It is right around the corner

October 10 will soon be here. The Florida Bash is rapidly approaching! The excitement level is DEFINITELY rising! This promises to be the BEST BASH ever held! This event is perfect for everyone; if you already are banded and want to learn tips and strategies to help you in your journey; or thinking about being banded this is a great place to get all your research and meet those that actually have done the procedure. (If this event was around when I was researching the band, imagine all the time I could've saved!!!) The Friday night Tiki Party will begin at 7 pm. This is a chance to break the ice and mingle with other bash participants. The party will be outdoors on the Tiki Deck with plenty of room to dance to the live reggae band. As added bonus, there will be a Characture artist there who will draw you and your new friends for only $10! What a great wonderfully fun, one-of-a-kind souvenir! Grass skirts and loud Hawaiian shirts are optional J. Saturday begins bright and early with a buffet breakfast at 8 am. The day is jammed packed with great seminars to help you understand your weight loss journey and find (or keep) your hard earned victory. To learn more about our speakers, please visit our website www.floridabandsterbash.com. There will be a break between each one to allow you to visit the expo hall, which will be filled with fantastic vendors, including therapists to give massages! Find great deals on jewelry, clothing, supplements, or get a personalize workout plan and learn effective workout tips from a personal trainer that works with weight loss patients. Our Official Bash T-Shirts will be available with our adorable Florida Bandster logo (ever see a pink flamingo with a lap band?) for only $10! Don't forget to bring your 'undergrown' clothing for the Transformation Station, which will be open for your "shop and swap" pleasure! If you don't have clothing to bring...not to worry! You can also buy great clothing items at a very low cost if you like. (Remember all proceeds and left over clothes go to a local charity). If you are coming from out of state and don't want to carry your clothes for the swap in your luggage, you can mail them ahead. Just contact us at [email protected] if you want to utilize that option. The Saturday Night Gala will begin at 6:30 pm with a reception, doors open for dinner at 7pm. It will be an evening that is both affirming and inspiring. You'll hear our special guest speakers, Jessie Ahroni (a long time successful WLS patient who has become a mentor to many of us), Dr. Lee Grossbard (who as a bandster himself, found success and he will share his personal story and strength) and Dr. Arial Ortiz (on of the original lapband doctors, coming all the way from Mexico and has performed over 1,000 bands!). You will also enjoy a "Before and Now" fashion show, an inspirational roll call and Century Club awards (hear tips from those that have lost over 100 pounds!!!) This semi-formal affair is a great opportunity to dress up, look great, feel great, enjoy a fabulous meal and then our and professional singing artist and DJ will help you get your groove on dance the night away! A photographer will also be there, where you can get a professional photo of this occasion for only $10.00 per sheet. Again, what a glowing reminder of how good you will look and feel on this special night! On Sunday, we will have an early morning beach walk for all you early risers or perhaps you will want to join us for water aerobics at the pool. Our Goodbye Brunch will begin at 10 am and will feature a motivational send off by the FABULOUS Dr. Gary that will energize you on your road to success. A reminder again that Monday (the day after the bash) is a holiday for many people. For that reason, some of us are planning to take a sunset cruise on the bay on Sunday night. A dinner cruise was the original proposed activity. That will cost somewhere around $50 per person, $40 each if there are at least 10 participants. However, Mercy (our right hand lady for whom we would never have been able to pull this off without!!!) has acquired FREE tickets for a trip on the Majestic Casino Cruise that will take place after the bash on Sunday night. It's a little different atmosphere than the dinner cruise, but its GREAT fun, very exciting, and gives you an opportunity to try your luck at games of chance AND includes a complimentary dinner buffet. Those of you who are interested in cruising need to let us know if you would rather do the dinner cruise or the free casino cruise. Either is an option, so just let us know. We will be taking registrations at the door, however seating capacity is limited to the first 100 participants; the event will be SOLD OUT once we reach 100. If you or your friends that have not yet registered but want to attend (you can register and then pay when you arrive for your convenience) NOW is the time to reserve your spot at the website - www.floridabansterbash.com . So remember to pack your bathing suit, bring your suntan lotion, your outfit for Saturday night, your grass skirts, and dancing shoes! This will be good time to be had by all! See you there! Michelle and Donna Bash Co-Chairs