minpinmom

I am so excited. I have made my reservations and registered for the event. This is going to be so much fun. I may have even found a gal to carpool with! Here is the information in case you haven't seen it. 2008 National Lap-band Conference Update Early bird special is expiring on July 15, 2008 don't wait book today!! New Speakers added and someone will have the opportunity to win a "Lap-band" Surgery via a raffle. 2008 National LAP-BAND Conference- LIVE and In Person For Pre-ops, Post-ops, Family, and Friends... Dallas Texas, October 3-5, 2008 We'll focus on "Living the LAP-BAND Lifestyle"so your Transformation gives you more Results, Support and Success: Friday 6-9pm- Meet and Greet at the hotel -(buffet included)plus cash bar Saturday 8am-5pm- Registration and Conference (lunch included) Saturday night 8pm-midnight- "Fall Fling" (dinner included) dancing plus cash bar Sunday 9am-11am- Successful Post-Op's share their stories Wyndham Hotel is our host hotel- We have made arrangements with the hotel to only charge us $99.00 a night for single, doubles or quads. To make your reservation please call 877-999-3223 use "Banded Together" for the discount. Speakers Mary Jo Rapini- Body Image and Sexuality Cher Ewing- Is your band failing you or are you failing your band? (My Story) Dr. Sina Matin- Educating your support system Dr. Frank Veninga- Importance of Aftercare Dr. Jonathan Heistein- Plastic Surgeon Dr. Kevin Prentice- Health & Transformation Chiropractor Diane Wallace RD- Master Centers Dietitian Kat Winegar M.E.S- Banded Personal Trainer Chef Leslie Moore- Banded Chef will share band friendly recipes We will also have people volunteer to receive a make-over and then we will choose three people via random draw to receive a make-over after the Saturday event and before the Fall Fling (should be fun). Other exciting events planned Clothing Exchange Raffle for a LAP-BAND Surgery Professional Photographer Dancing with Too Smooth Before and After Slide Show This live event is going to be life changing; you will meet people who are taking the same journey you are, meet professionals who want you to be successful. After the conference you will feel rejuvenated, inspired, and empowered to embrace every change you are going to experience during your LAP-BAND journey. Please check back often to see what speakers and vendors have been added to the venue. 2008 National LAP-BAND Conference (Early Bird Special) pay before July 15, 2008 $100.00 after July 15, 2008 the cost will be $150.00

I am so excited. I have made my reservations and registered for the event. This is going to be so much fun. I may have even found a gal to carpool with! Here is the information in case you haven't seen it. 2008 National Lap-band Conference Update Early bird special is expiring on July 15, 2008 don't wait book today!! New Speakers added and someone will have the opportunity to win a "Lap-band" Surgery via a raffle. 2008 National LAP-BAND Conference- LIVE and In Person For Pre-ops, Post-ops, Family, and Friends... Dallas Texas, October 3-5, 2008 We'll focus on "Living the LAP-BAND Lifestyle"so your Transformation gives you more Results, Support and Success: Friday 6-9pm- Meet and Greet at the hotel -(buffet included)plus cash bar Saturday 8am-5pm- Registration and Conference (lunch included) Saturday night 8pm-midnight- "Fall Fling" (dinner included) dancing plus cash bar Sunday 9am-11am- Successful Post-Op's share their stories Wyndham Hotel is our host hotel- We have made arrangements with the hotel to only charge us $99.00 a night for single, doubles or quads. To make your reservation please call 877-999-3223 use "Banded Together" for the discount. Speakers Mary Jo Rapini- Body Image and Sexuality Cher Ewing- Is your band failing you or are you failing your band? (My Story) Dr. Sina Matin- Educating your support system Dr. Frank Veninga- Importance of Aftercare Dr. Jonathan Heistein- Plastic Surgeon Dr. Kevin Prentice- Health & Transformation Chiropractor Diane Wallace RD- Master Centers Dietitian Kat Winegar M.E.S- Banded Personal Trainer Chef Leslie Moore- Banded Chef will share band friendly recipes We will also have people volunteer to receive a make-over and then we will choose three people via random draw to receive a make-over after the Saturday event and before the Fall Fling (should be fun). Other exciting events planned Clothing Exchange Raffle for a LAP-BAND Surgery Professional Photographer Dancing with Too Smooth Before and After Slide Show This live event is going to be life changing; you will meet people who are taking the same journey you are, meet professionals who want you to be successful. After the conference you will feel rejuvenated, inspired, and empowered to embrace every change you are going to experience during your LAP-BAND journey. Please check back often to see what speakers and vendors have been added to the venue. 2008 National LAP-BAND Conference (Early Bird Special) pay before July 15, 2008 $100.00 after July 15, 2008 the cost will be $150.00

The Hotel looks awesome! I am all set - come on guys, who else is going?

Thank you so much for sharing!

I feel for you. I wish I could give you a hug. I have to say, when things get hard, I rely on this board. I can sit and read for hours and hours and make the time pass by. I can say, it doesn't make them much better, but you can add sugar free syrup (like for coffee) to your slim fast, when you blend it with ice, nice for a change. I like the Hazelnut flavor the best!

Wow, you were eating a sausage biscuit within a week of a fill? (or, trying to eat :-) my Dr. has me on liquids for 4 days, then soft foods for 4 days, then gradually trying others. mmm, I loved Chic-Fil-A's chicken biscuits. I still love their nuggets, don't think I will try the biscuits for a while! w

Girl, it is going to be a breeze! Make sure to take a bottle of water and make sure you can drink it all before you leave your Dr.s office. My Dr. requires it, but I have read some stories on here - where the Dr. just has you take 1 sip, then you can leave. I have to drive quite a ways to my Dr. and wouldn't want to take that chance. I wish I was there with you!

I can't believe it. I am down 30 lbs in less than 5 months! I no longer snore, I can exercise as much as I want without feeling like I am going to die. I can wear clothes that I thought I could never wear. I feel better about myself. I believe I have restriction. I had my last fill on Wednesday, July 9th. I just started soft foods and def feel something :-) I hope restriction will help me lose more, but to tell you the truth, if the LapBand merely kept the 30 lbs off that I have lost, I would consider the surgery a complete success! I feel so much healthier and happier. I feel a bit selfish praying for restriction and begging God for more weight loss. I am going to continue my journey, I want to feel what being normal feels like. But, I hope I can think about how much better life already is.

I can't believe it. I am down 30 lbs in less than 5 months! I no longer snore, I can exercise as much as I want without feeling like I am going to die. I can wear clothes that I thought I could never wear. I feel better about myself. I believe I have restriction. I had my last fill on Wednesday, July 9th. I just started soft foods and def feel something :-) I hope restriction will help me lose more, but to tell you the truth, if the LapBand merely kept the 30 lbs off that I have lost, I would consider the surgery a complete success! I feel so much healthier and happier. I feel a bit selfish praying for restriction and begging God for more weight loss. I am going to continue my journey, I want to feel what being normal feels like. But, I hope I can think about how much better life already is.

I have to jump in too. This happened in our area and I was saddened to hear it. Not that 2 criminals were killed while committing a crime, but that this man was in the position and had to make the decision he did. I believe he had full right to make the choice he did, but I think if he had it to do over, he would have handled things a bit different. My neighbors ask us to watch their property all the time when they are gone. To me, that means protect it as if it were my own. The state of Texas agrees. I wouldn't say I am gun "happy", but I am an Army Brat, AirForce Wife, my dad is now a Gunsmith. My hubby and I both have our Concealed Handgun License. I never thought I would need a gun. Until I was involved in a 2 year stalking incident. My phone lines were cut over and over, my apartment and car broken into, my pets poisoned. The police were involved from the beginning but were totally useless. After each incident, they would ask if I had a gun. I began carrying a handgun everywhere I went - now I am legal (CHL). I no longer fear my car breaking down, a knock at the door, a dark alley or a lonely parking lot. I also don't fear having to use it. I will protect myself, my family and my property. I will never live in fear again. I feel sorry for Horn. He has to live with taking the lives of two people. No matter what the circumstances, that will be difficult.

My port is in the middle of my tummy (above the belly button, below the boobs). I can feel it when I tighten my muscles (think of straining to go potty - the tightness in your tummy), Do that while laying flat on your back. It brings the port to the surface and you can probably feel it. Mine feels like a knot under the skin. You can't see it at all. It doesn't hurt, and so far mine hasn't moved. (however fills have gotten easier)

My Dr. makes us bring a bottle of water - we have to finish it with no problems before we are allowed to leave his office. If I were you, I would take a bottle with me and make sure I could drink the whole thing first! Let us know how it goes!

Your Dr. may be different, but mine requires liquids for 4 days (day of your fill and 3 following). Suggestions - Slim Fast, Atkins, Milk, strained Soups Then we go on soft foods for 4 days. Still drinking Slim Fast and such for Breakfast. I add, yogurt, applesauce, watery mashed potatoes, thicker soups, cream of wheat, and slowly add soft fish, Beans, scrambled eggs. I would make sure and get lots of Slim Fasts in, you won't to make sure you get all your nutrients!

I am in Conroe - we can meet for lunch one day - then you will know someone there! I am going for sure - I actually have already paid the registration fee and everything. I am totally excited about it!

I need the name of the Hotel to make reservations. The number is to the central Wyndham reservations and they have to have the Hotel name. Of course, there are multiple Wyndham's in Dallas.

I just registered - I can't wait!

You are so SWEET! I have been so down lately and that just totally made it all worth it!

I am so excited! That is only 3 hours away! Hopefully I can find some local gals to carpool with!

Hey guys, this is going to be in our backyard! (DALLAS) I really want to go. I am in Conroe, if any of you guys are close - want to go, carpool, stay together, let me know, I think it would be a BLAST! 2008 National Lapband Conference

Too funny. I am on liquids right now, following a fill and I can't agree more!

I have to laugh, I don't see how I could be anyone's inspiration! But one day - I hope to feel that way. I do my blog for the same reasons. I can't wait to go back and say, wow, I can't believe I was struggling with that, now I can do it with my hands tied behind my back!

Yes, it means the band is working. Each time you get a fill, it will make the band tighter around your tummy, making the food slower to go through. You want the perfect amount of restriction - so that you eat a small amount and it takes a while for it to go through. I haven't had any restriction, meaning I can eat just like before I had the band. You don't want to have too much restriction - where you can't eat anything solid. You have to find the perfect spot, known as the sweet spot. :-)

I was still doing that at my 5th fill. Hopefully this one was the one. I will know in a few days. (kinda excited, kinda scared)

I went to the Dr. yesterday for a fill, he checked my level, I haven't lost any. I had 2.6 and he upped me to 3 I have a 4CC Band! So I am at 75%. I will know in the next week if I have any restriction. My Dr. requires a Barium Swallow before your fill - the gal doing the xray said my band was very open. She showed me, but it was like finding a baby in one of those ultrasounds! I think I know what she was talking about, but I wouldn't bet my life on it! Anyway, my Dr. had originally planned on using a large band, but when he got in there, he said the upper part of my stomach was very thin. So he chose to use a 4CC. He said I am one of the very few people he has ever seen that is this full with no restriction. For some reassurance - he has done over 5000 bands and said he has never seen someone that he couldn't get as tight as they wanted. I hope this one was my magic fill! I will let you know in a few days when I get to try real food again.

I have food envy today as well! I had my 5th or 6th fill yesterday and I am on liquids. It is killing me cooking and smelling everything. Ugh, I want a bite of something not liquid!