crittlebird

I smoked before and after. I smoke about 10 a day, not good I know, but it is hard to diet and quit smoking at same time. You will be fine!!! Good luck!

I smoked before and after. I smoke about 10 a day, not good I know, but it is hard to diet and quit smoking at same time. You will be fine!!! Good luck!

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

I was looking at some old pictures and now that I have lost weight I see I was bigger than I thought. I have a couple of pics of me the morning of surgery and it CONFIRMS I made the right choice with the band! Thank you band and lets keep on the right path together to reach the goal. I will keep my pics to remember how far I have come and where I never want to be again!

I agree use them as motivation. When i feel myself slipping i look at where i was and where i am now and get excited again about losing more weight.. so definitely keep them for that extra motivation and congrats on your success! !!

It definitely bothers me, I don't know about anyone else!lol.
You're down an amazing amount of weight, and congratulations BTW! So don't focus on sadness and the "old you". Use those pics as motivation to NEVER go back there. File them away for if you feel your motivation slipping. Otherwise I would take a whole bunch of new pics of yourself and Celebrate what you've accomplished!

I am almost at my year mark. Yaaay I am down 100lbs and have more energy than ever. I wanted to recap this past yr for everyone wondering. My life IS completely different. I take vitamins everyday. For example before surgery I never worked out, now I work out 4-5 times a week and I mean kicking ass in the gym. It has became very therapeutic for me. Never thought I would be sayin that lol. Not every change is huge there are a few small ones like the fact that I don't burp anymore. Weird huh? I can't even force one out I honestly don't remember ever burping post operation. I still look in the mirror and can't believe I have come so far. My mind still sees my body as xtremly heavy its nt until I see pictures that it sinks in that this is what I look like now. Some food I can not eat at all because I physically can not and others I choose to stay away from. I have not had soda in a year. Only water skim milk and Crystal lite. I do not eat bread at all I am not sure if I can or not but I know its not good for u so I just don't even try. No tuna which was my favorite it just will not go down. Ummmm surgery has changed my life for the better and I can do so much more without restriction. Walk up stairs and not be tired, get on roller coasters, ride airplane with out extensions. And these r just small things. Everyday is a new day and you will mess up I have got stuck many times choosing poor foods and I paid for it dearly but overall I feel great and happy and can't wait til I get to onderland. This is just the beginning of my journey. Good luck to everyone.

Hi all,
I had lap band surgery 1 yr ago on April 20th. It is the best thing I have ever done for myself!!!! I lost 11 lbs before surgery and 70 lbs since surgery. I never thought I could do this, but I am. I am so proud of the amount I have lost For those of you just going into this surgery, keep the faith. I know others have lost a lot more than me in a year, but I am truely happy for myself. I feel much better in every way!!!! So, if you are unsure of getting the band, I say DO IT!!! You won't be disappointed!!!!

Hi all,
I had lap band surgery 1 yr ago on April 20th. It is the best thing I have ever done for myself!!!! I lost 11 lbs before surgery and 70 lbs since surgery. I never thought I could do this, but I am. I am so proud of the amount I have lost For those of you just going into this surgery, keep the faith. I know others have lost a lot more than me in a year, but I am truely happy for myself. I feel much better in every way!!!! So, if you are unsure of getting the band, I say DO IT!!! You won't be disappointed!!!!

Hi all,
I had lap band surgery 1 yr ago on April 20th. It is the best thing I have ever done for myself!!!! I lost 11 lbs before surgery and 70 lbs since surgery. I never thought I could do this, but I am. I am so proud of the amount I have lost For those of you just going into this surgery, keep the faith. I know others have lost a lot more than me in a year, but I am truely happy for myself. I feel much better in every way!!!! So, if you are unsure of getting the band, I say DO IT!!! You won't be disappointed!!!!

Hi all,
I had lap band surgery 1 yr ago on April 20th. It is the best thing I have ever done for myself!!!! I lost 11 lbs before surgery and 70 lbs since surgery. I never thought I could do this, but I am. I am so proud of the amount I have lost For those of you just going into this surgery, keep the faith. I know others have lost a lot more than me in a year, but I am truely happy for myself. I feel much better in every way!!!! So, if you are unsure of getting the band, I say DO IT!!! You won't be disappointed!!!!

I was banded in April, 2011 and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I have lost a total of 65 llbs, 11 lbs pre-band and 54 after band. There was a month that I did not lose anything and felt discouraged, but when losing weight we all have our ups and downs. Give yourself time to adjust to the band, because you will become in tune with it, trust me. It takes awhile, but you will. In the beginning you are healing and not losing so much, be patient with your body. The band is the best gift I have ever given myself. I wanted to lose slow and steady, and I am. I have difficulty exercising because of balance issues (I had 2 brainstem strokes, which affected my sight and balance). I do walk on my treadmill as much as I can. Do not give up, you will begin to lose on a steady basis, but you will never lose as fast as those who have had a by-pass. Don't compare. Also, as you know the band does not perform magic, you have to do your part too. Good luck on your journey!!!