CoachCher

Stick to the band blueprint and you will do amazing!! I know it's hard and it takes ajusting, but if you believe in you and what you can do you will see the success you want and deserve!! Keep up the good work, you are on your way.

I know a lot of folks like to make out like their experience is all sunshine and roses. I think they might do that because they don't want to admit they are struggling as well. Honestly this was our last ditch effort and if it's not working how we anticipated it to work then we feel like a failure. We don't want others to view us as failures either. Try going back to the basics and be honest with yourself. I lost my first 60 pounds pretty effortlessly and then I got comfortable. I stayed the same weight for 2 years before I made the decision to get back to the basics and workout on a regular basis and guess what the scale started moving again. I hope you see the success you want and deserve.

I drink vodka with Sonic's Cranberry Limeaide and have no problem. I also drink vodka with strawberry-cranbury with a splash of 7-up to take away the tartness and again no problems. As banded people we "CAN" have carbonation, but we "SHOULDN'T". It's all about the extra calories and sugar we should be avoiding it's not the carbonation we should be avoiding. I'm 4 years post op so I have a pretty good handle on what I "CAN" and "SHOULD'NT" have.

I sent the information to Dr. Spivak office, so be sure to check it out at your next appointment. ~Cher~

Early bird special is expiring on July 15, 2008 don't wait book today!! New Speakers added and someone will have the opportunity to win a "Lap-band" Surgery via a raffle. 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. To make your reservation please call 877-999-3223 use "Banded Together" for the discount. Speakers Mary Jo Rapini- Body Image and Sexuality Cher Ewing- Is your band failing you or are you failing your band? (My Story) Dr. Sina Matin- Educating your support system Dr. Frank Veninga- Importance of Aftercare Dr. Jonathan Heistein- Plastic Surgeon Dr. Kevin Prentice- Health & Transformation Chiropractor Diane Wallace RD- Master Centers Dietitian Kat Winegar M.E.S- Banded Personal Trainer Chef Leslie Moore- Banded Chef 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 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. Please check back often to see what speakers and vendors have been added to the venue. 2008 National LAP-BAND Conference (Early Bird Special) pay before July 15, 2008 $100.00 after July 15, 2008 the cost will be $150.00

Wyndham DFW Airport North 4441 W. John Carpenter Freeway | Irving, Texas 75063 | United States | 972-929-8181 Book it under "Banded Together" to ensure you get the discount. I am thrilled you are joining us for this life changing event!!

I am so proud of you guys, you know your weakness and what could spin you out of control. Recognizing your weakness is the first step to making corrections. I am not an advocate of denying ourselves of anything. I follow what I have coined as the 6/1 rule. I eat well for "Six" days and on the seventh day I eat what I want. This way I'm not eating crap throughout the week, but I'm also not depriving myself of anything either. Try to follow this principle for a week and see if it helps.

Thats why its so important to have "PLAN" in place. Each and everyone of us will experience temptation or bad choices. If we have a plan in place we are prepared when the situation arises. You are ahead of the game because you know when your weakness is "Afternoon", make a plan so you have an out when the craving strikes. Let me know how this works for you :thumbs_down:)

WOW 24 lbs in 6 weeks that is amazing, that's an average of 4 lbs a week. Your body is changing and adjusting so it's probably taking a rest from losing, it's part of the process. Here's the deal the first 6-8 weeks are about healing and adjusting to our new way of eating. Weight loss in this time period is a bonus, so consider yourself ahead of the game. You are eating well and working out well so you know that is not the problem. We all hit a plateau from time to time and believe me your body is making adjustments right now. If you think you are eating more than you should (I don't think you are based on what you said) it could be time for a fill. I know it's easier said than done but don't stress if you haven't lost any weight, you didn't gain this weight overnight so it's not going to come off overnight. Keep in mind sometimes we have to shock our system to get things moving again. Try to change up your eating a little; maybe add some calories or take away some calories. Also change up your workouts a bit, add some more cardio (cardio is what burns calories). Be kind to yourself during this time and keep in mind it's a process. You are doing "AWESOME" focus on that; not the scale for now.

Read my P B from H E double hockey sticks article. Pork chops and steak are very tricky. Make sure you chew chew chew even if your not very tight, it's nice to already have this practice down.

I think there are a lot of folks who feel this way but are too afraid or ashamed to admit it. Be honest with yourself and you can turn this around. The great thing about the band, it's there when you are ready to start losing again. I wish you the best of luck!!

Congratulations on your loss; you are doing amazing. I would contact my surgeon not sure why you are experiencing pain on the left side.

If you ever reach the point I reached you will try anything. I personally have never used that method but I'm sure it works.

Yes it does but you can learn from my experience :tt1:)

Please join Cher & Jeff as they welcome Mary Jo Rapini from TLC's Big Medicine. 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. Plus another great WLS recipe from Chef Leslie! (banded Chef) Date 07/09/08 Time: 8:00pm ET, 7:00pm CT and 5:00pm PT Where: www.blogtalkradio.com/thewlscoaches Call in number: 646-716-9413 We hope to "Hear" you there!

Hi Jasmine!! Here is the thread for the conference. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/update-2008-national-agb-conference-64441/ It is open to both pre-op's and post-ops. I hope you can join us, it's going to be life changing.

I have created the Lap-band Blueprint, hopefully this will help you as well. 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 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 get 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.

WOW I have never heard it explained in such a manner. What you said really makes a lot of sense. Thanks for sharing!!

It's a process I'm not going to sugarcoat it (no pun intended). If you commit to your band you will do amazing. I am here to support and encourage. Feel free to contact me anytime. I'm also hosting The 2008 National Lap-band Conference in Dallas Oct 3-5, 2008. We would be honored if you could make it. This would be a great opportunity for you to meet people who are taking the same journey you are.

Congratulations on your approval and embarking on the best journey ever. You are right there are ways to cheat the band, and if you don't change your thinking it's going to be hard to be successful. I have created what I call the six/one rule. I eat well for six days and then on the seventh day I allow myself my treats. This way I am not deprived of the things I love. You have to think of this as a lifestyle not a diet, quick fix or something that is going to solve the world problems . The band is as effective as you allow it to be. Remember why you are having this surgery to begin with, to become a healthier you. If you don't change your eating you are setting yourself up for failure and disappointment; that's a promise. If you eat the same crap post-op as you did pre-op well you know where that got you. I'm not saying that to be mean, because it happened to each one of us as well. We obviously didn't have the best diet to begin with or we wouldn't have to have surgery. You have to find what works for you and go with it. I wish you best of luck!!

Maybe she was trying to get her a little something something ) You should be so proud!!

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.

I'm glad you found it useful!

I personally don't have a problem with salads but some bandsters do. It just depends on the individual.

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 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 get 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.