CoachCher

Hi Marcar, There is a possibility of a date change. I haven't posted it here yet until we know for sure. Hopefully will know for sure Monday no later than Tuesday.

Good Morning Group,<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> I wanted to give a quick update. Alex and I have not made a final decision on the location. Thankfully we have had some wonderful offers to help us locate a venue in "NYC". <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> What we found is; lodging is almost double in "NYC" vs "NJ". If we choose a venue in "NYC" the cost of the conference will go up and we are trying to avoid that at all cost. We understand these are hard economic times so we want this conference to be as cost effective as possible.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Trust us we were not trying to be misleading by calling this a "NYC" conference then only to book in NJ. We can change the name of the conference and call it a "East Coast Conference" so that will remove any confusion.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> We have a meet and greet planned for Friday night and then the conference will be all day on Saturday 8-5. This will give you time to enjoy the city Saturday night and Sunday depending on your flight time. <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p>If we have to book in NJ due to cost we will have services available to get you into the city. </o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p>Our hope is to have everything finalized by the end of next week, so we can give everyone full details about the conference.</o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p>Keep checking back for more updates.</o:p>

Hi Ginnee, This is a two day conference. Friday night is a meet & greet and the conference on Saturday is all day from 8-5. I hope this helps.

Hi Gaylerob, This is only conference Alex and I will be hosting on the east coast this year. There may be others, just not hosted by Alex and myself.

The dates for the conference are 03/27/09-3/28/09 NJ is looking like it is going to be the best spot. The hotel we are looking at is in Livingston NJ. Friday night will be the meet and greet with appetizers, and a cash bar. Saturday is the day of the conference. Our speakers will be LAP-BAND Surgeons, Dr. Schulman (Plastic Surgeon), Nutritionist, psychotherapist, successful post ops, personal trainer and of course myself. lunch will be provided on Saturday as well. The conference will be all day Saturday from 8-5. By having the conference in NJ brings down the cost. We are looking into the cost of a charter bus right now so we can get an idea of our options. We will have door prizes and plenty of vendors for you to visit as well. By this time next week we will be able to provide all of you with much more information. Keep checking back often to keep in the loop.

Hi Ron, Thanks for the suggestion. When we had the Dallas conference in October the group agreed on NYC. We have so many people who have never been to the city and this is a great excuse to get them there )

Hey OH Juli, We missed you in TX hopefully you will make the NYC event. The dates for the event are 03/27-03/29

Hi MominLV, Don't worry we have not forgotton about LV. I believe we are coming to LV in October. Once I know more I'll let everyone know.

Hi Donna, The NYC is the first conference of the year. My hope is to have 4 conferences in 2009. I will be in Houston the first weekend in December and will be discussing doing a conference in Houston in June 2009. So keep your eye on the board for future venues.

Hi Patty, Thanks for the great ideas. The hotel will offer shuttle services to and from the hotel. The conference will focus on "LIving the LAP-BAND Lifestyle" so we will have a mix of surgeons, nutritionist, and many others.

Once we have the venue booked (hopefully by the end of the week) we will start booking the speakers, vendors and so forth.

Obesity had you suppress so many feelings, now that you are coming into your best body, mind, and soul these feelings are starting to churn. How do you tap into inner roar? Join me as I welcome Casey Kerr from “Find your Roar” as she guides us to discover our roar. Isn’t it time to stop being crushed by obstacles and start creating opportunities? Isn't it time to make a commitment? If you’ve had enough of “I can’t” and “It’s not realistic” you are ready to start thinking about all the possibilities. This is the show for you. Date: 11/10/2008 Time: 7:00 pm ET 6:00pm CT and 4:00 pm PT Where: The Band Banter Talk Show Call in number 347-237-4004 This show is interactive, so be sure to sign in so you can join in on the live chat or feel free to call in to ask our special guest questions. I hope to "Hear" you there!! P.S. Next weeks guest will be Dr. Ariel Ortiz: Author of "LAP-BAND For Life" and Board Certified Mexican medical doctor, he is a world renowned expert on LAP-BAND surgery.

Alex and I are working hard to put together the next "National LAP-BAND Conference". As we are searching venues we are finding NJ is much cheaper than NYC. Per the poll most people are willing to spend $100.00 per night, we found a venue in NJ for $119.00 per night. So we would like to know if you guys are ok with NJ or if you prefer to actually be in NYC. At the last confernce the participants said they wanted to enjoy the host city, so you will get the opportunity to spend Saturday evening in NYC. Alex and I would like an approximate head count as well. If you could answer these questions it will help us to plan an amazing conference for you guys. What location do you prefer NYC or NJ (keep in mind NJ is much cheaper than NYC)? We are going to post a poll of "Who's coming" so be sure to answer the poll question as well. Alex and I hope you are as excited as we are, this is going to be an amazing conference. It will not be the same if you're not there!! UPDATE 2009 - New York City Banded Together-Lapband Talk National Event<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> When:<o:p></o:p> March 20-21, 2009<o:p></o:p> Friday Meet & Greet 6pm-9pm EST<o:p></o:p> Saturday Conference 8am-5pm EST<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Where:<o:p></o:p> The Marriott LaGuardia Airport<o:p></o:p> 102-05 Ditmars Boulevard <o:p></o:p> East Elmhurst, NY 11369 <o:p></o:p> www.marriott.com/lgaap <o:p></o:p> Lodging:<o:p></o:p> The Marriott LaGuardia Airport<o:p></o:p> 102-05 Ditmars Boulevard <o:p></o:p> East Elmhurst, NY 11369 www.marriott.com/lgaap <o:p></o:p> We have a special rate of $139 for guest rooms at this lovely hotel. Be sure to book early,as the room block will sell out. <o:p></o:p> There is a Friday reception, so come stay with us for the weekend! <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> To book your reservation for the conference visit https://www.bandedtogether.net/Events.php<o:p></o:p>

Hi Gloria, It sounds like it could be two things. One you will not feel full in your tummy, you will feel full in your chest. I'm not sure if you are waiting to feel full in tummy or not so that could be one thing. Two being adjusted might not be the way to go either. If you already know you are not making wise food choices; getting an adjustment is not going to make it better. In order to know if the band is working correctly is by eating good solid protein. If you are eating slider foods no amount of fill is going to change you from being able to eat those types of foods. Try eating good solid protein first to see if that makes a difference. The band is only a tool and it's up to us to make it work correctly.

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.

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.