Packing for Belgium

Madeline's mom · 03-05-2005, 10:19 AM

I leave to go to Belgium for my LAP-BAND^® surgery in 6 days. Do you guys have any last minute suggestions for the trip or any neccessary items that I would need to take with me?

**Iluvharleys** · 03-05-2005, 10:29 AM

If you are going by yourself, take as little as possible. If you have someone you might want to take a pillow or folded sheet to help ease the tummy. Take some loose fitting clothes for afterwards. Listerine strips helped me thirst wise and freshen my mough. Good luck and keep us posted.

blossom · 03-05-2005, 01:37 PM

Wow!!! You're going to Belgium for your surgery? How long are you staying? How long is the flight?

Things to pack:
Chapstick
liquid tylenol
slip on shoes
loose clothing
gas-x
reading material
snacks for whoever may be going with you
you'll probably want to bring some bottled water on the flight home

Penni60 · 03-05-2005, 02:05 PM

Madeline's Mom: I can't think of anything else to tell you to bring except maybe a book to read. I just want to send you lots of support and encouragement for your journey. Got Passport?

I'llsucceed · 03-05-2005, 02:30 PM

Now that is the way to get your band in stlye!! what a trip - I hope you can go a day or two early just to enjoy a site or two. I can't wait to hear how well your doing & wish you luck.

Madeline's mom · 03-05-2005, 02:56 PM

Yes my husband and I are kind of incorporating this into a vacation. We will fly into Amsterdam for 2 days prior to the trip take the train to Brussels spend one day there and I will have surgery the next day (March 15th).

Question: What does the folded up sheet or pillow help with and if it's for the 9 hour flight home will one of those little airplane pillows work?

princess_n_thep · 03-05-2005, 04:11 PM

This was geared toward going to Mexico but still has some great travelling tips in it. Good luck and have a safe trip!!
http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthrea...el+suggestions

New Hope · 03-05-2005, 04:27 PM

The folded sheet is easily to pack and carry. It's good to hold against your sore tummy. I can't wait to hear about your trip and banding experience! May God guide the surgeon's hands and your recovery be noneventful. (((Hugs)))

ladiebird · 03-05-2005, 04:52 PM

hi there and good luck
take towels with you as they dont provide them in the hospitals...
happy banding
love tracey

Bright · 03-05-2005, 07:10 PM

Apparently the Belgians aren't too fond of the Dutch - maybe a little teasing to the belgian nurses about Amsterdam will get you extra pain relief???!!!!!!!!!!!
LOL

Zoe · 03-05-2005, 09:07 PM

Before you arrive, e-mail your surgeon's office to find out if you can have some of that delicious dark Belgian chocolate the day before your surgery! ;) Just wondering: will the nurses speak English? French? Flemish? All of the above? Great idea, combining your banding with a vacation.

Scotty · 03-06-2005, 12:16 PM

You might want to ask for or take a spare pair of TEDS, the compression socks you need to wear after the op. Flying long-haul increases your risk of blood clot significantly as does having surgery. During the flight, keep flexing your feet to encourage the blood to move out of calf muscles and do try and walk round the cabin when it's safe.

Also, you may get shoulder pain - so maybe a hot water bottle (the stewardess would fill it with hot water for you) - or those pads climbers use to heat up their feet and hands. You get them in outdoors shops.

And remember, you MUST drink water, especially on the flight. This will help keep you hydrated and reduce the risk of clots.

Other than that - good luck, enjoy Amsterdam! Remember coffee shops are different there!!!!!!

dylansmom · 03-06-2005, 09:34 PM

Hey girl! Very good advice here by everyone who responded. The only other thing that I can think of that helped me a lot was my heatable bari bear. He's a bear shaped piece of fleecy material with heatable stones in him. If you can't find anything in the stores with heatable stones, then you will probably be able to find the little heatable herbal pillows somewhere. (Basically the same thing) You can ask the stewardess to heat it in the microwave for you, and then bring it right back to put on your tummy. It sure helped relieve my port pain that I had that 2nd day.

Good luck to you sweetie. I hope that you and your husband have an extremely safe trip, and I will pray that the surgeon's hands are guided by angels.

Lots of Love, ~Kelly

Penni60 · 03-06-2005, 09:56 PM

Awww I want one!! I am a sucker for anything that looks like a teddy bear. Good luck Madeline's Mom. Come and give us an update when you feel up to it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dylansmom

Hey girl! Very good advice here by everyone who responded. The only other thing that I can think of that helped me a lot was my heatable bari bear. He's a bear shaped piece of fleecy material with heatable stones in him.

Madeline's mom · 03-09-2005, 11:07 AM

I want to thank all of you for all your good packing advice. I really appreciated it. I will update and post as soon as possibe with me luck and keep me in you prayers or thoughts.