As we mentioned on our exercise and aftercare pages, we decided to take a trip to Tenerife just three months after our gastric sleeve surgery – and honestly, it was an incredible experience. But like most things after surgery, it came with its fair share of lessons and challenges along the way.
We wanted to share what that first post-op holiday was really like – the highs, the hiccups, and what we’d do differently next time.
The Positives
Feeling Like New People
By the time we flew out, James had lost 5 stone and Kirsten 4 stone – a transformation that completely changed how we moved, felt, and even how we experienced the world around us.
For the first time in years, we felt genuinely light, confident, and comfortable in our own skin. Kirsten, who used to stay poolside or swim with a shirt over her swimsuit, was in the pool every single day. James, too, ditched the poolside shirt and joined in fully – something that wouldn’t have happened before surgery.
That feeling of freedom is hard to describe. For years, holidays had been about avoiding heat rash, managing pain, and covering up. This time, we actually enjoyed the sunshine.
Comfort and Movement
Getting around was a revelation. We walked more than we had on any previous holiday, and it felt effortless compared to before. There were no sore knees, no aching feet, and we could even keep up with the kids at the water park.
Well – apart from the moment James burnt the soles of his feet walking barefoot to the pool bar (lesson learned: always pack sandals). But aside from that, it was a completely different experience from our pre-surgery holidays.
The End of Chafing and Prickly Heat
One of the biggest and most unexpected wins? No more chub rub.
That single change made such a difference to our comfort. In the past, walking around in the heat meant constant thigh chafing and irritation – something that could make holidays miserable. But this time, we could walk around without discomfort, and even the prickly heat we usually struggled with was dramatically reduced.
It’s those small quality-of-life improvements that remind you how far you’ve come.
The Challenges
Of course, not everything was perfect – and it’s important to talk about that side too.
Dehydration
The Tenerife heat was brutal. Three months post-surgery, it was still difficult to drink large volumes of liquid quickly, and that became a real issue.
James, in particular, struggled to keep hydrated and ended up needing a full day indoors to recover. He just couldn’t drink enough to balance out how much he was sweating.
It’s one of those things you don’t think about beforehand – after surgery, you physically can’t gulp water the way you used to. You have to sip constantly, and in the heat, that’s not always enough.
Constipation
Dehydration led straight into another common post-op problem: constipation. With the combination of travel, heat, and a disrupted eating routine, it became quite uncomfortable by the end of the trip.
If we were to do it again, we’d bring hydration sachets, stool softeners, and fibre supplements – not glamorous, but absolute essentials for post-op travel.
Eating Out
This was probably the hardest part.
We only ate out three times in twelve days, and honestly, we found it quite stressful. Despite ordering small meals and explaining that we’d both had gastric sleeve surgery, the reactions weren’t great.
Waiters looked confused, chefs came out to ask if something was wrong with the food, and a few even seemed annoyed that we didn’t eat much. It was embarrassing – especially when sharing one meal and still leaving most of it untouched.
Eventually, we decided it wasn’t worth the awkwardness. We switched to protein shakes and small snacks in the apartment for the rest of the trip, and that worked perfectly well.
The reality is, three months post-op, your stomach is still healing and your appetite is minimal. You’re better off planning ahead – bring what you know you can tolerate, and don’t force yourself to eat out for the sake of appearances.
What We Learned
Overall, the positives far outweighed the negatives. We don’t think three months post-op was too soon for a holiday – but it’s worth knowing what to expect.
If you plan to eat out, travel with people who understand your limitations, or book places that serve smaller plates or sharing dishes. In our case, our travel companions were set on steakhouses, which wasn’t ideal given how limited our portions were at the time.
Looking Ahead
We’re already planning our next trip – back to Tenerife in July 2026, which will mark just over 2 years post-surgery. It’ll be fascinating to see how much easier things feel by then, especially with hydration, food tolerance, and energy levels.
The first holiday after surgery is always going to be a learning curve. But if you go into it prepared – with hydration supplies, snacks you know work for you, and realistic expectations – it can be one of the most rewarding milestones in your post-op journey.
Our Advice for Post-Surgery Travel
- Stay hydrated – sip water constantly and pack electrolyte sachets.
- Bring protein shakes – they’re easy, filling, and travel-friendly.
- Don’t overplan meals – smaller, frequent snacks are better than big dinners.
- Pack for comfort – breathable clothes, anti-chafing balm, and SPF are lifesavers.
- Listen to your body – if you need to rest, rest. It’s not a race.
Disclaimer: This post is based on our personal experience travelling three months after gastric sleeve surgery. Always consult your bariatric team before travelling, especially internationally, to ensure you’re cleared for flying and recovery.