Sue Magoo

Congratulations! Welcome to the flatlands. Now's the time when it's so important to rest. So, put yourself first and get the rest that you need to enable you to heal properly. Take care and post an update when you have a chance. Sue

No suggestions, just wanted to say that I'm very excited for you and know that you'll be so happy with the results! Best wishes to you. Please let us know how you're doing once you're in the flatlands! Sue

Hi: My band doctor recommended Vitamin C (I think it was 1,000 milligrams/day). My tummy tuck healed well. Another thing is to try to get extra rest. Best wishes to you. Sue

Hi: Just wanted to mention that getting enough sleep is so important when you're trying to lose weight. Not only does it keep you away from the fridge, but it also gives your body time to recover. I had to eat something every four hours or my hunger got out of control and I would try to eat too fast - bad for band. Try having some yogurt, or something low calorie to snack on when you're hungry if it's outside of your meal time. Good luck! I love my band. Sue

Hi: I was 49 years old when I had my tummy tuck. I had lost almost 150 pounds and I had alot of loose skin on my abdomen. Gravity made my loose skin drop low, so when I did have my tummy tuck it didn't make much difference on my waist size, more of a difference on my hips because the fallen excess skin wasn't there anymore. I have a picture on my profile page that shows the difference. Best wishes to you. Sue

I think that if you have reflux long term it can cause damage to your esophogus. You should speak with your doctor about this so that you can make a fully informed decision. Best wishes to you. Sue

Good luck. My only regret is that I didn't get it done sooner!

Hi: Stock up on your groceries, medications, and entertainment (books & movies). You may want to get pajamas and/or sweat pants that have pockets because that's a convenient way to carry your drains around. Also, shirts that button up, not pull over. It may be hard to lift your arms if you have your stomach muscles tightened. If you don't already have a sheet protector on your bed, you may want to get one of those because my drain or incisions leaked at night on my new mattress. Also, some extra vitamin-c helps with healing (my doctor recommended it) and I think I healed well. You may want to get an extra binder too. You'll want one with "stays" or "bones" in it. I think I got mine on JC Penney website. Pain medication can make you kind of loopy so you may want to set up a chart so that you always know when the last dosage was and stay on top of the pain by keeping up with the medication. It seems that it's easier to prevent the pain coming on than it is to diminish the pain once it's bad. Best wishes to you. Let us know how it goes. Sue

You could try oatmeal, cream of wheat, creamy Soups (lite version though), mashed potatoes, squash. Those kinds of things can be eaten without blending them. Good luck. I could have almost eaten dog food after my pre and postop liquid diet. Sue

Joe: Best wishes with starting over! Getting back to your doctor for a fill is one of the best things you can do. Not trying to scare you, but are you sure that you haven't slipped? Last spring I could eat more and started gaining so I saw my doctor for a fill when actually I ended up being unfilled because my band had slipped. I ended up getting a new band in July 2010. Three years ago I weighed 324 and within 18 months I got down to 174. When my band slipped I got up to 208 in July 2010. As of this morning I'm at 192 and slowly headed back down to 180'ish. Starting over does work! Sounds like you're preparing mentally for your new start in January. Good luck! Sue

Hi: My band slipped sometime during the past spring and I had it replaced with a newer model. My original banding was in July 2007. I had a tummy tuck in May 2009. My band surgeon didn't seem at all concerned with my tummy tuck and the second band surgery went well. I did tell him not to touch my belly button because I love my cute little belly button that my plastic surgeon created for me with my tummy tuck. I think he laughed at me when I requested that he not touch it - said yes, I had a nice belly button. You will have a few more scars added to your tummy with getting a new band. I didn't have to replace my port, so my new incisions were just small. You may need to have more incisions than I did if you're having your port replaced too. Good luck. Sue

Pam: Sounds like you may be too tight too - lots of gurgling and hicups. You might want to check in with your doctor. I'm on band #2 after a slip last spring. I'm nervous about getting another slip because I'm not so sure I'd do band #3. Hope you both feel more comfortable soon. Sue

Hi: You might want to ask him/her how many bands he/she's already done. You might want to ask what his/her post surgery follow up recommendation is. You might want to ask if you have to stick to a strict schedule for fills or do you call when you feel you need a fill and how long does it take to get appointments. The follow up care is just as important as the surgery and is critical for your success. Best wishes to you. Sue

Mia26 - If you have any issues with anesthesia please get an unfill. You don't want to be having nausea issues with your band. I had a tummy tuck May 2009 and I had dry heaves for the first day. It was horrible to hurl when I just had my tummy tuck. They gave me everything they could for nausea both pre and post op, but I still had issues. Like most folks say you probably won't have an appetite for the first week, but then it will come back. Make sure you're getting enough nutrition while you're healing from your surgery. My doctor recommended a vitamin C supplement to help with healing. Best wishes to you. Let us know how you make out.

I think they tell you to follow the brat diet when you have diarreah. Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast (without butter). Hopwe you feel better soon!

Wow!

Hi: My doc has people put the lead apron on. Your band is up higher, near your ribs, so it's not in the way. The port can be positioned many places, but I don't think they're as interested as looking at the port as they are in looking at your band area so they can see how your pouch and band look when you swallow the barium. Sue

Hi: Make sure you put gravy on your turkey before you try to eat it as dry turkey could be problematic. Try a tiny bit of a few things on your plate. Best wishes to you. Sue

Hi: Light walking right away. No lifting, pushing, pulling, etc. No driving for I believe 3 - 4 weeks. You'll find that if you keep your activity down your swelling will stay down too. Best wishes to you. Sue

You really should call your doctor. Hope you feel better soon. Sue

Mine was a small slip, but it was stubborn, and wouldn't move back into position, so I had to have revision surgery. I didn't realize that it had slipped. I started eating more and gaining and went in for a fill. When I went in for a fill my Dr. did a barium swallow where he discovered the slip. Good luck to you! Sue

Hi: I was laid off when I had my tummy tuck after losing more than 100 pounds. So, I didn't have to head back to work. I think that the pain will be over, but you may still be fatigued after 3 weeks. I think my energy level didn't return until 3 months after tummy tuck. I had an internal pain pump gadget that I highly recommend. It was the size of a baby bottle on the outside, and it had very thin drains that went below my skin over the muscle repair. When I felt pain there I just pushed the button and it instantly sent numbing medicine over that area. Was great to do when getting up or sitting down for the first few days. It only lasted 3 days. I highly recommend that, but unfortunately I don't remember what it was called. Best wishes to you. Sue

Hi: I'm 5'7" too. I started my weight loss journey at 324 pounds. I got as low as 174. I've settled in at the 190 level. I had alot of loose skin on my lower abdomen and had a tummy tuck to remove it about a year and a half ago. I have lose skin on my thighs still, as well as bat wings. I love my band and if I had the money I'd have more plastic surgery, but I don't think that's going to happen. I can live with the hanging skin that I have. I just don't wear shorts or sleeveless tops. My belly is nice and flat. I feel 15 years younger than when I was carrying around all of that extra weight. Best wishes to you. Sue

Based on what you've said, I wouldn't tell them ever! Good luck with your continued weight loss. Sue

Hi: Sounds like gallbladder issues to me too. I had mine out 9 months after banding. You should see a doctor and get it taken care of. Feel better soon! Sue