WLS and Camping

I had gastric bypass surgery 15 years ago. I never regretted it. You do need to do EXACTLY what the doctor and dietitian tells you to do. If not you will have major problems. I knew one person who tried to eat a hot dog within 6 weeks after surgery. She was very ill. I ate fairly soft, easy to digest foods for 6 weeks and then they added chicken and fish. I ate lots of tuna, cottage cheese, cheese, crackers and soft vegetables. Salads took a lot longer for me to be able to eat. They told us don't eat coconut. I also found that fresh pineapple didn't work for me. Canned crushed pineapple was fine. For the rest of the family, I learned to cook for them without eating it. It is difficult at first but make the meals easy so you don't spend so much time in the kitchen. For them I would do sandwiches, microwavable things, salads, fruit. Before we became full timers I would cook food at home and take with us so we just had to heat it up in the microwave. Things like spaghetti you can cook the noodles ahead at home, refrigerate and then add the sauce at the campsite. Get the family involved and let them help with the cooking. Explain how important it is to you that you stay on the plan the doctor gives you. You can "undo" the surgery if you do not follow the plan, or you can become very ill. It will be a good time for all the family to learn more about nutrition and eating more healthy. Instead of hot dogs, have grilled chicken. Chicken fajitas are easy when you're camping. Buy the chicken fajita meat in the freezer, refrigerate, get shells and fixins and easy dinner. Depending on where you are in your post op, you may be able to eat a small portion of chicken. If the weather is cool, soups or chili is great for camping - use ground turkey instead of ground beef. My kids loved pineapple and cream cheese sandwiches. Low fat cream cheese with no sugar added drained crushed pineapple. With planning and creative thinking you will come up with great ideas for the family that will benefit them as well as keep you on track. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless.