CoachCher

Thanks for promoting this event Julie, I really appreciate it. I did want to give a quick update as to what you should expect of the weekend. Speakers Mary Jo Rapini- Body Image and Sexuality Cher Ewing- Is your band failing you or are you failing your band? (My Story) Dr. Frank Veninga- Educating your support system Dr. Johnathan Heistein- Plastic Surgeon Dr. Kevin Prentice- Health & Transformation Chiropractor Diane Wallace RD- Master Centers Dietitian Chef Leslie Moore- 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 <LI class=style41>Clothing Exchange <LI class=style41>Raffle for a LAP-BAND Surgery <LI class=style38>Professional Photographer <LI class=style38>Dancing with Soul to Soul Before and After Slide Show I am currently working with Dr. Garth Davis assistant to see if he will be available to attend the conference. It is looking very good, once I have confirmation I will let everyone know. Also in the works are some really nice give aways. Spa Treatments, Retreat get aways, great goodie bags with Protein, Vitamins and some surprises. I hope you guys are excited about the Conference. I am hosting this conference for all of you. LAP-BANDERS get the backseat when it comes to support and conferences and I'm trying to change that. Remember early bird pricing is going on until July 15, 2008 so take advantage and book your spot today. ((HUGS)) ~Cher~

You are doing awesome!! 12 pounds in less than three is great for a bandster. Remember you are not going to have crazy weight loss like a Gastric Bypass patient. Slow and steady is way of the band. It's a mind set so please try to remove the "ONLY". I know it's hard, I was guilty of saying "ONLY" as well. You have "LOST" 12 pounds and again that is amazing. Rejoice in your 12 pound loss and think about how much you are going to lose Believing in your Success!! ((HUGS)) ~Cher~

Congratulations Deb!! I am so glad the article was helpful. Consider it your Lap-band Blueprint. Print it out and carry it with you so you will be reminded daily this is a new "Lifestyle" and one you should embrace. Keep up the great work, you are going to do amazing. ((HUGS)) ~Cher~

Hi Rhonda, I feel your pain. I had to do the 2 week pre-op liquid diet as well. I contacted my surgeons office and inquired if i could have at least one meal a day and was told yes. Now I am not suggesting you do this without consulting with your surgeonfirst. My surgeon allowed me to eat a small meal at lunch. I know eating that one small was so helpful for me. Keep your chin up the hard part is almost over, we've all been there and know how hard it is. ((HUGS)) ~Cher~

I'm glad you enjoyed the article. It's up to us to make this journey work, so you follow your gut instinct and you will be fine!!

It's just like purchasing a new car. In order for it to work according to the manufacturer requirements you have to do basic maintenance and the band should be looked at the same way. You are not going to spend $25,000 for a new car and never change the oil. In essence patients are doing this if they are not following up with their surgeon. I am on a Quest to educate everyone about Basic Band Maintenance.

I know how patients are, they get frustrated and avoid their surgeon at all cost. That's when I say they need to see their surgeon the most is when they are struggling. It breaks my heart when I hear clients are struggling and they are scared to visit their surgeon. No one should ever be scared to go see their surgeon.

I am a little over four years out; so honestly I don't miss Pork Chops. Trust me it was the worst episode ever. I have never forgotten that feeling or the experience itself. As far as Elephants named Bob hopefully they are not as mean as the ones named Earl *LOL*!!

Please join Cher and Jeff as they welcome Dr. Garth Davis to the show June 11, 2008 [/url]Dr. Garth Davis graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Texas in Austin where he was the Student Government President. He was also awarded as the most outstanding student at UT. He went on to Medical School at Baylor College of Medicine and graduated in the top 10% of his class and was inducted to Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. BIG MEDICINE offers a behind-the-scenes look into the controversial world of bariatric surgery. Chef Leslie will back also to share with us another amazing "WLS" friendly recipe. Date: 06/11/08 Time: 8:00pm ET/7:00pm CT/5:00pm PT Where: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thewlscoaches Call-In Line: 646-716-9413 We hope to "Hear" you there!

I was about six months post op and visiting friends. We all sat down for dinner (grilled pork chops, broccoli, and mashed potatoes) I found the smallest pork chop got some broccoli and a little mashed potatoes on my plate and thought "OH" this is going to be so good. We were just having general chit-chat over dinner and I was not paying attention to my chewing. I guess it was about 3 bites into my meal and I knew I was in trouble. I didn’t have time to excuse myself; I knew I had to leave the table and I had to leave now. I either ate too fast or didn’t chew well enough and bam I could feel the tightness in my chest. I knew I had an elephant on my chest and he wasn’t moving. Earl scooched down and made himself very comfortable, no matter what I did to move him, he wasn’t budging. I was in the restroom for over an hour; I had all sorts of visions running through my head about how to make this tightness in my chest stop. I thought of the car thief who uses a coat hanger to break in, I thought maybe I could perform surgery on myself and remove the band, the longer the episode lasted the more crazy my thought process became. My friend came and knocked on the door and said my plate was still on the table (Are you kidding me I have been in here over an hour and the last thing I want to think about is eating again) no I’m good go ahead and remove my plate. After an hour and half my PB from H E double hockey stick came to an end. My poor friends kept coming and checking on me to make sure I was ok; talk about being embarrassed and humiliated at the same time. I was exhausted by the time the whole experience was over. I came out of the restroom to a standing ovation (yeah really). Of course I was asked if I was still happy with my decision to have the band and I answered with a “You better believe it”. So if you can learn anything from my experience I would hope it would be one of three things. A.Don’t eat and carry on a conversation at the same time. B.Don’t experience a PB (Productive Burp)for over an half hour without contacting your surgeon. C.Avoid Elephants named Earl they are not nice elephants. I have not had a pork chop to this day.

Mary you can do it!! One day at a time, don't try to be a hero and incorporate every change all at once. If you find one tip on the list you really like then focus only on making that particular change. Once you have that tip down move on to another tip, before long you will be a creature of habit. You are deserving of these changes, you are worth it!! I wish you the best of luck.

I'm glad you found it helpful. Let me know if you need any help, that's what I'm here for!!

That is goal to make this an annual event. I am also hoping to turn this into a Regional event as well. So hopefully I'll be hosting one closer to you next year.

I am so thankful for this band and the choices I now make. I have been dating post- op and I know within a couple of weeks or so if this is someone who is serious or someone just looking for a little something something. I don't stay in a relationship if it dosen't feel right, now that is priceless for me!! Facing your issues are much easier because you start to lose your shame and guilt as you lose the weight. Be kind to yourself during the journey because you will have some good days and some not so good days. I wish you the best of luck on your wonderful challenging journey.

Hi, I'm in Lewisville and would love to be your buddy. Please let me know how your doing and if you need anything at all. Best of luck as you embark on this wonderful challenging journey!! ((HUGS)) ~Cher~

Hi my name is Cher I'm 41 and I'm still taking my journey. I was banded 05/12/04- I started at 246, size 22 and I'm 5'2 As of this morning I am at 166, size 12 and still 5'2 ( oh how I was hoping to gain some heigthth with the weight loss) My goal is 136, trust me the last 30 pounds are kicking my butt! I got banded for two reasons, vanity and health purposes. How can that be? I was sick of being fat and being stuck dating losers I also wanted to do something good for myself, so I took the leap of faith and had this wonderful band placed in me. Like everyone else I had tried every diet known to man, sure I would experience success but like everyone else it was short lived. I would gain the weight back and of course they would be bring buddies with them. I hate those pound buddies, don't they know they are not welcomed guest. As a result of my journey my life as changed from the inside out. I am now a Life and Wellness Coach. I now help people who are pre-op and post-op enjoy their LAP-BAND journey. Being a buddy to those in need is my passion- so if you need support, suggestions, encouragement or just someone to listen I would be honored to be your buddy. Even being four years out still has it challenges, so really you guys help me as well. I am looking forward to this new adventure!!

LAP-BAND Blueprint Everyone has high hopes of reaching of their sweet spot. I hear this all the time “I just want to be tight”. LAP-BAND Patients feel like if the band is tight it will stop them from overeating. With this mindset all the responsibility is placed on the band; and it will only lead to frustration. The band is tricky; there is definitely a learning curve. · The band was designed to eat a normal meal. A normal meal means you eat a smaller meal without side effects. If you are properly adjusted you can eat without experiencing Productive Burping or much sliming. · Learn to chew your food to liquid form. Chewing your food to liquid form will reduce the amount of productive burps; this will also help reduce the sliming effect as well. · Avoid Soft Food Syndrome. If you are eating softer foods because it is easier, you have no way of knowing if you are properly adjusted. Eating softer foods allows you to eat more and can halt your weight loss altogether. · Eat your Protein first. Eating protein first ensures you are getting enough protein to keep your energy levels up. · Don’t be so dependent on the band. Some patients are expecting the band to be their “Food Police”. Taking responsibility for what you are eating and how you are eating will take away the disappointed feeling. · The band is tighter in the morning. There is no scientific reason why the band is tighter in the morning. Just because the band is tight in the morning is no excuse to skip a meal. Mix up a Protein Shake to start your day. · Being too tight serves no good purpose. If the band is too tight and you are experiencing PB after PB this will not aid in the weight loss efforts. Also having a band that is too tight could result in a slip; which could result in another surgery. · The band is not properly adjusted. You are wide open and can eat anything you want, this is a sign you are not properly adjusted. Make an appointment with your surgeon to have another fill. · Tweaking your band. It could be as simple as .01 CC to get you to your sweet spot. Don’t think you have to have a full 1.0 CC to be properly adjusted · Don’t compare yourself to others. Just because someone has reached their sweet spot with 2.50 CC’s doesn’t mean you are going to reach your sweet spot with the same amount of fill. There are too many different size bands on the market and the person you are comparing your fill to might not even have the same band as you do. · Don’t deprive yourself. Eat what you like in moderation. The more processed the food the easier it is to eat with the band; it also means more calories. Read your labels if a serving size is 15 chips then only eat 15 chips not the whole bag. Keep in touch with your surgeon so he/she knows what is going on. If you are not following up with your surgeon they can’t get you to your sweet spot. Don’t feel bad if you have not lost any weight since your last visit; your surgeon will not yell at you. Especially if you keep a food diary and exercise diary; this will aid your surgeon to help you stay on track. If you are newly post-op take advantage of this time to really learn how to chew your food; trust me you will “Thank” yourself down the road. If you are properly adjusted; you will have to chew your food to liquid form; otherwise you will be experiencing productive burping and sliming. This leads to frustration and could possibly lead you to soft food syndrome which will halt your weight loss efforts. You have worked so hard to have the surgery and expected to have amazing results. It is possible if you work with your band as opposed to working against it. Don’t think of this as being another diet; think of this as being a “Lifestyle”. If you watch skinny fit people eat you will see they still allow themselves treats; you should be no different. Remember you had surgery on your stomach not your brain. It will be hard at times and you might make poor choices. Getting back on the band-wagon is easy to do. Go back to the band basics and you will see the results you want and deserve.

Val, Honestly to me is sounds like you are not getting in enough calories. Your body thinks it is in starvation mode so it is holding onto everything you put it in. By working out 5 days a week you should be able to off set any "Extra" calories you may have. My typical calorie count is between 1200-1600 a day depending on how much exercising I am doing. When I am doing a challenge (working out six days a week) I consume 1600 calories a day. When I'm not doing a challenge and working out 3 days a week I cut my calories to between 1200-1400 a day. I hope this helps. ~Cher~

Hi Becky, When you click on the pay now button, it takes you to the front page of Paypal. Over on the left it says "Don't have a paypal account" you can click the continue button and it will take you to the page to enter your information. Let me know if that helps.

Update on The 2008 National AGB Conference. I have located the hotel and blocked off the rooms for us. I have also created a blog where I will be posting all updates. Please visit the blog at... 2008 National AGB Conference

Update on The 2008 National AGB Conference. I have created a blog where all the updates will be posted. Please visit often for updates. 2008 National AGB Conference

Hello fellow lapbanders!! I have created a blog where I will be updating all the Conference information. I have also secured a hotel for us, it is listed on the blog. I want to "Thank" everyone for your suggestions and ideas. Trust me I am taking them to heart and will do everything I can to accommodate as many of you as I can. For more updates about the Conference please visit 2008 National AGB Conference ((HUGS)) ~Cher~

When a craving strikes ask yourself Am I stressed out? When you're under pressure, your body releases the hormone cortisol, which signals your brain to seek out rewards. Comfort foods loaded with sugar and fat basically "apply the brakes" to the stress system by blunting this hormone. When you reach for food in response to negative feelings such as anger or sadness (like potato chips after a fight with your spouse), you inadvertently create a powerful connection in your brain. Its classic brain conditioning; "The food gets coded in your memory center as a solution to an unpleasant experience or emotion". Stimulate happiness "Women especially have a profound emotional reaction to music". Create upbeat playlists to listen to whenever a craving strikes. The songs provide a distraction and an emotional release. Wait it out "People give in to cravings because they think they'll build in intensity until they become overwhelming, but that's not true," Cravings behave like waves: They build, crest, and then disappear. If you can "surf the urge," you have a better chance of beating it altogether Choose the best distraction "What you're really craving is to feel better," You've heard the trick about phoning a friend or exercising instead of eating. But "taking a solo walk won't help if you're feeling lonely," Instead, identify your current emotion--bored, anxious, or mad; by filling in these blanks: "I feel ____ because of ____." Then find an activity that releases it. If you're stressed, channeling nervous energy into a workout can help; if you're upset over a problem at the office, call a friend and ask for advice. Ask yourself "Have I been eating less than usual If you're eating fewer than 1,000 calories a day or restricting an entire food group (like carbs), you're putting your body in prime craving mode. Even just 3 days of strict dieting decreases levels of the appetite-reducing hormone leptin by 22%. Do This! Lift any bans--safely Plan ways to enjoy your favorite foods in controlled portions. Get a slice of pizza instead of a whole pie, or share a piece of restaurant cheesecake with two friends. Don't "eat around" cravings; trying to squash a craving with a low-cal imitation won't satisfy your brain's memory center. For example, if you're craving a milkshake, yogurt won't cut it--especially if you've been depriving yourself. You may even take in more calories than if you'd just had a reasonable portion of what you wanted in the first place. Munching five crackers, a handful of popcorn, and a bag of pretzels, all in the name of trying to squash a craving for potato chips, will net you about 250 more calories than if you'd eaten a single-serving bag Are you getting enough sleep? In a University of Chicago study, a few sleepless nights were enough to drop levels of the hormone leptin (which signals satiety) by 18% and boost levels of ghrelin, an appetite trigger, by about 30%. Those two changes alone caused appetite to kick into overdrive, and cravings for starchy foods like Cookies, potato chips, and bread jumped 45%. Do This! Have some caffeine; it can help you get through the day without any high-calorie pick-me-ups. It won't solve your bigger issue of chronic sleep loss, but it's a good short-term fix until you get back on track. Portion out a serving, you probably don't have the energy to fight it, so try this trick: Before you dig in, dole out a small amount of the food you want (on a plate) and put the rest away. Are you a creature of habit? You may not realize it, but seemingly innocent routines, such as eating cheese popcorn while watching TV, create powerful associations. "The brain loves routine". The thought of letting go of these patterns can cause a fear response in an area of the brain called the amygdala. "Once the food hits your lips, the fear response shuts off in a heartbeat." Do This! Eliminate sensory cues; smells, sights, and sounds all act as powerful triggers. Watch television in your basement or bedroom so you're far away from the kitchen and the cupboard full of Snacks Picture yourself healthy; try the "stop technique": Every time the food you crave pops into your head, think, Stop! Then, picture a healthy image (say, you're lean and fit). After a while, your brain will dismiss the food image and the craving will subside. "One of my clients did this four or five times a day, and within 2 weeks, she stopped turning to sweets every night after dinner." Shift your focus; Australian researchers found that distracting your brain really does work. When a craving hits, divert your attention to something visual not related to food, like typing an e-mail. Passing up one bag of potato chips and 1 pint of Ben & Jerry's Peanut Butter Cup ice cream per month can help you lose 10 pounds in a year

Dr. Garth Davis is going to be on "The New You" Radio Show on June 11, 2008 at 7:00 pm CST. Please join Jeff and I as we interview him. You can also call in and ask him questions live or join our interactive chat room and submit questions there. This would be a great way to actually speak to Garth and ask him any question you desire. You can sign up for a reminder using the link below. It's going to be an amazing show, so be sure to join us.

Jazlady, What an amazing gift you are going to provide. Thank you so much for your generosity. I will have a place set up for you, don't worry about that.