CoachCher

Hello fellow lapbanders. I want to know if I put together a Lapband Convention in the Dallas Ft Worth area if you guys would attend? I know how important these type of conventions are and unfortunately we don't have enough geared towards lapbanders. Please let me know if this is something you are interested in and I will get with the powers that be and make it happen. Also if you could tell me what you would like to see happen at the convention. For example...Trainers, Surgeons, Plastic Surgeons, Nut's, and so forth. I look forward to hearing from you!!

Body Confidence: How to like what you see in the mirror From childhood we are sold on an ideal image of beauty, one few of us ever see reflected when we look in the mirror. This article will show you how you can look in the mirror and despite the ideal, see only a beautiful you. When you look in the mirror, what’s the first thing you notice, and how does it make you feel? If you’re like most people, the first thing that catches your eye is probably your least favorite asset. If so, don’t worry you’re not alone. Here’s why. Can you guess how much money is spent in just one year by advertisers to sell us on the concept of the “ideal” image of beauty? Well, I can’t either but I do know this—it’s a lot of money, certainly somewhere in the billions of dollars! So, technically, you can consider yourself brainwashed. From your earliest childhood days—whether you played with Action Man or Barbie—you’ve been receiving constant, consistent images telling you what beauty are supposed to look like. Never mind that these images are for the most part, anatomically impossible! Would you really want to look like Fabio or Pam Anderson, Honestly? I’m guessing probably not. So, here’s how you can build your confidence with the body God gave you. 1. Look in the mirror. 2. This time, really look at yourself. Reflect on the compliments you have received. Do people tell you how great your hair is, how beautiful your eyes are; that you have a nice smile? Try to see what they see. 3. Stand far enough away from the mirror so that you can take it all in. What do you see? Find at least three positive things. 4. Now, get up close; really close. Look at your eyes—the irises; what color are they? Are they all one color or are there flecks of various colors? How would you describe those using positive analogies or adjectives. 5. Now, smile. What does your smile convey; warmth- happiness? 6. Find at least three characteristics you like best about yourself, and then accentuate them as you dress to go out. * If you love your eyes, make sure your hair doesn’t cover them up. * Love your lips? Make sure to keep them soft and moisturized. * Your hair? Get a flattering cut and condition it regularly to keep it shiny and healthy. In short, amplify what you like, and don’t worry about the parts you don’t. Here are some ways to do just that. * Go shopping and bring a good friend. Ask them to help you pick out colors and clothes they think flatter you. Don’t worry if your first reaction is “that’s not me!” Experiment. * Feel better about whatever it is you don’t like about yourself by picturing the absolute worst-case scenario. Exaggerate whatever it is you’re hung up on and blow it up in you mind until it’s comical. Then look in the mirror—not so bad anymore is it. Accept yourself for who you are, how you look, and focus on what really matters—the things about you that can’t be seen—your heart, mind and soul. * What do you want people to praise you for? Is it really how you look? Probably not. You probably want people to think you’re funny, smart, nice, or generous—something along those lines right. * Make a list of your positive personal qualities and characteristics. Then ask yourself, what’s more important? Get involved in activities that build on your personal characteristics—volunteer, join a club, and take a class to sharpen a talent. These will help you emphasize and focus more on the more important qualities that get you through life successfully and with more fun.

Honey this story is probably about 30% of bandsters story. This is the exact reason I wrote this article, so the 30% know they are not alone. It really is up to us to work with our band to make sure we are receiving optimal results. Now get off your butt and help your band do what it's supposed to do :frown:

Hi Gina, I'm glad you found this article helpful. Just remember to make good food choices then chew chew and chew somemore :frown:. You will see the results you are looking for. 24 pounds is amazing you are doing amazing!!

Ahh the dreaded plateau, what to do? Well actually there are several things you can be doing to get the scale moving again. First and foremost you have to be “Honest” with yourself are you following a diet, exercise plan which you actually enjoy. Let’s be real here, if we are not eating foods we enjoy or participating in a workout program we love (yes I said the “L” word) chances are we are not going to stick with it. Try journaling for a week to see if you’re really getting in enough calories and enough movement to actually have an impact on the scale. If you’re not getting enough calories this can be cause for the scale to stop moving. This will also give you a clear idea of what you’re doing well and where you’re missing the mark. Our bodies know us better than we know ourselves. If we listen to what our body needs-wants we can work with it; rather than against it. I know I hate this saying as much as the next guy but it is true “Calories in-Calories out”. If you want the scale to move; you yourself have to move as well. This is not Rocket Science, if you follow just one rule you have ever learned about diet and exercise you will have results. Remember you had surgery on your stomach not your brain. Don’t let that little voice tell you its okay to eat “Junk” and expect to see results. This is my weekly routine. I eat very well (follow the rules) 6 days a week and I workout 6 days a week. The workout I follow is by Gunnar Peterson “Core Secrets”. Then on the 7th day I give myself a free day and I don’t follow any rules. Seriously no matter what program you choose to follow, you have to find the right balance. If you have the mind set you’re never going to eat your favorite foods again then you are setting yourself up for failure. If you follow your program for 6 days then give yourself a “Free Day” you are not depriving yourself and you will see the results you want and deserve. So I challenge you to follow this routine and watch the results. You will be blown away at how easy it is to stick to your program once you start.

Hi Andrea, Of course there is hope for you honey. It's all about going back to the basics. You are right you can lose weight without exercise, however you can't tone and build your muscle without exercise. Think of it like this. If you take your car in to get new tires. Are you going to tell them to just put the tires on without balancing them, umm probably not. So Basicly diet and exercise go hand in hand. If you are still strugggling contact your surgeon and see what he/she suggests. They are there to help you and they can't help you if they don't know what is going. Also remember you are very newly post-op and still adjusting to all the changes taking place in your body, mind and soul. Take this time to get to know you and what you want and you will have success!!

Please join Jeff and I as we welcome Dr. Trace Curry to our show. Trace W. Curry, M.D. is a board-certified general surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive weight loss surgery. He is a Cincinnati native and trained at Good Samaritan Hospital. Dr. Curry has done more LAP BANDS and REALIZE BANDS than any other bariatric surgeon in Ohio, and he is the only Lap Band faculty surgeon in the region who has been chosen by Inamed/Allergan (the manufacturer of the Lap Band) as well as Ethicon Endo-Surgery (the manufacturer of the Realize Band) to be a proctor to teach other surgeons to do the procedure. He is also a sleeve gastrectomy proctor for W.L. Gore. Dr. Curry is also well-known for his accessibility, and he frequently has patients from all over the country contacting him for advice and guidance. He makes himself freely available by email so if you have any questions just write to him! Date: 04/30/08 Time: 8:00 pm ET, 7:00 pm CT, 6:00 pm MT, and 5:00 pm PT Where: Internet Radio, Citizen Broadcasting, Social Media Podcasts - Blog Talk Radio Request Line: 646-716-9413 Be sure to mark your calenders you will not want to miss this opportunity to speak with Dr. Curry. Especially if you are still considering the LAP-BAND you can call in and ask Dr. Curry any question you would like to ask.

Hey Peaches, WOW I love your attitude it would be so easy to be all mad and disappointed. However you are looking at the positive side you have not gained any weight in 9 months. I hope your surgeon can get your band corrected for you; imagine what you will be able to do with a properly working band!! I wish you the best of luck.

Don't give up!! Find your focus and your commitment to yourself to get back on the band-wagon!! I believe in you and know you can do it!!

Here's what helped me. I remembered back to all the "Promises" I made to myself pre-surgery. Talk about eye opening, depressing, and the kick in @$$ I needed. This is the exact reason I shared this with you guys. I want you to be able to learn from my mistakes. Here's to your "Successful" year two!!

Congratulations on your first year post-op. I love how you compared this to a marathan and the mindset of not finishing. I feel the exact same way. I actually talk about this journey as being a sprint and not a marathon. You have to think of yourself as the lone-runner not running in a pack. It doesn't matter when you cross the finish as long as you cross it.

Please join Cher & Jeff this Wednesday as Connie Cox, RD returns to discuss the importance of support and how to get the support you need and deserve. Connie's role at Obesity Surgery Specialists in Dallas, Texas, includes providing education and support for both preoperative and postoperative patients. Her personal experience as a formerly morbidly obese individual who was transformed by gastric bypass surgery gives her a passion for helping others enjoy long-term success and realize significantly improved health and fitness in their own lives. Date: 04/23/08 Time: 8:00 pm ET, 7:00 pm CT, 6:00 MT and 5:00pm PT Where: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thewlscoaches Call-In Line: 646-716-9413 We hope to "Hear" you there.

Okay I’m going to be very real and honest here. I’m going to tell you about my year two band journey. But before I do that, let me tell you about year one. Year one I was very motivated and committed to my band journey. I watched what I ate (too an extent) and workout on a semi regular basis. Semi being the key word here, I was about as committed as I could be at the time. I mean come on, I had surgery and that was supposed to be the end of the road right. No additional commitment on my end, the surgery was going to do everything for me (yeah I know good thought process going into this journey). Now don’t get me wrong I did try to be the best band patient I could, considering I had to give up what I most wanted “FOOD”. I consider my 1st year successful; I lost sixty pounds without a lot of effort on my part. It was great, the weight was coming off, I was discovering a new me. My life in general was going great on all accounts, and then something awful happened. I gave up on my band. I became complacent; I was enjoying my weight loss and the new found me. So here we are now at my year two journey. I basically focused on every aspect of my life except for my weight loss. I didn’t work out for a year, I didn’t visit my surgeon, and I didn’t weigh myself. I completed my certification to become a Certified Life and Wellness Coach, so I could help others taking the same journey I was taking. I put all of my focus into building a business, and I placed my weight loss on the back burner. So basically year two of my band journey can be considered a failure, no weight loss in year how is that possible? I’ll tell you how it’s possible, I was happy with the new me. I liked the new clothes I was wearing, I liked being able to get around and do the things I wanted to do, I was enjoying life like I had never enjoyed life before. So I really don’t consider year two a failure, I consider it a learning experience. I mean “Come on” I didn’t lose one pound in a year’s time, however I didn’t gain one pound in a year’s time either. How many other diets/programs do you know of where you stay stable for that amount of time? My light bulb moment came when I was coaching with my coach (business coach of all coaches). She asked me what my goals were, and where I saw myself in 5 years. What came out of my mouth next was unexpected. I said I wanted to reach my weight loss goal (what do you mean you want to reach your weight loss goal, you’re happy with the new you, you don’t need to do anymore, your fine how you are now) then I proceeded to say I signed up for 120 pound weight loss and I’ve lost 60 of those pounds and now I want the rest to come off. By reaching this goal, I can be an inspiration to others and most importantly I will have accomplished something I set out to complete the first time in my whole life. Being morbidly obese you have a built in excuse as to why you don’t achieve your goals. I’m too fat to exercise, it’s too hard, and you feel defeated before you even start whatever project is you want to work on. Well now I’m not morbidly obese; I don’t have the built in excuse. How can I inspire others to reach goal if I’m not at goal myself? Oh trust me; that one tiny little question opened up a flood gate of emotions, thoughts, and feelings I didn’t even know resided in me. So I really had to take a hard look at myself and re-evaluate my game plan. A plan is exactly what I came up with. I made an appointment to go see my surgeon. When I got there I was weighed and yep sure enough the exact same weight I was from my last visit, fourteen months earlier. Dr. Veninga comes into the room, looks at my chart and too my surprise the last time I saw him was for a un-fill. I haven’t had a fill in over a year, are you kidding me? I was shocked I haven’t had a fill in over a year. So Dr. Veninga asked me what I wanted to do, I said give me a fill and let’s get this band doing what it was designed to do; help me lose weight. That was two months ago and 20 pounds later I can honestly say, “I was failing my band”. I became comfortable with the new me, I lost my focus on my goal, and I just became downright lazy in my weight loss efforts. Now I am working out 6 days a week, eating good healthy food and really reaping the benefits by following my band rules. I know I’m a food addict always have been always will be. By accepting this fact, doesn’t mean I’m a terrible person; it means I’m a realistic person. I follow a food program and workout program 6 days a week and then on Saturday (or whatever day you choose) I give myself a “Free Day” I can eat what I want without guilt or regret. I am a complete believer of everything in moderation, if you deprive yourself of everything you want, you only set yourself up for failure. I’m a complete chocoholic, and now with my plan I know on Saturday’s I can have my chocolate completely guilt free. So I ask each of you to do what I did and ask yourself the hard question. “Is your band failing you or are you failing your band”? If you’re not following up with your surgeon and getting the support you need. Unfortunately you are not going to see the results you want to see, should see and most of all deserve to see. If you’re not losing a minimum of six pounds a month you might need a fill or a un-fill. Yes you can be too tight and that serves no good purpose, you will not see weight loss being too tight. Keep in touch with surgeon, he/she wants to help you and they can’t help you if they don’t know what is going on. I wish each one of you a successful, fun filled (no pun intended) band journey.

In the late 80's, Carol's family went through a powerful series of transitions. As she found her way through that difficult, yet transformative period in her life, she made a commitment to use her own experience to help others. Carol's mission is to give people the hope, insight, and clarity they need to use their transitions as catalysts to create a life that truly works for them. In addition to her books and programs, she also trains and licenses other professionals to use her various programs. <embed src='http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mediaplayer.swf?displayheight=&file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2fTheWLSCoaches%2fplay_list.xml&autostart=false&shuffle=false&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx&width=180&height=152&volume=80&corner=rounded' width='180' height='152' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer' quality='high' wmode='transparent' menu='false'></embed>

Join us as we discuss this year's "Walk on the Capitol" as well as many other ways the OAC increases obesity education and awareness, work to improve access to medical treatments for obese patients, advocacy for safe and effective treatments as well as strive to eliminate the negative stigmas associated with all types of obesity. <embed src='http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mediaplayer.swf?displayheight=&file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2fTheWLSCoaches%2fplay_list.xml&autostart=false&shuffle=false&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx&width=180&height=152&volume=80&corner=rounded' width='180' height='152' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer' quality='high' wmode='transparent' menu='false'></embed>

Find out what it takes to change on the inside to support your goals on the outside. Katie Jay is director of the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery, holds a masters in social work, is a certified WLS life coach, and is author of "Dying to Change: My Really Heavy Life Story, How Weight Loss Surgery Gave Me Hope for Living". <embed src='http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mediaplayer.swf?displayheight=&file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2fTheWLSCoaches%2fplay_list.xml&autostart=false&shuffle=false&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx&width=180&height=152&volume=80&corner=rounded' width='180' height='152' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer' quality='high' wmode='transparent' menu='false'></embed>

Known for his bike ride to fight obesity. Margolies had gastric bypass surgery in September 2003 after struggling with his weight for many years. When he topped out at 406 pounds, he realized his life would be cut short unless he made some drastic changes to improve his health and well being. <embed src='http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mediaplayer.swf?displayheight=&file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2fTheWLSCoaches%2fplay_list.xml&autostart=false&shuffle=false&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx&width=180&height=152&volume=80&corner=rounded' width='180' height='152' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer' quality='high' wmode='transparent' menu='false'></embed>

Dr. Sina Matin from Baylor Medical Center of Irving, Texas. <embed src='http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mediaplayer.swf?displayheight=&file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2fTheWLSCoaches%2fplay_list.xml&autostart=false&shuffle=false&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx&width=180&height=152&volume=80&corner=rounded' width='180' height='152' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer' quality='high' wmode='transparent' menu='false'></embed>

Join Cher & Jeff as they discuss "Blocks" This metaphor being something that is either a "Fact" or a "Feeling". Many people believe that being confused about what they want to do means something is wrong with them. They make it a feeling or personal issue rather than a factual issue. <embed src='http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mediaplayer.swf?displayheight=&file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2fTheWLSCoaches%2fplay_list.xml&autostart=false&shuffle=false&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx&width=180&height=152&volume=80&corner=rounded' width='180' height='152' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer' quality='high' wmode='transparent' menu='false'></embed>

Come join us for this very special show. Dr. Snyder is a board-certified, general surgeon in Denver, CO. He first became interested in Bariatric Surgery during his residency in Portland, OR, at Oregon Health Sciences University. Since establishing his practice in Colorado, he has further pursued this interest. He is an active member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS). His bariatric training has been comprehensive and methodical. <embed src='http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mediaplayer.swf?displayheight=&file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2fTheWLSCoaches%2fplay_list.xml&autostart=false&shuffle=false&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx&width=180&height=152&volume=80&corner=rounded' width='180' height='152' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer' quality='high' wmode='transparent' menu='false'></embed>

In the late 80's, Carol's family went through a powerful series of transitions. As she found her way through that difficult, yet transformative period in her life, she made a commitment to use her own experience to help others. Carol's mission is to give people the hope, insight, and clarity they need to use their transitions as catalysts to create a life that truly works for them. In addition to her books and programs, she also trains and licenses other professionals to use her various programs. <embed src='http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mediaplayer.swf?displayheight=&file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2fTheWLSCoaches%2fplay_list.xml&autostart=false&shuffle=false&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx&width=180&height=152&volume=80&corner=rounded' width='180' height='152' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer' quality='high' wmode='transparent' menu='false'></embed>

Join The WLS Coaches as they discuss the differences and the similarities of their surgeries. Cher and Jeff will also discuss how your lifestyle will change Post-op. Trust us it's more than just crossing your legs. <embed src='http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mediaplayer.swf?displayheight=&file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2fTheWLSCoaches%2fplay_list.xml&autostart=false&shuffle=false&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx&width=180&height=152&volume=80&corner=rounded' width='180' height='152' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer' quality='high' wmode='transparent' menu='false'></embed>

Join us as we discuss the crisis that is engulfing our society and Cher & Jeff give their insights into incorporating simplicity into one's life and answer questions from the mailbag. <embed src='http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mediaplayer.swf?displayheight=&file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2fTheWLSCoaches%2fplay_list.xml&autostart=false&shuffle=false&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx&width=180&height=152&volume=80&corner=rounded' width='180' height='152' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer' quality='high' wmode='transparent' menu='false'></embed>

The popular TV Show, "BIG MEDICINE" follows the personal stories of severely obese patients who turn to Houston’s Methodist Weight Management Center as a life-changing last resort. One of the most innovative bariatric surgery practices, Methodist adheres to a long-term, multidisciplinary approach that includes a plan for lifelong follow-up. Mary Jo Rapini is a part-time Psychotherapist at the Methodist Weight Management Center. <embed src='http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mediaplayer.swf?displayheight=&file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2fTheWLSCoaches%2fplay_list.xml&autostart=false&shuffle=false&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx&width=180&height=152&volume=80&corner=rounded' width='180' height='152' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer' quality='high' wmode='transparent' menu='false'></embed>

S.M.A.R.T. Goals Creating S.M.A.R.T. Goals S - Specific M- Measurable A - Attainable R - Realistic T- Timely Specific - A specific goal has a much greater chance of being accomplished than a general goal. To set a specific goal you must answer the six "W" questions: *Who: Who is involved? *What: What do I want to accomplish? *Where: Identify a location. *When: Establish a time frame. *Which: Identify requirements and constraints. *Why: Specific reasons, purpose or benefits of accomplishing the goal. EXAMPLE: A general goal would be, "Get in shape." But a specific goal would say, "Join a health club and workout 3 days a week." Measurable - Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward the attainment of each goal you set. When you measure your progress, you stay on track, reach your target dates, and experience the exhilaration of achievement that spurs you on to continued effort required to reach your goal. To determine if your goal is measurable, ask questions such as......How much? How many? How will I know when it is accomplished? Attainable - When you identify goals that are most important to you, you begin to figure out ways you can make them come true. You develop the attitudes, abilities, skills, and financial capacity to reach them. You begin seeing previously overlooked opportunities to bring yourself closer to the achievement of your goals. You can attain most any goal you set when you plan your steps wisely and establish a time frame that allows you to carry out those steps. Goals that may have seemed far away and out of reach eventually move closer and become attainable, not because your goals shrink, but because you grow and expand to match them. When you list your goals you build your self-image. You see yourself as worthy of these goals, and develop the traits and personality that allow you to possess them. Realistic - To be realistic, a goal must represent an objective toward which you are both willing and able to work. A goal can be both high and realistic; you are the only one who can decide just how high your goal should be. But be sure that every goal represents substantial progress. A high goal is frequently easier to reach than a low one because a low goal exerts low motivational force. Some of the hardest jobs you ever accomplished actually seem easy simply because they were a labor of love. Your goal is probably realistic if you truly believe that it can be accomplished. Additional ways to know if your goal is realistic is to determine if you have accomplished anything similar in the past or ask yourself what conditions would have to exist to accomplish this goal. Timely - A goal should be grounded within a time frame. With no time frame tied to it there's no sense of urgency. If you want to lose 10 lbs, when do you want to lose it by? "Someday" won't work. But if you anchor it within a timeframe, "by May 1st", then you've set your unconscious mind into motion to begin working on the goal. "T" can also stand for Tangible - A goal is tangible when you can experience it with one of the senses, that is, taste, touch, smell, sight or hearing. When your goal is tangible you have a better chance of making it specific and measurable and thus attainable.