Tomander

I used Collace when I was first banded. Very mild. Now I'm waiting for a hip replace and I take a pain med called Dilaudid. t I take 2 Collace every night a bedtime... works really well. Good luck ! Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

The breads, pastas (carbs) I do eat I try to make good choices like whole wheat Pasta. I also a love pita bread and thin bagels. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

I"m at goal... actually below goal. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs Started with a 54" waist now 32" tomander@bell.net

Hi I've been banded 6 years. The only things I don't eat are rice and apples...and carbonated beverages. Rice and apples skins just feel strange going down so I avoid them. I've never been sick or choked with band. Try not to compare yourself with others. Don't go into this journey saying... I'll never be able to eat this or that ever again. Take tiny bites and make sure you finish what you have in your mouth before you take your second bite. I think a lot of new bandsters go into journey and think they will fail because they can no longer have their favourite foods. I love the band because I can still have my favourite foods (in moderation) and I don't feel like I missing out. The band is wonderful life long "tool" If you listen to your doctor and follow the menu plan guidelines the best you can and keep a food journal. The band can change your life. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

Congratulations!! Take it one day at a time! Don't forget to take your measurements. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

Welcome to "Bandland". I found walking helped a heating pad. Feel free to ask lots of questions. Tom, Toronto Banded July 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

Hi I've been banded 6 years. I've never been sick or choked on foods because of the band. I don't eat rice or apple skins because they feel strange going down but all other foods are fine. I eat all carbs in moderation. I take tiny bite and make sure I finish what I have in my mouth before I take my second or third bite.... and I don't drink carbonated beverages. Try not to compare yourself to others... don't go into this journey saying... "I'll never be able to eat this or that ever again."... take it one day at a time. If you have any questions please feel free to email me. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

Hi Tina This is a great site. I've been on it for almost 6 yrs. i've made some great friends. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs Started with a 54" waist now 32"

I was self pay also paid $16K... worth every penny. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs Started with a 54" waist now 32"

Congratulations !! Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

I told everyone if they asked how I was losing weight. Everyone was very positive Over the past 6 years I posted several times about my "Egg Timer Distraction" trick... it's how I dealt with head hunger in the evening and using an egg timer... it's kind of hard to explain. My doctor recommend when I was banded and I started using it around my 8th week when I started to feel hungry in the late evening. I just sent it to 3 people when I was in the chatroom tonight. Also, when I was at my monthly lapband coffee group this past week 2 people came up to me that had fallen off the "band wagon" 2 months ago... and they both tired the ETD trick for a month... 1 person was down 11 lbs the other 9 lbs. If anyone would like a copy of this document please feel free to send me an e-mail and I will send you the .pdf file. In the subject line of the e-mail please put Egg Timer Distraction. When I was losing I found this to be great little "trick" also I check in EVERY month with my family doctor to get weighed and measured. I also attended monthly coffee groups for people that were banded. I still get weighed in every month with my family doctor (I don't own scales) and I host 2 coffee groups a month. Both these things keep me motivated and on track. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net Started with a 54" waist now 32"

There is a group of us that meet every month at the Second Cup in Burlington. Feel free to join us. Tuesday, July 31st – 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

HI 245hot This is a great site for information. I joined a few months before I was banded... just over 6 years ago. I have learned so much and have met so many great people here. If you have any questions please feel free to email me. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net Started with a 54" waist now 32"

Hi Mike This is a great place for information and support. If you have any question or would like to ask any questions on the phone I have free long distance and would be happy to chat with you. Feel free to e-mail me. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net Started with a 54" waist now 32"

I had 4 fills in total I have 7.5 cc in a 10 cc band. I have lost 156 lbs and reach my goal in just under 14 months. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

I've been banded 6 years... had 4 fills in total...didn't hurt at all when I got my fills. I have not regrets at all getting the lapband... it's changed my life. I can eat ANYTHING in moderation except rice or apple skins... I still eat carbs and go out for dinner. I started with a 54" waist and am now a 32" waist. If you would like to ask any question feel free to e-mail me. I also have free long distance and would be happy to answer any questions you have on the phone. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

Welcome to the site! This is a great place for information. Feel free to ask any questions. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

I told everyone... everyone has been very supportive. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Congratulations... this is a great place for information. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Good luck to all the new bandsters. Go into this journey and take it one day at a time. Try not to compare yourself to others... don't say... "I'll never be able to eat this or that ever again." Yes.. I still eat carbs... bread, pasta... the only thing I don't eat is rice or apple skins. Each person is different. DON'T BE AFRAID to try different foods.... I still use a straw (my doctor says it's ok) but no carbonated beverages... even if they are flat. Take small bites... and chew, chew, chew.. and follow the instructions given to you by your doctor. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

I found support from other bandsters to be a key to keeping my weight off. I host several coffee groups a month in my area for people that are banded or looking into the procedure. I also still get weighed in every month with my family doctor... I don't own scales... this keeps me on track and motivated. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

I was banded in July... I just celebrated my 6th year of being banded. You are going to love your band. This is a great place for information. Feel free to ask any questions. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

I found the only pain I had after surgery was left shoulder pain (from the gas) and it last only 3 days. I found a heating a pad really helped. I had no other pain. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

You are still very early on in your journey. Some people do no lose until their first fill. PLEASE do not worry !!! Yes the band will work for you !!! If you follow the guidelines given to you by you doctor... follow the menu plans, ask lots questions, keep a food journal and work with the band you will have success. I think it's really important to get support from other bandsters. Feel free to email me if you have any questions or if you would like to chat on the phone. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs EM: tomander@bell.net