Travelling post-surgery is one of those things that feels more daunting in advance than it usually turns out to be in practice. But it does require more thought than it used to — particularly around food, hydration, and having the right things available when you need them.
Airports and Long Journeys
Airport food is famously limited and expensive. For sleeve patients, it’s doubly frustrating — most options are either carb-heavy, oversized, or both. Our approach is to eat properly before arriving and to pack snacks for the journey: Peperamis, Babybels, a small container of cooked chicken. These travel well, don’t require refrigeration for a few hours, and mean you’re not dependent on whatever the terminal café has to offer.
Staying hydrated on long journeys is genuinely important and genuinely difficult when you can’t chug a large bottle of water. Small, frequent sips throughout the journey — starting well before you board — make a bigger difference than trying to catch up once you’re already dehydrated.
Navigating Supplements on the Go
Supplements don’t stop being necessary because you’re travelling. We use a pill organiser for trips so everything is pre-sorted rather than trying to remember which bottles to pack. If you’re travelling for more than a week, checking whether your supplements are available at your destination (as a backup) is worth doing.
At the Destination
Once you’re there, the food situation tends to resolve itself. Most destinations have options that work well post-sleeve — local markets, supermarkets, restaurants with lighter dishes. The main adjustment is being a bit more intentional about what you choose rather than just eating whatever’s convenient.
We’d also always recommend carrying a small snack in your bag when sightseeing or spending long days out. Getting caught genuinely hungry with no suitable options nearby is uncomfortable and leads to poor decisions.
Disclaimer: This post is based on our personal experience and is intended for general information only. It should not be taken as medical advice. Every journey is different, and it’s important to speak with a qualified healthcare professional about your own circumstances before making any medical decisions.