another lap-band question About This Page:

[EmpressLizBunny]

there are times i cant keep down water(usaly when i take to big a gulp or try to drink to soon after eating) how ever i get dehydrated easily so i have to continue drinking all day including in lines at wdw is it possible to get out of the lines quickly when i start feeling like that last swallow wolnt go down?

ive been many times but ive never had to leave a line in a hurry so i dont know how easy it would be

thanks in advance liz

[iamgrumpy]

I think it would depend on the ride and the crowds what the lines might be like, if you felt you had to leave in a hurry most people would hopefully understand and move for you to get by but you would lose your spot in line. If your using an ECV, wheelchair etc it might be more difficult but would probably be doable as long as there was space for people to move.

I would recommend using Fast Pass as often as possible, and if you have a GAC see about an alternate place to wait so that you can leave if need be when you have to.

Good Luck and hopefully you won't have it happen

[Sandra Bostwick]

Oh, Liz, that sounds so uncomfortable!

In addition to using the GAC, you might ask your Dr. if salt tablets might help with the dehydration. Maybe drinking Gatorade instead of water could help, too.

To keep your temperature down, there are special wrist or neck bands that you can soak in water.

I know once I let myself get dehydrated at Disney and it was awful. I didn't even realize it until a CM walked up to me and offered me a glass of water out of the blue. (Actually, I hate to admit it, but that happened twice to me...once in Boardwalk and once in World Showcase. I think the CMs are trained to look for that and offer water without even being asked.)

[eff051102]

If you are having problems swallowing water when you aren't eating then it
sounds like you have too much fill in your band. It does happen and that is
what they check for when you go in a get the fill and have you sip some water
before you leave. I had to have them take some fill out when I couldn't get
food down several years ago.

Since we aren't supposed to drink anything for 30-45 minutes after eating I
would wait and if you still aren't able to, then you either again have too much
fill in your band or maybe you ate too much. What do you do before and
during your meal since we aren't suppose to drink anything then? I think you
might have to space out your drinks more and just stick with something that will
keep you going.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by eff051102

If you are having problems swallowing water when you aren't eating then it
sounds like you have too much fill in your band. It does happen and that is
what they check for when you go in a get the fill and have you sip some water
before you leave. I had to have them take some fill out when I couldn't get
food down several years ago.

Since we aren't supposed to drink anything for 30-45 minutes after eating I
would wait and if you still aren't able to, then you either again have too much
fill in your band or maybe you ate too much.

Thanks for the tip! I learned something from that.

[eff051102]

Originally Posted by Sandra Bostwick

Oh, Liz, that sounds so uncomfortable!

The water and food can get stuck around your chest area and it can feel like an
elephant sitting on you. Also you can hear the gurgle of the liquid. Weird yes and
VERY uncomfortable.

[EmpressLizBunny]

The problem is that I stll sometimes gulp my liquids wich is the mane culpret but I sometimes over eat or drink too soon because I didn't look at my watch when I finish my food
my band isn't to tight I just sometimes mess up

[eff051102]

What helped me when I first started was use a watch timer for drinking after a
meal. Sounds funny but it really did help.

[mechurchlady]

Suck on ice so your mouth gets the moisture but not your innards. There are cooling vests where you can do a little or a lot so your body does not loose moisture. There are lightweight clothing lines to help you keep cool and protect you from the sun.

Timing is important for fast exiting from rides and bring plastic bags just in case. Toy Story Mania in WDW has a giant room with twisting lines and even if you have a GAC or mobility device it can be a long run out of the building. Thus you are going to have to suck ice while in line so you get moisture but not gulp the water.

I would avoid straws as well. I have celiac and for me the straws put a lot of air in my innards. I sometimes cannot keep water or food down because of air escaping which at times can become extremely painful in my throat. I make sure before I go into a ride that my system is settled. You need to train yourself to know in your mouth how much you can drink at one time. Fight the urge to satiate your thirst.

If you have to leave then talk to a CM and explain that you had to leave the line for medical reason, no details. They will usually let you rejoin your party at the loading area. If you leave then have your party either wait at the loading area per CM instructions or exit and explain to a CM that for medical reasons someone had to leave the line.

If you need you can check youtube for videos of rides. GAC would help you be in an area where you could exit easier. Anxiety and worrying about an embarrassing incident puts stress on your innards which then makes the situation more likely to happen. Your needing to take small sips is no more different than a diabetic taking certain precautions or me having to watch how I eat so as to not upset my stomach. You just have to learn. It wont be easy but I know you can do it. You will do fine.

REmember most CMs are very nice people who will help you out when you need to leave the line or anything else.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Great suggestions, Laurie! Thanks so much for sharing your helpful hints.