Sue Magoo

Jacqui: I'm tending to think that way - get rid of the flab, and worry about how it looks later. I'm self-conscious about it now, and couldn't think of being naked in front of anyone, but I also don't want it to look worse than it looks now. My skin doesn't hang down enough to cause mobility problems, but I pinch myself sometimes without even trying. I've only had a rash a couple of times. I hope to schedule an appointment with a PS by the end of this week. Thanks for your input. I'll let you know what the PS has to say. Anybody got any pictures where it actually looks better after than before a panniculectomy? Sue

Hi: I had an issue with eating too fast too, and sometimes I drink too fast. When I figured out that I was eating too fast I decided to get some 1 minute sand timers from www.unclesgames.com They only cost $1.99 each. I bought a half dozen and keep them everywhere that I am often. I take a bite and then wait until the sand timer empties and then take another bite, tip the timer, and start over again. Be careful eating too fast on mushies. I got stuck on tuna salad when I was on mushies because I ate too fast. I think it compacted in my pouch and that's what started the stuck feeling. Best wishes to you. I love my band. Sue

Hi: I met with my surgeon first time April 20, and I was banded July 26. They do a number of tests between original visit and the surgery. Best wishes to you. I love my band. Sue

Hi: You'll probably want to make sure you get your pain prescription filled before you go into the hospital and make sure you have a few beverages (non-carbonated) and your pain medication ready near your bedside. You may want to pack up a small cooler with your beverages and put it near your bed before you go into the hospital. Some doctors don't want you to be alone in the first 24 hours after surgery. I felt okay, but you may not notice if you are having an issue, so please be careful. Best wishes to you. I love my band. Sue

Hi: My surgeon recommends fluids only for first 24 hours after fill, then mushies next 24 hours after fluids only to help your body adjust to a new fill. You are not supposed to throw up after fills. If you are slowly introducing fluids and then mushies after a fill you probably are too tight still. Keep in mind that some people have restriction without ever having a fill. Some people don't need a fill until they've lost 70 pounds. It varies tremendously between individuals. I hope you find your comfortable zone soon. Take care. Sue

Hi: My doctor had me on a very low dosage of a high blood pressure pill to help with the hot flashes. It was a tiny pill. I think it was called clonidine. Good luck. I'm almost past the hot flashes, but I got them early because of taking tamoxifen. I probably only get one or two a week, and I always just got them at night. I love my band. Sue

Hi: You probably haven't felt restriction yet, or you may be eating around the restriction. If you're not restricted yet, please see your doctor (or a different one) and get your band so that it is adjusted to the proper level. If you're eating around the band, please get some psychological help. If you've gone through the surgery you must be serious about wanting to lose the weight, now you need to get more help. I know I wouldn't be succesful if I didn't have restriction. Best wishes to you. Sue

Hi: My surgeon told the support group to stick to liquids when you're flying and for about an hour after flying. He said it's something about how they pressurize the cabin that can affect the band. Best wishes to you. Sue

Hi: My doctor told our support group that sometimes if you have upper respitory issues (colds, etc.) you can have a tight band because of the drainage. He says just to call and have your band loosened and he'll tighten it back up in a week when you're feeling better. Warm liquids go down easier for me than cold. Please, if you have issues getting the liquids down call your doctor. You don't want to chance getting dehydrated because that can cause serious problems. Hope you feel better soon. Sue

Hi: For me, I don't think it was the anesthesia. I think it was mourning the death of my old best friend - OVEREATING! It's a big emotional change for people like us. Best wishes to you. The tears of sadness will soon fade and you'll have tears of happiness as you see the scale go down and your body feels so much better. I love my band. Best wishes. Sue

Wow! Congratulations. Enjoy your new life! Sue

Nooshie: I had a complete hysterectomy in 2004. Love not having a horrible period every month. I was banded in 2007. I was 48 when I got banded and it doesn't seem that my hormones or aging has effected my ability to lose weight with the band. Best wishes to you. Sue

Please don't get discouraged. I know it can be so overwhelming to think about the big picture, so don't do it. Think about small chunks at a time, and reward yourself along the way. That's how I did it. Keep up the hard work. A few of the things I did to get myself from thinking about the big picture was to stay too active to worry about it. I walked my butt off (literally) and listened to my MP3 player most of the time. I also went to bed early alot because all of the exercising made me tired at first because I was carrying around 165 extra pounds. It gets easier as you move along. So, please just worry about the next pound, not the next 100 pounds. Best wishes to you. Melt away! I love my band. Sue

Hi: I have a hard time if I try to gulp cold liquids. Sometimes it makes me slime :frown: Hot liquids go down easier for me, especially in the morning. Cold in New England, so don't mind this issue most of the year. In the summer it's sometimes a hard thing to remember to drink cold liquids slowly, but not really a problem, except after exercising. I love my band. Sue

Hi: I'm 19 months out from surgery and my tummy still makes alot of noises. I'll go with the other person that said that it's your tummy telling you thank you. I walk alot and that's when my tummy lets some of the gas out :thumbup:. As far as not being able to lose 120 pounds, bologna - I've lost more than 140. I lost 125 pounds in 1 year, and have slowed down significantly since then, but I'm very close to my weight goal. Let's see, this morning I weighed 177.8, and my goal is 170. I'm at my size goal! I love my band and hope you'll love yours too. Sue

I know your pain. My doctor recommended mineral oil - about a teaspoon every day until things get regular again. Then, every other day to keep things moving. Best wishes to you. I once went 9 days, and then finally. Hope you feel better soon.

Hi: It definitely looks like more on a smaller plate, in a smaller bowl, and/or with smaller utensils. It's a silly trick, but if you eat on smaller dishes with a smaller fork or spoon you'll trick your eyes and your tummy into thinking that you are eating more than you did. Eating with smaller utensils slows you down so your stomach gets a chance to send that full signal to your brain. Best wishes to you. I love my band! Sue

Hi: Even though I was well over 300 pounds the bypass seemed too risky for me. Get informed and then you'll feel more comfortable with your decisions. Best wishes to you in your weight loss journey. Sue

Deanna: Congratulations. Onederland is a great place to stay. Best wishes to you in attaining your goals. I love my band. Sue

Hi: I weighed 324 in April 2007. I was tired of being tired, having sore feet, etc. I lost 38 pounds before my surgery in July. I hit 199 on 4/23/08. So that you don't have to do the math, that's 125 pounds in one year! It's been slow since then, but I'm so close to goal that it doesn't matter. I weighed 177 this morning. Good luck. I love my band! Sue

innotu: Let us know how you make out. Sue

Hi: Gallbladder removal laproscopically is a pretty easy surgery to recover from. My lap band surgeon did my gallbladder removal 9 months after lap band. One thing I recommend is that you get either one of the spanx or really tight underwear that go above your belly button. My biggest discomfort was just above my belly button where the biggest scar was. It hurt when i moved, and in bed. My sister said to try putting on my tight-fitting bathing suit and see if it hurt less, and it definitely did because it couldn't jiggle. I asked to have an unfill because when I was banded I had big issues with nausea. So, he unfilled me, but I got filled back up the day after gallbladder surgery. I didn't have the nausea issues with gallbladder and he said that's probably because when you have more fat your body absorbs more of the anesthesia, and because I was 125 pounds lighter it didn't have as much fat to store in. Best wishes to you with your tummy! Sue

I had pain like yours and it ended up being gallstones. Gallstones are very common when people lose weight quickly. I hope you feel better soon. Sue

Hi: My doc recommended a teaspoon of mineral oil every couple of days. It works for me. Good luck with your band. Sue