Tomander

Lapband coffee Group – Brampton Monday, January, 7th – 7:00 p.m. Second Cup (Located in the Longo’s Plaza) 7700 Hurontario Street, Building E, Unit 504 Brampton, ON 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 A few people have mentioned that to me... I host 4 different groups... in different locations... all in coffee shops... I think they have WIFI.... we usually get anywhere from 8 to 20 people out to our groups..it all depends... I don't ask people to sign up... the only problem would be the noise factor and I"m not sure how that would work. I'm not really sure how Skype works. Do people have to sign in? Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

I had my extra skin removed... 16 lbs removed from my tummy and 8 lbs removed from my chest. I saw 4 plastics surgeons before I picked my doctor and they all told me the same thing.... if you lose 50 lbs or more you will have loose skin and no matter how much exercise you do it will not help... your age may be a factor but most likely the skin would have to be removed. I was 41 when I had my tummy tuck... I was banded at age 39. I was so glad I had the extra skin removed. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

I think my last meal would be greek food... with pork souvlaki and rice... I can't eat rice with the band... I can eat anything else except apple skins... if it was the end of the world I would get a defill and eat a large greek dinner !... right now I usually order a small dinner Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I have a friend who is also banded and she plateaued for 2 months... she did a 10 day fruit/veggie fast (Joe Cross - Reboot) and she did really well. Maybe try it for very short period but consult with your doctor. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt Loss: 156 lbs

I'm thankful I haven't had acid reflux since 3 days after my surgery. I suffered from acid reflux since I was 14... it went away 3 days after I was banded (age 39) and I didn't have a hernia. I was self-pay and if I had known the band would have gotten rid of my acid reflux or reduced it and I would maybe not help me lose weight I think I would still be happy. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I don't get it ??? Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Hi Don't be too concerned... you may be losing in inches. Did you take your measurements? Having you been keeping a food journal? Sometimes weight loss kicks in on the second fill. Hang in there and let us know what the doctor says. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I was self-pay... my surgeon was WONDERFUL... I have no regrets at all... only wish I had done it sooner. I think that follow up support is even more important than picking the surgeon. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Jewel... just take it one day at a time. Don't go into this journey saying "i'll never be able to eat this or that ever again"... eat each person is different. I can eat ANYTHING except rice and apple skins... and no carbonated beverages. Have you read the post I posted to New Bandsters? This is great site for information. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

Great !!! Ask lots of questions !!! Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Welcome to "Bandland". This is a great site for information. I've leaned so much over the past 6 years and made some wonderful friends. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

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Hi I’ve been banded just over 6 years and have talked about this here a couple of time 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 doctor suggested 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”. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

I don't' miss the beer or diet pop at all... I started with a 54" waist... now 32"... I sooner have a smaller waist than a beer ! Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I've been banded just over 6 years. I was told no carbonated beverages. I've tired diet pop a beer a couple of times... each time I thought I was going to die...the pain was not worth it. I won't be trying the again. Tom, Toronto Band July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I agree... follow the stages your doctor has given you.... don't rush it. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Congratulations !!! Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

You will do fine... just take it one day at a time. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss; 156 lbs

Well put ! Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I had some restriction even before my first fill and I lost weight... a lot of weight. I had 4 fills in total to reach my "sweet spot". Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

5 weeks for me... I was self-pay. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Hi Sometimes people notice a change in the fill a few days later... it may take a few days for the fill to "kick in". Were you told to go on Clear liquids for 24 hours after a fill. I had 4 fills in total and I was always told to do clear fluids for 24 hrs. following a fill. Good luck on your band journey... this is a great place for information... I have made many wonderful friends here and have learned so much. If you have any questions please feel free to email me. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

The only pain I had after my surgery was the left shoulder pain from the gas. I found a heating pad really helped. Mine lasted for 3 days. It will get better. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Sharon recently mentioned on The Talk that she still had her band. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs