Tomander

If anyone in Toronto wants to meet for coffee I'd be happy to set-up a coffee group. I host groups in Durham, Brampton and Burlington and Richmond Hill. I've tried to start groups in Toronto but its hard to get people to come out. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I live in downtown Toronto... I'd be happy to chat with you on the phone. Please feel free to email me. tomander@bell.net Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I'm going into my 7th year of being a "Bandster" I still check into the forum and I still host 3 coffee groups a month for people that are banded or looking into the procedure. I don't work for a clinic... I do this on my own... it keeps me focused and on track. I also still get weighed in every month with my family doctor. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I drank a liter of diet Dr. Pepper and Freska just about EVERYDAY. I stopped "cold-turkey" the day before my surgery. My doctor said no carbonated beverages. Silly me I've tried diet pop and beer on two different occasion over the past 7 years and thought I was going to DIE... the pain was so bad. I really don't miss it... I prefer being thin I really enjoy the Nestle Pure Splash Orange Water. I didn't realize how much sodium was in diet pop... and when I got weighed-in my first week I was down 17 lbs !!! The doctor said it was because I had cut out the diet pop. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Wonderful !!!! Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I can honesty say the only pain I had was in my left shoulder... from the gas they use... it lasted for 3 days. No other pain at all. I used "Magic Bags" you put in the microwave... or you can use a heating pad. They REALLY helped along with walking. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Welcome to "Bandland!" Take it one day at a time... ask lots of questions. Did you take a before picture and your measurements? Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I don't own a scale. While I was losing I only got weighed and measured once a month by my family doctor... best decision I ever made. I still get weighed in every month... keeps me motivated and on track. Many people when they are first banded gain 1 or lbs. Remember you are healing... wait until you have your first fill... hang in there !! Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

The skin extra is is better than fat !!! I was so glad when I had the extra fat removed from my tummy (16 lbs) and and 6 lbs removed from my manboobies). Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Hi newbie If you would like to email me I've put together a list of questions you may find helpful when going for a consults. I was self pay... some of the questions may not apply if your going through insurance. Many people that have come out to my coffee groups have found it helpful. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

Congratulations !!!! It's so great to read messages like this. I kept 1 pair jeans... the pair of worn on the day of my surgery... size 54"... and they were tight. I'm now a size 32" Keep up the great work. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Lapband coffee Group – Burlington Tuesday, March 26th – 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 agree you should feel satisfied rather than full... that's want I met to say Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I'm going into my 7th year of being a "bandster. Most days I eat just over a cup of food and feel very satisfied. I love the feeling when I eat now because I feel full but NEVER stuffed. I really find maintenance with the lapband very easy. I never feel like I'm missing out on certain foods with the band. I still get weighed in every month with my family doctor. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I still gurgle after 7 years.. I never know when it's going to happen. I know I'm not too tight. For me it's just my band telling me it's working. I can go weeks and it doesn't happen or sometimes it happens 5 days in a row. It may settle down in a few days. I wouldn't be too concerned. I know if happens to many bandsters. Now if you were having pain that would be a different story. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Good luck with the new doctor... and try to see a nutritionist if you can and also keep a food journal. If you have access to a support group I would suggest you try and go to a few group meetings. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

The sleeve wasn't available back when I was banded but the tough of having my stomach cut scares me. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I can eat ANYTHING now in moderation except rice or apple skins. They don't get stuck... they just feel strange gong down so I avoid them... and I don't drink carbonated beverages. While I was losing I still "dieted" I ate healthy but less food. I followed the menu plan given to me by my clinic. I still ate carbs and had no issues... and I can honestly say I never really felt hungry. Some people go into the journey saying "I'll never be able to eat this or that ever again" and they have never even tried to eat certain foods... in my opinion if you start off that way you are setting yourself up for failure. The lapband is a tool for life. You should be able to go through life and eat a variety of the foods you enjoy but in moderation. I still go out to eat... I can now enjoy pizza but 1 or 2 slices not an entire medium pizza by myself like I did pre-band. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I agree Alex... well worth watching... I've seen them many times at various seminars. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

GREAT job. BUT I would definitely STOP the carbonated beverage... you may be asking for trouble down the road. I know each doctor has a different option when it comes to carbonated beverages... mine says no carbonated beverages... I've tried them twice since being banded and was in terrible pain... never again. For me it's not worth the long term risk of causing damage. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

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