Big Band

Archive for February, 2010

It is the biggest day of your lives and you have planned it for over a year. Everything needs to be perfect and organised to the nth degree; nothing can be left to chance. You have ordered the flowers, the photographer, the church and the dress. But what do people remember the most well probably the reception and the fun they have had in helping celebrate your big day. The reception gives you the chance to relax a bit, have some fun and you can reflect on the excitement and joy of the day. The music you choose can give that extra little something that makes the whole night memorable and make it different from ‘just another wedding’.

So it is all important to make the effort to ensure you go the extra mile for your night time guests to top off your day with the right music for your reception. Below is a series of tips to ensure you pick the right live band to make your party go with a swing;

· Get a list of possible bands by searching online for band providers, ask newly married couples, wedding planners or even the clergy.

· Check with your reception venue on any restrictions they have on space or noise.

· Sit down and decide what sort of atmosphere you want at your wedding; do you want country music, soft music in the background or a full on rocking do. It is a question of your own taste and a matter of pleasing your guests.

· You must decide what space is available; take in consideration what equipment a band would need and how many band members could you fit in without impacting on dance space.

· Once you have a short list of bands ask for audiotapes or even better videos of their performances especially ones produced at previous wedding where they have performed.

· Have a look at how they interact with the audience, have they got the potential to act as the master of ceremonies at the wedding can they run the event or will they need constant prompting and managing.

· Once you have chosen a particular band get a contract signed which should include the hours they play, the number of songs, timings, breaks, clothing, and the cancellation and refunds policy. Check they have cancellation insurance and include this requirement in the contract.

· Have a look at the bands playlist and ensure that if you require particular songs singing that they don’t currently have, give them enough time to learn the songs and rehearse them.

The band need to be experienced as they are not just responsible for the music and for keeping your guests on the floor but also with the timings of events throughout the night. They need to coordinate photographs, speeches, manage their playlist so certain important tunes are played at certain times etc. Use their experience to help plan the night, if they have done weddings before they may have suggestions to help your night go with a swing. They should be aware of what tunes are floor fillers and which may leave your dance floor looking decidedly empty.

With all this knowledge to hand and the right wedding band I am sure that your night will go brilliantly and you and your guests will have a truly memorable night.

Lap-Band surgery is a reversible outpatient procedure that has helped many obese patients shed their excess weight after years of struggling to slim down. But is Lap-Band surgery right for you? To make a decision, you need to understand what Lap-Band surgery is, and what it can and cannot do for you. You also need to be able to accept the costs and limitations of the surgery.

What is Lap-Band surgery?
Lap-Band surgery is a minimally invasive method of weight-loss surgery. The procedure, which is performed through four or five small incisions in the patient’s abdomen, involves wrapping a silicone band around the upper part of a patient’s stomach to create a small pouch. The band narrows the passage to the rest of the digestive system, causing patients to feel fuller much faster when they are eating.
The tightness of the band can be adjusted during a simple outpatient procedure, or can be removed entirely if the patient desires.

Lap-Band’s typical results
As long as patients stick with the lifestyle guidelines prescribed by their doctor and dietitian, they can expect to lose 1-3 pounds a week during the year after Lap-Band surgery. During this year, patients typically shed half of their excess weight.

Compared to other forms of weight loss surgery such as gastric bypass, Lap-Band surgery leads to gradual weight loss. However, Lap-Band surgery patients are less likely to regain their excess weight compared to patients who underwent gastric bypass surgery, and there is less of a risk of nutritional deficiencies.

Lap-Band surgery will also ease the medical problems associated with obesity. Patients suffering from diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, joint problems, and other obesity-related difficulties typically see these problems fade as they lose weight.

What Lap-Band surgery cannot achieve
Seeing results after Lap-Band surgery is wholly dependent on how well a patient follows their surgeon and dietitian’s advice regarding exercise and diet. Lap-Band surgery cannot make you lose weight if you are not motivated to eat slowly, choose healthy foods, exercise, and avoid excess use of alcohol.

Lap-Band surgery helps patients lose weight by limiting their food intake, reducing their appetite, and slowing their digestion. It is not a miracle cure.

Who is a candidate for Lap-Band surgery?

Typical Lap-Band surgery candidates include adults who are at least 100 pounds overweight and have struggled with their weight for at least five years. To be a candidate, you must also have tried numerous non-surgical methods of weight loss and meet standards for physical and psychological health. In addition, you must be highly motivated and willing to commit to a healthy lifestyle for the rest of your life.

Before surgery, patients can expect comprehensive physical and psychological evaluations, including an examination of the emotional factors that may contribute to your obesity.

Some medical conditions, including alcoholism, may disqualify a patient from Lap-Band surgery. In addition, if a disease is the root of your obesity, you are not a candidate for Lap-Band.

Cost considerations

Lap-Band is an expensive procedure that costs anywhere from $15,000 to $35,000. The cost is generally covered by insurance carriers, however, so check with your plan administrator.

However, some patients incur extra costs by undergoing body lift surgery a year or two after Lap-Band surgery.

Cosmetic Body Lift Surgery
Some Lap-Band surgery patients find that even a year or two after their surgery, they are left with flaps of excess skin that hang off their newly slimmed frame. Plastic surgeons can make your skin conform to your new body using a procedure called a total body lift.

Body lift surgery is considered cosmetic, so the costs are not covered by insurance. The costs of this procedure vary from $10,000 to $50,000, depending on the surgeon and geographic area. However, many patients express that the surgery is priceless because it lets them enjoy and show off their new bodies.

Conclusion

Though Lap-Band has marked advantages over other, more invasive types of weight loss surgery, it is not without its risks and limitations. Lap-Band surgery is not a quick fix or a miracle cure, and it takes long-term dedication for the surgery to help you shed your excess pounds. With proper motivation, though, Lap-Band surgery can help you achieve a new standard of health and slimness.

For more information

UCSD Medical Center in La Jolla, California offers Lap-Band surgery to adults seeking a solution to chronic obesity. UCSD’s Center for the Treatment of Obesity features Dr. Santiago Horgan, an expert surgeon who was one of the first trained in the use of the Lap-Band Adjustable Gastric Banding System. To find out if you qualify for Lap-Band surgery, visit http://health.ucsd.edu/specialties/lapband/