Well… who would have thought that 5 years ago today I’d begetting something called a “lapband”.

I had done all my research; talk to the doctors severaltimes prior to my surgery. Ijoined Canadian Lapbanders and asked a ton of questions… I was in the Lapbandtalk.comchat room every night for two months prior to surgery and I even spoke with twopatients on the phone and asked even more questions prior to surgery. I was ready to begin my lapbandjourney.

I can remember right after the surgery I said… “What have Idone to myself”… that reaction was from the left shoulder pain I wasexperiencing. The fourth day pastand going into the fifth day I was starting to feel “normal” but little did Irealize that from that day on my life… in particular the way looked at foodwould change.

I kept my food journal everyday for the first fourmonths. I wrote downeverything. Every Monday morning Iwould sit and re-read the information Dr. Yau gave me. I studied the menu plans I was givenlike I was getting ready for an exam.

Every month when I went to my family doctor for my monthlyweigh-in and measurements I took my folder with all my lapband info in it alongwith my food journals for the past month and I would review my journals with myfamily doctor and then he would take out the measuring tape… then I wouldweighed.

The lapband journey for me was like doing a puzzle. There are many pieces that wouldeventually come together and form my new “lapband lifestyle”.

Things that have helped me work on my new puzzle.

- Ilistened to the doctor and clinic staff

- Ireviewed 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 manypeople that get banded today get their binder and they read through it justafter surgery and then put it on the self to collect dust.

- Ikept my food journal for 4 months without fail

- Istopped eating large meals past 7:00 p.m. and now just have an evening snack onoccasion. The only exception to myrule is on Friday night when I usually go out for dinner

Even before my journey started I started looking forsupport. I read everything I couldfind online, read EVERY post on Canadian Lapbanders and asked many question.

Support. Sincebeing banded the word support has never been so important to me. The lapband journey is a uniqueexperience and if the people around you are not banded they try to understandwhat you’re going through but they really don’t get it. I know the reason I was so successfulis because of the support of fellow bandsters. I went to the support group meetings at the clinic, attendedthe special seminars offered and I was always in the chat room. Over the years I’ve talked on the phoneto bandsters from all over, Canada, US and even the UK.

Fast forward to today and I still say that support from fellowbandsters is the key for me in maintaining my weight and I still have mymonthly weigh-in with my family doctor. Friends that are not banded laugh at me because I take the GO train allover the place just to meet a group of people for coffee. Yes, it’s expensive cup of coffee but Ienjoy connecting with my fellow bandsters as they start their new journey orwatch them reach their goal and it’s great to share lapband stories withindividuals that are looking into this new lifestyle change.

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 inthe past (with two exceptions and NO CARBONATED BEVERAGES) but I never feellike I’m missing out on certain foods or social gatherings because I have theband. My brothers and I have beengoing to a “RibFest” for the past 9 years. I went this past weekend. Throughout the day I had 10 ribs in total and a half ofpulled pork sandwich… we were there several hours. In the past (and my brothers still do) I would eat a rack ofribs from at least 6 vendors and 2 pulled pork sandwiches…. Sorry Arlene butnot veggies on RibFest day.

To my fellow bandsters thank you so much for being there forme at the various stages throughout my journey. Yes… I may be crazy to traveljust about anywhere to meet fellow bandsters for coffee but again I get so muchout of this unique support group and it keeps me on track. My arm may hurt from holding the phonefor too long after speaking to a fellow bandster from Calgary for over an hour onthe phone but I don’t mind.

To my clinic and in particular Dr. Yau, Kathy and Nancy andin recent years Arlene… thank you for giving me the tools to use along the wayto be successful. – Dr. Yau’s egg timer trick really does work !!!

I’m not sure the lapband puzzle will ever be complete…. Iknow I will continue to add pieces to it for years to come.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 140lbs

Lapband Coffee Meet up Group:

http://www.meetup.com/Lapband-Coffee-Groups-Toronto-GTA/

You are an inspiration thank you for posting your story I hope to be there soon~ And you are correct SUPPORT is the key and using the tools we are provided with

Awesome Tom!

Happy 5th Bandiversary!

I just wanted to say I too am a 5 year bandster.

I got very little support, but with the support of my dear banded friend and this board, I was able to make it to goal and keep it off, fought cancer, fighting my thyroid and I feel wonderful. I feel healthy, I feel alive and I feel beautiful again.

I am so impressed with the support new bandsters get from their various programs.

For me, this has been the best money I have ever spent on me.

Continued success everyone.

Paula

Paula congratulations on your success. It's amazing how fast the time goes by.

I NEVER thought I would keep the weight off.... back when I was banded I knew what the band did but to be honest I wasn't sure how the maintenance would be.. for me I have found losing weight with the band or other methods very easy to lose but keeping it off was ALWAYS the problem.

The band allows me to still eat all the foods I enjoy but in a smaller "normal" portion... I don't feel like I'm missing out on certain foods. I also find meeting with the coffee groups a couple of times a month and checking in with other bandsters keeps me motivated. I still get weighed every month by my family doctor... this also keeps me on track.

Here's to the next 5 years!!

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 140 lbs

Here's to the next 5 years!!

Right on, cheers my coffee to the next 5....

I find that I still get exhilarated when I catch a glimpse in the mirror and see that this weight has stayed off. My brain sometimes just hasn't accepted the fact that I am no longer fat.

I don't drink and I don't smoke, but I actually get a 'high' just from feeling thin and ecstatic that it has stayed off. I am finally free of that "heavy" that weighed me down for so long.

My dearest friend just got banded this year. She has seen me lose this weight and keep it off for 5 years now. She is tired of trying the next program, the next diet. I am so happy for her and I am impressed by the support she gets from Slimband.

Tom, it is good to hear your story and share

Cheers again,

Paula

PS, I just can't imagine what the last 5 years could have been like, had I not made this decision.

I feel so really very grateful!

Paula... you were banded at TLBC (Slimband) by Dr. Yau?

When was your friend banded?

Is she in the Toronto or surrounding area?

I host several coffee groups... she can join us for coffee... feel free to give her my e-mail address - tomander@rogers.com

Did I add you to my lapband e-mail list. I send out recipes and also reminders about our coffee groups... but you can just delete those.

Let me know if you would like me to e-mail you a folder full of information I've collected.

Tom

Paula... you were banded at TLBC (Slimband) by Dr. Yau? No, we are Western Canadians. I had the best surgeon, with the worst bedside manners and little to no aftercare. hahaha,

He is still my hero though, Dr Leung

When was your friend banded? She was banded by Dr Yau 20-some days ago. I am so impressed by the before, during and aftercare she gets. Her fill doctor is near her, they have so much information.

Is she in the Toronto or surrounding area? She - Vancouver area, Me - Okanagan Valley

I host several coffee groups... she can join us for coffee... feel free to give her my e-mail address - tomander@rogers.com If we could, we would.....

Did I add you to my lapband e-mail list. I send out recipes and also reminders about our coffee groups... but you can just delete those.

Let me know if you would like me to e-mail you a folder full of information I've collected. Thanks Tom, you are great. Currently, I am working on maintenance. It is tricky, I got loosened up while I was sick with chemotherapy. Got real skinny, then slowly gained a few pounds. Found a fill doctor near me and got tightened up and lost it again. So now the trick is finding the right fill for maintenance. Not as easy as it sounds. Some days I feel as though I can loosen up a bit so I can enjoy more bulky foods, like salads, then some days I feel like I NEED the restriction. Fortunately, this band is adjustable.....it really is an amazing tool.

Tom

Hi Tom, Congrats on your successful 5 years!! Just thinking about where I'll be in 5 years with my band scares the hell out of me because I know it'll be in a place that I've never been to, which I guess is exciting too. So scared and excited. That's me. What is the egg timer trick??