Tomander

I was self-pay... I didn't have to wait at all. I’m going into my 7th 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 two coffee groups for people that were banded. These things really kept 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 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: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

I was self-pay. it was the best investment in my health I ever made. The lapband saved my life. If I had to do it over again I would... it a minute. I started with a 54" waist... now 32". Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I had mine out 15 years ago... no problems at all. I can eat anything except rice and apple skins and no carbonated beverages. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I agree doesn't sound band related. Check with your doctor. I had 4 fills in total... never had any problems after the fills. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I don't get burps but I do get "girggles"... and they can be VERY loud... it can happen at any time... it doesn't hurt... for me it's just reminder that my band is doing it's job. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Lapband coffee Group - Durham Wednesday, March 20th – 7:00 p.m. Williams Fresh Cafe 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 Let’s all “band” together for a cup of coffee!

I take Collace every night. I get mine at IDA. I've also bought it at Shoppers and costco. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I’m going into my 7th 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 two coffee groups for people that were banded. These things really kept 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 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: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

I remember saying to myself on day 3... what have I done to myself... then I burped... felt wonderful. I lost 17 lbs my first week and haven't looked back. Best decision I ever made. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

As of today I've been a member of LBT now for 6 years. This site has been so helpful in my lapband journey especially in beginning. I have learned so much and made some wonderful friends over the years. I have a wonderful network of "Bandsters" both in Canada and the US that I chat with on the phone on a regular basis and it's also great to chat with new people that are looking into the procedure. Being part of this community keeps me motivated and on track and now as a long time "Bandster" it's nice to pay it forward and maybe help others that are starting out on this journey. I still get weighed in every month with my family doctor and I still host 3 coffee groups a month... and yes I still learn something new here every now and then... for me the lapband is a lifetime "tool" and therefore I need ongoing lifetime support and this forum is a great place to get it. Here's to another 6 great years and continued success to all my friends at LBT. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

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

I've had 4 fills in total (no defills). I have 7.5 cc in a 10 cc band. My last fill was 6.5 years ago. When I eat I feel full but NEVER stuffed. Pre-band I would eat and I felt really stuffed or until it really hurt sometimes. Now when I eat I feel satisfied and full. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

That is normal for some people. Some people when they get a fill it can also take a few days or a week to "kick in". I had 4 fills in total (no defills). I still have my "sweet spot" Maybe go for a tiny fill. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Welcome! I'm going into my 7th year of being a "Bandster". If I had to do it over again I would do it again in a minute. I have no regrets at all. I was self-pay and it was worth every penny. The lapband has saved my life. don't feel like I'm missing out on ANYTHING. I can eat anything in moderation except rice, apple skins and no carbonated beverages. I started with a 54" waist and am now a 32" waist and have been able to maintain my weight with no issues at all... I'm actually below my goal. I guess my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs.

Your welcome. I take Collace every night at bedtime. (2 capsules) I'm on a medication that makes me constipated. The Collace really helps. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs.

I was told to take Collace... a stool softener. Very helpful and mild. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss; 156 lbs

Is there a community agency you can call to help you out. Here in Toronto we have the United Way. They helped me out once when I need to get to a pre-op appointment for surgery and the hospital was outside of Toronto and my sister couldn't take me. There was no cost to me. I did buy the driver a couple of cups of coffee It might be worth a phone call. Just a thought. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

i think we have tried diet and exercise. For me WLS was the last chance for me. The band saved my life. I was self-pay. It's been an investment in my health and my future... no regrets at all. Started with a 54" waist now 32". Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Why would you get the band removed? I'm going into my 7th year. For me the band is for life. I need the band for portion control. I had 4 fills in total. I have 7.5 cc in a 10 cc band. If I did have band removed it would be just a matter of time before the weight came back on and much more. I stared with a 54" waist... now 32" waist. I had an extended tummy tuck and had 16 lbs of skin removed from my tummy and 6 lbs removed from my chest. If I did have my band removed I'm sure I would be MUCH larger. For me the band is a "tool" for life. If you do have to pay for your fills consider it an investment in your health... well worth it in the years to come. You may only need 1 more fill... you never know. Please keep us posted. Good luck. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Lapband coffee Group – Brampton Monday, March 11th – 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!

Welcome to the site... I'm not from the UK but i watch Coronation Street... does that count? I love the UK !!! This is a great site for information. Ask lots of questions. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Hi I had a really had time with “head hunger” in the evenings. I’m going into my 7th 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 two coffee groups for people that were banded. These things really kept 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 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 found keeping a food journal also keep me on track. 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: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

I know I felt that way... that's why I when with WLS (the lapband). I had tried every diet.. i need something that was life changing. The band did change my life. It was the best thing I ever did for me. Started with a 54" waist now 32" Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Maybe just try a tiny fill .25 cc or remove .25 cc Good luck Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

What's going on? Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs