minpinmom

I am down 42lbs since surgery - and it hasn't been a miracle for me either. I count calories and workout. I was sure hoping it would be the easy way to lose weight - I guess the way I have to look at it - I have never been able to lose 42lbs and keep it off before - so the Band is helping me! It is EASY to not lose with the band - I could live off of queso, chips, cookies and soups - but the band doesn't work with them - it is a struggle - but one that I can now fight since I have been banded. I too wish it were easier.

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

It was freakin awesome! - Paige went with me - there were a couple of others we met from Houston as well - but I didn't recognize them from here. There is another conference - not just for Lapbanders - for all weightloss patients here in Houston in November. It is on the "Other" website . . . obesity help. Sounds great - I will be going to it as well.

Hi Amy, I had surgery in February of this past year as well. I didn't have restriction until a few months ago. I lost my initial weight by counting every single calorie that I put in my mouth and exercising. Now I have restriction and it is much easier. Rules are so hard to follow - but I do pretty well as long as I eat my Protein first, don't drink during or 1.5 hours after and take tiny bites and chew to a liquid. I would encourage you to go to a support group every week - it helps so much! Good Luck and let us know what you decide.

Ha! We go to the Renaissance Festival every year! I only live about 25 minutes from it. Let me know when you come in for it - maybe we can meet for dinner one night!

The Dr. that I was most impressed with was Dr. Vuong from South Houston area. He changed the way I look at surgery and aftercare (support groups) I think in a few years he will be so famous you won't be able to get in to see him. He rocked. I have been banded and love my Dr. so I am not looking for one, but Dr. Vuong was rockin.

Okay - so last weekend we had a great Lapband Convention in Dallas. Since I am in Houston, I had no excuse not to attend. I hooked up with another gal here in Houston, we rode together and shared a room. We arrived in Dallas around 4 (I think) on Friday. Friday night we had a meet and greet - there were about 30 people there - we had dinner (well, we had cheese, I will get to that in a few). I met a few really nice ladies and hit it off right away with them. It was really just a night of socializing. Of course, since we only ate cheese - we ended up going out for dinner with each other - it was really nice. Dinner on Friday consisted of 3-4 kinds of cheese, crackers, pineapple and strawberries. No drinks, no meat, no nothing. It was horrible. I think it would have been a great appetizer - but it was advertised as dinner (I don't know about y'all, but I could eat my weight in cheese) I am going to explain each meal - only because it was the topic of conversation ALL weekend. Cher apologized for the meal and said she talked with the Hotel. However, the next two meals were almost equally horrible. Saturday for lunch was BETTER, I will say that, it was lunch meat, cheese, bread, chips, a dessert and iced tea. However I was near the end of the line, when I got there to make my plate there was nothing left but ham and roastbeef. No cheese, no chips, no dessert, no tea . . . you get the drift. I asked if I could have the Hotel bring out more - they said that we only paid for 40 and we only get 40. So, I had ham, by itself. Hey, at least I got my protein! That night we had the exact same thing as the first night with the addition of meatballs and chicken fingers! Can you believe that-they gave us fried chicken that was so dry - I don't know of one single person who took more than one bite. Okay, that is all I have on the food - on to the Meat of the Conference (hehe) We had some wonderful speakers and a couple that we could have done without. We got great goody bags and they had some neat door prizes and such. There wasn't much in the way of vendors - but the Hurricane here in Houston caused some of that. We learned a lot and socialized even more. I really think some of the ladies I met - I will know for the rest of my life. The Dr.s were very infomative and I learned about JuicePlus a supplement that I immediately bought for myself and my hubby. I really think it will do great things for us both. I am actually thinking about selling it - I feel that strongly about it. anyways, google juiceplus and see what you think. Saturday night we had a Fall Fling - (the meatball and fried chickenstrip dinner) - We left after about an hour - no one was dancing - Cher wasn't there or I bet she would have gotten someone on the dancefloor. So we left and went clubbing. We went to see this Coverband - I can't remember the name, we had a drink and left for a hip-hop club next door. Had a freakin blast. What fun. Didn't get home till after 100 AM. The picture was taken at the entrance of one of the clubs - what a great memory. Our firealarm kept squealling every 30 minutes or so - we had to have the hotel people come fix it at 200AM. So we didn't get much sleep at all. Sunday morning was nice we had a WONDERFUL LB DR. out of Houston do a support group with us - I would have paid 100 bucks just for that! He totally rocked. We packed up and headed home. I made some great friendships and hope to do it again soon. I am attending another Seminar in Houston in November - but it isn't Lapband specific - so not sure how informative it will be.

Here are a couple of shots that I had on my camera too.

Coach Cher - Not sure if you are attending the WLS Conference in Houston in November - it seems pretty similar. I will be "the spy" and see what cool stuff they do. If they have any neat products or vendors - I will forward their contact information to you. This weekend inspired me to go to this one too. It give me something to look forward to. I can't wait. I don't think I will be able to make it to New York, maybe I can go to the one following that one. I think I will NEED my FIX from you gals!

~Willowglen~ lol, you didn't taste the food! Like I said - I loved it and would have gone even if the food wouldn't have been included, but here was what we were served for dinner on: Friday Night: Cheese, crackers, pineapple and strawberries No water, no drinks unless you bought something at the bar. This was NOT advertized as appetizers, it was advertised as DINNER. Saturday Lunch: Cheese, lunchmeat, bread, chips, dessert and Iced Tea. I thought this meal was great - however by the time I got to the table (standing in line) everything was gone but roastbeef and ham (lunchmeat) So I ate lunchmeat. I asked the crew if they could bring out some cheese, or chips I was told no, only 40 were paid for and they wouldn't provide anymore. So I rolled up lunchmeat. Saturday Night: The exact same thing as Friday night with meatballs and chicken strips included. My problem with it was - on Friday - there was no protein - I can sit and eat cheese and crackers for an hour and never feel full. On Saturday for lunch I thought it was great, but there should have been enough for everyone to go though the line. On Saturday night - Chicken Fingers? Are you freakin kidding me? I don't know anyone who can eat that after being banded. We too ended up going out to dinner after each meal. The meals were not band friendly and were not MEALS, they were appetizers. Once again - I loved the conference and would go again in a heartbeat, BUT I would like to be able to budget ahead of time for meals.

I loved it - I agree about the food - it would have been fine had it been advertised as appetizers. I would have still paid the same even if food had not been offered. As far as suggestions for the next one - I got a MILLION questions about my Body Bugg - I don't know if they have people who could come to something like this and explain how to use it and sale it whatever - but I bet 25 people spoke with me privately about what it is, how it works and how to get one. Maybe bandster products for sale, like - PB2, diff kinds of protein (unjury) things that you normally have to order online - it would have been great to have them there to sample and buy. (once again, don't know if this is an option, but I would have spent money on it) Also lapband/WLS books - I have a few cookbooks and am always on the look out for the next one. Can I also mention that after Mary Jo's turn we SO should have one of the ladies who does "enhancement parties" Come and have products available :-) It would have saved a trip to Zone D' Erotica!

Had a FREAKIN Blast! I totally love you guys in person even more! Who would have thought that Mary Jo's time would have led us to end up in Zone'D Erotica after Clubbing Saturday night! What fun. There is a similar one (not just Lapband) being held in Houston in November - I am so going to it as well. How inspiring! ~Loosingjusme~ I hate that you felt "penalized" and made the decision not to attend. Sucks the next one will be in New York - it would have been way cheaper to pay the upcharge for this one! Hell, I would have paid it for you to get to meet you in person! You would have been a wonderful testimonial. I was sure hoping you would be there.

Awesome! We are driving out about noon today. I will be looking for you!

It will be humid hot for you - for us Native Texans - it will be crisp! Although - most everything is inside so you wouldn't have to wear shorts - but expect a lot of flip-flops, sandals, tank tops, shorts, etc.

Alex Rocks :-)

HA! I guess it can't be that then.

It is almost here! Who all is going - I can't wait to meet everyone!

I LOVE IGs. One of my friends shows them - they are so sweet and intelligent! My dogs love me no matter what - I wish people were that way!

Well now you know me! Here is a current picture! Please come say hi and introduce yourself. I can't wait to meet you! (The picture is of my 4 year old boyfriend giving me a birthday kiss - shh, don't tell my hubby)

I hope our nametags have our LBT Handles on them! That will be how I know most everyone!!! Hey, I know we can wear what we like, but what are you guys going to wear. I was planning on casual during the seminars and maybe a flirty dress for the fall fling. I SO don't want to feel out of place. Any ideas on what you guys are bringing with you to wear?