Well who would have thought that 6 years ago today 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 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 and asked even more questions prior to surgery. 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 the way 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 Dr. Yau gave me. I studied the menu plans I was given like I was getting ready for an

exam. I studied the notes I took from Kathy P. and Belina and thought if they can do it so can I.

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 new 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.

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 this unique

support group and it keeps 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 and in recent years

Arlene a special thank you for giving me the tools to use along the way to be

successful. Dr. Yau the egg timer trick really did work !!!

I’m not sure the lapband puzzle will ever be complete. I know I will

continue to add pieces to it for years to come.

On a final note thank you to everyone for there well wishes for the past several months. It’s been rough couple of months but I’m doing well.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Thanks so much for sharing and congratulations on your 6 year success!

Yours is an inspiring journey...and thank you for sharing it!

Also, congratulations on your success!

Thank you!

Interesting and informative ... glad to read your success

great success. thanks for telling.

Wow as i am one day post op, that was as awesome post. Thanks fir sharing.

Really enjoyed your story, thank you for sharing.

I am hoping to take some information from your story and apply it to my journey.

I always love to read success stories from long term bandsters...thanks so much for sharing and congrats!

Hi Tom,

Thank you so much for sharing your story and success with us. Happy 6th Band Anniversary!!

That is such an inspiring story- thank you. May I ask you what the egg timer trick is?

The egg timer trick is kind of long to explain but I'd be happy to email it to you.

You can email me tomander@bell.net

Tom

Will do!

Wow I needed to read this. Thank you.

That's a great story!

Thank you to everyone for the kind replies and e-mails.

I really mean it when I say I have met so many great people in the lapband community over the past 7 years.

My offer still stands if anyone would like to chat on the phone to ask question I do have free long distance in Canada and the US and would be happy to call. I'm sort of retired or I have lots of free time on my hands.

Feel free to email me.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

tomander@bell.net