Sue Magoo

Hi: I lost 37 pounds in 3 months. I lost 38 pounds before banding too, so 75 total after 6 months. I walk 4 to 5 miles per day and sometimes use the elpitical too. I usually take one day off from exercise per week. Good luck. Sue

Dan: The pain isn't bad at all. You will need liquid tylenol for the pain though because taking a pill could be a problem. I drank some soda since being banded, but stirred it alot to get most of the bubbles out. I burp like a truck driver now - not very attractive. I don't buy soda anymore, love Snapple Diet iced teas instead. If I'm playing cards and they offer soda I'll take it, but stir like crazy, and add alot of ice to Water it down. Not a beer drinker, so don't know about that. I haven't had any cocktails yet, maybe during the Holidays. I started dieting and exercising three months before I got banded and lost 38 pounds pre-surgery. I walked alot of my butt off, but still have plenty left. I did some swimming too, but the pool where I live is closed now so I didn't continue. I'm thinking about seeing a personal trainer shortly after Xmas - my present to myself! Oh yeah, I have an eliptical machine too - hate it, but use it anyway. I can only do six minutes at a time so far on the eliptical before my legs turn to jelly, but I'm still working at it. Good luck. Sue

Bud in Indy: Wow! Please share your best advice to someone who wants to reach 100 pounds lost too. You've averaged more than 4 pounds per week. Please tell us your secret. Sue

Melissa: I have a 10cc band, got it end of July, and I've only had one fill of 1cc. My Dr. is very conservative when it comes to fills. Last time I went he said no fill, still losing well, maybe next month. I hope to get filled next week when it's been a month. I've been doing pretty good, but seem to get that bottomless pit at night when I'm sitting around bored. I think I need a fill on my brain for that one though! Good luck. Sue

Mary: Not Boston, but close, Norwood. I went to Glasgow & Glasgow LLP. They operate at Caritas Norwood Hospital. Glasgow & Glasgow is a Father, Son team. One operates, the other assists. They're both very experienced surgeons. Their office staff is terrific. They have a pre-band seminar they run it about once or twice a month. They have a once a month support group too. I recommend them highly. They have a website too. It's glasgowandglasgow.com, or glasgowandglasgowllp.com. Check it out. Good luck. Sue

Pc15: As you can see by looking at Wasabubblebutt's ticker, she lost 103 pounds in only 10 months. I've lost 81 in less than 7 months, and I feel great. Good luck, and plan to exercise too. The band doesn't work alone we have to work with it. Take care. Sue

Hi: I chose lap band because it has alot less risk, and I have a Daughter that counts on me being around. Good luck with your decision. Sue

Is it possible that you're eating too close to bed time? At support group doctor talked about one bandster who had this similar problem and it was because he was working late, coming home, eating, then going right to bed. He said you need to give a couple of hours for the pouch to empty all the way before going to bed. Good luck. Sue

Molly: Do try to get in small amounts of Fluid at a time. I had big nausea issues after surgery too, and did barf many times in the hospital. Once I stopped taking the pain meds the barfing stopped. If you can't get fluids down because of nausea you should call your doctor and ask for something for the nausea as there are some medications they can prescribe. I know there's a pill, but if you can't take drinks this won't work. There's a suppository that can help if you can't take anything by mouth. Good luck and I hope things get better soon. Sue

Kellyjane: I'm not sure if you have the luxury to do this or not, as I live alone all week and Daughter is home only on weekends. What I find is that if I only have good, healthy choices at home it helps. It takes planning meals ahead of time too. I find that exercise helps alot too. I walk 4 to 5 miles per day. At night when I am most likely to want to feed my head hunger I find that going to bed early helps. Hot showers help too. I try to do things that never involve food. Good luck and best wishes for a succesful second seven months. Sue

I didn't know that my surgeon was going to use staples instead of stitches. I would have asked for stitches if I'd known. Get everything ready so that you can just get home and crash into bed. Have someone pick up your pain meds on the way home. Good luck! Sue

Hi: I've lost 81 pounds so far. I started with size 26/28 for pants and yesterday I put on a pair of 20's. I heard someone once say 20 pounds per size. Good luck. Sue

Popcorn was brought up at the last support group meeting I attended. The doctors (both surgeons) said it is a good thing to eat if you're craving something crunchy. As usual though, make sure you chew well. If you have the 94% fat free type it's low calorie too. I tried it a few days after the meeting and it went down without any issues. Sue

Please follow your doctors orders for postop diet. You don't want to make yourself sick now! Don't forget, they say if you don't get enough nutrition your body goes into "starvation" mode and tries to hold onto the weight. Be careful. Sue

D - wishing you the best. You've got weeks to learn alot from all of the bandsters online. I find it's the best place to ask questions. Good luck. Sue

My swelling went down in a couple of weeks. I was banded end of July and I took two weeks vacation so that I could recuperate by the pool. Was so relaxing! My port is near the top of my stomach just under the rib cage. It seems like my weight was coming off so fast early on that I didn't look swolen at all, although it felt like it was to touch it. Good luck. Sue

What about carrying a small pillow to put in front of you? Would probably help, but you'd have to decide if you'd be okay with carrying a small pillow with you or not. I'm sure your classmates won't care. Good luck! Sue

Fairyfire: I have just recently started using an eliptical. My Daughter and I nicknamed it the "bitch", because it's so hard! I have been walking 4 to 5 miles per day and not having a problem with that. However, I can only do 6 minutes at a time on the eliptical. That's up from 3 minutes initially. It does feel like it's working my whole body hard though, so it's good. I think that mixing up what you do can help get past a slump. Whether that means changing your exercise, or changing the food you're eating. Either way, your body may respond to a change. Good luck! Sue

Dogluvr: Ask the doctor's office that you go to for a copy of your file. The doctor has probably written notes in the file about your obesity problem and the notes probably have dates with them. If not, shame on your doctor! Good luck. Sue

Chris: As I said on the other posting, you look fabulous! I'm still wondering how you lost so much in six months though. Can you tell me about your exercise program? Thanks. I have lost 81 since April, but was banded end of July. I cannot wait to be able to say I lost 137 pounds, but I'm guessing it will be next summer or fall before I can say that, but you watch me, cuz I'm going to do it! Congratulations, and please tell me about your exercise routines. Take care. Sue

I paid $500 hospitalization copay, $175 for psych exam, and probably two or three copays of $20 for my doctors visits prior to surgery. Haven't had to pay anything since the surgery. Good luck. It's well worth the money. Sue

Wow! Congratulations. I will never go to the 120's, because that would be too low for me at 5'7". However, I admire you for getting there! Did you knock the scale over when you did your cartwheels! Congratulations! Sue

Robin: I am so jealous! I wore an A until I had my daughter twenty years ago. I've been a B since then, however I'm nervous that I will be an A again soon. Mine seem to be getting smaller as the rest of me is getting smaller. Some day when I get a tummy tuck I'm going to buy some C's! ha ha. Sue

I get into a bit of a funk every year when we have to turn the clocks back. Probably from not seeing any light on the way home from work. I"m on the east coast and it gets dark at about 4 to 4:30, and I don't get out of work until 5:30. I found that exercising with great music helped me with depression. Though it has to be upbeat music. May I recommend Coco by Colby Coleigh (spelling???). She has a cd that has some upbeat lyrics and great music. When I hit rock bottom with depression I have to think about my very special Niece. Her name is Danielle. She has CP with very little control of her arms, hands, or legs. She uses an electric wheelchair that she operates by using head controls. She never gets depressed, and hardly ever even acknowledges her disabilities. So, sometimes you just need to think about others and realize how good your life really is! I hope you get out of this funk and get on with a great life. You'll see how much losing some weight will help. I had some issues with being exhausted every afternoon for about three months. Once I figured out I didn't have to give up coffee, and started having a cup after my noon-time walk it helped! Good luck. Sue

Josette: First of all, congratulations on the 88 pounds you've lost. Try to remember how tough it's been to lose the 88 and that may make it easier to be a good bandster. My Mom's been gone for 7 years, taken too early too at 66 from an outrageous infection. Working Monday, dead Tuesday night. I miss my Mom every day. One thing that helps me with the lapband is that I know she's so proud of my weight loss, and I know she would have had the band if she'd had the chance. Holidays are tough when you're missing a loved one. I find that getting together with my siblings helps some. I hope you have other family to remember your lost family member with. If not, why not do something for a stranger on the holidays. Volunteer at a shelter, hospital, or somewhere that someone could use some help or friendship. Take care. Sue