7 Year Banniversary

[Tomander 614]

Well who would have thought that 7 years ago today (July 6th) 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 the Yahoo Group 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. 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 how I 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 Kathy P. gave me from TLBC I studied the menu plans I was given like I was getting ready for an exam. I studied the notes I took from support group meetings at the clinic. I thought if Kathy, Belina and Nancy the Fill Nurse can do it then so can I.

I’ve had 4 fills in total and every time I went for a fill I asked lots of questions at the fill meeting before my fill. Nancy was ALWAYS a wealth of information.

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 lapband 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. The band was a big investment in my health and as each year goes by the “interest” in my health increases for the better because of the band.

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 these unique support groups but they keep 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 thank you for giving me the tools to use along the way to be successful.

I’m not sure the lapband puzzle will ever be complete but I know I will continue to add pieces to it for years to come. The past 7 years have been great. I have enjoyed cooking more and I’ve even exercised more keeping track of my daily steps to Tim Hortons… one day I may even reach 10,000 steps in one day!

Thank you to everyone that supported me the past 7 years and remember it’s NEVER too late to jump back on the “band-wagon”. I look forward to riding the band-wagon with you all as you reach your goal.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

[kll724 3,055]

Congratulations Tom! You are marvelous for writing your story. Wow! makes me wish I lived in Canada, so I could be on your list of coffee buddies. You have done a great job, stay with us, all the folks here need your support! happy 7th bandiversary!!!Karen

[catfish87 3,471]

Congrats Tom! And thanks for continuing to share your knowledge of success.

[Lady VS 1,147]

All I can say is, wow!! What an awesome testimony. Thanks for sharing.

[kazjim98 618]

7 years..that's amazing! Congrats and Happy Bandiversary!!

[jfc193 718]

Congratulation on your 7 year journey. Thanks for sharing your story, I will have 6 years on 9/7/13.

The fact that you are still sharing your keys to a successful banding experience. What I like about this forum is that there is always an opportunity to learn something new.

[dawalsh 919]

Great post and congratulations on your 7 year bictory thus far! Your story is very inspiring!

[Ladybandito 516]

Cheers, Tom! You are one of the posters I am always inspired by; thank you so much for continuing to share your knowledge and insights! :-)

[healthy and happy 64]

Wow. What a great post. You are a true testament to the success that you can have with the band if you follow the rules and keep your head right. You are an inspiration to so many people and I think your coffee meetings are fantastic. Keep on posting your success and helping others. Congratulations on your long term success. I am two years out and so far so good for me. I have lost and then regained weight many times before my decision to get the band, but i must say my success in keeping the weight off has been so much better since the band. I think I may be finally conquering this weight struggle with the help of my band.

[Tomander 614]

Thanks !