minpinmom

~Willowglen~ lol, you didn't taste the food! Like I said - I loved it and would have gone even if the food wouldn't have been included, but here was what we were served for dinner on: Friday Night: Cheese, crackers, pineapple and strawberries No water, no drinks unless you bought something at the bar. This was NOT advertized as appetizers, it was advertised as DINNER. Saturday Lunch: Cheese, lunchmeat, bread, chips, dessert and Iced Tea. I thought this meal was great - however by the time I got to the table (standing in line) everything was gone but roastbeef and ham (lunchmeat) So I ate lunchmeat. I asked the crew if they could bring out some cheese, or chips I was told no, only 40 were paid for and they wouldn't provide anymore. So I rolled up lunchmeat. Saturday Night: The exact same thing as Friday night with meatballs and chicken strips included. My problem with it was - on Friday - there was no protein - I can sit and eat cheese and crackers for an hour and never feel full. On Saturday for lunch I thought it was great, but there should have been enough for everyone to go though the line. On Saturday night - Chicken Fingers? Are you freakin kidding me? I don't know anyone who can eat that after being banded. We too ended up going out to dinner after each meal. The meals were not band friendly and were not MEALS, they were appetizers. Once again - I loved the conference and would go again in a heartbeat, BUT I would like to be able to budget ahead of time for meals.

I loved it - I agree about the food - it would have been fine had it been advertised as appetizers. I would have still paid the same even if food had not been offered. As far as suggestions for the next one - I got a MILLION questions about my Body Bugg - I don't know if they have people who could come to something like this and explain how to use it and sale it whatever - but I bet 25 people spoke with me privately about what it is, how it works and how to get one. Maybe bandster products for sale, like - PB2, diff kinds of protein (unjury) things that you normally have to order online - it would have been great to have them there to sample and buy. (once again, don't know if this is an option, but I would have spent money on it) Also lapband/WLS books - I have a few cookbooks and am always on the look out for the next one. Can I also mention that after Mary Jo's turn we SO should have one of the ladies who does "enhancement parties" Come and have products available :-) It would have saved a trip to Zone D' Erotica!

Had a FREAKIN Blast! I totally love you guys in person even more! Who would have thought that Mary Jo's time would have led us to end up in Zone'D Erotica after Clubbing Saturday night! What fun. There is a similar one (not just Lapband) being held in Houston in November - I am so going to it as well. How inspiring! ~Loosingjusme~ I hate that you felt "penalized" and made the decision not to attend. Sucks the next one will be in New York - it would have been way cheaper to pay the upcharge for this one! Hell, I would have paid it for you to get to meet you in person! You would have been a wonderful testimonial. I was sure hoping you would be there.

Awesome! We are driving out about noon today. I will be looking for you!

It will be humid hot for you - for us Native Texans - it will be crisp! Although - most everything is inside so you wouldn't have to wear shorts - but expect a lot of flip-flops, sandals, tank tops, shorts, etc.

Alex Rocks :-)

HA! I guess it can't be that then.

It is almost here! Who all is going - I can't wait to meet everyone!

I LOVE IGs. One of my friends shows them - they are so sweet and intelligent! My dogs love me no matter what - I wish people were that way!

Well now you know me! Here is a current picture! Please come say hi and introduce yourself. I can't wait to meet you! (The picture is of my 4 year old boyfriend giving me a birthday kiss - shh, don't tell my hubby)

I hope our nametags have our LBT Handles on them! That will be how I know most everyone!!! Hey, I know we can wear what we like, but what are you guys going to wear. I was planning on casual during the seminars and maybe a flirty dress for the fall fling. I SO don't want to feel out of place. Any ideas on what you guys are bringing with you to wear?

I am so STINKIN excited I can't stand it! I mean, a road trip with a girlfriend, a three day stint in a beautiful hotel - all sorts of band-friends that I finally get to meet, tons of useful information - WOOHOO!!! I can't wait!!!!

Any news on how the clothing exchange will work - I will try to bring some on hangers - but I would love to know what to expect - might determine how many clothes I bring. Will it be like a garage sale - you can buy the items cheap, will it be - you bring and donate all yours and then take what items you want. Is there a limit?

I was going in this Thursday for an unfill, but I am starting to be able to eat some - had mashed potatoes yesterday. So I am thinking I will cxl my appt until after the Lapband Convention.

Sounds like a gallbladder attack. My sister and good friend both had them (after starting to lose weight) Suggest to your Dr. They can do an ultrasound and see it. If it is, you can have it removed or they can suggest certain foods to avoid that may help. good luck!

Yes, it is Dr. Felix Spiegel - whom I LOVE dearly - he is going to have to deal with me next time I see him. On the bright side, I was able to eat some mashed potatoes last night - I wonder if all the pain I was in during the HORRIBLE fill caused swelling? I never swell - ever, normally, the fill doesn't kick in for a couple days.

Me too, me too, I would love to know!

My Dr. has in his literature that he sends home - that you take your first bite, get up, walk away for at least 2 minutes, before you can return to your meal. I wonder if it is to help deter this? I THINK I have experienced it - but I had gotten used to no restriction, so I thought it was eating too fast. I bet this may have something to do with it.

I guess everyone has one - but here is mine. I went in last Wednesday for a small fill. I am great for Breakfast and Lunch, but can eat anything, in any amount for supper. So I wanted a small fill. I have a 4CC Band and I am already at 3CC. So, I go in and they tell me (and everyone else there) that the buildings AC was damaged during the Hurricane and only the front 1/2 of the building is cooled. So we ALL pile in the check-in area. Finally, it gets so crowded I ask if I can go to the back, I don't mind if it is warm. They let me and about 1/2 of everyone else. So it is hot and we wait and we wait. Another patient comes in from the front and says - I heard them say Dr. Spiegel is stuck in surgery and they are sending over another Dr. No big deal I figure - he is a LapBand Dr. So, he gets there, I go back, they say yes I can have a SMALL fill. .2 CC. He pokes and jabs and digs and even says he can't find it because I have GAINED weight! WTF I have LOST weight since the last time I was in. Ass. Anyway, he finally finds it after 10-15 minutes of poking and scraping the port (yes, I could totally HEAR him do it). So, I drink my bottle of water - no problem and go home. Next day - water seems to be going down slowly. I am on liquids for 3 days following the fill - but I can tell they are not going down as they should. So, day 4 I am supposed to start soft foods. NOPE, nothing will go down. By now it is the weekend - so I survive on SlimFast and juice - I know I am not going to die, I mean how many people were on liquids for weeks! So I am not in any danger, but getting a little bitchy. So, I call this morning (Monday) and tell the staff that I refuse to be seen by anyone other than Spiegel because of the pain that I endured. So, her response - you can come in on Thursday! AND, I will have to pay a regular visit fee, + the Barium Swallow Fee because it isn't an emergency! Apparently since I don't want to go back to Dr. PAIN I am going to have to pay. My Dr. is SO going to hear about this.

I guess everyone has one - but here is mine. I went in last Wednesday for a small fill. I am great for Breakfast and Lunch, but can eat anything, in any amount for supper. So I wanted a small fill. I have a 4CC Band and I am already at 3CC. So, I go in and they tell me (and everyone else there) that the buildings AC was damaged during the Hurricane and only the front 1/2 of the building is cooled. So we ALL pile in the check-in area. Finally, it gets so crowded I ask if I can go to the back, I don't mind if it is warm. They let me and about 1/2 of everyone else. So it is hot and we wait and we wait. Another patient comes in from the front and says - I heard them say Dr. Spiegel is stuck in surgery and they are sending over another Dr. No big deal I figure - he is a LapBand Dr. So, he gets there, I go back, they say yes I can have a SMALL fill. .2 CC. He pokes and jabs and digs and even says he can't find it because I have GAINED weight! WTF I have LOST weight since the last time I was in. Ass. Anyway, he finally finds it after 10-15 minutes of poking and scraping the port (yes, I could totally HEAR him do it). So, I drink my bottle of water - no problem and go home. Next day - water seems to be going down slowly. I am on liquids for 3 days following the fill - but I can tell they are not going down as they should. So, day 4 I am supposed to start soft foods. NOPE, nothing will go down. By now it is the weekend - so I survive on SlimFast and juice - I know I am not going to die, I mean how many people were on liquids for weeks! So I am not in any danger, but getting a little bitchy. So, I call this morning (Monday) and tell the staff that I refuse to be seen by anyone other than Spiegel because of the pain that I endured. So, her response - you can come in on Thursday! AND, I will have to pay a regular visit fee, + the Barium Swallow Fee because it isn't an emergency! Apparently since I don't want to go back to Dr. PAIN I am going to have to pay. My Dr. is SO going to hear about this.

Oh, that is horrible. I am so sorry. Just know, you will have it soon!

I hate to hear you have it, but it is kinda nice to know someone else has it - I have never heard of it before!

Okay, so I posted a while back about the allergic reaction I was having. So I finally got my referral and went to the specialist. By the time I got my approval, the reaction had gone away. However, I brought pictures . . . You are not going to believe this. I have something called Cold Urticaria. It is a reaction to COLD - like air conditioners, ice, fans, etc. It is very rare - but the only other case the Dr. has ever seen is another lady who had LB surgery. Apparently - fat insulates the body and keeps it in a kind of remission. So as I lost weight, it triggered it. Now, the good news, it only reared its ugly little head because I had been sick, had other allergies at the same time and was in a cold AC. The Dr. said my immune system has to be really beat down for it to happen. Hopefully that won't "happen" again. I thought I would share some of the pics with you guys again - in case it ever happens to any of you. BTW, I will take allergic reactions over being Morbidly Obese any day of the week!

Okay, so I posted a while back about the allergic reaction I was having. So I finally got my referral and went to the specialist. By the time I got my approval, the reaction had gone away. However, I brought pictures . . . You are not going to believe this. I have something called Cold Urticaria. It is a reaction to COLD - like air conditioners, ice, fans, etc. It is very rare - but the only other case the Dr. has ever seen is another lady who had LB surgery. Apparently - fat insulates the body and keeps it in a kind of remission. So as I lost weight, it triggered it. Now, the good news, it only reared its ugly little head because I had been sick, had other allergies at the same time and was in a cold AC. The Dr. said my immune system has to be really beat down for it to happen. Hopefully that won't "happen" again. I thought I would share some of the pics with you guys again - in case it ever happens to any of you. BTW, I will take allergic reactions over being Morbidly Obese any day of the week!

Are we for sure going to have a clothing exchange? I have TONS of clothes I have been saving for this event! I am just wondering how it will work. Should we bring the clothes in boxes - or on hangers? I am so excited! I am coming without my husband - but with a new friend! One of the local gals from this board is going to carpool and share a room with me! I am so excited. I can't wait! Hurricane Ike didn't slow us down!