Sue Magoo

Hi: I had rashes and it was uncomfortable. My surgeon's office documented my rashes (including pictures) and the plastic surgeon's office did two. Between the two of them they did the magic paperwork (including the pictures) to have the panniculectomy approved for me by insurance. I opted to pay the additional cost to get a full tummy tuck. It was well worth it. Best wishes to you. Sue

Hi: I wish I'd put a water-resistant, heavy duty mattress pad on my bed because one of my drains leaked on my new mattress, right through the mattress pad. From reading your blog I know that you're planning only a very short time away from work. Make the best of the rest time you can get. Eat healthy foods and don't worry about working out and exercising. It will wait for your body to heal. Take care. I look forward to hearing more about it. Sue

Hi: I was allowed to shower on day #3 post-tummy tuck. I hope you don't have to wait two weeks. If so, there's always sponge baths and lots of deodorant :thumbup:. Sue

Hi: I had a full tt, not a panni. Where the muscles were tightened was one of the sorest part and I don't think you'll have that with the panni. It was alot more painful than the lapband, but so worth it! Keep in mind that it is a big operation and you need to eat well, sleep well, and take it easy while you're recuperating. It's not a time to stress about your lack of exercising because you'll get back in the swing of things once your tummy is healed. Best wishes to you. I hope to hear about your experience soon. Sue

Hi: I just looked it up. Pre-op (3 months) 37 pounds lost, and then the following numbers in each consecutive month post 14, 15, 11, 9, 3, 9, 9, 6, 12, 3, 5, 5, 4, 4, 4. The other thing besides eating right and exercising is consistent follow up with your surgeon and attending support groups with fellow bandsters if possible. You need to stay on top of your fills to ensure that you are getting your band adjusted as necessary. In addition, I think it helps to be accountable on their scale as well as my own. Best wishes to you. Sue

First, try warm tea to see if that will go down. Second, if that won't go down go to ER because you're going to get dehydrated and that can be very dangerous. Third, find a new band doctor as this one stinks if he can't squeeze you in when you're suffering. You may want to find a group to go to that has more than one doctor so that they have their own backup system in place for when one doctor isn't available. I get so mad when I read about doctors that don't take care of their patients. Please let us know how you make out. Take care. Sue

Hi: I read on your profile that you had no aftercare for the past 7 years. I think my doctor recommends annual visits after the first couple of years. I am sorry that you're losing your band and I am sorry that they didn't find your problems before the erosion started. Best wishes to you. Sue

Hi: I think that I had 7 pounds total removed between tt and lipo. Best wishes to you. Sue

Hi: I had a full tummy tuck with muscle repair. I wouldn't have been able to return to work in two weeks because the surgery zapped the energy out of me. If you have a sit down easy job, you'll probably manage, but you'll probably be wiped out every day for a while. If you have a physical job you'll be struggling. Remember, you're going to have lifting restrictions. The compression garments help with the swelling. Best wishes. Please keep us posted. Sue

Hi: My surgeon did a little bit of lipo and I'm glad she did. I am very happy with the results. Best wishes to you. Sue

Hi: Think about your band being like a belt tied around your waist. When the band is working it restricts the food from entering your stomach too fast. So, you eat some chicken, small bites of course, and chew it really well. It drops down to your stomach and the band restricts it from going directly to your stomach. Instead it stays in that little pouch above the band for a while (2 hours). By staying at the top of the stomach (pouch) longer it makes you feel full longer. The deal with drinking with meals is that it will wash the food right through instead of letting it sit in that pouch for two hours. So, by doing this you don't get the full sensation for two hours like you should. Also, if it washes through the band it allows you to eat more. So, it is the "devil" to the band. You won't lose weight like you should with the band if you drink with your meals. Best wishes to you. I love my band. My only regret is that I didn't get it done ten years sooner! Sue

Hi: I had a tummy tuck May 2010. My plastic surgeon had a discussion with my band surgeon right after my initial consultation. I felt totally at ease when I went for my preop and she told me she'd discussed the band with my surgeon and she was comfortable doing the tummy tuck. My port is high on my belly just below my rib cage. She didn't have to touch it! Best wishes to you. I love my flat tummy and my tiny belly button. So worth it! Sue

Hi: It's time to stock up on some very low calorie foods that will fill you up. One of my favorites is green beens with diced tomatoes and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Barely any calories and it's like having italian food.:rolleyes2: So many veggies to choose from that may fill that hole and also might help your mind feel satisfied. Best wishes to you. Sue

Hi: I recommend that you speak with your surgeon about the placement of your port with belly dancing in mind. I have mine up below my rib cage about an inch down in the middle. I have a scar, but it is faded. My port doesn't stick out and it's never in the way. Best wishes to you. Sue

Maybe only having a few sips of Water is what's causing the hiccups. Didn't your doctor recommend more than just water? Your body can't heal well if you don't give it some nutrition. Newbie I hope things work out with you and your band! Sue

Hi: Hiccups or burping are one of my suttle "full" signals. You might want to listen to your body next time they start and see if that's the message it's trying to tell you. Best wishes to you fellow bandster. Sue

Hi: My band doctor says that if you have something going on between the neck and the knees to assume that it's the band. It's amazing how fickle our bands can be. Hope you feel better soon. Please let us know what your doctor says. Take care. Sue

Hi: Please go see your doctor. He/she should be able to tell what's going on. You don't want to fool around with this. Take care. Sue

Hi: I think that the thing that got me through the ten day liquids before surgery was knowing that if I stuck to it exactly I was making the surgery safer. I felt like I owed that to my Daughter. Remember, it's not so easy, but when you think about how short ten days really is it makes it a little bit easier. You should probably keep one of your pre-op shakes handy so that you can have something every three to four hours so that your blood sugar doesn't play games. Best wishes to you. It'll be so worth it. Take care. Sue

Time to call your doctor. You don't want to risk becoming dehydrated because it can be very serious. Take care. Sue

Hi: In my experience (banded twice) I found that sugar free popsicles did the trick for me to get fluids down when I was still swollen. Also, warm tea went down better than anything cold. Best wishes to you newbie! Sue

Hi: oatmeal for Breakfast goes good. Granola bar - well chewed of course, or rice cakes with Peanut Butter good for lunch, with a cheese stick. You can also crumble up your granola and put it into yogurt so that you can get Fiber and dairy and Calcium. Those are a few of my suggestions. I look forward to reading what others write. Take care. Sue

Hi: You know the Nike thing - just do it! On the positive side of things, even if you only lose ten pounds between the presurgical liquid diet and the holidays you'll have more energy to enjoy visiting with friends and family. You'll be amazed at how much better you'll feel when you drop twenty! Best wishes. Sue

Carla: My gallstones felt like you're describing. Do you still have your gallbladder? Hope you feel better soon. Sue