Tomander

Lapband coffee Group – Brampton Monday, September 9th – 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!

Good luck tomorrow Chris ! Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs tomander@bell.net

Hi I just past 7th year mark. The lapband changed my life. I have no regrets at all. I started with a 54" waist.. now 30". If you would like to email to ask questions or if you would like to chat on the phone to ask questions I'd be happy to call you... I have free long distance. I chatted with many people on the phone both in Canada and the US monthly... I've met some really great people here over the years. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs tomander@bell.net

Have you talked to your doctor or does your clinic have nutritionist on staff you can speak with? Were you give a Post-op meal plan to follow? My doctor recommend 1,200 calories for women and 1,400 for men per day. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

What a great post ! Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

Chris... don't forget to take a before picture and your measurements... this time next year you will be glad you did.. Good luck... feel free to email if you have any questions. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs tomander@bell.net

I just past my 7th year mark. I can eat anything except rice and apple skins. They go down... they just feel strange so I avoid them. Everything else is fine, all carbs and meats... I don't eat a lot of cooked veggies... never have but I love raw veggies and low cal dip. I alway make sure I take tiny bites the size of my finger nail and make sure I finish what I have in my mouth before I take my second or third bite. I also don't drink carbonated beverages beer/pop. Doctor said "NO"... over the past 7 years I tried pop on 2 different occasions and thought I was going to die... never had a heart attach but had major chest pain and it felt like what a heart attack would feel like... pain lasted for over an hour. Stupid me tired pop 2 times... about 2 apart... then i decided to try half a beer about 4 years ago... WOW... same thing... pain in the chest... NEVER again. I say to new bandsters don't go into the journey saying "I'll never be able to eat this or that ever again"... each person is different. Don't compare yourself to other bandsters. For example if you try and eat an orange and it gets stuck think about why it got stuck... were you eating too fast... how big the piece was it, etc. Don't be afraid to try the orange again (or whatever food you an issue with) in a few days. Most importantly try not and get stressed out when your about to sit down for your meal. Remember, the band is for "life". You should be able to eat a well balance meal and ENJOY all foods in moderation. I love my band because I don't feel like I missing out on certain foods because I can still have them but in smaller portions. I got the band for portion control and for me it's a great tool. For me it also helped to be organized with my meals. I planned (and still do) my meals for the week and freeze them in "band-size" portions. Many people have read my muffin tin tricks and so many people have found them helpful. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

Lellow I laughed out loud when I read your reply... my jeans ALWAYS worn out in the crotch / thighs from my legs rubbing together when I worn a size 54". I thought i was the only person with that problem. I love it now that I can shop in a "normal" store but I do find in cooler weather I'm putting on an extra sweater or long sleeves becasue I feel the cold more now... buy hey it's a nice problem to have. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

Hi... put this day behind you and start tomorrow as a new day. Did you only have to do liquids for 1 week? Were you give a post op menu plan to follow. I know each doctor is different. My Post Op plan was... Week 1 - Clear Fluids Week 2 - Full Fluids Week 3 - Mushie Foods Week 4 - Solid to "Normal foods" Try and take it one day at a time... but remember your still healing and some people don't lose until they get a fill. Each person is different. Don't worry about the 2 lbs. You just had surgery and your body needs time heal and adjust. If you have access to a support group I strongly suggest you try and go to a group meeting. I found support from other bandsters to be very helpful (and still do) especially in the beginning. Hang in there... it does get better and easier. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

Don't feel guilty... do the best you can. Just take it one day at a time. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

I was giving a 4 stage Post Op plan to follow 1 week Clear liquids 1 week Full Liquids 1 week Mushie Foods 1 week Solid to "Normal" foods Were you not given a menu plan to follow by your doctor? Don't rush into "normal" foods. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

Hi Redchatgal... I sent you a private message. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

I just past the 7th year mark and have had to issues at all. I can eat ANYTHING except rice and apple skins and no carbonated beverages. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

Congratulations !!! In a few short hours you will be in "Bandland". Take it one day at a time... also you might find it helpful to have a heating pad to help with the left shoulder pain (if you have it). I found it VERY helpful. That was the only pain I had after surgery... mine lasted for three days. Keep us posted. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

Hello Band Buddies !! I hope everyone has been enjoying their summer. The Lapband coffee in Durham will be starting up again in September. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone. I normally don't ask people to confirm attendance but if you are planning on coming in September could you please let me know... I'm planning on brining a special treat for everyone. I will also send out a reminder closer to the date. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs Lapband Coffee Group - Durham Wednesday September 18th – 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 can honestly say I noticed a difference on day three... why because my acid reflux went away !!!! I suffered from acid reflux since I was 14... I got banded a month before my 40th birthday. I was on 3 medication for my AR. I didn't have a hernia. My AR was so bad I was hospitalized on several occasions with it. I was self-pay and if I was told I wouldn't lose a pound but my AR would go away I would have still paid for the surgery. I started with a 54" waist... now 30". I noticed the inches and pounds coming off very fast. I didn't have to do the pre-op diet and lost 17 lbs my first week. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

Yippie !!! Everyone says that !! Tom, Toronto Banded: July 6 06 Wt . Loss: 160 lbs

No regrets at all... I find maintenance VERY easy. I can eat ANYTHING except rice, apple skins and no carbonated beverages. What keeps me in focused is my monthly weigh-in with my family doctor and the support groups meetings I host. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

PUT THE scale AWAY!!! You are still healing Take it one day at a time... it will happen. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

I found Peanut Butter in the beginning was GREAT in helping taking the edge of my hunger. I teaspoon did the trick for me. I eat peanut butter all the time. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

Toronto, Ontario, Canada Banded: July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

I was told NO carbonated beverages... now over the past 7 years I didn't listen to my doctor and tried diet pop twice and thought I was going to DIE... then a few years later I tried beer... same thing... thought DEATH was near... NEVER again... my doctor knows best... that was 5 years ago... and in my opinion if there is a SLIGHT chance that it may harm the band I say why risk it. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

I suffered from AR since I was 14. I was on two medications. I was banded 1 month before my 40th birthday. My AR went away 3 days after getting banded...and I didn't have a hernia. My AR was so bad at times I was put in the hospital on 4 separate occasions. If someone told me I wouldn't lose weight but my AR would go away I would have gotten the band !! I can eat spicy foods now (not super spicy because I don't like them) but thinks like chili and spaghetti sauce and have no issues at all. Best thing I ever did... AND NO MORE ACID REFLUX !!!! Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

I just past my 7th year mark. I have had no issues at all. Best thing I ever did. I can eat anything in moderation except rice and apples skins... and no carbonated beverages. I started with a 54" waist... now 30". I find maintenance very easy... I still get weighed in every month with my family doctor. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs