"The Band Banter" Talk Show

Dr. Duc Vuong

2009-05-18T15:46:00.000-07:00

In this two part series we are going to discuss the “Best Practices” which get the most out of your gastric band. In part one, we will cover Social Eating, Gastric Band Nutrition and Staying Focused throughout your gastric band journey. In part two we will discuss Satiety, Goal Weight vs. BMI, Exercise and The Importance of Support Groups.
As a Gastric Band patient I make an effort to follow the rules 90% of the time. I don’t expect perfection; I feel I would be setting myself up for failure if I strived towards perfection. (I don’t need to put that kind of pressure on myself.) However, this question does cross my mind from time to time, “What do our surgeons really expect from us?” Perfection? Consistency? Compliance? Eager to learn the answer, I invited Dr. Duc Vuong to share with us his thoughts. If any surgeon is going to understand the needs of banded patients, it would be Dr. Vuong. I provided 7 topics Gastric Band patients find challenging and told him how I handle them as a patient. I then asked him what he would tell his patients in these situations.
These are the areas we covered:
· Social Eating
· Gastric Band Nutrition
· Focus

Date: 05/18/2009
Time: 6:00pm CST
Where: "The Band Banter" Talk Show

We hope to "HEAR" you there!!

Thanks,
Cher & Krys

Mail Bag

2009-05-11T15:31:00.000-07:00

Tonight we will do the "Mail Bag" and give tips and tricks on how to have a successful band journey. We will answer our most common email questions, who knows we might answer your question live on air tonight.

Date: 05/11/2009
Time: 6:00 pm CST
Where: "The Band Banter" Talk Show
Call in: 347-237-4004

We hope to "Hear" you there.

Thanks,
Cher & Krys

Dr. Duane Tull

2009-05-04T12:24:00.000-07:00

Please join us as we welcome "Banded" Surgeon Dr. Duane Tull. Dr. Tull will share his experience has a banded surgeon. This is our first banded surgeon so we are thrilled to see how different a banded surgeon is compared to a non-banded surgeon. This is going to be a fun, educational show.

Date: 05/04/09
Time: 6:00pm CST
Where: "The Band Banter" Talk Show
Call in number: 347-237-4004

This is an interactive show, so be sure to join us in the chatroom.

We hope to "HEAR" you there!!

Thanks,
Cher & Krys

Laura Preston

2009-04-20T07:18:00.000-07:00

Please join us as we welcome Laura Preston "Bariatric Guru". Laura is going to discuss living our new lifestyle, we will cover everything from nutrition to support systems. Laura is a 4 year post-op Gastric Bypass patient, however she embraces all of us as a whole. In Laura's blog "My Daily Detour" she explores all the daily detours that life throws our way. At the end of the day it all boils down to the choices we make and how we deal with those detours.

Date: 04/20/2009
Time: 6:00 pm CST
Where: The Band Banter Talk Show
Call in number: 347-237-4004

Remember the show is interactive, join us in the chat room for all the fun.

We hope to "Hear" you there!

Thanks,
Cher & Krys

Question & Answer

2009-04-06T08:46:00.000-07:00

Big announcement on today's show. I have a new co-host joining me today Krys Marshall. Krys is almost 2 years out and has reached 92% of her goal, I'm sure within the next month she will be able to say "Reached 100% of her goal". Krys is such an inspiration to this community and will be a great addition to The Band Banter Talk Show.

Today's show Krys and I will be answering mail bag questions. We will also be covering the first six post-op what to do and what not do.

Date: 04/06/2009
Time: 6:00 pm CST
Where: The Band Banter Talk Show

We hope to "Hear" you there!!

Cher & Krys

Phatsoulmate

2009-03-31T06:57:00.000-07:00

Phatsoulmate.com will be launched in the next six weeks.

PhatSoulmate.com, the premier Weight Loss Surgery (WLS), singles connection on the web. Weather you’ve had surgery or are considering to have surgery this is the ideal site to connect with others who are looking to make connections with people who know what you are going through.

Phatsoulmate.com has defined the way overweight single men and overweight single women meet, connect, date and fall in love, proving love is available to all who seek to find their Phat soul mate.

Phatsoulmate.com can help you find the date or relationship that fits you best. Whether you are interested in Weight Loss Surgery (WLS) dating, overweight dating, Phatsoulmate.com offers a way to find more satisfying relationships.

Phatsoulmate.com is a great online destination for Weight Loss Surgery (WLS) and overweight men and women to find a friend, companions, dates and of course their phat soul mate all within a safe secure environment.

A dating site beyond every other dating site...
Find your most compatible matches - for friendships,dating, romance, love and more
Ask “CherBella” for dating advice
Enjoy live video chat
Browse members' personal ads, personal profiles and personal photos
Find the most up-to-date personal profiles on Phatsoulmate.com any time you want

**Special** We are offering a one month free trial to the first 5000 people. email us at phatsoulmate@gmail.com to get your name on the list.

Survival Tips

2009-03-31T06:55:00.000-07:00

Survival Tips from successful post-op Krys Marshall...

Succeed!!

S = Set a goal. Not necessarily a "number" goal. Can be any goal. Like, I want to bend over and tie my shoes w/o holding my breath! I want to make it up this hill. Whatever.

U = Use the tools available to you. Support groups, the internet, books, veterans....your band is not your only tool.

C = Create a gameplan. Make menus and schedule your workouts, etc into your week.

C = Consider yourself. You know what your weak points and strong points are. You know what you can handle and what you can't. You know when your hungry/full/emotional.....analyze and consider yourself.

E = Eliminate excuses. If you're not supposed to eat it (sugars, carbs, chips, cookies, cakes) don't buy it. Do not "negotiate" with yourself (if I work out for an hour, I'll give myself a cookie!) or justify food (I'm on my period/I'm stressed).

E = Excercise!! Working out gives you that little bit of added wiggle room for when you do break down and have sugar or something you're not supposed to. It also tones and firms, helping with excess skin. It is possible to be an unhealthy thin person. Do you want to be healthy or thin?

D = Determine that you will SUCCEED! You're the only one that can make the changes you are making and stick to them. It's nice to have cheerleaders on the sideline, but they're not the ones that play and eventually win the game.

Stick to these tips and become a success story like Krys!!

Krys Marshall

2009-03-30T12:25:00.000-07:00

Please join me as I welcome successful Post-op Krys Marshall only 18 months out and 8 lbs from her goal. You don't want to miss this story of hope, courage, and success!!

Date: 03/30/09
Time: 6:00 pm CT
Where: http://blogtalkradio.com/thebandbantertalkshow

I hope to "Hear" you there!!

~Cher~

Mary Jo Rapini

2009-03-23T05:30:00.000-07:00

Please join me Monday 03/23/09 as I welcome Mary Jo Rapini from TLC's Big Medicine. Mary Jo is a psychotherapist specializing in intimacy and relationships. She works in Houston, Texas at Methodist Hospital, maintains a private practice, and is a renowned lecturer and author. Mary Jo's philosophy: The Essence Triangle- Self, Relationships and Wellness. Mary Jo's Goal is to empower women to gain the freedom to be all they can be before worrying about intimate relationships. Women must understand their bodies, their sexuality, and their own passions and gifts. Tonight we will be discussing Online Dating.

Date: 03/23/2009
Time: 6:00 pm CT
Where: "The Band Banter" Talk Show
Call in number: 347-237-4004

**Big Announcement**- I will be unvailing something I've been working on the past six months, for all you single folks you don't want to miss this announcement.

I hope to "HEAR" you there tonight!!

Thanks,
~CoachCher~

Debbi Hackley "REALIZE Band" Patient

2009-03-16T07:07:00.001-07:00

Please join me as I welcome Debbi Hackley "REALIZE Band" patient. Debbi is going to share the ups and downs of her journey. Debbi's story is so unique it had to be shared. Debbi never had an obesity problem until after she had her 2 children. Debbi was very active running, playing tennis she did everything all american girls do. Then in 2004 she had to have emergancy gall bladder surgery and that's when her life changed. Debbi's story; a true story of hope and courage.

Date: 03/16/2009
Time: 6:00pm CST
Where: "The Band Banter" Talk Show
Call in number: 347-237-4004

The show is interactive so be sure to join us in the chatroom tonight.

I look hope to "HEAR" you there!!

~CoachCher~

Mary Jo Rapini

2009-03-06T09:02:00.000-08:00

Please join me Monday 03/09/2009 as I welcome Mary Jo Rapini from TLC's Big Medicine. Mary Jo is a psychotherapist specializing in intimacy and relationships. She works in Houston, Texas at Methodist Hospital, maintains a private practice, and is a renowned lecturer and author.

Mary Jo's philosophy: The Essence Triangle- Self, Relationships and Wellness. Women don't need a boyfriend or a husband to be complete. They need a strong support system that reinforces what a good man is and does, and includes women who are brave enough to make individual strides and be their own person.

Women must understand their bodies, their sexuality, and their own passions and gifts. Knowledge about ones health and sexuality is key to finding happiness in relationships.

Mary Jo's goal is to empower women to gain the freedom to be all they can be before worrying about intimate relationships.

Date: 03/09/2009
Time: 6:00pm CT
Where: "The Band Banter" Talk Show

The show is interactive so be sure to join us in the chat room to ask questions and speak to other band patients.

I hope to "Hear" you there!!

~Cher~

Does this Blog make us look fat?

2009-03-02T14:50:00.000-08:00

Join me today as I welcome Rebecca Regnier from "Does this blog make us look fat" Rebecca is not a lap-band patient but she is a professional dieter who has choosen humor as her "Diet" of choice. As lap-band patients we sometimes forget to find the humor in our journey. Rebecca is a hoot and will have each one of us laughing and hopefully we will lose some weight. 100 laughs a day is equal to 10 minutes of exercise! So join us tonight I bet we get in more than 100 laughs with Rebecca tonight.

Date: 03/02/2009
Time: 6:00pm CST
Where: "The Band Banter" Talk Show
Call in number: 347-237-4004

The show is interactive so be sure to join us in the chatroom

Self Sabotage- Are you guilty?

2009-02-12T06:01:00.000-08:00

I hear this from my clients all the time, they are "Self Sabotaging" themselves and don't know why. I know I was guilty of doing this in year two and didn’t even realize I was doing it. For me I fell into a comfort zone, I liked the new clothes I was wearing, my new found self assured attitude, and my life focus had shifted. I believe we all have different reasons as to why we sabotage our weight loss efforts. Some of us have never experienced success before and success scares us. Being successful brings a whole new “Spotlight” on us and that scares the hell out of us. With success brings responsibility, commitment, and life change. Who wants to take all of that on, I know I didn’t. Or we are afraid of the new found attention we are going to receive; attention from the opposite sex, our boss will have higher expectations from us, our friends and family want more from us.

We can make excuses all day long as to why we do what we do, bottom line is you signed up for a “Life Changing” surgery. Are you going to continue to make excuses or are you going to embrace the life you signed up for and commit to the change?

If you want to continue to make excuses then I’m sure you have heard the old saying “If you continue to do what you have always done, expect to receive the same results”. Nothing is going to change until you are ready to change.

If you have agreed to commit to change then there are some things you can start doing today to help ensure you achieve success like never before.

Pre-Surgery- Remember back to your pre-surgery week, you were ready to take on the world. Bring that sense of excitement back into your life and watch yourself soar.

Remove unrealistic goals- Dr. Vuong says it best “Don’t commit to run the Boston Marathon if you don’t even own a pair of running shoes” You don’t have to take on the world in a day. Set realistic goals for yourself, write those goals down and follow through.

The Buddy System- Let others help you; you don’t have to take this journey alone. We need to be accountable to someone, find someone who is taking the same journey you are. Commit your goals to them and allow them to do the same. When we have others accountable to us, it’s so much easier to be accountable to ourselves.

Food- Create a food diary and keep track what you are eating. Dr. Terry Simpson has a great tip: Using your cell phone take pictures of everything you eat throughout the day, take a picture of your meal before you eat it then another after your done. This will give you clarity as to what you are really consuming throughout the day.

Exercise- If you have not already committed to an exercise program, then you are not going to achieve the results you want from your “WLS” journey. Find something you love and yes I mean love. If you choose an exercise program you dread, guess what is going to happen, you are going to make excuses as to why you can’t do it. By finding something you love you will be excited to do it.

Self Care- We always want to take care of everyone else first, we always put ourselves on the back burner. Honestly would you treat your children, friends and family the way you treat yourself? I’m guessing no. We want to give our best to our children, friends and family. But guess what by placing ourselves on the back burner we are not giving them our best. Take some time to enjoy the things you like to do. Go to the movies with your girlfriends, go play a round of golf, reconnect with an old hobby, just find something that gives back to you.

Purge the negative- If you have something or someone who is bringing negative energy into your life; purge it. We have so much going on in our lives we don’t need any negative outsiders bringing us down. Negativity just drains you and sucks up your energy, make a decision it’s going to stop.

Celebrate the positive- Look at all you have accomplished to date. You have made changes, you’ve lost weight, went down a size or two or three. Remember how good you felt when you accomplished small milestones; think how good you are going to feel when you accomplish big milestones.

Follow up- If it has been a while since you have seen your surgeon, make an appointment. Don’t give me the excuse he/she is going to yell at you because you have gained weight. Go in with the mind set you are coming clean and you are ready to commit to the process. Your surgeon works for you, you are paying them to “Care” for you so go get the care you need.

Coaching- If you still think this overwhelming contact me to set up a complimentary coaching session. I know it can be overwhelming; but with a game plan in place you can turn this around. I can help you find out what is blocking you from the success you need and deserve.

Michelle Rojo

2009-02-12T05:45:00.000-08:00

Please join me as I welcome Michelle Rojo- successful post-op. Michelle is going to share with us the mind set she had when she embarked on this journey and how she successfully lost 114 pounds in her first year. Michelle is 33, certified in nutrition and weight loss management. Michelle is the on site store manager of Bariatric Eating a nutrition store that specializes in products for WLS patients. Michelle enjoys coaching her daughters softball team and working out at the gym (something she dreaded for 20+ years) Her goals are to continue to be successful with her band, educate and inspire those that are looking into lap band, and to become a healthy fit person.

Don't miss this inspirational story of courage, hope, and success!

Date: 02/16/09
Time: 6:00 pm CST
Where: "The Band Banter" Talk Show

The show is interactive so be sure to join us in the chatroom to ask our guest questions or to hear from other bandsters.

I hope to "Hear" you there!!

~Coach Cher~

Avoiding Head Games

2009-01-27T05:50:00.000-08:00

Please join me as I welcome Valerie Grimes- Mind Coach. Valerie is going to touch on the emotional side of this journey. This surgery is so much more than losing weight we have to deal with our emotional issues as well. Body and mind work together, if the mind says, “add weight to protect yourself”, the body responds, so unless the adult with the weight problem truly feels safe about being thinner, the body will not release the weight. The mind and body have to agree.

Date: 02/02/2009
Time: 6:00 pm CST
Where: The Band Banter Talk Show
Call in number: 347-237-4004

The show is interactive so be sure to join us in the chat room or call in to speak to our guest live.

I hope to "Hear" you there!!

Thanks,
~Coach Cher~

Share your Goals

2009-01-26T11:47:00.000-08:00

Celebrating Successfully Achieved Goals.

Please share the goals you have set out for yourself. Regardless of what the goal is, let's celebrate it together.

I have reached several goals over the past four and half years. I can exercise without feeling like I'm going to die. I can cross my legs without tilting (you know what I'm talking about) I can wear cute stylish clothes, even layered that was a huge milestone for me.

So don't be shy share your achievements in the comment section and what you would still like to achieve.

Craig Thompson from the Weight Loss Surgery Channel

2009-01-21T06:41:00.000-08:00

Please join me as I welcome Craig Thompson from the Weight Loss Suegery Channel. The Weight Loss Surgery Channel is the world’s first television network devoted exclusively to the weight loss surgery community. Their goal is to provide information, encouragement and support to people considering bariatric surgery, as well as post-operative weight loss surgery patients and their family, friends and caregivers.

Date: 01/26/2009
Time: 6:00 pm CST
Where: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thebandbantertalkshow

This is an interactive show, so join us in the chatroom to chat with our guest or call in live at 347-237-4004 to ask our guest questions directly.

I hope to "Hear" you there!

~CoachCher~

Suzette Kroll Barancik

2009-01-21T06:27:00.000-08:00

Nutritionist Suzette Kroll-Barancik, RD, is a well-regarded expert in the nutrition field. She is a registered dietitian, certified intrinsic coach and specialist in adult weight management. She has been inspiring good nutrition habits in others since 1991. Suzette shared great tips with us on our previous show, if you missed it you can listen now with the button on the side bar.

I also completed Dr. Vuong's "Top 10 Realistic Resolutions That Make a Difference!"

5) Read one book on healthier living, like
Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser or What to Eat by Marion Nestle—It’s like what G.I.Joe said at the end of every cartoon: "Now you know, and KNOWING is half the battle!" It is crucial to become more informed about nutrition—just be sure to seek real information, not just fad diets or scams or cheats. Anything that claims it will revolutionize your life, create a whole new you, allow you to lose half your body size in a couple of months, or anything else that sounds far-fetched is not the kind of reliable,
scientific, well-researched information that will help you in the long-run.

4) Give up on diets—Why "Die-it" when you can "Live-it"? Where has dieting gotten you all of these years? It’s time to do something different. Start by rethinking yourself and your self-worth. Understand what a valuable person you are and recognize how you deserve a better life! How much has the world missed out on because you are not fully participating in life? It’s time for you to get back out there and Live It!

3) Make small changes that add up—It doesn’t make any sense to write a lofty goal like "I want to win the Boston Marathon" when you don’t even own a pair of running shoes. It’s the small changes that we can stick to (not the grand schemes) that are sustainable, and it’s these small changes that will eventually add up to the big change that you are after. So start small and build up momentum. In case you
can’t think of any, here are a few to get you started: take the stairs instead of the elevator, make time for 3 ten-minute walks that add up to your 30-minutes-a-day workout, use the next smaller sized plates (not the smallest), add one new good food to your regular shopping list BEFORE you take away an old bad food.

2) Think about how what you consume makes you feel—I know this sounds all New Age Touchy-Feely and such, but it is just true. You have to understand what role food is playing in your life, how it is comforting, why it helps you to relax, what pain it is relieving, what issue it is covering up that you are not wanting to face. This is often the most frightening step to becoming healthier—baring your soul so that you can examine it, for all of its faults, but also for all of its wonders!

1) Write down your goals—This is the key to success in any and all endeavors, not just weight loss. Your goals and desires take on a whole new life and meaning when you commit them down on paper. Remember to put your List of Goals some place where you can read it everyday, so that they will take hold in your subconscious. Be specific ("I will walk for 30 minutes 3 days per week" instead of "I will exercise") and be true to who you are (if you hate going to the gym, do not waste money on a new gym membership).

Of course, reading through the resolutions is the easy part, but reading is not the most important step. The most important step is to DO! These should not be difficult to fit into your daily life. Select a few or all of these resolutions and slowly incorporate them into your routine. And never, ever feel that if one day you eat a plate of pasta with diet soda and then go through a big chocolate bar while lying on the couch that you have failed! Everybody falls off the wagon sometimes. The important question is "What are you going to do from that point forward?"

It’s the patterns of behavior that affect our health the most. If on most days you drink water, walk for 30 minutes, and eat a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, but occasionally slip up, you will be much healthier than someone who goes to the gym for two hours and avoids all fat but only keeps it up for a week.

If you would like even more weight loss tips, visit www.MoreFromMyBand.com

A New Year, A New You!

Top 10 Resolutions that WILL make a difference

2009-01-13T15:41:00.000-08:00

As discussed on "The Band Banter" Talk Show last night, I shared Dr. Vuong's Resolutions 10-6 that will make a difference. Be sure to tune in next week to hear the 5-1 resolutions.

Top 10 Resolutions that WILL make a difference

Courtesy Dr. Duc Vuong

We all do it every year - we make resolutions that we really mean to keep, we feel so motivated to follow through, and then we abandon them a few days or, if we're lucky, a few weeks later. Often the reason we can't stick to our resolutions is because our goals are too vague ("I will lose weight," "I will eat healthier," or "I will exercise," for example). Other resolutions are too unrealistic ("I will lose 50 pounds by Valentine's," "I will cut out all junk food"). Without a lot of support, it is hard to stick to the best of intentions when those around us have significantly different ideas andunwittingly sabotage our resolutions to become healthier, fitter, and ultimately happier. Our Top 10 Resolutions That Will Make A Difference; are concrete and manageable. You will not have to wake up two hours earlier every day to train for an Ironman competition or nibble on nothing but rabbit food. You can fit these healthy changes into your current lifestyle and not cause miseryto yourself and those around you by trying to do too much too soon.

10) Drink water-We are made up of two-thirds water. Why not replenish and nourish our bodies with the Real Stuff? If people tell me "They don't like the taste of water," I tell them that is just an excuse because water has no taste (unless it's coming from a rusty pipe, of course!). If people ask me for suggestions on the best "flavored water," I ask them why they feel the need for the extra chemicals. For me the best flavored water is purified water with a squeeze of lemon. You can also chill water with cucumber slices for a refreshing and chemical-free drink.

9) Give up Diet Sodas-"What's wrong with diet sodas? They don't have any calories!" I hear this all of the time from patients. First, even with zero calories, do you really need all of the artificial chemicals in your body? Secondly, studies suggest that diet sodas are more often consumed by overweight people than normal weight people-what does that tell us? Research shows that exposure to the artificial sweeteners in diet sodas increases your taste preference for sweeter foods. This means that if you drink diet sodas, you make it harder on yourself to give up sweets because your taste buds now need even sweeter foods to satisfythem!

8) Give up all bread (and pasta)-This is a simpler way of saying, "Eliminate all highly processed white flour from your diet." When people ask me what they can do to lose weight other than the obvious (giving up sweets and sodas), I tell them, "It's simple, just give up bread-in all of its forms." This means don't eat breadsticks, don't slop up the gravy with the biscuit, don't eat the hamburger or hot dog bun, don't eat the pizza crust, don't order the "bottomless pasta dish", no tortilla chips, no nachos, no toast. You name it-if it comes from processed flour, avoid it like the plague.

7) Eat a variety of color-Unfortunately, when you look at the plate of a typical overweight person, you will notice the predominance of one color-yellow, usually in various shades, like beige or tan. In other words, the color of FAT. Isn't it ironic that while many people struggle with their weight, the food they eat is the color of the substance they are trying to avoid? Start by adding one item of food that has a different color, like broccoli, then go from there. But don't fool yourself. If you get broccoli, but then cover it with cheese sauce, you've just turned your green food back into (you guessed it) yellow goo! Eating a variety of colors is also a good way to ensure that you are getting better nutrition and consuming fewer calories.

6) Cell Phone Pictures- Use your cell phone to take a picture of everything you eat-This is a tip from Dr. Terry Simpson from Arizona. Take a picture of everything you eat and drink throughout the day. At the end of the day, print out your photos and arrange them in front of you on the table. Now, there is no way to fool yourself about what you have (or have not) eaten! After you do this for a few days, you may find that there are certain times you eat more (during late-night television) or places that encourage you to overindulge (perhaps a certain restaurant). Knowing what yourtriggers are will help you plan to avoid them.

The Band Banter Talk Show

2009-01-13T08:15:00.001-08:00

Sarah Maria of Break Free Beauty

2009-01-06T03:45:00.000-08:00

Please join me on 01/12/2009 as I welcome Sarah Maria Body Image Expert. Have you had these conversations with yourself? I'm not thin enough, so I'm going starve myselves. I'm not toned enough, so I will exercise to exhaustion. I'm not healthy enough, so I will avoid all pleasurable food in favor of alfalfa sprouts. And I'm not beautiful enough, so I keep myself apart from others and the love they might offer.

In a culture that worships thin, young, fit, and perfect, few of us can measure up. And our obsession with what we are not has extinguished the joy and vibrancy of who we are.

"There is a way out," says Sarah Maria of Break Free Beauty.

"It is possible to love and respect your body, to be at peace with your natural urges, and not live in constant fear of gaining weight or growing old. I know the path to befriending the body is not easy. It is painful and difficult, and at times you may feel it is hopeless. But I assure you that it is possible." - Sarah Maria

Date: 01/12/09
Time: 6:00pm CST
Where: "The Band Banter" Talk Show

This is an interactive show, so please join us in the chatroom to speak with Sarah Maria personally.

I hope to "Hear" you there.

Personal Trainer Carol Dunlop

2008-12-30T09:02:00.000-08:00

Please join me on 01/05/2009 Personal Trainer Carol Dunlop will be sharing fitness tools with us regardless of your fitness level. Understanding what's holding you back from a healthier lifestyle can help you clear the remaining roadblocks from your journey toward weight loss and fitness. Carol will share with us a few simple strategies that will help you get started or jumpstart you on your weight management journey.

Carol started her body sculpting business to help women create the body they yearned for by developing individualized training programs and encouraging good nutrition habits. Carol uses her passion for fitness to motivate her clients to accomplish their fitness goals and maintain a positive self image.

Carol is certified through FiTour as a Personal Trainer and through the American Red Cross as a CPR, AED and First Aid Instructor. She has competed and placed in several Fitness America and National Bodybuilding competitions. Carol serves as a fitness mentor on Steve Harvey’s Health Club, an online portal that focuses on health-related information and is also serving as a mentor on the new website created by 8-Time Mr. Olympia Lee Haney, http://www.totaleefitradio.com/. Carol is also a contributing writer to http://www.nursetogether.com/, http://www.shapefit.com/ and is one of the Expert Bloggers at http://www.wellness360.com/. She is also the creator of SculptCamp Fitness, a 9-week class that challenges you to lose weight and keep it off.

To contact Carol, please go to http://www.optimumbodysculpting.com/ and learn how to receive your Free E-course “How to Burn Calories While you Sleep.”

Date: 01/05/2009
Time: 6:00pm CST
Where: "The Band Banter" Talk Show
Call in number: 347-237-4004

I hope to "HEAR" you there!!

The show is interactive so be sure to join in the live chat or call in to ask our guest questions.

LAP-BAND GIVEAWAY

2008-12-23T07:04:00.001-08:00

Please join me on 12/29/2009 Dr. Duc Vuong will be joining me to share information about his "LAP-BAND GIVEAWAY". Not only will he be sharing information about his LAP-BAND GIVEAWAY he will also be sharing information about getting more from your Band. The Lap-Band is an effective weight-loss tool if aftercare is part of your program. Just getting a Lap-Band is not in itself sufficient - patients must be well-educated in how to develop a healthy relationship with food with the Lap-Band in place.

Date: 12/29/2009
Time: 6:00pm CST
Where: "The Band Banter" Talk Show
Call in number": 347-237-4004

I hope to "Hear" you there!!

Dr. Vuong is offering a Lap-Band for free ($15,900 value) to a worthy contestant! Register for a chance to win a free Lap-Band surgery. One lucky winner will be chosen based on demonstrated community or charitable service. Four runners-up will also receive great prizes. It's simple to enter: register for the free monthly e-newsletter written by Dr. Vuong (each issue is filled with tips on how to succeed with the Lap-Band) and you will be e-mailed an application form. A panel will review all applications to select five finalists and one winner.
Entries must be postmarked no later than January 31, 2009. There is no cost to enter, and no purchase necessary. Must be US resident and age 18-65. Winners will be announced April 1, 2009.

P.S. I will be on the panel. Please register, I would love nothing better than to have one of my listeners be a winner.

Slim The Italian Way

2008-12-16T10:06:00.000-08:00

Please join me as I welcome Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Eldo Frezza author of "Slim The Italian Way" Not just another weight loss book, but a "resource of little known" but worthwhile information on food and the way your body uses it.

Dr. Frezza includes insightful facts in clear simple language, clarifying mysteries of hunger, food and health, quality of life, raising healthy children, and obscure but useful details like the difficulty in digesting too much bread crust.

I was like a sponge reading this book, I was soaking up so much great information. This book really gives a different perspective about our relationship with food, not just as obese people but as a society as well. Americans view food so much differently than other cultures.

You don't want to miss this show, it's going to give you so much insight to your relationship with food.

Date: 12/22/2008
Time: 6:00pm CST
Where: "The Band Banter" Talk Show

I hope to "Hear" you there.

Remember this is an interactive show. Be sure to join us in the chat room and share in the conversation.

The Four Mistakes I made this year

2008-12-11T10:15:00.000-08:00

Four Big Mistakes I Made This Year

I'm all for celebrating successes, for relishing what's working, for gargling the fine wine of glorious triumph.

Don't let me stop you frolicking in the Yes's. (In fact, I'd encourage you to do it even more than you're doing now.)

But there's wisdom in the No's, in the "whoops", in the "dang it ... I fell for that again" as well.

Here are four mistakes that I've made this year ... and what I've been learning along the way.

1. Placing exercise on the back burner

I have been so busy building a business, working with clients and planning conferences; I placed my “Fitness” regimen on the back burner.

I am enjoying all the new opportunities, the new clients I’m coaching, planning the National LAP-BAND Conferences. Throughout all of this I was sluggish, worn out and just plain tired. Then it hit me I haven’t been working out. I remembered back to when I was working out regularly how energized I was.

So I made my commitment to exercise back in September and to my delight lost 20 pounds, I’m full of energy and my creative process is back in full force.I’m committed to my workout program; it’s what keeps going throughout the day.

Have you placed your exercise regimen on the back burner? What can you do to make it a priority?

2. Making up stories of why not

Time and time again, my courage has failed me; this is what happens. I want to do something bold. And then immediately, like an old fashioned ticker-tape, I get a steady streaming message of reasons why I shouldn't, why there are other easier things to do, why it wouldn't work anyway.

When I've wimped out and not done it ... nothing bad happened and nothing spectacular did either. When I summoned my courage, took a breath and stepped into the unknown and made the bold request ... sometimes nothing happened and sometimes, fantastically, something did.

What's the story you've got going on about what you can't do?

3. Forgetting to eat

Trust me this is a new concept for me, I’ve never forgotten to eat in my life. I have my protein shake in the morning with my 20 oz glass of water, do my work out then go into my office and start working. I’m coaching with clients, exchanging emails with colleagues, booking guest for “The Band Banter” Talk Show and the list goes on and on.

Then I get this ginormous headache about three in the afternoon and it dawns on my I have not had anything to eat since seven in the morning. Food is fuel; it’s what keeps us going. I now set my alarm at noon so I can take a break to eat. I know that sounds crazy, it’s crazy to me. We have to “Eat to Live; not Live to Eat”.

Have you started skipping meals? What can you do to ensure you get daily nourishment?

4. Stopped breathing

Busy! This year's been crazy-busy. I like to think that I'm not one to think that busy is some sort of perverse badge of honor, some mark of "look how important I am, I've barely got time to blow my nose."

Except, I get seduced by that story of Busy = Important too. And as I've rushed here and there, worked on weekends, stretched myself thin, I've noticed this: The faster I run, the less I breathe.

When I remember to take a breath, when I stop thinking this is All Very Very Important, things get a little calmer, a little less stressful, a little easier.

What have you promoted to Extremely Important? How much value do you place in being Busy?

What mistakes did you make in 2008?

Let me know in the comment section of the blog.

I'd love to hear what you've been learning!

Photograph Your Food

2008-11-30T10:23:00.000-08:00

Photograph your food- Courtesy of Dr. Terry Simpson

Dr. Simpson brought the new idea for journaling your food -- taking photographs of everything you eat. Everything.

In classic food journals you write down everything you eat. This has always been great method for people to think before they eat, and take personal accountability. Some even go further and keep track of the calories, or the fat, or the carbohydrates that they consume with each bite.

Instead of simply writing everything down, start taking a photograph of everything you eat. It still causes one to pause when you eat, and it provides a good record of everything that is put into your mouth. It also has the advantage that you can see how much you eat. Most telephones have cameras on them -- making it easy to carry around. If you don't have a camera phone there are many inexpensive digital cameras available that are compact and easy to carry.

If, for example, you go out to eat, you can photograph the plate when it comes, and the plate before it is sent back. You can see what you ate, and what you did not. It also gives you some perspective about the amount of food that you eat.

Walk by a candy dish and take a piece -- take a photograph.

At the end of the day you can transfer the photographs from your phone to your computer. There are a lot of great places you can put these photographs-- Picasa from Google is my favorite. Although, if you have a Macintosh computer, your iphoto provides a great place to see and store your photographs.

You can then put comments about the foods. For LAP-BAND patients, you can see if a particular food has given you some trouble. Feeling queezy a few days after a restaurant -- you can see what you ate where.

One of the great difficulties of calorie counting is portion size. Portion size is underestimated commonly.

The beauty of the camera and modern technology -- it is cheap, it is available, and it allows you to record what you eat. Over time, you can see trends, you can see places where you can make substitutions, and - if you put something next to your food-- you will have an idea about the portion size you are eating.

To sign up for Dr. Simpson's newsletter visit. http://www.theweightlossdr.com

Dr. Mark Watson- Surgeon, Author

2008-11-29T06:36:00.000-08:00

Please join me as I welcome Dr. Mark Watson co-author of " LAP-BAND Companion" a compresive guide for patients who have had the surgery or for those who are considering the surgery. We will cover "What to expect after the surgery".

Date: 12/01/08

Time: 6:00pm CST

Where: "The Band Banter" Talk Show

Call in number: (347) 237-4004

Dr. Jonathan Heistein- Plastic Surgeon

2008-11-20T10:12:00.000-08:00

Please join me as I welcome Dr. Jonathan Heistein. His practice maintains a commitment to offer the newest and most advanced selection of treatments available. Dr. Heistein takes a progressive approach to the speciality of Plastic Surgery, constantly researching new methods as they come available while he strives to provide sound medical advice. Dr. Heistein is dedicated to providing his patients with an ever-increasing, ever-expanding realm of services in a caring, comfortable environment. We welcome you to explore these possiblities with us.

Dr. Heistein takes a personal approach with each patient and feels that it is very important for patients to be as informed about their choices as possible. During a consultation with Dr. Heistein, your concerns and expectations will be thoroughly discussed.

Date: 11/24/2008
Time: 6:00pm CT
Where: The Band Banter Talk Show
Call in number: (347) 237-4004

I hope to "Hear" you there!!

Dr. Ariel Ortiz

2008-11-11T13:11:00.000-08:00

Please join me as I welcome Dr. Ariel Ortiz author of "LAP-BAND for life". We will be discussing "Attitude the only difference between successful and non-successful post op patients", Childhood obesity, choosing a surgeon out of the country and much more. Dr. Ariel Ortiz is a world renowned Board Certified Mexican medical expert on Lap Band surgery.

Date: 11/17/2008

Time: 6:00 pm CT

Where: "The Band Banter" Talk Show

Call in number: (347) 237-4004

This show is interactive, 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!

Last Night's Show

2008-11-11T13:08:00.000-08:00

I want to apologize I was not able to host the show last night. We had severe weather in N. Texas and I kept losing my power. I have rescheduled our special guest Casey Kerr for 12/08/2008 so be sure to join us on the 8th to learn how to "Find your Roar".

How to say "NO" to food pushers

2008-11-04T20:49:00.000-08:00

How to Say 'No' to Food Pushers
Tips for turning would-be diet sabotage into diet support.

When you're trying to lose weight, it can feel like temptation is everywhere. Sometimes, it comes in the form of friends and family members: Aunt Sally won't stop until you accept a piece of pie; your work friends insist you share their Buffalo wings during happy hour; your spouse complains about the lack of junk food in the house. Instead of providing diet support, it seems like your well-meaning loved ones are trying to sabotage your diet attempts.

What is it about dieting that can prompt this kind of reaction? Experts say some may not want you to change because they're uncertain how losing weight will affect you. Or your efforts may make them feel guilty about their own weight or eating habits. Not only that; but food often helps to define relationships.

Turn Diet Sabotage into Diet Support
So how do you keep "food pushers" from ruining your diet?

When you're offered a food that's not on your diet, the best response is a firm “no, thanks" without any explanation, because excuses open the door for arguments If that doesn't work. Try, "Thank you, but I'm on a special diet," or simply, "Thank you, but I'm trying to lose a few pounds."

Avoiding Diet Sabotage at Work

When treats are served at the office, ask that they be kept in a place that is not central to the working environment (or put them there yourself). If you keep those doughnuts in the break room, you have to take a special trip to go in there to get one, whereas if they are sitting on a counter that you pass often, you are much more likely to indulge.

Avoiding Diet Sabotage at Family Gatherings

Chances are; you have a pretty good idea of what's likely to be served at your mother's or grandmother's for those Sunday dinners. So why not offer to bring a salad, vegetable, or healthy dessert?

Avoiding Diet Sabotage from a Spouse or Partner

Coping with your diet and changing size may be difficult for your partner, especially if he or she also could stand to lose some weight. Some may fear that if you get thinner, you may draw more romantic attention from others, or develop a wandering eye yourself.
"Feeling threatened can cause partners to react negatively and not be supportive," .
To prevent this, make sure to reassure your partner that you love him or her, and ask for support for your weight loss efforts. If having the house stocked with tempting goodies makes it harder on you, ask your partner to please enjoy these treats outside the house when you are not around.

Avoiding Diet Sabotage When Eating Out

When you're eating out with family or friends, expert’s advice, try to keep the attention on the conversation and away from what you are eating (or not eating).
If you don't make a big deal about it, you are less likely to hear any comments from friends.
It's also a good idea to plan ahead of time what you'll order, if you have an idea of what is on the menu. You might want to have a lighter lunch or a more intense workout that day so you can splurge a little at the restaurant. You know you will be tempted by the menu and what everyone else is eating, so strategize your day so you can eat a little more than usual.

Food pushers are not bad people. They simply think they know more than you do about how much you should eat. Be kind to your food pusher and be sure to set your boundaries as to how they need to support you.

Find your Roar!

2008-11-04T20:21:00.000-08:00

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” and are ready to start thinking about possibilities, then this show is 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

I hope to "Hear" you there!!

Dr. Robert Sewell

2008-10-28T06:24:00.000-07:00

Please join me 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: 6:00 pm CT

Where: "The Band Banter" Talk Show

Call in Number: (347) 237-4004

I hope to "Hear" you there!!

Iris Stratton from Fill Centers USA

2008-10-21T06:36:00.000-07:00

Join me 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 Best Snack on Earth

2008-10-21T06:30:00.000-07:00

The Best Snack on Earth

WebMD Feature from "Men's Health"
By Denny Watkins

Full-fat cheese is not only loaded with protein, calcium, and flavor, but the fat it contains just might help you lose your gut for good.

It's unavoidable advice:
If you're going to eat cheese, it should be the fat-free or low-fat kind. Trouble is, that usually limits your choices to mass-produced, vacuum-sealed cheeses that have had much of their flavor sucked out along with the fat. So it's hardly an appetizing proposition. And for what real benefit? Fewer calories and a lower risk of heart disease? Not so fast.

"The combination of protein and fat in regular, full-fat cheese is very satiating," says Alan Aragon, a nutritionist in Westlake Village, California, and the Men's Health Weight-Loss Coach. "As a result, eating full-fat cheese holds your appetite at bay for hours, and I've found that it cuts down my clients' food intake at subsequent meals." Aragon's advice: Enjoy snacks of full-fat cheese especially if you're on a diet. "Just don't eat it mindlessly," he says.

And if you're worried about your cholesterol, chew on this: Danish scientists found that when men ate a whopping 10 daily 1-ounce servings of full-fat cheese for 3 weeks, their LDL (bad) cholesterol didn't budge. Which isn't to say you should live on the stuff--just that you don't need to fear it. Full-fat cheese can be a healthy snack and a great way to make a bland meal taste better. "Cheese is the new wine," says Terrance Brennan, chef and owner of Artisanal Fromagerie, Bistro & Wine Bar and Picholine restaurant, both in New York City. "There are thousands of different aromas, textures, and flavor profiles."

The superspread:

Robiola
Step away from the Cheez Whiz: Robiola is the best way to top a Triscuit. This Italian cheese is soft, like Brie, and it tastes as rich as butter. Spread it on a whole-grain cracker or baguette slice, and round out the snack with grapes or cantaloupe.

The anytime snack:

Roncal
A firm sheep's-milk cheese, Roncal's nutty flavor and chewy texture make it a fine stand-alone snack. Or, to add a touch of sweetness, you can give it a light glaze of cherry or raspberry preserves. A delicious alternative is Comté, one of the most popular cheeses in France. Besides being a great snack, Comté can also be a tasty filling for a grilled-cheese sandwich.

