TLBC Bandsters!

[Doddie63 6]

Mitzy you can't go wrong. They are a good group and do try to support the group but there is only so much any clinic can do, most is up to you. For me, the band is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I am not loosing huges gobs of fat at once but very slowly. Works out to .85 lbs per week. But and this is a big But, I am eating normally anything I desire. The quanties are governed by my band. For the first time in my life I feel normal. It took six months for me to chew my food properly and many difficult days of PBing. But now I rarely PB in fact only 3 times last month.

I hope that you will practice proper band techniques when you get your band and you don't PB but whatever happens, you will be making the best decision ever. Doddie

[18 again 0]

Hi Everyone

I hope you are all doing well and had an enjoyable halloween. I have a question I am hoping someone can answer. I was banded on Oct25/07 at TLBC. I walked around downtown Toronto the day after my banding. I have walked everyday at home about 2-4 miles and once used my Gazelle for 30 minutes until Oct 30 ,when I had started spotting. The nurse at TLBC said I was over doing it and shouldn't exercise like that until I am 6 weeks post -op. But I was losing a pound a day and really wanting to continue that. So now I have come down with a horrible cold and can't do anything except work, cook and sleep. Once I am better and can go out walking again how long should I walk? I just don't think that 20 minutes is going to be long enough...:help:I sure could use some advice.

[Doddie63 6]

Hi: You should discuss this with your doctor. We don't know your joint issues if any, health issues if any. But genrally, when you have not exercised for a period of time, five minutes of walking 3 times a day. As you feel stronger build up your time.

We all start off gung ho and tend to over do things until we realize the band is for life. I use the philosophy of "just for today". First I got my chewing in fairly good order while doing minumum exercise 3 times a week. I then got a note from my doctor to our district gym that I could do aqua fit three times a week and on the bike 2 times a week under supervision. The gym supervisor started me off at 10 minutes on the bike for 3 weeks and increased it to 15 minutes then some weight lifting averaging 10 lbs and then another 10 minutes on the bike.

What I am saying until you are in shape do your favorite exercise in small amounts over the day. You still will be burning calories but not injurying yourself. Oh, forgot, as I hate exercise, I say to myself "just for today I will exercise" and make myself go just for that day only. Then the next day the same thing. Hope this help. Doddie

[18 again 0]

THANK-YOU FOR YOUR ADVICE. I USUALLY WALK 30 MINUTES 1-2 DAYS A WEEK IF I HAVE SOMEONE TO WALK WITH ME. IF NOT THEN IT MAY BE A COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE I WALK. THANK-YOU I WILL START OUT SLOW AND KNOW THAT I AM BANDED AND WILL STILL LOOSE WEIGHT. I AM SO USE TO DIETS FAILING I HAVE TO GET PAST THAT.

THANKS

18 AGAIN

[Doddie63 6]

Yes, Put a reminder somewhere that you are not on a diet but you are making a whole new lifestyle change. I give myself visuals.

On my calendar posted on he wall, I put a large smiley on the day I weigh in which is Sunday and each day I do a small amount of exercise I give myself a small smiley. When I miss my exercise, the blank calendar date looms huge. At the end of the month I have a visual of my weight lost for the month and how much exercise I have put in. I get a warm feeling when I see it. Maybe this idea may help you but most importantly give yourself a pat on the back when you do something right. The reward is not to be food mind you. One last tip, DON'T deny yourself. If you want a small treat, have it but make sure it is small. That way, you won't get into the old dieting routine of having a treat then feeling guilty because you broke the diet rules. Everything is legal in small portions. Doddie

[green 6]

I am a TLBC graduate, too. I was banded Sept 7, 2006. TLBC certainly is an excellent clinic. I am happy with the treatment which I have had and still do receive there and I sure am happy with the results of my band, but I do hear that Dr. Coburn and the rest of the bariatric gang who operate the clinic in Mississauga are just as fine. :eek:

An added bonus for me is that TLBC is really close to my house. It is a short trip by subway and I can walk home after a fill. :bounce:

[SkinnyJennyToBe 0]

Hey everyone,

I got my band done Oct 18/2007. It's going pretty good. I have lost 23 lbs since than. I feel great. This was the best thing i ever did for me. everyone at tlbc are great. I go for my first fill Dec 3. Kinda scared about that. I don't know what it's all about. I was woundering if anyone was young about 20-28 years old. I was looking for someone young like me to share stuff ect.

Hope to hear from you soon.

[Doddie63 6]

HI JEN: I am young at heart, 64 but there are many young people on the website, especially this one. It was a young girl who started this TLBC patient site. Welcome to bandland and feel free to post any questions, concerns, fear, joys, successes, and failures (yes failures). Because even if you have the band, it is just a tool and everyone experiences their ups and downs. Good luck. Doddie

[peaches9 3]

HI JEN: I am young at heart, 64 but there are many young people on the website, especially this one. It was a young girl who started this TLBC patient site. Welcome to bandland and feel free to post any questions, concerns, fear, joys, successes, and failures (yes failures). Because even if you have the band, it is just a tool and everyone experiences their ups and downs. Good luck. Doddie

I've been catching up on posts and just re=read thru all of yours.

You W/L is excellent whay-t-go girl!!! Your tips and suggestions are right on the money

I had my 4th fill today and don't feel any more restriction, weird eh?

she only gave me .50 cc

[Doddie63 6]

Thanks Peaches. It has been slow and sometimes I get impatient but then I remember, I am changing my way of eating and NOT dieting. I only have 5 ccs but want to keep it loose until I get my chewing thoroughly as second nature. On the 22nd of Nov. I see my Dr. and will follow his recommendation whether or not I should have more fill.

My weight loss pales to yours, and my hearty congratulations to you. It just shows the band is a wonderful tool if used correctly. Doddie

[peaches9 3]

Hey Doddie;

I think you are looking at my overall number of 64 lost... Since banding I've lost 24 (JUl 11th)... I am getting more pleased with my progress as I weighed myself today and yest. and was down a tad each time.

I wish I wasn't in the mindset that if the scale is down its a good day.... argh!! it is such a trap.

So I took the advise of another bandster that I met at Tlbc and she said (she's lost 75lbs) take your measurements regularily and forget the scale.< /p>

So I did this morning and I couldn't beleive my waist measurement!!! 38" it was at 45" at one point so I have made significant progress.. even my neck measurement has changed.

I need to focus on the NSV's more than the weight.

My mini goal for this wk is NO chocolate.... if I really need something sweet, I'll have 5 prunes instead = 94 cals and is good source of fibre (but not too much hee,hee)

Have a great day

[green 6]

Those NSVs are really important, too. And they can really lift your spirits during the weight loss journey. Congratulations, ladies, on your weight loss.

[Buffie 1]

Hi everyone, I was banded June/06 at the TLBC and have been thrilled with my results so far. I live in SK and have never been back to the clinic since the day of my surgery, I WISH I could go to the X-mas event this year. My family doc does my fills and has never had any problems. My problem now is that I am on a HEINOUS PLATEAU. I can't get the scale to budge, I use a Bodybugg, I work our every single day (90 mins cardio including jogging and walking, bicycling) and weight training every second day. I'm happy with the weight I am now, I just want to push myself further. I'm going for another fill tomorrow, hopefully this will help. I've been too tight in the past and I don't want to go there again, but at this point I'm desperate!! I'm going for an arm lift and breast augmentation in Mar/Apr/08 and want to get 15-20 more pounds off before then. My body has learned to burn calories very efficiently (which I've learned from my Bodybugg) and I burn much less energy while working out than I used to. If anyone has any words of wisdom about the evil plateau issue, please advise! Thanks!

[peaches9 3]

Hi everyone, I was banded June/06 at the TLBC and have been thrilled with my results so far. I live in SK and have never been back to the clinic since the day of my surgery, I WISH I could go to the X-mas event this year. My family doc does my fills and has never had any problems. My problem now is that I am on a HEINOUS PLATEAU. I can't get the scale to budge, I use a Bodybugg, I work our every single day (90 mins cardio including jogging and walking, bicycling) and weight training every second day. I'm happy with the weight I am now, I just want to push myself further. I'm going for another fill tomorrow, hopefully this will help. I've been too tight in the past and I don't want to go there again, but at this point I'm desperate!! I'm going for an arm lift and breast augmentation in Mar/Apr/08 and want to get 15-20 more pounds off before then. My body has learned to burn calories very efficiently (which I've learned from my Bodybugg) and I burn much less energy while working out than I used to. If anyone has any words of wisdom about the evil plateau issue, please advise! Thanks!

Your W/L is awesome... plateau breaking//// hummmm...

I needed to drink MORE Water, cheat the band less, and excersise more.

I also had to reevaluate my portions... I was sneeking in a bit too much.

Good luck with the arms and boobs!!

[loriely 0]

Welcome back Buffie.You are doing fantastic with your weight loss journey.