didn't do that again! blech! now I only pull the "surgery card" (literally!) at buffets......it usually saves at least $10!

in my experience, the staff have been more than accomodating. i even had a chef at 1900 park faire come to the table and ask me what i COULD have....he made me some grilled chicken and brought me a bowl of cottage cheese. nice! as long as you tell them when making the ADR and then again when you show up, i've never had a problem making special requests or getting the kids' rate.

now, if only i could get DH to share a meal with me, dining out would work perfectly!

diana
lapband, 12/30/04
-100lbs.

I had the lap band last August and was wondering about the price for buffets. I don't have a card, I don't think - they might have given me one while I was doped up post-op and don't remember - I'll have to look. But, do you think they'd accept the medical id bracelet?


Okay, I just found a Lap-Bank patient ID card with nothing filled out. Is that the thing I need to show? After filling it out, of course.

 

[ScrapperKimmyD]

One more thought.

Every year I go to a retreat center where they serve lots of wonderful food. 3 meals a day. But, we stay up til the WEE hours of the morning when there is no food served.

I started taking little zip lock bags with me to meals and would put some of the food I couldn't eat into it for later and store it in the fridge. My own little doggie bag, if you will.

Around 11pm, when I got hungry again, I'd pull out my half a burger or whatever for a snack.

I know we don't have 'fridge access at the parks, but maybe some things could be saved for later.

 

[tydna]

I've found that the bag checkers have been very lenient with the whole no food/beverage rule. This helps me (a gastric bypass patient) and probably diabetics, too.

Anyone else found this?

 

[disneytab]

I am six years out, and while now I just do the meal plan (we go when it's FREE!! ), the first few times I went to Disney post RNY I too, had my "doctor card" and they happily allowed me to pay kid's prices for buffet. Come to think of it, I'm not sure I ever actually showed them my card. Anyways, the "Fantasmic Dinner Package" at HS Brown Derby. . .The price ( when off the meal plan) is fixed per person, and you get a VIP pass to Fantasmic. They ALWAYS allow my hubby and I to share, saving a ton of money, having a great meal, and VIP pass. Very Nice!! I always mentioned it at the time I make ADR so they put it in the computer and have a head's up before I get there and say someone myself. Also, as something else mentioned, have had great experiences at both Le Cellier/Epcot and 1900 Park Fare with special/share meal benefits.

As for watching what you eat. . .maybe I'm the little devil on your shoulder, but. . .

you are on a vacation that you have worked so hard to enjoy!! If you want prime rib but no you won't eat it all and don't want to pay. . .just do it! WLS gives you a new life, live it!! I know it sounds a little irresponsible to 'waste' money and food, but as big people we have spent our lives worrying about what we eat. Don't go crazy, but allow yourself the things you really want, assuming they don't make you sick. It's just a few days, and you deserve a few days not thinking about the incredible issues you've gone through, and continue to go through. Focus on the good things: You don't weigh down the boat at Splash Mountain, when they say 'smallest person sit on the right. . .sometimes that's YOU , and. . .Tower of Terror now actually can lift you off the seat!!

Don't worry about eating too much/bad stuff. . .worry about enjoying yourself so much you'll run up credit cards booking your next trip!! Seize the Day and enjoy this wonderful journey!

Tabitha
RNY Gastric Bypass 2002
341-160 lbs
post surgery baby!! 2005
abdominoplasty, brachioplasty, mastoplexy, chest wall excision, neck lift 2006
(YIKES!!!)

 

[kim929]

I love reading these tips. I will be having band surgery in a few weeks and planning on going to disney in aug and nov. I didn't know about the show your card and pay child price. I was planning on skipping buffets because I didn't want to pay 28.00 and not beable to eat. I would love to hear any other tips you have. With my being so close after having the surgery, did anyone have to bring their protein drinks etc to the parks if so how did you deal with it? Any help would be appreciated.

Kim

 

[ngneer98]

Wow, you guys look GREAT!





I had the lap band last August and was wondering about the price for buffets. I don't have a card, I don't think - they might have given me one while I was doped up post-op and don't remember - I'll have to look. But, do you think they'd accept the medical id bracelet?


Okay, I just found a Lap-Bank patient ID card with nothing filled out. Is that the thing I need to show? After filling it out, of course.

yes, this is what you show them......i think it comes from the maker of the band itself (mine is made by Inamed), and it shows the x-ray image of it, etc. that's good enough....they don't give you the 3rd degree over it.
diana

 

[ngneer98]

I love reading these tips. I will be having band surgery in a few weeks and planning on going to disney in aug and nov. I didn't know about the show your card and pay child price. I was planning on skipping buffets because I didn't want to pay 28.00 and not beable to eat. I would love to hear any other tips you have. With my being so close after having the surgery, did anyone have to bring their protein drinks etc to the parks if so how did you deal with it? Any help would be appreciated.

Kim

i went when i was 6 months post-op, so a little later than when you're going. i took my protein powders with me, already divided up into little baggies, so i just dumped a bag's contents into a glass of water at the hotel every morning and evening (if i needed it). make sure to stay hydrated in the parks....very important: lots and lots of water! for meals, we ALWAYS ate at sit-down restaurants, because DH despises fast food or feeling rushed, and i can't tolerate the buns! so at meals, i would usually order chicken, eat maybe half of it (if even), and the rest either got wasted or DH or one of the kids ate it. if the kids' menu was any good, i'd order off that, but kids' menus are pretty standard everywhere: nuggets, hotdogs, etc......and i still can't eat french fries, so all of that was out. buffets at the kids' price are actually a good deal i think since you can always find several protein choices and there's usually fruit and salads and soups......i've had a bowl of chili at just about every restaurant in the World!

i know it's hard to get past the "waste" of all the food that i guarantee will happen, BUT i look at it this way: would i want to be able to finish that plate and have that 100lbs. back on my body that i lost? uhm, no way!!! if DH isn't a big eater, you can always share......i think some places charge an extra plate fee, but it beats paying for an entire meal! character meals will charge regardless though....

good luck on your trip and your upcoming surgery!
diana
lapband 12/30/04, -100lbs.

 

[pjstevens]

just FYI, for those of you NOT on the dining plan (we never stay onsite, so we can't do the plan anyways).......if you have a card from your surgeon that states you're a surgery patient (every LapBand patient should have one anyways), you can pay the children's price for all the buffets. On my first post-op trip in '05, i even paid the kids' price at CRT for breakfast, but since i was limited to the kids MENU, i didn't do that again! blech! now I only pull the "surgery card" (literally!) at buffets......it usually saves at least $10!

now, if only i could get DH to share a meal with me, dining out would work perfectly!

diana
lapband, 12/30/04
-100lbs.

I've always been 'afraid' to try to use my card. We've been a couple time since my surgery two years ago and I have had the unfortunate experience of getting sick in the park (read my trip report). I do make it to the bathroom, thankfully. I haven't lost a lot of weight, but am still working on it. I am now exercising and loving it (if I'd done this two years ago, maybe more weight would of come off then). We were there in December and are doing a Disney cruise with vow renewal for our 25th anniversary in September (and then four days in the parks). I am about 10 pounds down from December, but would love to lose 20-30 more before September, but not seeing many scale victories!

and diana, I can't get my hubby to share a counter with me, he looks at me like I'm crazy, share HIS food, so I end up getting my own and giving him my left overs.!

 

[BurghFan111]

PJ we seem to be following you around DISboards. My DGF PoohBear111 who you have chatted with a few times had GB on 3/19. Her sister had it on 3/20. I am sure she will be sending you a PM as soon as she hits her 10 posts.We are just starting to look on here for some advice for our upcoming December trip. Everyone has had some great tips. We are going as a group of 6 (2 post GB's) and we were going to go with the DDP becuase we like the set costs and Disney has a all or none policy since we will all be in one 2BR. Has anyone been able to do anything or get a rate reduction on DDP and still be allowed to eat adult food?

 

[pjstevens]

PJ we seem to be following you around DISboards. My DGF PoohBear111 who you have chatted with a few times had GB on 3/19. Her sister had it on 3/20. I am sure she will be sending you a PM as soon as she hits her 10 posts.We are just starting to look on here for some advice for our upcoming December trip. Everyone has had some great tips. We are going as a group of 6 (2 post GB's) and we were going to go with the DDP becuase we like the set costs and Disney has a all or none policy since we will all be in one 2BR. Has anyone been able to do anything or get a rate reduction on DDP and still be allowed to eat adult food?

Hey fellow Delawarean!!! Nice to 'see' you again. We will be doing the dining plan on our four day trip after our cruise in September. I am looking to do a 2TS for a special dinner and then one other sit down. I was thinking of trying to get a breakfast at Crystal Palace but hate to pay that much. All I 'eat' for breakfast is a protein shake (EVERY DAY). I can hardly do eggs in the am, so it would be a waste but I LOVE Pooh so we'll see. Would I tell them when I make the reservation that I've had WLS, or just when we show up? It's not something I generally share. I've been out and had the waitress ask if everything is ok cause i have so much left. sometimes i am fine (and sometimes I get stuck) and I do not have fun. Needless to say, we do not go out often.

 

[poohbear111]

Hey fellow Delawarean!!! Nice to 'see' you again. We will be doing the dining plan on our four day trip after our cruise in September. I am looking to do a 2TS for a special dinner and then one other sit down. I was thinking of trying to get a breakfast at Crystal Palace but hate to pay that much. All I 'eat' for breakfast is a protein shake (EVERY DAY). I can hardly do eggs in the am, so it would be a waste but I LOVE Pooh so we'll see. Would I tell them when I make the reservation that I've had WLS, or just when we show up? It's not something I generally share. I've been out and had the waitress ask if everything is ok cause i have so much left. sometimes i am fine (and sometimes I get stuck) and I do not have fun. Needless to say, we do not go out often.

