Sue Magoo

Hi Gone 4 Ever: I asked the same question on the Dr. Schulman thread. I think he said that the tummy tuck includes tightening the muscles and because of that it has a far better cosmetic result. Another thing that I think is different is that with a tummy tuck you can keep your belly button (they move it and put it where it belongs), but not with a panni. I'm sure others here know more because I've not had the surgery yet, but I wanted to give you a quick answer. I'm scheduled for a tummy tuck on 5/14 - yippee! I think if you google Dr. Schulman's website you can see pictures of both procedures with before & afters. I love my band! Sue

Juli: Glad to hear you are up and about some. Don't overdue! I hope your swelling and seroma issues go away soon. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with all of us. I just found out today that my panni was approved by BCBS. I'm paying the difference to have a full tummy tuck. Bye bye belly on 5/14/09. Take care. Heal quickly. Sue

Hi: I'm not near Newton. However, I am an experienced bandster who's gone through the empty-nest syndrome. I find that one of the best things to do is to keep busy. When my Daughter first went to college I got a part time job just to keep me out of the house. That got tiresome after a while because I was working 60 hours a week. Have you thought of joining the gym? Join a walking group? I find that exercise helps me get through lonely times. Find activities that you can do that don't involve food at all. Like, taking a bath with a good novel. How about knitting, sewing, crocheting? Volunteer work? I hope things start getting better for you. Sue

Hi: I am 5'7" and started at 324. I'm down to 176. I discussed the bmi targets with my surgeon. My bmi is healthy at 159. I know that if I lose 20 more pounds people will think that I'm ill because my face will be so gaunt. My doctor said it will be okay to set my goal at 170 because I am healthy. My goal is to get down to 169 this year and then have 169 to 174 to play with. Best wishes to you. I love my band. Sue

Skully: Have you tried having a sip of some warm type of liquid - decaf coffee, decaf tea? I find that when I'm tight that warm liquids seem to go down easier. Please call your doctor. Hope you feel better soon. I love my band. Sue

Hi: I would give your pouch a rest by having liquids only today and then mushies only the next day and see if that takes care of it. If not, call your doctor. I hope you feel better soon. Sue

Hi: I think I would work more on the emotional side before you get banded. The band has to work with your brain in sync, because if your brain wants you to eat the wrong things then the band won't work for you. I hope you find peace in your mind and then find an answer to your weight issues. Best wishes. Sue

I think that one of the best signs of a good lapband surgeon is if a patient recommends another family member after they've already had the band for a while. In other words, ask him/her if he or she's done any mother, then daughter or Husband and then wife, or Brother and then Sister, etc. Usually obesity is a family issue, so it wouldn't be uncommon for another family member to need a band. Another question to ask is how do you get taken care of when he/she is not available? Does he/she have a partner that is experienced with the band too? It's so different from a cut, heal, and never see the surgeon again. You really want to feel comfortable with your lap band surgeon because to be successful you'll have to go in for follow up, attend support group, etc. You'll need to have at least an occasional visit once you reach goal to make sure your band is where it should be. I hope your switch goes well. Best wishes. Sue

Glad to hear all went well with "Tiny" Juli. Can't wait until you feel well enough to tell us all about it. Take care. Sue

Hi: I had to go without fill for a week or so. It's hard. I don't want to have to do that again soon. Be careful. A friend of mine had to have her band removed and she's gained 40 pounds in 4 months. - YIPPES! Best wishes to you. Sue

Hi: If you go to the lapband website you will find a list of doctors in your area that do lapband. I suggest that you find one that has a free support group too. Like me, you've got alot of weight to lose, and all of the support you can get at support group helps alot. Best wishes to you. I love my band! Sue

Juli: Sending positive thoughts your way from MA too. Remember to rest, relax, and recuperate. I look forward to hearing about your experience once you are feeling up to it. Best wishes for a successful surgery. Sue

Hi Jean: I'm from MA and got my band 20 months ago. I am just about at goal. I love my band. I had mine done at Caritas Norwood Hospital. Where are you going? I highly recommend the surgical group that I went to. YOu can find them online at www.massweightloss.com Best wishes to you. Let me know if you have any questions. Sue

Hi: Not sure if I spelled it right, but has anybody had just a paniculectomy? I am considering this because I will soon be laid off from my job and my current health insurance may cover a paniculectomy. I would prefer to have a full tummy tuck, but because I will be unemployed I don't have the extra dough to pay the difference between paniculectomy and tummy tuck. So, I thought I'd ask on the forum. Anybody had just a paniculectomy? Were you happy with the results? I've seen some pictures online on some of the plastic surgeon's websites of just a paniculectomy and they give me nightmares. I am guessing they put those pics up to encourage people to get the tummy tuck instead. I'm very close to goal and need to start soon because I'll be losing my medical insurance coverage at end of June. Please share with me if you've had just a paniculectomy done. Thanks. Sue

Lapitup: Best wishes to you with your panni and your hysterectomy. Loved not getting my period anymore when I got my hysterectomy 5 years ago. Keep us posted. Sue

Hi: My doctors group does a barium swallow a year out, not an endoscopy. If you aren't having issues, why not ask if you can do a simple barium swallow instead? Take care. Sue

Kat: You've been through so much. It's emotional for anybody after they're banded because they're grieving food. Now you're greiving food and your Mom. My heart goes out to you. Try and remember that your Mom would want what is best for you. So, please take care of yourself. Probably for the first time in a long time, if ever, you need to put yourself first. Try to do things that are good for Kat. Remember the activities that you enjoyed before your Mom got sick and do them. Listen to relaxing, calming music. Walk with headphones on and escape. It's okay to cry. It's okay to slow down and not do something every minute of the day. I hope your life improves soon. Take care. Sue

Hi: Did your doc do a barium swallow to check to make sure your band is in position? Are you eating too fast? I had to use a one minute timer to slow down because I would have pain and discomfort after four small bites if I ate too fast. Those are the things that come to my mind. My gallbladder pain went to my back, but the time of pain varied - not usually when I was eating. Hope you feel better soon. Sue

Juli: You have so much to celebrate and also so much to look forward to. Congratulations and best wishes to you. Sue

Pezo: I can totally relate. I didn't expect this to happen and even wrote an e-mail to my surgeon asking what the heck! He told me then it was probably fluid retention and to relax. It was fluid. On the sixth day after surgery I started peeing like crazy and lost all that plus more. So, please give it a few days and you'll probably be fine. Best wishes to you. Sue

Congratulations Kellie. I'm sure you feel great! Sue

Hi: I had mine out last April after 9 mos with my band. My pain started with back pain. Then the pain radiated to my right shoulder and I felt nausea sometimes. My pain would go away and then come back again. If you do get your gallbladder removed laproscopically it's a pretty easy surgery and recovery. I suggest getting some type of a spanx or something along those lines because if your belly jiggles after surgery it hurts. Other than that it was a piece of cake. Best wishes to you. Sue

jjsmiles: Thank you. That picture is very encouraging to me. I'll keep you posted after my consult on 4/1/09. Thanks again for sharing. Sue

Hi: Sounds like gallbladder to me too. I had to get mine out 9 mos after banding. Hope you feel better soon. If the pain gets to be extreme or if you start a high fever please go to an e.r. because you don't want to have issues bigger than gallstones and gallbladder problems. Also, if you wait too long they may not be able to do it laproscopically. Take care and let us know how you make out. If you do get your gallbladder removed - trick from experience. Where tight panties because belly jiggle hurt my tummy after gallbladder surgery. Sue