Tomander

Hi I have lost 156 lbs. I started with a 54" waist... now a 30" waist. I have had NO issues at all. I still get weighed in every month with m family doctor. I find maintenance with the lapband very easy. Yes... I did have work with my new "tool" but it was worth it. If you listen to your doctor and follow the guidelines given to you as best you can you will have great results. I still plan my meals and I host 3 coffee groups a month for people that are banded. The only thing I would change is that I wish I had done it sooner. I have no regrets at all. The band changed my life. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Hi I ate nachos while I was losing but not very often... just has a treat... I had not issues at all. I can eat anything except rice and apple skins... and no carbonated beverages. Just remember... it's ok to "treat" yourself now and then but I think it's important to keep a food journal so you know what you have had. I found it very helpful... it really helped me stay on track. Don't be afraid to try all foods... remember each person is different.. don't go into this journey saying... I'll never be able to eat this or that ever again. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Hi BgOBoy You have NOTHING to worry about... I just had my 60th surgery (long story) last October and have NEVER had any issues. I've been under for as long as 9 hours and have always come out with flying colours. My first surgery was done when I was 3 months old and then in October at the age of 46. (I have spinabifida and hydrocephalus). I've had 9 spinal fusions and also surgery done on my brain for many shunt surgeries and there were no issues being put under or being woken up. YOU WILL BE FINE!!!! Let us know how your feeling and if you have any questions please feel free to email me. I also have free long distance and if you would like to chat on the phone I'd be happy to call you. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Tuesday, June 18th – 7:00 p.m. Second Cup 901 Brant St Burlington, ON L7R 2J6 (Just West of the Walmart) The Lapband coffee Groups are open to EVERYONE who has had Lapband Surgery or if you’re looking into the lapband process, recently banded, or a long time "Bandster". This is a great way to find out about the lapband from individuals who have had the surgery and to ask questions or just listen to individuals share their lapband journey experience. No need to sign up… just show up and if you can’t find the group ask for Tom at the cash register. If you have any questions before the coffee group please contact: Tom – tomander@bell.net Let’s all “band” together for a cup of coffee!

Hi LMB I host several coffee groups in the GTA area but not sure of any in the Ottawa area. I hope can find a support group. I find the support group meetings to be a great help. It's great to connect with others at various stages of the lapband journey. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

LMB when is your surgery? Are you in the Toronto area? Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss; 156 lbs

I was told age is not really a factor. I saw 4 doctors people for I picked my plastic surgeon and they all told me the same thing... if you lose more than 50 lbs more than likely the skin will not go back to "normal" and will be have to removed surgically. I had 16 lbs of skin removed from my tummy and 8 lbs removed from my chest. it was the best thing I ever did (after getting my lapband). I was banded at age 39.. a month before my 40th birthday and had my tummy tuck at age 41. I started with a 54" waist and am now a 30" waist. I recommend you see more than one doctor and don't be afraid to ask to speak to patients that they have done surgery on. My doctor was more than happy to put me in contact with references. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I would also suggest a "tiny" defill. Just curious... what size bites are you taking... from day one of starting solid food my doctor told me to take bites the size of my baby finger nail and make sure I finish what I have in my mouth before I take my second or third bite. I never really thought about it until I was banded that I would sometimes but by second or third or even my fourth spoonful of food into my mouth even before I finished my first mouthful. I've never been "stuck"... touch wood... and when I started my journey I actually said to myself in my head take tiny bites... one at a time... it really worked for me. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Hi Michpell I would ask Dr. C. directly what size of band he uses but I'm pretty sure it 10 cc. He was recently a guest speaker at one of my coffee groups. I host 3 coffee groups in the GTA area and all the people I've met over the past 7 years have had 10 cc bands with the exception of 1 person who was banded back in 2001 when the band was first introduced in Canada... she had a 4 cc band. If your in the GTA area and would like to join us for coffee there is a group of us meeting on June 18th in Burlington and on June 19th in Durham. I post the information here but please feel free to email me if you have any questions and I can give you the detail or if you have any questions I'd be happy to chat with you. For me it was important to find a support network following my surgery. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

Hi TxBelle Hang in there you can get through the paper work. I was self-pay... I also have issues... I have spinabifida and hyrdocephalus... so I had a few extra test to go through but things worked out fine for me. As for your size and age don't worry about it... I know several people who are VERY large that have been banded and have done very well. I also know people of all ages that have been banded. My only regret is that I didn't do is sooner. I was 39 when I was banded... just a month before my 40th BD. I started with a 54" waist now I'm a 30" waist. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

For me I used my band as a "tool". I planned my meals. I only got weighed and measured once a month by my family doctor... I don't own a scale. I had 4 fills in total no defils. I also got support from other bandsters. I still get weighed in every month with my family doctor and I host 3 coffee groups a month. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss; 156 lbs

I’m in my 7th year of being banded and have talked about this here several times but I think it’s worth repeating for new bandsters. Try and take it one day at a time. Don’t compare yourself to others. Don’t go into this journey saying “I’ll never be able to eat this or that ever again.” I can eat ANYTHING except rice and apple skins and no carbonated beverages. Follow the guidelines given to you by your doctor. Remember… take tiny bites (the size of your pinky fingernail) and remember to finish what you have in your mouth before you take your next bite. When I was losing weight I checked in every month with my family doctor to get weighed and measured. (I don’t own scales) I also attended two coffee groups for people that were banded. These things really kept me motivated and on track. I still check in every month with my family doctor to get weighed-in and I host two coffee groups. For me support from fellow bandsters plays a big part in this journey. Back when I was banded my family doctor came up with something called the “Egg Timer Distraction”. It’s kind of difficult to explain here but I’d be happy to email you the .pdf document. It REALLY helped me with “head hunger”. I can’t tell you the number of people in my lapband coffee groups over the years that have said how helpful this “trick” has been in dealing with their head hunger. Also, I’m not really a “diet” book type person but I recommend you pick up two books. Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat: How to Break Your Eat-Repent-Repeat Cycle – by Dr. Michelle May I had the pleasure of hearing Dr. May speak at a conference when she came to Toronto and her book and guidelines really work well with the lapband journey. The second book is: The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite – by David L. Kessler Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions and also if you would like a copy of the “Egg Timer Distraction Document”. --- tomander@bell.net Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

I used to eat regular instant oatmeal... now I only eat Steel Cut Oat. I cook a big pot of them. I portion them out into muffin tins. Once they freeze I pop out the frozen "pucks" and put them into baggies. They are a perfect "band-size" portion. I add a dash of vanilla and nutmeg and sometimes raisins. I and the "extras" when I microwave the "puck" because I find the flavour is better. Since I discovered Steel Cut Oats 4 years ago I have not eaten regular oatmeal. I really LOVE them. Some mornings I add a tablespoon or 2 of greek yogurt and fresh fruit... VERY yummy and keeps me full. FYI... for those of you that know me I cook on the weekend for the week and plan my meals for the week (dinners). I use muffin tins a lot when I cook. I have "muffin top tins" which are great. They make perfect band-size portions. Shepherds Pie, meat Loaf, Mac 'N cheese and many other recipes. I been using muffin tins since I started solid food. I've got several people in my coffee groups also using muffin tins ! - I just made Mini Muffin Phili Cheese Steak Bites for a party I went to and EVERYONE raved about them... I used mini muffin tins. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Welcome to "Bandland"... this time next week it well be even better... then this time next year you won't believe how fast the time went by and how the band changed your life ! Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Hi Tammy This is a great place for information. I was self-pay.. but I've met some great people here and made a lot of great friends over the years. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

So sorry in didn't work for you. The band was the best tool I ever bought. I still work with it. I still get weighed in every month with my family doctor and I still go to support group meetings. These things keep me on track. I started with a 54" waist... now 30". Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I told everyone... no one has been negative... the band is for LIFE...it's a part of me...it's a tool I need. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Lapband coffee Group - Durham Wednesday, June 19th – 7:00 p.m. Williams Fresh Cafe 1650 Victoria Street East Whitby, ON (905) 571-5145 (Very close to the Oshawa GO Train Station) The Lapband Coffee Groups are open to EVERYONE who has had Lapband Surgery or if you’re looking into the lapband process, recently banded, or a long time "Bandster". This is a great way to find out about the lapband from individuals who have had the surgery and to ask questions or just listen to individuals share their lapband journey experience. No need to sign up… just show up and if you can’t find the group ask for Tom at the cash register. If you have any questions before the coffee group please contact: Tom – tomander@bell.net Let’s all “band” together for a cup of coffee!

Your doing GREAT... your right on track... just take it one day at a time. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I've lost weight many times in the past and ALWAYS gained it back and more. The band has allowed me to keep the weight off. I need the band for Portion Control. I would never have band removed. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I was on a 4 week plan following surgery. 1 week clear fluids 1 week full fluids 1 week mushie foods 1 week solid foods then into "normal"foods Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Hi What your going through is very normal... remember your body is healing... some people don't lose until they have their first fill. Just curious... did you take your measurements? Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Really glad your back on the "band wagon"!!! If you have access to a support group I would try and get to group meeting... I find them VERY helpful. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

HI... I've been on the forum a long time... I have pictures in my profile but I can't figure out how to add a picture to a message... can anyone help? Thanks!! Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I take Collace every night... I take pain medication... Collace in a stool softener... VERY mild... it works great... I've been taking it for it for 5 years. You can get it any drug store, Walmart, costco. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs