Isabella

hey, i'm 17, just wondering if there is anyone else out there around my age in the GTA?

Does a tan make you look fatter or skinnier? tan vs pale

This thread if for those of us who belong to the wonderful Toronto LaparoscopicBAND Centre or will soon become a part of it! Here, you can voice any concerns... talk about support group meetings, events or anything that comes to mind. Indroduce yourself! www.tlbc.ca

hey! i was 15 when i was banded in jan 2007. it;s a bit difficult to get use to when you become more restricted. eating with friends and going out to dinner can be stressful if your band is tight. it all depends upon what fill level you're comfortable with. that'll come later though 4 days after the surgery i was snowboarding in the mountains :wink2: so recovery was easy for me... i've lost 80 lbs and i love my band lol it's my friend. if you have any specific questions ask away!!

BEFORE: NOW:

I'm going to share my before and now pics too... By the way, is anyone from the GTA or Toronto area or where is everyone here from? BEFORE NOW

Hey everyone! I'm 16, i was banded at 15 and i haven't reached my goal weight yet but i'm working on it! I feel so much better right not and i find it easier to do everything. Anyone here from Toronto or near?

I was the youngest in Canada when i was banded. I had just turned 15... Now, i'm 16- i'm sure there are plenty of 16 yr olds with it now though. So i guess i'm "youngest when banded" now lol

Good luck Safari, it will be fine and yes, if you put in some effort the weight will come off.

This specific thread is only for the patients of the TLBC. Oh and by the way, "75% of all adjustable gastric band procedures are conducted at TLBC " =) Isabella

Kimberley, welcome to the banster life!! The TLBC is the best clinic to have this done at and you've made the right choice. Getting the band was the best possible thing you could have done for yourself, good job. For now, just relax and take it easy... the gas will soon go away! I know that, that was the most painful thing for me after the surgery- the gas/pressure in the chest. It will go away after a few more days, hang in there. You won't feel any restriction right now because there is nothing in the band so try to be a good girl with how much you eat. Try your best to maintain your weight from now until your first fill! Remember, the TLBC and us, your Toronto bandster friends, are here with you along the way... If you ever need any support, advice or have questions we're here to help. Isabella

Shopping is awesome now! I can fit into a size 7 in jeans noww! but i have to make sure i don't buy too much because after another 2 weeks my new clothes start looking baggy, i can't wait until i get to my goal weight, then i can buy as much as i want!!

I'm 16 and loving the band.... i live in Toronto, Ontario. Anyone else live in T-dot?

Does anyone have their fill at a level where they can drink only Protein shakes during the day and then eat healthy foods at night with some restriciton. Since there is more restriction in the morning/throughout the day than there is at night. Does this work for you??

That' great, having support is always wonderful. If your daughter would like to speak to someone with the band that's her age, PM me and i'll give you my e-mail.

No, i don't live on my own.. i live with my parents and that is me with my baby cousin in California.. lol i don't really have any other pics of me because i always use to stay clear of the camera. :eek: Thanks for the cooking advice! I like fending for myself.. i'd rather cook them than have my mom do it. I'm pretty independant

Joyce, this choice should not be based on wanting to be skinnier for dating, parties, high school, prom or looking as good as a family member. Sure it would be nice.. but this decision is more serious than that. You're a great mother, wanting your daughter to feel good etc but this has to be her decision solely. Don't let, you're wanting her to have this procedure.. influence her decision. Your daughter should be on here, in the forums aswell, asking questions... not just yourself. As i said before, this is a major lifestyle change and she has to want this more than anything else in the world in order for her to be successful.

Getting the band has been the best choice of my life so far... I researched this about a year ago and decided that it would be right for me. I want to live a long healthy life and get control of my weight before i develop serious health commplications. This was something that i researched, my parents knew nothing about it until i got all of the research together, videos, pictures, diagrams and interviews with surgeons and presented it to my mother. She didn't think it was a good idea but i knew that this is what i needed to do and i wouldn't stop until it got done. Next, was my father, hardest one to convince by far. He is the traditional hard-headed Italian man who is successful in business and presenting this idea to him was very hard for me to do. I made him come with me to speak to the surgeon and after a few months i convinced him to sign the papers. Convincing the surgeon to do this surgery on me is another story. At first, the answer was "no" when he heard my age... the age for getting this done is 18. After having numerous talks with him and his partner, they realized that this was solely my idea, not my parents. This is something that your daughter really really needs to want to have done. This will change her life around for the better but it will also be very challenging. Adapting to the band isn't easy, especially being a teenager. I had this band done when i was 15 years old, January 25th at the TLBC in Toronto. I was not "too young" to get this done, as i've heard from others before. I am solving my problem before it gets worse and threatens my life. Make sure your daughter knows and understands this band inside out before having it done. She also has to know what to expect... she is going to have to work with this band, it is simply a tool. It will not do all of the work for you... If your daughter or yourself would like to talk with me, i'm more than happy to do so.

Thanks IndioGirl. Yep, the age is right :eek: lol. For the most part, i drink protien shakes during the day and then binge like crazy at night. My restriction fluxuates like crazy... I'm not that great at cooking, so please tell me, what veggies do you boil and for how long? and does this satisfy you/your hungar?

Thanks, i'll definately try that! WASaBubbleButt, how do you cook the veggies and do you season them?

Congrats, you look amazing!

:Banane10: THIS IS MY MAJOR PROBLEM!!! I eat nothign throughout the day and then at like 11 p,-1 am i eat like a mad woman... that's why i go up 5 pounds then down then up and then down!! This is really upseting me right now. HELP??? ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEAS FOR ME? WHAT SHOULD I DO? :Banane10:

I look pale :Banane10: and everyone says that i look pale... i want to tan but i'm afraid of getting wrinkles. lol

I fly all of the time and i don't have any problems with the band's restriction and what not, but i beeped one time going through security. When they checked me with the long black stick thingy, it went crazy at my port... lol