Sue Magoo

Hi Fellow Bandsters: Just thought I'd bump this thread because I want to let everyone know how much fun trikking is. If you're bored with your current exercise, then give it a try. They have them for sale online and also at Olympia Sports. The prices range from about $200 to $600. Don't forget to get a good biking helmet too. They work best on flat, smooth surfaces (parking lots, streets without much traffic). I'm going to try mine on the Cape Cod Canal this weekend. My trikke is helping me to get to my goal. I started at 324 (April 2007) and am now 188 (7/1/08) and still going down. I am shooting to hit goal of 159 by the fall. Drop me a line if you want to ask about my new passion - trikking! Sue

Hi: I think they try to avoid putting smokers under with anesthesia because they have big issues with breathing when they are under and while they are waking up. Please talk with your band doctor about it. It doesn't make sense to lie about it because it will possibly hurt you, and could also hurt your relationship with your band doctor. I used to be a heavy smoker and believe me when I say that quitting smoking is easier than dieting. After all, you need to eat, but you don't need to smoke. I hope you can quit and then get banded. Take care. Sue

Congrats to all of you who have made it to Onederland, and also to those of you who are almost there. It's really a much more comfortable place to be. Sue

Slim1: I just wanted to tell you that I was banded 11 months ago. I've lost 138 pounds in the last 14 months. I feel and look like a new person. So, you go - do that liquid pre-op, and the liquid post-op, and then mushies. If you are having a difficult time with it, go on this website and look at the before & after photo's. They're very inspirational. Best wishes to you for your successful lap band journey. Sue

Hi Dr. Schulman: I have a few questions concerning panniculectomy versus tummy tuck. Thank you for sharing your expertise with all of us on this website. I've gone from 324 (April 2007) to 188 (now), and hope to get to 159 by the end of the year so that I will have normal BMI. I have alot of loose skin, especially in my lower abdominal area. Can you please explain the difference between a panniculectomy and a tummy tuck? My insurance will cover a panniculectomy if I can show a history of rashes, etc. If I were to get them to approve a panniculectomy and I opted to get the tummy tuck does insurance usually cover a significant part of the cost of the tummy tuck because it takes care of the pannus? Please let me know. I'm in Massachusetts and I was told to think about $10k for a tummy tuck. I was also told that I should wait a few months after being at goal to get a tummy tuck. Do you agree with this wait? I look forward to hearing your answers. Thanks. Sue

You might want to consider whether the low-profile port makes the realize band more attractive. My port is not low-profile but it is placed just below my rib cage and it lays nice and flat (even with the significant loss nobody can tell it is there). However, if you've got a doctor that puts the port somewhere else it may "stick out" when you are down at goal. As far as the engineering goes - way too technical for me. Good luck. Sue

Come on now Ladyinred! Please do this for yourself. I heard that the reason why they put you on a liquid diet pre-surgery is so that your liver will shrink a bit. This makes your band surgery safer. The band isn't magic we all have to have some self-control. I think on my pre-band liquid diet I could have sugar free popsicles and sugar free fudgsicles. Believe me when I tell you they got me through it, and now I'm a sugar free popsicle addict! I go through a box in a few days. Thank goodness they're only 20 calories each. So, go get some popsicles and do the right thing for you, your band, and your commitment to losing this burdensome excess weight. Sorry it's preachy, but seems like you need it. Sue

Hi: If you think it's low potassium try adding a banana into your daily routine. I hope you feel better soon. Sue

Lucymae: That's terrific! I was so emotional when I saw the scale under 200. I know how you feel. Congratulations and keep up the good work. Sue :ohmy:

chris: If you have a recliner, please use it. Also, don't be afraid to take your pain medications. I hope you feel better soon. Sue

lonestar5212: Congratulations! I came to Onederland back in April and it's a great place to be. It was a very emotional thing for me. It's quite an accomplishment. Enjoy, and keep working hard at getting to your goal. Sue

Karri: Thanks for giving us bandster plastic surgery wannabe's so much information. You are very brave! I'll be thinking of you on 7/3 and look forward to reading about how successfully the surgery went. I've never heard of outpatient abdominoplasty, but your doctor must know what she's doing. I hope you have a great support system at home for help post surgery. Take care, and stay healthy! Thanks again for sharing with us. Sue

Hi fellow bandsters: Another milestone this morning. My weight is now 189 and for my height that is considered to be "overweight" on the bmi scale. Having gone from 324 pounds - "Morbidly Obese" to just "overweight" is such a big accomplishment. I wish you all these thrilling events too! Just Overweight Sue

sdgirl25: I'm also sorry for your loss. You shouldn't be expected to lose weight until you start to have restriction. You probably won't have restriction until your second or third fill. So, go get your fill and start your weight loss journey. Best wishes. Sue

Hi: I would recommend that you consider looking for a different surgeon. If you're having trouble with follow up on their part now, imagine how it will be after you are banded? This is a long-term relationship you are building with your lap band and lap band surgeon with years and years of follow up. I hope it all works out well for you. Sue

Rxdspnser: You're so brave! It took me months before I would go to a restaurant - about 6 months. Soup is one of the best choices for when you go out and you still want to socialize instead of spending time making sure bites are small enough and that you're not eating too fast. Keep up the good work. Sue

Thanks legster: We're both under 30 pounds to goal. Isn't it exciting. I know the losses are coming alot slower now for me. I hope we can both hit our goals by October. Sue

Bandit Girl/Della: The good, all of it. The bad - stuck once bad. The ugly - the loose skin. But overall, it's been great! I'm going to post before & almost there's in July when it's my bandiversary. Thanks for the good wishes, and the same to you. Sue

There's someone on this site that has had lap band and recently got the sleeve. I think it might be wasabubblebut. You might want to direct this question to her. Good luck. Sue

Hi Penny: I might be the wrong Sue. I didn't have fluoroscopy fills. Maybe you have me confused with someone else. You might want to post your question to the fills forum to get an answer from someone who already went through this. I attribute my "fast weight loss" to 14 months of hard work and following the bandster rules 99% of the time. Exercise has been key. I found one that I love - trikking. I walk 6 out of 7 days too. Alot of my walking is on a steep hill near my home. That hill is probably a 1/4 mile in length and steep at one end. Hoping for the best for you. :drool: Sue

Ezma: Great new doo! I've noticed that alot of us cut our hair shorter once we've lost some significant weight. Congratulations on your 80 pounds too! Sue

Hi: I had a vaginal hysterectomy back in 2004, before I was banded, so I cannot respond to that. However, I had my gallbladder out this past April and I requested a complete unfill prior to surgery because I have had big issues with anesthesia and vomiting. Didn't need to have the unfill after all, no vomiting this time. My surgeon told me that anesthesia is fat soluable (or did he say absorbable?) and because I have alot less fat I wouldn't have absorbed as much into my system, so that's probably why I didn't have issues with vomitting. Anyway, I had my gallbladder removed on Thursday and went back to get filled on Friday and was all set. Good luck. I'm sure you'll miss your periods as much as I did - NOT! Sue

BBK: You've been inspirational to many of us, even before your picture was at the top. Do what you are comfortable with. Thanks for the inspiration. Sue

Lunabeane: My doctor does a slight unfill if a patient has an issue with post nasal drip because it can tighten the band too much. I hope you feel better soon. Sue