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Hi Suzanne! The seminar is in Ashburn Va, and I will jsut cut and paste the info here. It's sponsored by Obesity help (dot) com another GREAT resource. 2008 - Ashburn, VA ObesityHelp Event ObesityHelp Regional Conference Quick Links: Purchase Tickets Topic List Schedule Sponsors 0.5 km0.5 mi Data ©Navteq,TeleAtlas ©2006 Yahoo! Inc. When: May 3, 2008, All day. Where: Embassy Suites Dulles - North/Loudoun 44610 Waxpool Road Ashburn, VA Hotel Website 1-800-EMBASSY Lodging: Embassy Suites Dulles - North/Loudoun 44610 Waxpool Road Ashburn, VA Hotel Website 1-800-EMBASSY About the area: The newly built Embassy Suites Dulles - North/Loudoun, VA hotel is located only three miles from the Washington Dulles International Airport, near the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum - Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Ashburn Ice House, Old Dominion Brewing Company, Dulles Indoor Sportsplex, Dulles Town Center, Washington Redskins Park and the corporate headquarters of AOL, Verizon Business, Airbus and Orbital Sciences. This full-service upscale all-suite hotel is just minutes from the Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, Reston Town Center and Tysons Corner. Guests of the Embassy Suites Dulles - North/Loudoun, VA hotel stay in spacious two-room suites and receive a complimentary cooked-to-order Breakfast and a nightly manager's reception. Wireless and high-speed Internet access is available in all guest suites and public areas of the Embassy Suites hotel (daily surcharge applies). The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle to and from the Washington Dulles International Airport. Announcements: HOTEL RESERVATIONS To make your reservations, please call 1-800-EMBASSY and give them the code "OBH". Room rates are $109 per night and prices are valid on the nights of May 2-4. Reservations must be made by April 11th, 2008. For ease, you can CLICK HERE to reserve your room! Event Host Jackie Thodos is a Gastric bypass post-op, ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and co-founder of Obesity Freedom. Since her surgery, she has been very committed to the bariatric community, and helps people succeed everyday in her successful support group in Fredericksburg, VA and beyond. A Motivational speaker, Certified Back on Track facilitator and Life Coach, Jackie has inspired audiences large and small on transforming your life through weight loss surgery. Jackie combines her true passion for coaching fellow weight loss surgery patients with years of event organization and staff development. Her latest book, Idle Hands = Active Mouth: A Grazer's Journey to Weight Loss Success, will be available in early 2009. Jackie lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia with her husband and son, her greatest supporters. For more information on Jackie, visit Bringing Freedom from the Restrictions Associated with Obesity. Schedule: General Schedule for Saturday7:00 AM - 8:00 AM Vendor Setup Time8:00 AM - 8:45 AM Registration and Time to visit with the Vendors8:45 AM - 9:00 AM Opening statements and introductions9:00 AM - 9:45 AM Dr. Mitchel Krieger9:55 AM - 10:40 AM Dr. Andrew Goldberg10:50 AM - 11:35 AM Dr. Denis Halmi & Dr.Daniel Tran11:35 AM - 12:15 PM Break - Visit the Vendors12:15 PM - 1:15 PM lunch & Schedule Update1:30 PM - 2:15 PM Guest Speaker - Heidi Ecker2:25 PM - 3:10 PM Jeremy Gentles, BS, CSCS3:20 PM - 4:05 PM Speaker 4 - TBA4:15 PM - 5:00 PM Closing Statements and Prize Giveaways Speakers / Topics Special Guest Speaker - Heidi Ecker - from ABC's Extreme Makeover "Laugh it Off: Tales of a 100 Pound Weight Loss" -from ABC Extreme Makeover Cast Member Heidi Ecker Join Heidi as she takes you for a speedwalk on her awesome journey as an always-overweight 270 pound 32 year old woman who one day decides to transform her life by eating healthy and exercising and loses over 100 pounds and six feet of fat in less than a year! Heidi will take you on a hilarious review of five a.m. curtain calls at the gym, eating enough eggs to lay one, and being so sore from working out just sitting on the toilet felt like competing in the Iron Man! You won't want to miss this exciting review of how she exchanged Washington's scales of justice for the scales at the gym going from a size 24 to a size 4, a story ABC believed in so much she was then selected for an Extreme Makeover that aired last year. She's launched a website community to bring her vision to others in the battle against obesity. Her website, Heidi Hype - Heidi Ecker, is where America is laughing together and losing together! Dr. Mitchel Krieger, Plastic Surgeon Dr. Krieger is a plastic surgeon specializing in the art of aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. He prides himself on the excellent care he and his staff provide their patients. A former military surgeon, Dr. Krieger completed surgical training in San Francisco and Washington, D.C. He brings nearly 20 years worth of experience in treating bariatric patients. Dr. Krieger offers a full range of cosmetic surgery services with an emphasis on plastic surgery for post bariatric weight loss patients. He is a skilled surgeon sensitive to the needs of patients who have lost considerable weight. He is currently co-authoring a new book on plastic surgery following massive weight loss. It is expected to be released this summer. Providing body recontouring surgery options to patients who have recently undergone bariatric procedures, he is able to help people more fully enjoy their new, slimmed-down bodies. His involvement with Fair Oaks Hospital has given Dr. Krieger unique experience to help optimize your surgical results. Adroit in a wide array of available procedures for patients, Dr. Krieger readily consults with patients to bring them the latest techniques suitable to their needs and desires. He looks forward to the opportunity to meet with you. Dr. Krieger's presentation will include: -Mid and Lower Body Recontouring After Weight Loss -Bodylift and Thighlift Surgery -Answers to common questions related to recovery afer plastic surgery Dr. Krieger will be providing private, one-on-one consultations during the conference. Registration for the spots are limited and will be available the morning of the conference. Dr. Andrew Goldberg, Plastic Surgeon Dr. Goldberg is an accomplished cosmetic surgeon trained in both aesthetic and complex reconstructive surgical procedures. Washington Checkbook and Northern Virginia magazines along with multiple other groups have consistently listed him as a Top Physician. He is fervent in his belief that plastic surgery can improve one's self-esteem and confidence. He hopes you will give him the opportunity to help you reach your goals. Dr. Goldberg's cosmetic surgery practice covers a broad range - from facelift, breast enhancement, and body contouring to laser and minimally invasive procedures. His colleagues trust of his experience and knowledge are evident by his position as the Chairman of the Department of Surgery at FairOaks Hospital and by his membership on the Board of the Medical Society of Virginia. Dr. Goldberg's Presentation will include: -Breast/Arms/Facial Rejuvenation After Weight Loss -Answers to common questions regarding plastic surgery Dr. Goldberg will be providing private, one-on-one consultations during the conference. Registration for the spots are limited and will be available the morning of the conference. Dr. Denis Halmi, Bariatric Surgeon Denis J. Halmi, M.D., F.A.C.S. is certified by the American Board of Surgery and is designated as a Center of Excellence Surgeon by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Dr. Halmi has performed over 1,500 gastric bypass surgeries and over 150 laparoscopic adjustable gastric bands. He is one of the pioneers in the field of weight loss surgery with more than 15 years of experience in treating overweight patients. He is well known nationally and internationally for his clinical and scientific work; he has contributed numerous research papers in this area. Dr Halmi regularly attends professional meetings as a speaker on the surgical treatment of obesity. Dr. Halmi has special interest in long term weight management after bariatric surgery and in minimally invasive revisional weight loss surgery utilizing the latest technologies. Currently, Dr. Halmi is the Medical Director of the Virginia Weight Loss Surgery Center – a multi-specialty medical center dedicated to provide physician supervised services in weight loss, diet education, exercise, behavior modification and plastic and cosmetic surgery. He is also the Medical Director of the Weight Loss Surgery Center at Potomac Hospital in Woodbridge, Virginia, a designated Center of Excellence in Bariatric Surgery. Dr. Halmi will be providing private, one-on-one consultations during the conference. Registration for the spots are limited and will be available the morning of the conference. Dr. Daniel Tran, Bariatric Surgeon Daniel D. Tran, MD, FACS Bariatric Surgeon, is a board certified general surgeon who completed his residency at Loma Linda University Medical Center in California. He received subspecialty training in trauma and surgical critical care medicine at Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Tran has special interest and expertise in minimally invasive weight loss surgery. Prior to relocating to Virginia, Dr. Tran was the medical director of the Bridgeport-Yale New Haven Health Weight Loss Surgery Center in Connecticut. He has performed over 300 laparoscopic gastric bypasses and over 200 laparoscopic gastric bands. Dr. Tran has special interest in the latest surgical technologies: endoluminal surgery and robotic assisted surgery. Dr. Tran is designated as a Center of Excellence Surgeon by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Dr Tran is the Director of Bariatric Surgery at the Virginia Weight Loss Surgery Center performing a high volume of laparoscopic weight loss surgery procedures. Topics being presented: -Key factors of success in long term weight loss after bariatric surgery -Long term side effects/risks of different weight loss procedures -Latest surgical options if all else fail (weight regain, complications) Jeremy Gentles, Fitness Expert Jeremy Gentles, CSCS, is ObesityHelp's staff health and fitness expert. Jeremy studied Exercise Science at East Tennessee State University and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). In his presentation, Jeremy will arm you with the knowledge to safely participate in a self-guided exercise program to assist you in achieving long-term success after weight loss surgery. He'll offer solutions for overcoming a multitude of obstacles that can get in the way of enjoy a full, active life. By helping you understand the why's and how's of exercise, Jeremy will empower you to knock down those obstacles, allowing you to become healthier through exercise. Come explore the benefits of having a healthy focus and learn how to properly and safely implement a weight/resistance training program. It's your journey....Train for it! I know the registration was getting close to being full, i registered for two spots, but am not sure if my friend will be there or not, so once i find out, if you are interested in going I can give you one of my slots.

Just sharing another complication story in case it helps anyone out there. This one involving a miserable band experience, gastroparesis, and a suspect vagus nerve. My dad was banded in 2009. Despite numerous fills in his 10cc band, he never achieved what I would consider good restriction - he was constantly hungry, didn't have portion control, had no food type intolerances, or any of the 100 other indicators one might look to as a gauge for proper restriction. But he would say he was "PBing". Which, after questioning him, was not "PB" at all but was bona fide vomiting. (I no longer feel like a linguistic school marm for insisting there's a difference, and an inherent danger in not understanding the difference). I think he was banded about a year, and in that time he probably went in for 30+ post-op visits. He'd have some trouble and they would unfill him. He'd do ok for a while and they would give him a slight fill. He'd have more trouble and they'd take more fill out. Up & down & around. So finally it gets to the point where he's just manifesting really strange symptoms, like super delayed vomiting: eat peas on Mon, feel fine Mon - Wed, and Thu out of the blue vomit up peas. Violent, wrenching vomiting. And then he eventually got to where he'd vomit even if he hadn't eaten, and was starting to bring up the ubiquitous coffee grounds. I told him enough BS, demand a swallow test. Dr. agreed, he had one done, and he passed with flying colors. Esophageal motility on track, no prolapse, no erosion, pouch cleared in under 5 minutes. They scheduled him for an endoscopic procedure and he was absolutely riddled with ulcers. Poor guy looked like a pizza covered with white pepperonis on the inside. AGB Dr tried to say "need unfill" so I had a talk with him, during which time I reminded him that the band doesn't work on a vacuum concept & you can't take out ccs from a band that's already empty. (Note to people out there -- never, ever, ever feel sheepish about advocating for your medical care). So he put my father on a 2 week liquid diet to see if things would calm down. 2 days into that diet the exact same symptoms are occuring, and now we're vomiting 24/7 with virtually no liquid/solid intake. So he calls me and I tell him to go to the ER, get hydrated, and don't leave until they tell you something. I drive out to see him in the hospital and they have him forcing liquids down because "maybe" they'll stay down. Uh uh. We switch to IV hydration, and the vomiting continues. He's now afraid to swallow, and vomiting on a pretty regular 45 minute schedule despite being chock full of antiemitics. After 4 days in the hospital he's diagnosed with gastroparesis & xferred to AGB surgeon's care for immediate "let's see what's going on" surgery. During surgery, a significant slip is noted (that apparently was not there during the tests about 2 weeks prior) and the band is deemed irrepairable & removed. As soon as he woke up from surgery he felt 100% better, and has not had a single problem since. This includes the past 6 - 8 months during which he was rebanded. The best guess out there is that something in his band positioning was irritating the vagus nerve, which caused all the problems up to & including the onset of gastroparesis. Slippage was attributed to the vomiting attributed to the gastroparesis. AGB surgeon says "he had the problem before banding, and the onset/worsening is coincidental." Everyone else says it's the other way around. I know he had no problems, ever, before his first banding. And I'm probably forgetting a couple things in there. My reliable memory is about 8 minutes, and we're talking months & months. The end.

I do it in morning after pee and naked, I know no way really 2lbs bc I only eat 800-1100 calories a day lol but I didn't know people who weigh everyday are thinner crazy, I just thought was me being crazy and wanting scale to magically say less

Hi I know this is going to be a crazy question but I need to know which surgery I had. I had my surgery in 1979 when I was 18 years old. It was done in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at Mount Sinai Hospital. I am now in my late 50s and my health is failing. I guess the reason I never knew which surgery I had was because I never had great medical care beyond the day I walked out of the surgeon's office. I spent years of throwing up my food and not losing much weight. When I asked other doctors about malnutrition they just laughed at me and asked if I had rickets. They made me feel stupid so I never pursued it further. I didn't have great medical care beyond that. I never had the energy or stamina that other people had, I just thought I was lazy and I pushed myself harder. Other people thought I was lazy too, and they never understood my eating issues. My teeth started breaking off and became painful in the back from all of the throwing up I was doing, which impeded my eating habits even more. I got pregnant several times and became very ill and I was not offered any medical help to get through the pregnancies. My husband was very upset about how sick I was he did not want lose me to not getting any help and did not want me to go through with them. My final pregnancy I spent 7 months hospitalized and tube fed because of malnutrition. That was 25 years ago and after I had my daughter again no doctor would presued the malnutrition issue they just told me that pregnant women had worse issues in third world countries. I went on from there to live my life until the last 4 years when I started getting too sick to even go to work. Finally I got social security disability but because you don't get actual medical insurance for two years after you start disability I did not get medical attention again. I am told by other people that the malnutrition issue is well-known however it seems to be unknownby any doctors I am seeing. So anyhow back to the original question all I know about the surgery is I have a large scare from the top of my abdomin to my belly button, I was told they had to take my stomach out to work on it, the staples show up on x-rays or scans and something was done with the opening to the intestine, I think it was moved to form scar tissue to slow down the emptying of my stomach. I have attended seminars given by bariatric doctors and when I pose the question to them about which surgery I might have had they tell me they can't help me. So what was the name of my surgery and what was done to me? I hope someone can give me some help here.

Hi, I'm sure this has been asked already but I am now 9 days post op and 3 days ago I started running a low temp 99 to 100 out of nowhere in the middle of the afternoon. I feel fine and haven't had any issues but am worried bc it has happened every day since from early afternoon to evening. The highest has been 100.2 and if I take tylenol it goes away. My surgeon said if it goes between 101 and 101.5 to go to an urgent care for bloodwork and CT but if no other sypmtoms then he thinks it isn't something to be too worried about. I have my post op follow up in 4 days and am hoping it goes away by then. Has anyone experienced anything like this? Thanks

Wow thanks for this post! I was beginning to think I failed and that I wasn't doing something right bc I'm on mushys now and only lost 9lbs since surgery and I swear the scale is broken bc my clothes fit much looser but its only 9lbs, plus I was worried bc I'm getting hungry and it was sooooo nice the first 8 days post op thinking I had "restriction" only for it to suddenly go away one day...this really is hell. I too want to get back to the full use of the gym but for now its only the tredmill. How far out is everyones fills? Mine is scheduled for early feb and I was banded mid dec, so 6-8 weeks...seems forever!

I too have PCOS and have been struggling for years with the abnormal menstrual cycles. There has been times I gone 90 days so that is definitely one of my primary reasons I had to choose this aggressive approach to lose the weight. I'm so glad for this forum bc I've been having similar thoughts of actually feeling unsure a out having kids since there will be actually a chance now I can...it's so weird...bc i also have a 13yr old stepson and i would love the opportunity to have a child with my hubby...but I'm hoping that this year will be my last crazy "aunt flow" cycle and I can begin to live "normal". So I pray that as you progress that you choose what will be best for you and if u decide on not wanting a child that's okay too.

Oh, eff, seriously?! I am so freaked about taking any BC and haven't had to worry about it for three years. Then bam! Right after surgery had a period (that was missing for over three years) that last almost three weeks. My PCP said, "if you're going to be menstruating and ovulating and don't want babies, you need birth control." I didn't want an IUD as they kinda freak me out but I don't want DEPO to make me crazy. GAH!

Hi I am type 1 diabetic and my BS stayed in the upper 200's for several weeks. My doc also told me it was due to the surgery and it takes a while to even out.

How exciting!!! I also have BS of CA and I am on month 4 of 6. How was the process for you? Where are you having your surgery? Sent from my iPhone

I had some requests for tips.. I am trying to think of what I have done differently. For one- I don't drink any coffee or soda or any caffeine which increases appetite and dehydrates you. I quit cold turkey along with smoking cigarettes. I eat anything I want. But, I usually just have protein or mostly protein because I crave it. I like canned tuna, beans, and chicken mostly. I have a stupid protein shake every day because it is the only way I can take my pills. It usually has 30 grams. I haven't really had more than 1000 calories a day, but I don't count bc thats why I have a band! I hear I should be having more. I don't exercise at all (I can't until I heal from a pulled muscle) I like herbal iced tea and crytal light to get all my water. I like sugar free popsicles when I want to eat but am not hungry. I DO NOT drink for an hour after I eat. I watch the clock like a hawk for that hour to pass. I drink all the way up tp my very first bite. A few days ago I decided to go off of Celexa, a major contributor to my weight problem. I will let you know if that makes a difference. :wink2::sad::drool:

I am 38...had surgery in April of 2015. Made goal within 8 months (over 150 pounds lost). I went on birth control (ortho-tricyclen) 3 months after surgery. My doctors and nurses assure me that BC does not cause weight gain. Literally ever since I have been on it, I ONLY lose weight during the week of my cycle. The day I take that first white pill I gain 2 pounds and it stays until the day before my cycle starts and then it's gone. Before I was losing 10 to 15 pounds that week. This past month I only lost 4 and have already gained that 2 back. What's even crazier is that I go crazy on carbs during my period usually. This past time I didn't because I had a stomach virus and ate NOTHING. I like the BC because I have PCOS and my cycles were crazy before I had surgery. Since you don't have to be careful about getting pregnant (due to BF) then I would probably go off of them or get a different kind.

Interesting bc I find artificial sweeteners too sweet! My nutritionist and I have an understanding... Eat tasty food that is nutritious and REAL. I focus on using purer ingredients when I can. For instance, I'd rather get jam that has seeds in it and its ingredient list is fruit!...rather than a less caloric and/or sugary 'jam' that has 10 ingredients. That's just an example. I focus on about 80 carbs a day, >50 protein, and <30 grams fat. I do not obsess over this though and find when I focus on protein and veggies the numbers even out. And i have dark chocolate almost every day too! So my suggestion is to find a nut who can help you figure out a plan that works for you. Eat real food and listen to your new stomach...good days and bad days will be had but overall focusing on quality is def working for me (but may not be the key for you). Good luck!

I don't get embarrassed of those pics... I only do now. I dont take full body pics bc I'm ebarassed now. Im hoping that will allllllll change soon

I am trying to keep my carbs under 40 a day but that leaves me with no Fiber. Anyone subtracting fiber from carbs to get net carbs instead? I can't even eat a Quest bar bc it takes up all my carbs... But it's so much fiber. Nut isn't available right now so I'll just take the group consensus on this! Thoughts? Thanks

Thank you guys so much! I contacted my nurse and she actually said it's bc I'm not eating enough so my stomach is upset! I'm gonna try today to have my "6 meals" ! Thanks once again.. I can't wait to feel normal . It's reassuring to hear from people who went through the same feeling

when will the diahrrea stop? I did find out that I am lactose-intolerant after the surgery. I have switched over to Lactaid and avoid all dairy. Lastly, I am not getting in three Protein drinks. This is bc I am full or want more bad side-effects. Has anyone tried protein supplement pills? Do they work? Is there a difference between men & women's pills? Where do I get them?

OMG. I remember you. I talked to you a while back on here. I am so fed up with my band. I finally had all of my fluid removed because of the same issues. I am ready to convert to the gastric sleeve. I am hearing good things about it. Personally, I despise the lap band and regret it! __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

So how are you doing now? I came across this thread bc I am actually 5 weeks today and lost only like 15 if that. I haven't exactly been the "best" patient though...going through some family/marital issues and got off track so I'm sure that has alot to do with my amount but I'm hoping to get back on track asap and hopefully lose some more. Lol Sent from my SM-G981U using BariatricPal mobile app

Thanks! I have been all the way up to 319 at one point probably about 2 and a half years ago but when I started with my surgeon in Feb, I was 299.5 and day of surgery was 291. And this morning I was 276.0 so idk I know I haven't EXACTLY been eating quite the way I should though which I'm mad at my self for but at the same time its so hard bc I do still crave the thi gs I shouldn't have. Plus, my family all eats terrible and I mean TERRIBLE so that doesn't help me either[emoji19] but when I do eat kinda bad it's not like THAT MUCH ya know? So idk I guess I just gotta keep on... keepin on! Lol Thanks for the info and help dear![emoji4] Sent from my SM-G981U using BariatricPal mobile app

I was informed i was suppost to get my surgery yesterday the 26th of oct, so i started my liquids on the 19th all went well lost 6lbs. When i called my drs office on the 24th to see where we stand and if we are a go for the surgery on the 26th she told me that she hasnt heard anything yet from my ins. co. So i took it apon myself and called my ins co and asked if they rec my paper work n to see whats going on n they said they just rec my paper work on the 21st of this month n it can take 10 to 15 business days to see if i am approved. also, the reason they rec my paper work so late was bc the ins co internal fax wasnt working so this was apperently going on since the end of sept beginng f oct. Also im back on solids, bc i couldntdo the liquids knwg i didnt have to so that only lasted 2 extra days.I realllllly want to get ths surgery, bc when i lost only the 6lbs from doin the liquids i started to feel great. But im becomming very impatient!!!!

Had my surgery on 4/27 and had my period during preop diet. I am not on BC but my bf is fixed. Well...no period for 3 months! But, just started again yesterday on my flight back from Bahamas. My periods before we're always very heavy and lasted 7-10 days. This one seems lighter....hoping shorter too!!

OK...I have ALMOST finished all the prereqs for surgery...just need to get my medical history faxed to my surgeon from my PCP and attend two support groups... Should be easy-peasy right????? Nope! I just can't make myself call my PCP for my records. I am usually a very take-the-bull-by-the-horns kinda gal. Nothing really holds me back from doing what I want to do......except this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jeesh...and I am really getting fed up with myself. All I have to do is get my head in the right place to get over this hurdle. Has anyone else suffered from cold feet???

I'm done. I just really don't think I have it in me to deal with MY emotions and fears let alone his BS!

Not trying to "win" anything. Just pointing out that this is a wls forum where we should be discussing wls not bashing a group of people. I came here to read about wls not transphobic bs. This type of content should be removed. Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app