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Tomander

LAP-BAND Patients
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Posts posted by Tomander

  1. Posted

    Just curious... have you lost in inches?

    I'm not able to exercise a lot... I've had 7 spinal fusions and both my SI joints are fused. (I have spinabifida) I walk with 2 canes but I walk everyday and use 2 lbs hand and ankle weights that helped me with toning with my arms and legs. I used them before and after my Tummy Tuck. I strap them to my ankles and writs when I got for my walk. I also do arm lifts with them.

    I know several people in my lapband coffee group that exercise like crazy and they lose inches faster than pounds.

    Tom, Toronto

    Banded July 6 06

    Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

  2. Posted

    I’m coming up to my 7th year of being banded this week 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: 160 lbs

    tomander@bell.net

  5. Posted

    Doesn't sound like a stuck episode.

    Don't be afraid to try all "carbs" or other foods (meats, etc.) .... 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.

    For me rice and apple skins don't get stuck they just feel strange going down I don't eat them. If you do have an "episode" with a particular food don't be afraid to try it again at another time in a few days or weeks.

    Remember... you have the band for life... you should be able to eat a well balanced diet from all the food groups and ENJOY your food.

    Don't forget to make sure if you finish what you have in your mouth before you take your second or third bite.

    I couldn't go through life without my Pasta, steak, roast beeft... or a sandwich now and then :)

    TX...if you have any questions or would like to chat on the phone I have free long distance and would be happy to call you.

    Tom, Toronto

    Banded July 6 06

    Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

    tomander@bell.net

    DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! and Royalrags reacted to this

  7. Posted

    I think support from family helps but support from other bandsters had played a major part to my success. Other bandsters know what I'm going through. I host 3 coffee groups a month for people that are banded or looking into the band. Remember you got the band for you! I started the coffee groups 5 years ago and they are a great way to meet people.

    Forums and chatrooms are great but I prefer to meet people in person or chat with them on the phone. I also chat with 8 different people on the phone every month... both in Canada and the US. I have free long distance.

    If there isn't a support group in your area please feel free to email and I'd I be happy to tell you how I started mine.

    Tom, Toronto

    Banded July 6 06

    Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

    tomander@bell.net

  8. Posted

    What your feeling is normal for some people... I can honestly say I didn't really start to feel hungry until I started "normal" solid food.

    I’m in 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: 160

    tomander@bell.net

    Marroko777 reacted to this

  9. Posted

    Hi

    While I was losing I only plateaued twice but I kept losing in inches. My doctor suggested that I increase my solid Protein. I started snacking on "turkey cubes" I cut up chunks of turkey in to small cube and made a great dip. It was a great snack and still is.... but it also help with my metabolism. This helped kicked start my weight loss again. Several people in my coffee groups have tried increasing their Protein with they have plateaued and it has seem to have also helped them.

    If you would like the recipe for the dip I have please feel free to email me. I also use it for veggies. It's made with Miracle Whip Light.

    Hang in there !!

    Tom, Toronto

    Banded July 6 06

    Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

    tomander@bell.net

  10. Posted

    The only pain I had was in my left shoulder... it last for 3 days and was REALLY bad. I found a heating pad really helped and walking. I said to myself... WHAT HAVE I DONE!!!... but on day four If felt sort of "normal" after I had a good burp.

    PLEASE hang in there... it does get better!!!

    I didn't have to do the pre-op diet and I followed my menu plan to the letter... it was so worth it. I lost 17 lbs my first week.

    Keep a food journal and do the best you can. If you have access to a support group try and go to a meeting. Support from other bandsters can be very beneficial... especially in the very beginning.

    Please feel free to ask any questions.

    Tom, Toronto

    Banded July 6 06

    Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

    tomander@bell.net

    ☠carolinagirl☠ and sonyasback reacted to this

  11. Posted

    Lapband coffee Group – Brampton

    Monday, July 8th – 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!

  19. Posted

    Hi

    I have lost 156 lbs. I started with a 54" waist... now a 30" waist. I have had NO issues at all. I still get weighed in every month with m family doctor. I find maintenance with the lapband very easy.

    Yes... I did have work with my new "tool" but it was worth it. If you listen to your doctor and follow the guidelines given to you as best you can you will have great results.

    I still plan my meals and I host 3 coffee groups a month for people that are banded. The only thing I would change is that I wish I had done it sooner. I have no regrets at all. The band changed my life.

    Tom, Toronto

    Banded July 6 06

    Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

    Debbie3sons, aviva1979, parisshel and 3 others reacted to this

  20. Posted

    Hi

    I ate nachos while I was losing but not very often... just has a treat... I had not issues at all.

    I can eat anything except rice and apple skins... and no carbonated beverages.

    Just remember... it's ok to "treat" yourself now and then but I think it's important to keep a food journal so you know what you have had. I found it very helpful... it really helped me stay on track.

    Don't be afraid to try all foods... remember each person is different.. don't go into this journey saying... I'll never be able to eat this or that ever again.

    Tom, Toronto

    Banded July 6 06

    Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

    donna12, ☠carolinagirl☠, kll724 and 2 others reacted to this

  21. Posted

    Hi BgOBoy

    You have NOTHING to worry about... I just had my 60th surgery (long story) last October and have NEVER had any issues. I've been under for as long as 9 hours and have always come out with flying colours. My first surgery was done when I was 3 months old and then in October at the age of 46. (I have spinabifida and hydrocephalus). I've had 9 spinal fusions and also surgery done on my brain for many shunt surgeries and there were no issues being put under or being woken up.

    YOU WILL BE FINE!!!!

    Let us know how your feeling and if you have any questions please feel free to email me. I also have free long distance and if you would like to chat on the phone I'd be happy to call you.

    Tom, Toronto

    Banded July 6 06

    Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

    tomander@bell.net

    Tom, Toronto

    Banded July 6 06

    Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

    donna12 reacted to this

  24. Posted

    I was told age is not really a factor. I saw 4 doctors people for I picked my plastic surgeon and they all told me the same thing... if you lose more than 50 lbs more than likely the skin will not go back to "normal" and will be have to removed surgically.

    I had 16 lbs of skin removed from my tummy and 8 lbs removed from my chest. it was the best thing I ever did (after getting my lapband).

    I was banded at age 39.. a month before my 40th birthday and had my Tummy Tuck at age 41.

    I started with a 54" waist and am now a 30" waist.

    I recommend you see more than one doctor and don't be afraid to ask to speak to patients that they have done surgery on. My doctor was more than happy to put me in contact with references.

    Tom, Toronto

    Banded July 6 06

    Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

    Debbie3sons reacted to this

  25. Posted

    I would also suggest a "tiny" defill.

    Just curious... what size bites are you taking... from day one of starting solid food my doctor told me to take bites the size of my baby finger nail and make sure I finish what I have in my mouth before I take my second or third bite. I never really thought about it until I was banded that I would sometimes but by second or third or even my fourth spoonful of food into my mouth even before I finished my first mouthful.

    I've never been "stuck"... touch wood... and when I started my journey I actually said to myself in my head take tiny bites... one at a time... it really worked for me.

    Tom, Toronto

    Banded July 6 06

    Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

    DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! and kll724 reacted to this

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