The salad enhancer:

Sainte-Maure
This French goat cheese makes any salad taste better. But don't try to crumble Sainte-Maure like you would other kinds of goat cheese--it's too soft. Instead, serve it on the side of a mixed-green salad. For the dressing, combine 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar, 1/3 cup walnut oil, 1 tablespoon finely diced shallots, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and some black pepper. Nab a bit of cheese with your fork, stab some lettuce, and bite down. The lemon and black-pepper flavors of the cheese blend perfectly with the earthy walnut oil.

The flavor king:

Aged Gouda
Most cheeses can be aged for weeks to months, but a well-produced Gouda has spent 3 to 5 years in a cave. "Cheese is aged to develop its flavors," says Scott A. Rankin, Ph.D., an associate professor of food science at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. The result is like a good Parmigiano Reggiano, but with rich caramel flavors. Eat thin slices with a green apple or pear.

The beer buddy:

Montgomery's Cheddar
When you chomp into this cheese, don't expect it to taste like the factory-formed orange bricks you find in your supermarket's dairy section. This is authentic cheddar, from Manor Farm in Somerset, the county in England where the cheese originated. Its lingering flavors of buttermilk and horseradish balance well with any kind of beer and make American cheddar seem bland. "English farmhouse cheddars from Somerset are the cheddars of choice," says Steven Jenkins, the author of Cheese Primer.

The wine companion:

Hoja Santa
This creamy goat cheese from Texas is wrapped in leaves of hoja santa, an herb that imparts licorice and mint flavors. Serve it with a glass of Riesling or sauvignon blanc. White wine is usually a better complement to a cheese plate than red is, because its acidity balances the fat in most cheeses, says Brennan. Another great cheese to eat with vino is Cypress Grove Chevre Purple Haze, a goat cheese from northern California.

The dessert cheese:

Bayley Hazen Blue
After biting into this Vermont-made blue cheese, many of our tasters exclaimed, "It tastes like chocolate." The fudgelike flavor even has a hint of apricot--quite a feat considering this is just moldy milk. Eat it alone, or drizzle a drop or two of honey on it for an even sweeter (but still healthy) treat.

Too Tight or Just Right

2008-10-15T21:25:00.000-07:00

Too Tight or Just Right

Okay I’m sure each one of you has a fickle band like me. It is enough to drive you insane, one day you’re wide open and the next your band is so tight you can only take two or three bites and your done. I know, I know, I’ve been there done that, it actually happened to me last week. I was eating a ham steak; took three bites and I could feel the tightness in my chest. At lunch I had chicken tacos and was able to eat just fine. How can that be? It boils down to the actual food we are eating, some foods are more dense than others so it makes it harder or easier to get full, depending on how you look at it.

Take what I ate for example. The ham steak was much thicker than the cubed chicken I had at lunch. I waited too long to eat and basically tried to scarf my food. I should have taken the time to chew the ham much more than I did the chicken cubes. Had I taken the time to really chew the ham I could have had more than three bites. We are all guilty of this, we eat too fast and don’t chew well enough then we get frustrated because we want to eat more but we can’t. Don’t get upset if you take a couple of bites and you’re full, it’s one meal. I hear this all time “I only had three bites and I couldn’t eat anymore”. I know how it feels it still happens to me even four years out.

When this happens to some band patients; they automatically think that’s it “I’m too tight and I need an un- fill”. Look at what you ate and how fast you ate; it can be as easy as slowing down and paying attention to how you are eating. We have to be aware of what we are doing as patients and not be so quick to blame our fill amount.
I have stated this before and it’s worth repeating, if you are stressed or eat too fast this can cause premature fullness. If this is happening to you from time to time, start paying attention to your eating patterns.

A. Are you waiting until you are starving to eat, then you try to scarf down your food? Don’t let yourself get to this point, eat well before you reach starvation mode.

B. Do you test your band to see if you can eat something? If you do that’s fine just make sure you are chewing to liquid before you swallow. This will help you avoid PB’s.

C. Are you getting stuck every time you eat, no matter what the food is? If this is happening you could be too tight and need to schedule an appointment with your surgeon.

D. Do you choose band friendly meals because you know you can eat it? It’s okay to eat softer foods if you are going out or will be with a big group. However don’t make it a common food choice just because you know you can get it down.

I know it can get frustrating from time to time. Try to be patient and honest with yourself before you decide if you’re too tight or just right.

Dr. Duc Vuong

2008-10-14T08:03:00.000-07:00

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

After breast cancer, weight stakes are higher

2008-10-14T07:56:00.000-07:00

By Coeli Carr
msnbc.com contributor
updated 7:35 a.m. CT, Wed., Oct. 8, 2008

It’s common knowledge that keeping fit and maintaining an optimal weight are great ways to achieve overall health. But for breast-cancer survivors, the stakes are much higher.

Research indicates that excess weight can lead to increased levels of the hormone estrogen — and estrogen has been tied to the development of breast cancer in women.

Dr. Duc Vuong, a weight-loss surgeon in Houston, spells out the issue plainly.
“Overweight women have larger breasts,” he says. “These women have more exposure to estrogen, which we think increases their risk of several different cancers, including breast and uterine cancer.”

Vuong says more women are beginning to recognize the connection between excess weight and cancer, and that’s prompting them to take action.

To continue this article click here

Believe Video

2008-10-12T18:25:00.000-07:00

Here is the video I created for the 2008 National Lap Band Conference. I hope you are inspired to live your best life.

Kay's Natural and My Health Management

2008-10-09T08:12:00.000-07:00

Gene Carbonell from "My Health Management" and Tim Beard from "Kay's Natural" are going to discuss healthy eating and healthy living with us.

Our lifestyles are so different now that we have had our surgery, it's important we learn tips about embracing our new lifestyle. Join me as I interview these two wonderful guys who "Get It" and want to share with us ways to enjoy our new lifestyle.

I know when I had my surgery I was worried about giving up my chips. Thanks to "Kay's Natural" I don't have to give up my chips any longer.

Date: 10/13/08

Time: 5:00pm CT

"The Band Banter" Talk Show

I hope to hear you there!!