Hi folks,

just to let u all know, I'm heading to France for my op tomorrow morning - Tuesday 28th is BAND DAY. I am really nervous - and burst into tears today that a fourth pair of flip-flops wouldn't fit in my bag! (ok, we call thongs, flip-flops, cos of the sound they make when u walk, in case no body know's what I mean!).

I have packed pretty much everything I own (!!) but if anyone has any tips for things to bring to hospital I'd be grateful....

I have to "check in" at 3ish on sunday, have tests on monday, and the op on tuesday - I am REALLY hoping they'll let me out on thursday as my flight is booked for 18.30 that evening! Apparently in france they like to keep u in if they are even slightly concerned about anything....

So, guys, cross your fingers for me (or pray, or kill a chicken or dance naked in the rain - whatever works!) that it'll all go ok!

I'll crawl valiantly to the pc on thursday night to let y'all know how i do!

This is like a really weird iniation rite to get into the Band Buddy Group, isn't it??? Or am I just weird? hmmmm

anyway - I'm slightly hysterical with stress at the mo, so I'll log back in later to read all your helpful calming and packing tips!

:cool: :D

thanks xxx

ok - I do know how to spell - should be "initiation".....

Ps - Special Hi to Donali - even tho I haven't been posting recently, your excellent posts have kept me going and reminding me why I'm doing this - I had been going through all my back issues of the Weight Watchers magazine and Slimming magazine, and your post made me realise that we are not ordinary slimmers, we are people claiming our lives back and climbing out of an addiction - your "plan" is brilliant and at the moment I'm learning it off by heart!

thanks xx

Bright,

Your too cute! This is not a vacation though sweetie so you can relax on the packing...LOL...I'll be the same way!

Well don't have any chickens running around to pick up by the neck and spin, I highly doubt my neighbors would want to see me naked in the rain, but I'll say a little prayer for you that everything goes well!

Breathe, girl, breathe!! I can SO relate to how you're feeling, but for me it was packing to go deliver my first child. I'd had no warning but a phone call from the doctor told me to get to the hospital immediately, and I was hysterical!!

One pair of flip-flops is plenty, hon. :cool: (And that's what we call them in NJ, too.) Even if you're going to be there for several days, the only thing that for me would be an absolute necessity is a book (or three). Everything else you could want they will have, or it can be gotten. But here's a short list:

Comfy nightgown, ideally one that has buttons up the front. (But they'll probably make you wear their gowns anyway.)

Warm socks.

Lip balm.

Your toothbrush.

Did I mention a book?

Small radio or walkman.

Thats about it, really. (Can you tell I like to travel light?)

For after surgery make sure you have pants with a loose or elastic waistband, because you will have at least one scar down near your waist, maybe two. I'm SURE they'll let you out before Thursday, heavens! Do you have a place to stay if you are released on Wednesday?

Anyway, Bright, baby! Don't worry!! You're going to be absolutely fine and be talking to us as a banded Irish lass before you know it!!

HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!! :D

Whooo hoooo!!! Bright!!! You are going to do SO great!!!

One thing that really helped me was my sister's brace that she used after her RNY surgery. It's basically a foot or two wide piece of heavy duty elastic that you wrap around your middle. It fastens with velcro, and really helped give me the support I needed so I didn't have to walk around with both hands holding up my stomach to ease the pain. lol I was a pain wimp, though, so maybe most people don't need something like that, but I found it to be a God send.

Alexandra is probably right when she says one pair of flip flops is plenty... lol I wish I'd had a pair of slip on shoes for my trip. Luckily Mom was there, and helped me put on socks and shoes and tied my laces.

Don't forget that even if you feel like crap afterwards, every day DOES get better, and by week 3 you should be feeling like your old self again. Of course, maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones who feels like doing a couple of walking tours the day after - Versailles, anyone? :cool:

You are so in my thoughts and prayers, and I eagerly look forward to that first message from you from the bandster side of your life!

Hugs and kisses, girl!

ok am a good bit calmer now - am sitting here practically sobbing at how nice your messages are! Its such a pain - all the packing - my hubby and kids are coming too so there's all that to do as well!

thanks for your list Alexandria, didn't think of warm sox, with all this weight, I haven't been cold since 1987 but the sox are a great idea! And the lip balm! Brilliant! But as for a light traveller - I guess i could put back the nail manicure stuff and the fake tan kit..... and who really needs a hair dryer AND hair straighteners?!!

(y'all think I'm kidding don'tcha!!!)

ok guys - take care....see u on the other side - ps Donali, don't count on any photo's from Versaille!

Have burnt my hand making pancakes for the kids......typical!

ok.........here I goooooooooooooooooo.................

Hi Bright,

I am thrilled that your big day is finally here. I feel like a mother hen since I met you in your "fledgling" discovery stage and now you are metamorpha "sizing". Like that word? You'll do great and it is so nice that your family and children will be with you. I will be thinking about you this week and I will put a note in my calendar that we should be receiving an email by Friday from you!! Good luck and have a great trip!!!!

Babs in TX

334/274/180

6/23/03

Dear Bright-

Please don't worry. God has brought you to this point and he will be with you on Tuesday. I'm also having my lapband done on Oct.28th, my band buddy.

I'll talk to you when we get to the other side.

((( Hugs)))