Thanks pjstevens.

 

[praline3001]

I just found this thread this morning... HI EVERYONE!!!

I am a RNY gal ..almost 2 years out. I have a utube video diary if anyone cares to look... its always fun seeing how other WLS ppl have done
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPane09nbaM

I went in Feb and we did do the Deluxe meal plan (more for the rest of the family than myself...)
Anyway I found it EXTREMELY helpful. I don't DO counter service meals they are full of carbs and fats and if I can only put a small amount in my mouth... I will be DANGED if that small amount is going to be fast food that is just me though!

I am one of the worst sugar dumpers you could ever meet... anything more than 5 grams and I am "getting that feeling" so I have to be SUPER careful!
Most of the TS places have healthy choices and I had no problems with eating.
Something to be VERY careful of.... when ordering drinks make sure someone tests it first or take a very small sip to make sure they didn't mess your drink order up. This is the case whenever your dining out but as your doing it more at WDW I wanted to bring that up... severs are not perfect!
Also... sauces... ask for any and all sauces to be placed on the side.

I don't order the child menu as I don't like broadcasting it to everyone that I have had the surgery. since the dessert comes with the meal plan... well I have 2 sons so my dessert disapears QUICK

Another thing is RNY patients MUST take their vitamins with them!!! Please don't forget packing them. Your body goes under a lot of stress.. with the heat and the humidity and all the walking you do. You don't want to be run down while on your trip!!!!

Luckily WDW has been leaning towards healthier snack and meal options. There are plenty of places that offer fresh vegies for snacks so look for them. The bad thing about protein bars (packing them for the parks for the day) is they get all melty and gooey. I like the single serving pack of nuts Idea!!!! It is a wonderful plan to have something in your backpack just in case you need a quick pick me up!

 

[poohbear111]

I just found this thread this morning... HI EVERYONE!!!

I am a RNY gal ..almost 2 years out. I have a utube video diary if anyone cares to look... its always fun seeing how other WLS ppl have done
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPane09nbaM

I went in Feb and we did do the Deluxe meal plan (more for the rest of the family than myself...)
Anyway I found it EXTREMELY helpful. I don't DO counter service meals they are full of carbs and fats and if I can only put a small amount in my mouth... I will be DANGED if that small amount is going to be fast food that is just me though!

I am one of the worst sugar dumpers you could ever meet... anything more than 5 grams and I am "getting that feeling" so I have to be SUPER careful!
Most of the TS places have healthy choices and I had no problems with eating.
Something to be VERY careful of.... when ordering drinks make sure someone tests it first or take a very small sip to make sure they didn't mess your drink order up. This is the case whenever your dining out but as your doing it more at WDW I wanted to bring that up... severs are not perfect!
Also... sauces... ask for any and all sauces to be placed on the side.

I don't order the child menu as I don't like broadcasting it to everyone that I have had the surgery. since the dessert comes with the meal plan... well I have 2 sons so my dessert disapears QUICK

Another thing is RNY patients MUST take their vitamins with them!!! Please don't forget packing them. Your body goes under a lot of stress.. with the heat and the humidity and all the walking you do. You don't want to be run down while on your trip!!!!

Luckily WDW has been leaning towards healthier snack and meal options. There are plenty of places that offer fresh vegies for snacks so look for them. The bad thing about protein bars (packing them for the parks for the day) is they get all melty and gooey. I like the single serving pack of nuts Idea!!!! It is a wonderful plan to have something in your backpack just in case you need a quick pick me up!

Praline 3001 thanks for all the helpful tips. I am so new to all of this any bite of advise sure helps. I really appreciate it. Thanks

 

[praline3001]

Praline 3001 thanks for all the helpful tips. I am so new to all of this any bite of advise sure helps. I really appreciate it. Thanks

Here is something else to consider

##NOTE I AM NOT A DOC SO TAKE MY ADVICE WITH A GRAIN OF SALT>>>(HUMOR AS YOU WILL SEE LATER IN THIS POST###

Watch your sodium intake while at Disney. I personally always have low sodium when I get my blood work done. If your out in the heat and really exerting yourself more than usual your body is going to use up more sodium and minerals... as they dont make sugar free gatoraid (at least not that I know of...) you want to slightly increase your sodium intake ... I am not talking about downing a cup of salt here but you don't want your sodium levels to bottom out either.

Another thing... if your still very dependant on protein drinks to get your protein needs in... pack a little funnel, your protein powder. While at the resort, use the funnel and fill an empty water bottle with the powder... as you are in the parks and its protein time... just use the little funnel (I have this really cute mini one that is super tiny...) and add water to the empty water bottle with powder in it.
The protein powder will break down and be useless within an hour if you fill it up in the resort that morning... also who wants to carry around a bottle full of liquid when a bottle with just powder is much lighter?