Sue Magoo

Hi: My name is Sue and I'm a diet Pepsi addict. I gave it up for a few weeks after my first banding and have been drinking a half flat diet coke daily since then. I open one up in the morning and leave it in the fridge opened. By the time I come home at night it's almost flat and I like it and it's not too gassy this way. My doctor said it's fine as long as the carbonation doesn't make you uncomfortable. It's a very thin liquid so it doesn't stay in the pouch at all, so it really can't stretch the pouch. Best wishes to you. Sue

Hi: I got band #2 on 7/20. I had minimal pain the first two days and have just been uncomfortable since then. I haven't taken prescription strength pain relievers since day #2 and then it was just to help me fall asleep. I don't think that pain was the issue with both of my banding experiences. It's the damn energy thing. I don't know if it's the anesthesia or the low calorie intake, but I am totally feeling like a dish rag, and then on top of it I'm getting a head cold. I'm going back to work tomorrow (day #6 post op) and am hoping to make it a full day. Best wishes to you newbie. Let me tell you, if it was bad I wouldn't have done it twice! Sue

I found it much more comfortable to wear something tight fitting like a spanx to keep everything from getting jiggly after my gallbladder removal. Hope you feel better soon. Sue

Hi All: In about an hour I'm leaving for the hospital for my 2nd band. I was originally banded on 7/26/07. So, I got almost 3 good years out of my band. I have a small, stubborn slip. I thought I needed a fill back in April because I was eating more and was gaining weight. I scheduled a fill appointment and went to see my surgeon. He did a barium swallow to see what was going on, and sure enough a slip. It's only a small slip, usually a complete unfill will cure them. That didn't work. I tried ten days of all liquids, and that didn't work. I haven't had any fill for almost 3 months. It's embarassing that I need my band so much. I'm about 30 pounds higher than my lowest weight. I'd like to lose at least 20 pounds. But most of all, I just want my "belly cop" back. I cannot control my portions without it. I have full confidence in my surgeon. The only thing that scares me is that I had a nightmare that when I woke up he told me he had to remove the band and couldn't replace it. So, in this case I hope that my dreams don't come true. I'll let you know how it goes. Sue

Diana - Best wishes to you on the 3rd. I hate that I gained weight while I had no restriction too, and yes, people were talking about me too. I'll show them! Sue

My 2nd band was put in on Tuesday. I'm way more swollen today than yesterday. Can you newbies tell me when the swelling started to leave you? I'm planning to go back to work on Monday (desk job), however I'll have to buy some bigger blouses if it's not down yet. Please let me know which day you saw improvement. I love my new band and look forward to it being my belly cop.

Hi Ladies of the 20th: I got my 2nd band on 7/20. I'm feeling pretty good other than swelly belly and my energy levels are way off. Having been through this once already I can tell you that it is amazing how you'll feel a month from now. So glad to have my belly cop back! Sue

Mandy: Please call your surgeon. Dehydration is not something to play around with. You'll probably need to have an i.v. to get some fluid in if you're not able to keep anything down. Take care. Sue

Finsup: I had a small slip that was very stubborn about moving back into position. Just wouldn't do it! So, band number 2 just shy of my third bandiversary. Sue

Congratulations. You deserve to brag! Onederland is such a great place to be. Sue

Hi: Sounds like you need to get some of your fill out. I think that what I was told is that if your band is causing you pain you're in the red zone. Red zone means you should call and/or see your doctor. Hope you feel better soon. Sue

:smile:So, it was easier this time around from a pain perspective. Unfortunately, I had nausea/dry heaves issues for about 6 hours post-op. Since that ended I've felt great except for tiredness. Also, like with the first band even though I ate nothing at the hospital other than ice chips I was 7 pounds heavier today. Just goes to show you how they pump you up with fluids during surgery. I expect toget rid ofthis Fluid in a few days. Much easier becuase my port wasn't touched. Thank goodness. One thing that was different is that they used blue dye to make sure there weren't any leaks. I'm still peeing green and my tongue is blue. So, now I'm on straight liquids for next 14 days. Yikkes! It is challenging but I know that I can do it. I try to attend all my surgeons' support group meetings, but had to miss last night's meeting. Such nice people. They all signed a card and had my doctor deliver it when he came in the hospital last night at 9:30 p.m. Sue

Thanks for your kind words, Mimi.

Kkarryall/Amy: Yes, my insurance did cover this, however I have a different insurer now than I did with the band. Sue

Congrats for taking your life back! I'm sure your boys are so glad you're losing the weight. Thanks for sharing. Sue

Hi: Sorry, I can't remember exactly what I did. You might want to check out makemeheal.com to see if there's someone there who can help. Also, check a few of the plastic surgeon's websites and it might have a page for post-surgical care. Your surgeon should have given you written instructions because when you're under the influence of pain meds you can't remember well. Hope it goes well. Take care. Sue

Hi: Based on what you said about your surgeon, I would get a second opinion. Hope your pain goes away soon. Please keep us posted. Take care. Sue

Thank you Mona.

Hi PrettyinPink: Wanna be starting over buddies? I've been unfilled since May and have a small slip that probably started in April. I'm having revision surgery next Tuesday. I've gained 30 pounds in the last year, of which most of it has been since April. Thought I needed a fill in May, went in and found out I had a slip, which was allowing me to eat more. I miss my belly cop. I'd love to be "starting over" buddies with you. I think we'll be more successful this way. What do you think? Sue

Hi: Don't mess with jaw pain. It can be an early sign of a heart attack. Please call your doctor. Hope you're okay. Sue

Hi: It's quite normal to be anxious before the surgery. Some people have stomach issues when they have anxiety. You're probably on an all liquid diet pre-op, as most people are required to do this diet. If you're only having liquids it's not surprising if everything "goes through you". Personally, it's the best thing that I ever did for myself. It's so much easier to be carrying less weight. Best wishes to you. Sue

Hi Themo123: My band slipped too. I'm having a revision surgery on 7/20. Can you please tell me what the revision surgery is like compared to the original banding surgery? Thanks. Sue

Hi: When I was first able to eat solids I could only eat 3 or 4 bites too. I figured out that if I ate slower I could eat more. So, follow the bandster rules and chew like crazy and put your fork down between bites. Best wishes to you. I love my band. Sue

Hi: My size started at 26/28. I got as low as 12, but I'm at a 14 now. I went from my high to my low in only 15 months, so that was alot of sizes to go through. I shopped at thrift stores. I also bought from clearance racks. What I did was buy things that were in my current size and lots of things in 12's and 14's because I knew that was my goal size. You'll be amazed at what you can find at thrift stores. They usually have some plus sizes too. I think that if you wear clothes that fit on the way down you feel more like you're losing weight because things don't hang off of you. Best wishes to you on your weight loss journey. I'm headed in for a band revision on 7/20 and then I hope to get down to size 12 again by October. We'll see! Sue

I've heard that 1200 calories is a good level for weight loss. Very important to eat something nutritious before working out. Best wishes to your continued success and getting past your long plateau. Sue