Tomander

Welcome to "Bandland". Take it one day at a time. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

Lapband coffee Group – Burlington Tuesday, July 30th – 7:00 p.m. Second Cup 901 Brant St Burlington, ON L7R 2J6 (Just West of the Walmart) 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 eat any carbs... Pasta, bread, Cereal... except rice. Everything else ok. It doesn't get stuck... just feels strange going down. I've had no issues with anything other foods... except apple skins... feel strange going down... and NO carbonated beverages. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

Hi Faith ! Great... please keep us posted. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

I threw my scale away a month before my surgery. I made a deal with my family doctor that I would only get weighed in once a month (and measured) by him or when I got a fill at my clinic. I had 4 fills in total. I'm sooo glad I did this. This REALLY kept me focused and on track. I didn't focus on the number on the scale just on my meal plans. It was great to see the inches fall off. I still get weighed every month at my doctors office. Give it a try. Get rid of your scale... try taking your measurement once a month and check in with your family doctor to get weighed in. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

Wow... mushy food on day 6 already? How are you feeling? Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

Rob... I have a question for you... how do you post pictures in your message? I just up dated my "After" pictures in my gallery and would to post them in a message... can you help me out? I sent a message to LBT Admin but haven't got a reply yet. Thanks !! Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

The only gas pain I had was in m left shoulder. It lasted for 3 days. I used a heating pad and the "Magic Bag" you put in the microwave... both really helped. Walking also helped with the shoulder pain. I had no other issues after day 3. Hang in there... it does get better!!! Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

It's sounds like you need a tiny defill... maybe .25 cc. I have a friend my lapband coffee group who had a similar situation and she had a tiny defill.. made a big difference and she is back on track and is now losing and able to eat with no issues. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

Welcome to "Bandland". Just take it one day at a time. I found a heat pad really helped with gas and left shoulder pain. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

Happy "Banniversary" !!! You are a great loser I'm sure the inches are also coming off. Isn't it wonderful to have control. Well done!!! Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

Ok... great... feel free to contact me for more info or if you have any questions. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

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

Thanks !

Hi Julie ! I host a coffee group in Durham near the Oshawa GO Station. I post the information here...I can also email you out a flyer. Our next group will be in Sept... we meet once a month. (not meeting in Aug. because many people are on vacation). It's a great way to connect with people at all stages of the lapband journey. Please feel free e-mail. When were you banded? How has your journey been? Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss; 160 lbs tomander@bell.net

PLEASE be very careful.... You are healing... try and follow the guidelines you were given... I know you maybe hungry but you should be on liquids. Does your program not include something like Isopure? Were you given a Post-op Plan to follow Week 1 - Clear Fluids Week 2 - Full Fluids Week 3 - Mushie Foods Week 4 - Solid "Normal" Foods Hang in there.. it will get better. Do you have a support group you can go to? Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

I still eat red meat 2 or 3 times a week with no issues at all. I take tiny bites and chew. I make sure I finish my first bite before I take my second bite. I also enjoy pork once a week. My main source of Protein is turkey... I LOVE it. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

Be VERY careful because you are in the healing stage. The post-op plan is there for a reason. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

I know people that have a had a fill and the incision is still a little "raw"and there is no issue at all. It sounds like to you need to take smaller bites. I still take bites the size of my finger nail (and Im 7 yrs. out). Make sure you finish your first bite and swallow it before you take your second bite. It does take some getting used to "practice" this but you will get the hang of if it. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

I'm always up for a "bandster" phone chat ! Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

I can eat just over a cup of food. When I eat now I feel satisfied... but never stuffed. I try eat my Protein first (except when I have something like chili or stew, spaghetti). Tom, Toronto Banded: July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs