Tomander

You are still early in the game.. PLEASE don't worry !!! You are still in the healing stages. Take it one day at a time. Also a lot of people lose inches faster with the band than pounds. If you have any questions please feel free to email me. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs EM: tomander@bell.net

Welcome to "bandland". I just celebrated my 6 Year Banniversary on July 6th. I always enjoy seeing new bandsters start their journey. It does get better!!! Take it one day at a time. I found a heating pad really helped with the gas pain. I had terrible left shoulder pain for 3 days. The heating pad saved my life and walking really helped. I've met so many great people here at lapbandtalk.com I have also talked to many of them on the phone. If you have any questions please feel free to email. I also have free long distance and would be happy to call you. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs EM: tomander@bell.net

Well who would have thought that 6 years ago today I’d be getting something called a “lapband”. I had done all my research; talk to the doctors several times prior to my surgery. I joined Canadian Lapbanders and asked a ton of questions I was in the Lapbandtalk.com chat room every night for two months prior to surgery and I even spoke with two patients on the phone and asked even more questions prior to surgery. I was ready to begin my lapband journey. I can remember right after the surgery I said “What have I done myself”. I thought I was going to die from the left shoulder pain I was experiencing. The fourth day past and going into the fifth day I was starting to feel “normal” but little did I realize that from that day on my life, in particular the way looked at food would change. I kept my food journal everyday for the first four months. I wrote down everything. Every Monday morning I would sit and re-read the information Dr. Yau gave me. I studied the menu plans I was given like I was getting ready for an exam. I studied the notes I took from Kathy P. and Belina and thought if they can do it so can I. Every month when I went to my family doctor for my monthly weigh-in and measurements I took my folder with all my lapband info in it along with my food journals for the past month and I would review my journals with my family doctor and then he would take out the measuring tape and then I would get weighed. The lapband journey for me was like doing a puzzle. There are many pieces that would eventually come together and form my new lapband lifestyle. Things that have helped me work on my new puzzle. - I listened to the doctor and clinic staff - I reviewed the information folder given to me by the clinic on regular basis (weekly while on the various food stages) and then twice a month - So many people that get banded today get their binder and they read through it just after surgery and then put it on the self to collect dust. - I kept my food journal for 4 months without fail - I stopped eating large meals past 7:00 p.m. and now just have an evening snack on occasion. The only exception to my rule is on Friday night when I usually go out for dinner Even before my journey started I started looking for support. I read everything I could find online, read EVERY post on Canadian Lapbanders and asked many questions. Support. Since being banded the word support has never been so important to me. The lapband journey is a unique experience and if the people around you are not banded they try to understand what you’re going through but they really don’t get it. I know the reason I was so successful is because of the support of fellow bandsters. I went to the support group meetings at the clinic, attended the special seminars offered and I was always in the chat room. Over the years I’ve talked on the phone to bandsters from all over, Canada, US and even the UK. Fast forward to today and I still say that support from fellow bandsters is the key for me in maintaining my weight and I still have my monthly weigh-in with my family doctor. Friends that are not banded laugh at me because I take the GO train all over the place just to meet a group of people for coffee. Yes, it’s an expensive cup of coffee but I enjoy connecting with my fellow bandsters as they start their new journey or watch them reach their goal and it’s great to share lapband stories with individuals that are looking into this new lifestyle change. People ask me if I think about my lapband everyday… I do (usually when it gurgles) but it has become a part of me. I still enjoy all the foods I did in the past (with two exceptions and NO CARBONATED BEVERAGES) but I never feel like I’m missing out on certain foods or social gatherings because I have the band. To my fellow bandsters thank you so much for being there for me at the various stages throughout my journey. Yes I may be crazy to travel just about anywhere to meet fellow bandsters for coffee but again I get so much out of this unique support group and it keeps me on track. My arm may hurt from holding the phone for too long after speaking to a fellow bandster from Calgary for over an hour on the phone but I don’t mind. To my clinic and in particular Dr. Yau, Kathy and Nancy and in recent years Arlene a special thank you for giving me the tools to use along the way to be successful. Dr. Yau the egg timer trick really did work !!! I’m not sure the lapband puzzle will ever be complete. I know I will continue to add pieces to it for years to come. On a final note thank you to everyone for there well wishes for the past several months. It’s been rough couple of months but I’m doing well. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Thank you to everyone for the kind replies and e-mails. I really mean it when I say I have met so many great people in the lapband community over the past 7 years. My offer still stands if anyone would like to chat on the phone to ask question I do have free long distance in Canada and the US and would be happy to call. I'm sort of retired or I have lots of free time on my hands. Feel free to email me. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

The egg timer trick is kind of long to explain but I'd be happy to email it to you. You can email me tomander@bell.net Tom

Thank you!

PLEASE don't give up... for some people restriction or the "sweet spot" may not click in perfectly until the 4th or 5th fill... and even a tiny fill can make a huge difference. Hang in there... if you have access to a support group I STRONGLY suggest you try and talk to other bandsters in a group setting or on phone. I find support from other bandsters to be key to my success. I'm coming up on my 6th Year Banninversary this week and I still host 4 coffee groups a month for people that are banded or looking into the procedure. I also still get weighed in every month with my family doctor. This keeps me motivated and on track. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions. I also have free long distance and if you like to chat on the phone I'd be happy to call. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs EM: tomander@bell.net

Welcome to "Bandland"!! if you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me. If you would like to chat on the phone I have free long distance and would be happy to chat with you. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss; 156 lbs

Lapband coffee Group – Brampton Tuesday, July 10th – 7:00 p.m. Second Cup 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 Also checkout: http://www.meetup.com/Lapband-Coffee-Groups-Toronto-GTA/ Let’s all “band” together for a cup of coffee!

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 Also checkout: http://www.meetup.com/Lapband-Coffee-Groups-Toronto-GTA/ Let’s all “band” together for a cup of coffee!

Wednesday, July 18th – 7:00 p.m. Williams coffee Pub 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 You can also check out: http://www.meetup.com/Lapband-Coffee-Groups-Toronto-GTA/ Let’s all “band” together for a cup of coffee!

Lapband coffee Group – Burlington Tuesday, June 26th – 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 Also checkout: http://www.meetup.com/Lapband-Coffee-Groups-Toronto-GTA/ Let’s all “band” together for a cup of coffee!

PLEASE hang in there !! When were you banded? I can eat anything except rice and apple skins. It does get better. Remember to take tiny bites and make sure you finish what you have in your mouth before you take your next bite. Have you talked to your doctor? Have you been able to talk any other bandsters in person or on the phone? Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

That's wonderful !! This is a great place for information. Feel free to ask any questions. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

the bean bags in the microwave REALLY helped with the left shoulder pain... it lasted 3 days. Walking also helped. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss; 156 lbs

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

I found the gas in m left shoulder was really bad for 3 days. A heating pad and a bean bag I put in the microwave REALLY REALLY helped. After day 3 I started to feel "normal"... it does get better. Good luck. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs S

Your doing great ! When I had my tummy tuck and extra skin removed from my chest... 14 lbs removed from tummy and 2 lbs from each "manboobiie"... no real pain... lots and swelling and a ton of bruising !! Take it won day at a time. The end results are wonderful !! Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs Started with a 54" waist now 32"

I think the key to my success was that I committed to losing the weight. I prepared (and still do) all my meals for the week. (except for Friday night I go out for dinner). I kept a food journal for the first 4 months. I never eat a large meal past 7 p.m. but I will have a small snack sometimes in the evenings. While I was losing I got weighed and measured once a month by my family doctor... I don't own scales. I found this kept me motivated and on track. I still get weighed in every month with my family doctor and I still meet a group a bandsters for coffee every month for coffee. Support from other bandsters also was a big key to my success. I do exercise a little... I walk and use light hand and ankle weights. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs Started with a 54" waist now 32"

70 lbs well done !!! Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs Started with a 54" waist now 32"

I live in Canada and I paid for my lapband. I have no regrets at all spending the money... it was worth every penny. The lapband saved my life. Yes it would have been nice if insurance would have covered it but I'm thankful I had the money. Good luck... take it one day at a time. Please feel free to ask me any questions. This is a GREAT place for information. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs Started with a 54" waist now 32" EM: tomander@bell.net

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

While I was losing I only plateaued two months in a row. I increased my Protein. I snacked on turkey with homemade low cal dip and it really helped. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I'm going to year 6 of being banded and so far no issues. I'm actually below my goal weight. I still get weighed in every month with my family doctor and I meet a group of "bandsters" every month for coffee. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs Started with a 54" waist now 32"

After day 4 it gets so much better. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me tomander@bell.net Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs