So, I traveled to Italy with my husband and younger college daughter, meeting my older college daughter there after her semester abroad in Madrid. Today is the second day. I decided to start a thread for this because I'm so unbelievably happy with all the changes in my life so far that are making this trip truly one in a lifetime. I also wanted to not hijack the NSV thread because I have so much to be happy about, and this trip will be for two weeks!

Before I departed Chicago, I was 9 weeks postop and 4 weeks after my first band fill. I had dropped 55 pounds from my high weight in February. I was 302 then and 247 now. I was nervous about flying, and my new band being too tight during the flight.

My first happy moment was fitting in the seat without a seatbelt extender and actually having to pull it tighter! I dreamed of that and it happened. Second was the in flight meal. I didn't plan to eat because I was afraid of tightness due to swelling during flight, but I was pretty hungry and decided to try very carefully. It was fine. I ate very slowly and chewed very thoroughly. I also drank tomato juice, Water and tea on the plane and kept my liquids up.

My younger daughter decided she was going to help me by sharing meals with me over the next two weeks so that I didn't overdo it. So our first airport food was shared between connecting flights and it was enough. A little Chinese beef for me and beef and rice for her.

After we landed the next day in Rome and found our luggage, our older daughter met us at Arrivals. She put her arms all the way around me and told me I was "tiny". I haven't seen her in over 5-1/2 months since she took a semester abroad. It was wonderful to see her again.

Off to Rome from the Italian terminal. From there a train to florence. Between the Chicago, Dublin and Rome airports, and then walking about two miles over cobblestones with all of our luggage to our Florence hotel, I walked more than I have in years. I was tired and sore but not the least bit out of breath. I was so happy about not being winded that I decided not to strangle our travel agent who told us it was "a few blocks" away and not worth a taxi.

Then a lovely dinner in our hotel, which I was able to eat about half of. I've never left delicious food on a plate in a foreign country until now. It was incredible.

Today we awoke to realize my phone alarm didn't ring and wake us up like I'd planned, so my family went downstairs to have the continental Breakfast in a hurry while I dressed and had an powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury Protein shake. I'm so glad I brought the to-go packets. Off to the first activity of our trip -- a 3 hour walking tour of Florence.

How can I describe what it feels like to be able to walk for three hours (plus the 30 minutes returning to our hotel because they don't return you to the starting spot) and stand and walk without stopping to sit, when six months before this, walking to the church a block from my house made my back ache and my chest heave so much that I always felt I was a heart attack waiting to happen? Not once did I get winded today. My feet are damned sore but that's from the cobblestones. My back does not ache. My arthritic knee started to complain in the final hour, but not all day.

We stopped at a little restaurant and I had a delightful lunch of roasted cheese and vegetables and a glass of wine with my teen daughters. That was a new experience for all of us! Needless to say, they love Europe!

Then we stopped for gelato at a recommended spot and I did not order the large, or the medium, or the small. I ordered the "tiny", in keeping with my new identity. It was about 1/4 cup of chocolate hazelnut heaven. And it was enough!!

Back to the hotel and into the bath. Deep European tubs -- sinfully decadent! Loving every minute of it.

Resting now before a walk tonight and dinner somewhere. Tomorrow is an eleven hour tour of Tuscany by bus and a winery in there somewhere.

More to come!

The Spanish Steps were nice, but totally under construction, as is the fountain at its base. No matter. We walked through Rome and the girls did some souvenir shopping. We've seen so much in two weeks. I've loved being here and absorbing the sights, smells and tastes of this beautiful country. There's a white flowering climbing plant that grows everywhere here. It has the most beautiful aroma. I don't think it will grow in Chicago because I haven't seen it anywhere. Anyway, it truly was the trip of a lifetime.

I'm pretty sure I put on a few pounds here, but I'm giving myself permission for that, and getting back on my food plan when I return home. Also will be walking more outdoors. My shoes survived! I have my second fill Friday.

Not a bad meal in two weeks, anywhere. I had a tomato and cucumber salad for Breakfast along with my scrambled eggs today.

Thank you all for expressing interest in this self-indulgent thread I started. I felt buoyed by your long distance support and it kept me accountable every day and helped me not to go food crazy.

We even went to the Lindt store yesterday and I ate two chocolate candies over two days. I gave away the third piece.

A few photos will be uploaded when I'm home on my PC.

Thank you again, and if anyone is traveling, I'd love to read your adventures too.

Arrivederci, Roma!

Thank you for sharing. I for one, enjoyed it thoroughly and it's made me even more determined to get to London next year. I thought I'd never make it and now I'm inspired to give it a shot even if I can't do it all.

I realize I can't wait for the perfect moment. At 55 (almost 56), there isn't going to be a perfect time. My hips are good finally and the knees and back will just have to hold up as best they can.

Thanks again JustWatchMe.

@@gowalking, book your trip! I am serious. I could not walk one block without gasping six months ago. On this trip I walked a zillion miles and up and down hills on rocky terrain every single day. On Tylenol! No NSAIDs, no painkillers. I feel like a new woman. Italy showed me there's a lot of life left in this 53 year old body!

I gained four pounds in Italy. This weigh in was also after a full day of two flights, and my feet are swollen, so maybe half a pound for swelling. I'm very happy and have no doubt the four will come off quickly since I have a fill Friday followed by two days of liquids. Home sweet home!

Welcome home! Thanks again for the wonderful posts. I really enjoyed reading them. Four pounds is nothing and you're right....you'll take it off in no time. Good job!!

Woo hoo! It was all flight swelling. I weighed myself this morning and I'm exactly what I was on departure. Yay yay yay !!!!!! Back on a structured eating plan with way less bread, oil and pasta, and way more outdoor walking than pre-vacation. I feel revitalized!!! I also woke up at 5am today because my body thinks it's noon. Lol. Watch out world, here I come!!

Justwatchme I am so glad you got home safely and that you enjoyed your trip...only 4 lbs is great and yes I agree you will have those 4 lbs off in no time...I am so looking forward to my next fill, still not feeling anything!!! UGH!!!