Sue Magoo

Hi: I'm guessing that you've been banded recently based on your loss so far. This is a healing time for you. You need to make sure you're getting enough Protein in to give you the energy you need. In addition, you need to "baby" yourself for a while. For me, I took a nap every afternoon for the two weeks after my surgery. I struggled with a lack of energy for about a month after surgery. However, I still made myself get out and walk every day. You may want to speak with your surgeon's office and go over what you are eating to make sure you're getting enough nutrition while you're healing. At this point, healing is more important than losing weight. Best wishes. Sue

You could still be swollen from the surgery. I think my port area was swollen for at least two weeks. I had an issue with Fluid retention the first week after surgery, and then all of a sudden I let go of the fluid and lost a bunch of weight. Best wishes to you. Rest, Relax, and Recuperate. Sue

Hi sweetmama: I had some restriction post surgery from the swelling. I think I got my first fill at about 6 weeks out. I felt restriction on my third fill. I think it's better for them to be cautious. It's not a race. You didn't gain it overnight, and you shouldn't lose it overnight. My fill is at 2.25 or 2.5 I can't remember. I'm close to goal and I haven't had a fill in about 6 months. Best wishes to you. Sue

Hi: Sometimes bending over to touch my toes can help. Or, when sitting in a chair reaching out as far as I can while bent over. Best wishes if you are stuck! Sue

Hi: You should probably call your doctor because you might need to get a slight unfil. Good luck. Sue

Denee: When I was banded I woke up with bad nausea and dry heaves. I was concerned that my band wouldn't tolerate the vomitting, but it did. The pain medication can cause the nausea. Tell you husband that he may want to consider going to liquid tylenol to get rid of the nausea. Best wishes. It was a little rough at first because of the nausea, but so worth it in the end. Sue

Kimmi: I don't agree with some of the others that have responded to you. I would definitely try to go to a surgeon who is more accessible to you for follow-up, etc. It's not like a gallbladder removal that gets removed, you heal, and they never see you after your stitches are out. This doctor is someone that you will need to see often during the first year for adjustments. I might be spoiled because mine is ten minutes away by car, but that was important to me. My surgeon is part of a Father/Son practice. One of them is always available to help out when you get in trouble and need a partial unfil. Or, if you notice that your weight loss is slowing down, and you are able to eat more than you should, a call to them and within a couple of days I can get a small fill. Best wishes to you with your band. I love mine! Sue

Hi: I don't know your personal circumstances, but I can share mine. In April 2007 I weighed 324 pounds and I was exhausted all the time and my feet hurt with every step that I took. I was so tired of being that big. I did a modified weight watchers diet prior to my July 2007 surgery. Since then I've become a new person. I am active. I have more energy than I've had since I was in my 20's (I'm 49 years old now). My feet never hurt. I honestly feel like I'm about 20 years younger. I love my band. I've had a few bumps along the way, but I only have one regret. I wish I'd heard about it sooner so that I could have taken off the excess weight sooner. This morning I weighed 176. I wear a size 12 and I feel great! I may never hit my goal of 170, but I'm at my goal size. Try to focus on the positive. Best wishes to you. Sue

Michelle: How do they measure metabolic rate? Never had mine measured. Best wishes to you. Sue

I was having alot of issues with sliming and I figured out that it was happening if I ate too fast. So, after trying to slow myself down by paying attention didn't work, I bought a bunch of one-minute timers from unclesgames.com They only cost a couple of bucks each. So, I bought a half dozen of them and have one at work, one at my desk, one in my kitchen, one at my best friend's house, etc. So, slow down and chew more and maybe the slimeys will go away. Best wishes to you. Sue

Chris: Very inspirational story. While I was reading it all I could think of was "I wonder if he's tried trikking?" Take a look at www.trikke.com To me it is alot more fun than running or biking. Check it out when you get a chance because it could be another option to you in your life-long Quest to be fit. Like you, I started my lapband journey in 2007. I am more active than most people now and really look forward to getting out on my trikke. I am kind of "hooked" on trikking, though the weather in New England gives me a reality slap with the cold weather and wet leaves I cannot trikke as much as I want to. I walk at least 3 miles per day and go to the gym for strength and weight training twice per week. I trikke on days when it's warm enough and not wet on the roads. With the band and my changed, active life I've gone from 324 to 176. I love my band! Thanks for the inspiration, and let me know if you get a chance to try out trikking. Sue

Hi All: This is quite an inspirational thread. Please remember to buy at least one pair of jeans that fit on the way down so that you can appreciate your thinner bodies. If everything is loose and baggy you can't see it as much. Pants before - 26/28 now - 12 Tops before - 3X now - M Bra before - 42B now - 36B Felt like age before - 100 now - 29 and holding! Yippee! Sue

Congratulations on your success. Sue

Sorry to hear about your complications. I hope that a little more time takes care of the problem instead of surgery. Beauty takes sacrafice, and you're a beautiful man now. Please find comfort in the fact that you are a very attractive man now. Take care. Sue

Lala: I can totally relate to the tears flowing with joy! Congratulations. I started at 324 pounds on April 23, 2007. On April 23, 2008 I was under 200 for the first time in 20 years. I not only had tears, I was actually sobbing. Silly that some of us can be such mushbuckets. Keep up the good work. Sue

Hi Jill: My surgeon has a dietician join our monthly support group. She says to eat a balanced diet of between 1000 and 1200 calories. She said to eat Protein first, veggies second, and carbs third. I found that changing foods or changing physical activity can get you off of a plateau. Some people even say that if you eat more for a couple of days and then cut back your body remembers to lose. Don't know if it's true, but changing foods has worked for me. Best wishes for your band success. I suggest that you join a support group if you can, and of course, continue to read and learn on lapband talk. Sue

Hi Manatee: Now that the lap band forum's been updated to show more pics at the top I think your picture should be there. You've really had such a tremendous transformation! Congrats. Sue

Hi: Yes, I felt restriction after surgery, and before my first fill. In fact, I got stuck my first week with mushies - tuna - yuck! I'm so glad that I got my band. Best wishes to you. Sue

Hi Karey: I'm glad that things are going well for you. Can you please explain what "de-hiss" is? Thanks for keeping us all informed. Sue

Alex: Looks great! Thanks for all of your hard work. Sue

Hi: I used to use the Centrum chewable vitamines. However, I found that I was getting heartburn from them. Somebody in my support group told me they take two of the chewable gummy-type Vitamins each day and the doc said that was okay. So, as soon as I ran out of the Centrum I switched to the Gummy Chewable type. I've been using those since. They're not horrible, and they don't give me heartburn. Best wishes to all of my fellow bandsters. Sue

Gentlywind: Thanks for bringing the optimistic news into this depressing thread. Sue

Wow. What an amazing transformation! Sue

Kellster: I found out about lap band in January 2007. I was banded in July 2007. I was 47 when I was banded. Gone from 324 to 176! I'd heard about gastric bypass, which I thought was too drastic for me. I wish I'd heard about lap band as soon as they started doing the procedure in the U.S. I feel like I've wasted years. Now that I have lost the weight I feel 20 years younger. I love my band. Best wishes to you with your band. Sue