Tomander

Try a heating pad... I found it really helped with the gas pain... it will get better. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

HI If you can try and get to a support group. I hearing from so many people that clinics are not offering adequate follow up support. Keep after your clinic with your questions. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

HI I was banded July 6 06. I started with a 54" waist... now 32". I've lost 156 lbs. My current weight is 134 lbs (and I NEVER tell any one my weight... LOL). I still get weighed in every month with my family doctor... this keeps me on track and motivated. Tom, Toronto tomander@bell.net

Hi Sometimes it can take a few days for a fill to "kick in"... even a 1 cc fill. Take it one day at time... you'll get there. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

Lapband coffee Group – Brampton Tuesday, December 11th – 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!

Great... I always get there early... feel free to email me if you have any questions before then. tomander@bell.net Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

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My doctor was great he did spend time with me... but I agree most doctors and their staff don't have the time to spend with each person so in a lot of case you are left on your own to figure it out. If you don't have a support group in your area your can always try and start one. I host two groups a month. I placed a free in my local community newspaper under community events for a lapband coffee group and I was really surprise and the response I got. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

What your feeling is normal. The band is best thing I ever did for myself. I was self-pay. it was an investment in my health. 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”. If you have ANY questions please feel free to e-mail me or I have free long distance I'd be happy to call you. Support from other bandsters played a major key to my success. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@

It does get easier... hang it there. Once you get your first fill you will notice a difference. Do you feel any restriction at all now? I actually felt some restriction before my first fill. I had 4 fills in total. Try and drink Water and make sure your eating lots of Protein that will help you feel full and also include a snack. I snack on chunks of turkey with a great dip made with Miracle Whip light. Hang in there !! Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

Congratulations... just hours away from being in "Bandland"... this is a great site for information. Take it one day at a time and ask lots of questions. I recommend you take a before picture, your measurements and keep a food journal. Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

Hi I hope you find this helpful. 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”. I've now sent the document or given the document to people in my coffee groups to 126 people. The response has been wonderful. Also people have found the books very useful. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

Hi What your feeling is normal. Just take it one day at a time. Please feel free to ask any questions. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 bls tomander@bell.net

I told all my immediate family. I have extended family and friends that are extremely over weight but WLS is a very personal choice and you have to be ready for it... and for some people even when they have it they are not having it for themselves but for others and then they fail. I wish many of friends of friends would consider it but I know they need to make the choice for themselves. When people ask how I lost my weight I tell them and I more than happy to answer any questions and I'm the first one to say that the band is not an easy way out but it's a tool and you have to work with tool... yes I have had people say I took the easy way out... and those people need to lose more than a few pounds. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

That's very normal. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

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I was self-pay. I went for complete physical 1 month before my surgery with my family doctor and he said I was a "healthy fat person"... for now... it was just a matter of time. I was 39... I've suffered from acid reflux since I was 14. My acid reflux went away 3 days after my surgery... and I didn't have a hernia. My surgery was 1 month before my 40th birthday... it changed my life. If I didn't lose a pound having my acid reflux gone was worth the cost of the surgery. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

I would look for a new doctor. Tom,Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

HI Ashley I just sent you the document... let me know when you get it... people have been emailing me directly tomander@bell.net Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Your very welcome! I have received so many e-mails the past few weeks from bandsters saying how well they are doing. It can really help you get back on the "band-wagon"... I know bad pun... but it's so simple but hey if it works... why not. I have now sent or given the document out to people at my coffee groups over the past few months to 108 people !!! I would love to know how many pounds that adds up to. Thank you so much for letting me know that it has helped. Please keep me posted on your progress. What a great way to end 2012 !!! Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

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Hi I just sent it... reply to the email to let me know you go it. Thanks !! Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I'm a big believer in support from others and checking in with my doctor. I host a 2 monthly coffee groups for bandsters or people looking into the procedure. I also still get weighed in every month with my family doctor.... this has kept me on track. I don't keep a food journal anymore but I do still plan my meals for the week. I find that really helps. I'm thankful I've been able to maintain my weight... right now I'm actually below goal because of a medication I'm on. It's never too late to get back on the "band-wagon" If there isn't a support group in your area try and start one. You can place a free ad in your local community newspaper for a lapband coffee group... that's what I did for one of my group and you would not believe the response I got. One of my coffee groups met last night and we had 12 people out... all at various stages. You may have read my previous posts here but I've recommend two books that I found helpful... and I'm not one really who is into "diet" books... also if have a hard time dealing with snacking at night I've also talked about the "Egg Timer Trick"... as of today I've now e-mailed it to 87 people. If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me and I'd be happy to forward the information to you. tomander@bell.net Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs