Tomander

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

Hang in there... your on the right track !!!

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I was self-pay.

I went for complete physical 1 month before my surgery with my family doctor and he said I was a "healthy fat person"... for now... it was just a matter of time.

I was 39... I've suffered from acid reflux since I was 14. My acid reflux went away 3 days after my surgery... and I didn't have a hernia.

My surgery was 1 month before my 40th birthday... it changed my life. If I didn't lose a pound having my acid reflux gone was worth the cost of the surgery.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

tomander@bell.net

Your doing great.

I’ve been banded just over 6 years and have talked about this here a couple of time but I think it’s worth repeating for new bandsters.

Back when I was banded my doctor suggested 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

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. Take tiny bites 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.

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”.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

tomander@bell.net

You are off on the right track !!

I was SOOOO happy to read that you were going to weigh yourself once a month.

I don't own scales.

Before I was banded I had a complete physical with my family doctor 1 month before my surgery and I decided that when I come and see he every month for my regular visit for bloodwork I would get weighed and measured every month.

I am so glad I did this. This kept me so motivated to stay on track. My doctor kept an spreadsheet with my weight, chest, hips and waist measurements for 14 (that's how long it took to reach my goal).

When it came to for my monthly doctor visit I was so excited to step on the scale. Some months I think my family doctor was more excited than I was. I had 4 fills during my lapband journey (no de-fills) when I had to go to clinic for my fills I did get weighed there but that was the only time I stepped the scale.

I knew I was losing not because of the number scale but because the inches. So many people in the 2 coffee groups I host tell me that they may plateau for 1 or 2 weeks BUT they still lose inches.

You will read again and again that the band is a "tool" and I am a strong believer in that. Take it one day 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 or apple skins... and carbonated beverages. Follow the guidelines given to you by your doctor.

I've complied a CD full of lapband friendly recipes and articles that I used to email to people but now it's too large to send out.. I'd be happy to mail you a copy if you like.

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

Lastly... if you have problems with "head hunger" I have document 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. Just this past Wednesday 2 people came up to me and said they used the "trick" this past month and 1 person was down 11 lbs.. the other 8 lbs.

Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

tomander@bell.net

That's VERY normal.

Take one day at a time... you will start to see results.... don't forget to take your measurements... try not to weigh yourself everyday... try only once a week. While I was losing I only got weighed and measured once a month by my family doctor (i don't own scales). I found this really kept me motivated and on track. I still get weighed in every month with my family doctor and host a monthly coffee group for people that are banded or looking into the procedure. Support groups are also are big help.

Good luck.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

tomander@bell.net

Welcome to "Bandland" !!

Take it one day at a time.

Feel free to ask any questions.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 156 lbs