CoachCher

Okay folks we are in the process of locating a venue for the "2009 National Lap-band Conference" and the rates for the rooms are coming in kind of high. We need to know what you would be willing to pay for a room per night. Please fill out the poll so we can get a better idea of what you are willing to spend.

I know it is an amazing book.

Please join me today as I welcome Dr. Robert Sewell author of "Weight Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Gastric Band" Everything you need to know before and after surgery to lose weight successfully. Dr. Sewell is going to discuss "Band Slippage" signs to look for and what to do if your band has slipped. This is one show you don't want to miss! Date: 11/03/2008 Time: 4:00pm PT, 6:00pm CT, and 7:00pm ET Where: Free Online Radio - Internet Talk Radio | BlogTalkRadio Call in number: (347) 237-4004 I hope to "Hear" you there!

Hi Donna, If you are just right you should be able to eat a "Normal" meal without complications. If you are throwing up everytime you eat you might be too tight. You also need to make sure you are taking small bites and chewing your food to liquid before you swallow. If you are doing these two things and still throwing up you very well could be too tight. I hope this helps.

Hi Leilaann, I'm not sure about flem, I have never experienced that issue. I've been banded 4 1/2 years so this is a new sympton for me. I would discuss this with your surgeon or post on the main board to see if others have experienced excessive flem.

Hi Darlene, I am so glad you found us here at lapband talk. The band has a learning curve for sure and sounds as if you are right in the middle of your learning. Please be kind and patient with yourself as you get it all figured out. You are doing amazing you are averaging 6 pounds a month very good for a band patient. Keep up the great work, watch the size of your bites and your chewing and you should do just fine.

Hi Laniayala, Bless your heart that is so scarey. It sounds as if you have it under control right now, I wish you nothing but the best as you get it all figured out. You are so right about "What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger" and trust me you are being very strong and brave right now. Please keep in touch and let me know how your doing.

Hi Pjd3253, I know how frustrated it can be. Focus on what you are doing well and areas you can make improvements. The band journey is a self paced journey, you can go as fast or as slow as you want to go. If you are properly adjusted you should be losing between 1 to 2 pounds a week, if you are not seeing these results you might need a fill. Also pay attention to your chewing and the size of your bites, this might be an area you need to work on. Let me know if this helps.

Hi SSankofa73, Congratulations on your weight loss, you have done fantastic. I am properly adjusted right now and I can gulp Water, so don't let that be your gage to get another fill. This is how you gage if you need a fill. 1.) You feel as if you are wide open. Meaning you can eat way more than you should be eating. 2.) You are not losing a minimum of 1-2 pounds a week 3.) You are following the band rules and still not losing. You might need a fill if all of these components are in place.

Time is running out to be a part of this Life Changing Conference. 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. The discount for the rooms expire 09/12/08 so don't delay book today!! To make your reservation please call 877-999-3223 use "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 <LI class=style41>Raffle for a LAP-BAND Surgery <LI class=style38>Professional Photographer <LI class=style38>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. Don't delay book today at 2008 LAP-BAND CONFERENCE I look forward to seeing you there!!

Please join me today as I discuss "Lapband 101" with Iris Stratton co-founder of Fill Centers USA. Iris currently serves as the company’s CEO. She wrote the fitness, supplementation and nutrition portions of the Fill Centers USA Lifestyle Guide. Iris’s dream is to “work hand in hand with the participating surgeons to make this surgery revolutionary to the world by making aftercare more advanced and geographically adequate for each and every patient.” Date: 10/27/2008 Time: 6:00pm CT Where: "The Band Banter" Talk Show Call in Number: (347) 237-4004 I hope to "Hear" you there!!

"The Band Banter" Talk Show is a talk show designed to help Band patients create a more successful Lap-Band journey. Join Coach Cher every Monday at 6:00 pm CT to be part of a positive and supportive Band network providing you with expert knowledge from top Lap-Band Surgeons, Nutritionist, Personal Trainers, Successful post-op Band patients and much more. Please join me as I welcome Dr. Duc Vuong to the show 10/20/2008. This is going to be a very special and unexpected show. Dr. Vuong has more than one passion, when he isn't performing life saving Lap Band surgeries he is taking care of his investments. Dr. Vuong is going to share with us how to spend, save and invest the money we are saving because we are eating less. Date: 10/20/2008 Time: 6:00 pm CT Where: "The Band Banter" Talk Show Call in number:(347) 237-4004 The show is interactive, you can ask questions via the live chat room or you can call in to ask Dr. Vuong questions. If you would like to be a guest on the show, please drop me a line and tell me your story. I would love to hear from you.

Hi JL, Mornings are tricky, because all of us are tight. Try drinking something that is warm and maybe that will help loosen up your esophagus. If you are still experiencing problems in the morning, contact your surgeon and let him/her know what you are experiencing. Congratulations on your weight loss, you are doing awesome!!

Few times in history do individuals have the opportunity to join together and express their concerns, desires and needs for a cause. For the first time ever in the obesity community, our day has come. On June 17, 2008, the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) and American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) Foundation will host this National rally and Walk to send a strong message to the public and government that efforts to prevent and treat obesity need to be expanded. It is vitally important that all of YOU get involved in this event and help the millions of Americans affected by this disease. Joe Nadglowski from the OAC is going to join us to share more information about this historical event; so be sure to tune on Wednesday 05/21/2008. Please join Cher and Jeff as they welcome Dan Babbino the President of WLS Lifestyles Magazine. This quarterly publication provides inspiration, education, guidance & support for people struggling with obesity or maintaining a healthy weight. It covers topics such as Weight Loss Surgery, Weight Management, Obesity Prevention in Children, Healthy Living, Obesity and Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss.

Hi Melissa, Here is the link to listen to the show. www.blogtalkradio.com/thewlscoaches If you want to hear me on "The Band Banter" Talk Show here is the link for that show as well. www.blogtalkradio.com/bandbanter

Because the food is more processed. The more processed the food the easier it is to eat. That's why they are considered "Band Friendly" foods but not waist reducing friendly foods. Try to avoid processed foods and eat foods with more density.

Hey Paige, I'm not sure if Eggface will be there, I will check for you.

I have posted the pictures I took on my website. Go check them out Pam and let me know if you want me to forward any of them to you. I am so glad you and your sister came, you girls are a hoot!!

Hey Paige, I spoke to Melting Mama last night and she will be in Houston, so be sure to go say "Hi" and give her a hug for me. Melting Mama is on our show the last Wednesday of every month so be sure to tune in to hear her product review segment.

Hi Gina, I don't know why it is but it seems when we experience a great amount of weight loss we subconsciously start reverting back to old habits. Something is blocking you from moving forward. For now try going back to the basics and doing what you did to lose the 87 pounds. Don't be so quick to think you need another fill, you have to try the basics first then if that doesn't work try another fill. I hear this all time "If I get a fill everything will be right in the world and the scale will magicly start moving again". This is not the case, if you are eating processed foods, sweets, and other crap foods it doesn't matter how adjusted you are these foods will slide right through the band. Try these tips first and let me know if this works.

EvnlyAnne, It might the size of bite you are taking that is causing you not to chew to liquid form. Don't think you can just drink Protein drinks and eat veggies and you are good to go. We need the solid protein it's so important for our bodies. If you are chewing and taking smaller bites and still find yourself throwing up; you could be too tight. Contact your surgeon to discuss what is going on with you. Let me know how you're doing.

Stace, Our bodies are not designed to survive on Protein drinks alone. I would suggest to try moister meats, smaller bites and chewing more. A Protein Drink should be thought of as a supplement not something to survive on. Please let me know how your doing.

Hey Laphappy, It does sound like you have hit a plateau. Try changing up your exercise routine, our bodies get used to what we are doing and they go into stall mode. Also try up'ing your Protein to see if that gets the scale moving again. Sometimes we have to shock our systems to get things moving again. Let me know if this helps and how your doing!!

And more pictures from the conference....

More pics from the conference...