Tomander

This is a GREAT place to vent... don't worry. Keep us posted... and ask lots of questions. If you ever want to chat on the phone I have free long distance and I'd be happy to call you. Please feel free to email me. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

My doctor said the same thing... double check with the doctor. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Hi Contessa I host several coffee groups in the GTA area for people that are banded or looking into the procedure. We get people out from various clinics. Everyone raves about Dr. C. and his staff. I have had the pleasure of meeting him. He has been kind enough to come out to several of my coffee group to give a special talk on how the lapband works. If you have any questions please feel free to email me.. I'd be happy to call you... I'm not sure where your located but there are several of us that meet for coffee every month ... maybe you can join us. Good luck !! Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt Loss: 156 bls tomander@bell.net

I only had left shoulder pain for 3 days after my surgery. That was the only pain I had. I found a heating pad helped or the "magic bag" you put in the microwave. I would call your doctor just to check in. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I LOVE my band... no regrets at all... it's changed my life. I started with a 54" waist... now 32". The band is only a "tool". You do have to work with it. If I had to do it over again I would do it again in a minute. Feel free to email me if you have any questions or if you would like to chat on the phone I'd be happy to call you. I have free long distance. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I'm so sorry hear you had complications. Good luck in the future. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Welcome to LBT... this is a wonderful site. Ask lots of questions. I've made some great friends here. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Good luck !!! If you heating pad or "Magic Bag" for the microwave I found them very helpful after the surgery if you have the shoulder pain from the gas. That's the only pain i had after the surgery. It last for 3 days... heat and walking really helped. Keep us posted. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

When I eat I feel full but not "stuffed"... I usually eat just over a cup of food. It sounds like you need to chew just a bit longer. I take bites the size of my baby finger nail and chew a few times and make sure I finish what I have in my mouth before I take my second or third bite. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

It does get better. I found a heating pad or the "Magic Bags' you put in the microwave really helped with the shoulder pain. My shoulder pain lasted for 3 days...that was the only discomfort I had... walking also helped. Good luck !! Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Your fears are normal... don't go into this journey saying "I'll never be able to eat this or that ever again."... each person is different... try not to compare yourself to others. I can eat ANYTHING in moderation except rice and apple skins. I had a lot of extra skin. I had 16 lbs of skin removed from my tummy and 6 lbs removed from my chest... but it was worth it. This is great site for information. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

Following surgery the only pain I had was in my left shoulder. It last for 3 days. I used 2 "Magic Bags" that I put in the microwave. A lot of bandsters use a heat pad. I really helps if you have shoulder pain from the gas... walking also helped. Just take it one day at a time, listen to your doctor and follow the guidelines as best you can given to you by your doctor. I would take a before picture and your measurements and also try and attend a support group meeting. I found and still do find support from other bandsters to be a big help in my weight loss journey and also in maintaining my weight. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I was never told to sleep in a particular position after the band surgery. I always sleep on my side and have never had a issue. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Hi I’m going into my 7th year of being banded and have talked about this here several times but I think it’s worth repeating for new bandsters... you may find it helpful with your head hunger... many people have. 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 and I 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

Lapband coffee Group - Durham Wednesday, February, 20th – 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!

My doctor said drinking with a straw was ok. I started using a straw the day of surgery and have had no issues at all. I would check with your doctor. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I try not to eat packaged foods. I cook on the weekend a prepare my meals for the week in "band-size" portions... but I agree if you are in a hurry you can use them but not every day. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

The only issues I have are with rice and apple skins. My main sources of Protein are turkey, chicken, pork and beef... don't really like fish. Never use Protein drinks (only the week after surgery). Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I also agree move on... as long as you kept track of it and jumped back on the "band wagon" for the next meal then your ok. When I was losing I planned all my meals (and still do for the most part). I spend Sunday cooking for the week and portion my meals out into portions. On Fridays I always go out for dinner with friends. I even did that when I started solid food. Just take it one day at a time and if one day/meal doesn't go as planned try not to get stressed out about it... just get back on track at your next meal. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

I had 3 cc put in on my first fill. Each doctor is different. It depends on the person and if you had a fill at the time of surgery (I didn't). My first fill was at 6 weeks. I had 4 fills in total (no defills). I'm at 7.5 cc in a 10 cc band. Remember, 4 cc for you can be like 7 cc for someone else so that's why it's difficult to compare from person to person. Good luck on your journey. Keep asking lots of questions... this is a GREAT site. If you have access to a support group I strongly suggest you try and attend as many meetings as you can... especially for the first few months Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

How exciting for you!!! Good luck. Please feel free to ask any questions. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

I had 5 scars... I can now only see my port scar now... about an I" long... but it's very faint. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

The only pain I had was the left shoulder pain (from the gas)... it last for 3 days. I used the "Magic Bags" you put in the microwave. They REALY helped. I was fully recovered in a week. Having the surgery was the best thing I every did. I started with a 54" waist... now 32". Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I was self-pay $16,000 (includes everything) and lifetime replacement. I have no regrets at all about spending the money... it was an investment in my health. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I would call the doctor. You may need a tiny defill. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs