Tomander

I host 3 coffee support groups in around the Toronto (Ontario, Canada) area every month. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

Lapband coffee Group - Durham Wednesday, March 19th – 7:00 p.m. Coffee Culture 1525 Dundas St. E. Whitby, ON. L1N 2K6 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 747heavy I used to post here a lot (weekly) but I haven't been on the computer as much the past couple of months. I can't sit at my computer for long periods of time anymore... I have a bad hip... I just found out that I getting a new left hip in either May or June... can't wait... then I'll be back to posting more often There are few of on here... men This is GREAT site for support... I've met some wonderful people here from Canada, US and even the UK. For me support from other bandsters has really helped me in my weight loss journey. If you have ANY questions please feel free to email or if you would like to chat not he phone I'd be happy to call you... I have free long distance. I chatted on the phone with many bandsters over the years.... and still do. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs EM: tomander@bell.net

Hi pibblemon Your goal is very realistic. As I said in my previous post just take one day at a time. If you can find a support group. I host 3 coffee groups a month... I find them very helpful. I was banded July 6 06... down 160 lbs... no issues at all... I started with a 54" waist now 30" Tom

I think everyone feels this way. I remember saying to myself right after surgery... "What have I done... then I had a good burp.and felt great"... on day 3 I was feeling "normal." and have had NO regrets at all. I've posted this message before but I think it's worth repeating. I know for me I never realized how much food controlled my life. I had a really hard time with “head hunger” in the evenings. I’m now entering my 8th year of being banded and have talked about this here several times 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 three coffee groups for people that are banded. (I host them). These things really keep 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: 160 lbs tomander@bell.net

Lapband coffee Group – Brampton Monday, March 10th - 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 Tamara I just sent you an e-mail. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

It does get better !!! Hang in there !!! I found a heating pad or "Magic Bags" you put in the microwave REALLY helped me with the left shoulder pain and gas I had after surgery. Mine only lasted 3 days. Walking also really helped. Not sure how much you have to lose but if it's 50 or more pounds there is really nothing you can do about the lose skin. I saw 4 plastic surgeons before I had my extended tummy tuck and skin removed from my chest "manboobies" and they all told me the same thing... if you lose 50 or more pounds your skin WILL SAG. Sometime age will be on your side but more than likely if you have a lot of skin it will have to be removed by surgery. I had 18 lbs of skin removed with my tummy tuck and 4 lbs removed from each "manboobie" I was 40 when I had the extra skin removed and did exercise and my arms and legs were and are very toned. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/02/21/chief-surgeon-at-slimband-weight-loss-clinics-resigns-after-probe-reveals-significant-history-of-complaints/

Hang it there!!! Take it one day at a time... you will be able eat a sandwich again Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss; 160 lbs

Lapband Coffee Group – Burlington Tuesday, February 25th – 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 Let’s all “band” together for a cup of coffee!

For me I needed and still need the lapband for portion control. I love now that I can still eat pizza BUT instead of eating entire medium pizza by myself I can now just eat 1 or 2 slices and feel satisfied. Now when I eat I feel alway feel "satisfied"... previously to getting banded I would eat until I was stuffed. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

I was self-pay... waited 4 weeks. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

I was banded July 6 06... I was a month before my 40th birthday. I had a complete physical with my family doctor. He told me I was a "healthy" person for now... but it was just a matter of time. I have spinabifida and hydrocephalus... but besides that was healthy... but the day of my surgery I weighed 292 lbs. I've had 9 spinal fusions and both my SI joints are fussed and I"m waiting for a hip replacement BUT having had Lapband surgery SAVED my life. I started with a 54" waist and am now 30". I've lost 160 lbs. and have been able to maintain it without ANY issues. I love the band because I don't feel like I missing out on anything... I can still go out with friends for dinner... I can eat anything in moderation except carbonation beverages... no rice or apple skins... everything else is fine. However, when I was losing I did have to follow the "diet" given to me by my doctor. I followed it to the letter and had great results. I reached my goal in just under 14 months. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. Yes... I will always have issues because of my "bones" but have less weight will make it much easier to get around... I walk with a cane... sometimes 2 but if I didn't have the Lapband I'm sure I'd be in a wheelchair or worse. If you would like to ask questions I'd be happy to chat with you on the phone... I have free long distance and would be happy to call you. Please feel free to email me: tomander@bell.net Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss; 160 lbs

Congratulations!!! What a great job!! FYI Leepers... I hardly exercised at all... I have spinabifida... I've had 7 spinal fusions and both my SI joints are fused... and I'm waiting for a hip replacement... BUT while I was losing and still do I walk every day (except in the very cold weather). I walk with a cane so I don't walk fast but I do walk. When there is no snow I strap on 2 lbs hand and ankle weights... they are a big help for resistances. They really helped tone my legs and arms. I also found a pedometer also kept me motivated on the number of steps I took each day. The weights hold on with velcro... they are really great... several people in my coffee group have purchased them. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

Lapband coffee Group - Durham Wednesday, February 19th – 7:00 p.m. Coffee Culture 1525 Dundas St. E. Whitby, ON. L1N 2K6 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!

I made them again for lunch today. I've been making them in small circle sizes. They're so good ! Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

Hello Band Buddies I’m sending out this posting early for the Lapband coffee Group in Brampton for February because we are holding it bright and early on a Saturday morning for a change. The reason for the date and time change is to accommodate a new bandster who is unable to make it to our regular Monday night group and they would really like to connect with other bandsters… so for the month of February we changed the date. So if your going to start your Saturday morning off with a coffee anyway why not start it off with us… I’ll be getting there at about 9:45 a.m… because I’ll be taking the GO Bus in from Toronto so feel free to stop by early if you want to. We had a GREAT turnout at the last Brampton group… if your free stop by and stay “hi”… and if your busy… CANCEL YOUR PLANS…. and take a half hour for yourself… you might enjoy it and you might even pick up a few tips !!!! Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs Lapband Coffee Group – Brampton Saturday, February 8th – 10:30 a.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!

Lapband coffee Group – Burlington Tuesday, January 28th – 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 Let’s all “band” together for a cup of coffee!

I"m doing well. Glad to hear your on the "band-wagon" ha ha... and things are going well. Have a great 2014... hope your staying warm. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

Lapband coffee Group - Durham Wednesday, January 22nd – 7:00 p.m. Coffee Culture 1525 Dundas St. E. Whitby, ON. L1N 2K6 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!

Lapband coffee Group – Brampton Monday, January 13th – 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!

How are you doing LessLee? Tom, Toronto Banded July 06 Wt. Loss: 170 lbs.

I picked the lapband over other WLS because for me it seemed safer for me. I liked the fact that none of my stomach had to me cut or removed/altered. The band changed my life. I have no regrets at all... I only wish I had done it sooner. I can eat ANYTHING in moderation except carbonated beverages, rice and apple skins. I never feel like I missing out with the band. I started with a 54" waist and am now a 30" waist. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

Just curious.... what is the iBand? Is Apple in the lapband business now? LOL Tom, Toronto Banded: July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs