Sue Magoo

Katie: I'm with you hun. Thursday will be a blur and by Sunday you'll start to feel human again. You already look fabulous! Imagine how you're going to feel without that extra skin. Take care and let me know if you need anything. Sue

Tracy: You truly are a success! It was nice to see you here LBT again. I think it's great that you got down to your low weight and though you gained from there you feel comfortable. Alot of people don't understand how someone can be comfortable when they've lost 100 pounds and then gained 30. I can and appreciate that you shared your experience. Knowing that you feel better at a size 10, but are comfortable in 12-14's is okay. At some point it becomes more about living life and not so much about thinking about every bite that goes into your mouth and how many calories you're burning with exercise. The best part about the band is that if we follow the rules and have the right restriction we can get back down to the low weight again if we want to. I got as low as 174 and I am up over 200 again. I was just talking with my doctor about this yesterday. He said that there is some type of reset that our bodies want to go back to our old weight once we've been so heavy. It just pisses me off that I may have to "diet" again to get back down under 200. Working on getting fills now after being unfilled for a while so that my band can help me. Thanks for updating us. I remember you from before and always enjoyed reading your posts. Take care. Sue

Check out Amy's blog. Here's a link. She lost about 150 pounds and she's got a great bikini body. Here's the link. http://www.cheeseandsunkist.blogspot.com/ Her blog is very inspirational! Sue

Call your doctor! If you're puking up stuff that looks like coffee grounds that is probably dried blood! This could be serious! Please let me know how you're doing. Sue

Hi: I had a tummy tuck in 2009 and will never have to do it again, but I would highly recommend it if you have hanging skin like I had. It's amazing how much better I felt about myself once this was gone. Yes, it's expensive. Yes, it's painful. Yes, it's so nice to sit down and not have my tummy hit my legs! Best wishes to you. Sue

Glad to hear that you're having reconstructive surgery. So good that something positive can come out of your battle with cancer. Keep us posted. Take care. Sue

Brandon: Try adding some of your favorite music to an MP3 player. It really makes a difference. I prefer to walk outside with my headphones on. It's more interesting to me than being on a treadmill. Best wishes to you. You can do it! Sue

Wow! You look fabulous, and such little pain for you. You go girl! Sue

Best wishes to you with your medical issues. Keep the positive attitude!

Glad to hear it's going so well. No pain meds - WOW! I hate taking them because of nausea but I was on them for at least a week. Look forward to seeing updates. Hope you continue to do so well. Take care. Sue

My surgeon's website has the food plans all spelled out for you. Take a look at www.massweightloss.com Here's a link for you................... http://www.massweightloss.com/patient_area/files/Post_Op_Diet_1-4.pdf Good luck to you newbie!

Best wishes to you. Hope all goes smoothly (and flatly too - as in tummy flat!). Let us know how you're doing afterwards. Take care. Sue

Amanda: I'm from MA. I had my surgery at Norwood Hospital with Dr. Adam Glasgow. I had BCBS with my first band and Harvard Pilgrim with my revision. Insurances vary by plans instituted at your company. The best thing to do for insurance questions is to call the 800 number on the back of your card. Good luck! Sue

Hi: You should see your doctor. Please call and get in or go to the emergency room. Your band should never cause pain after the initial healing period post surgery. If you still have your gallbladder it could be that. Take care and please let us know how you're doing. Sue

Really amazing!

My doctor's website has lists of things you should be eating at the different stages of the band recovery. Here's a link. www.massweightloss.com Best wishes to you. Sue

Katie: They have one at JC Penney that I bought that has the "bones" or "stays" in it. You want to make sure you get one that won't roll up or down, so the "bones" really help. They gave me one that had velcro on it at the hospital. It's good to have a spare or two spares because they take a long time to dry after hand washing. Another helpful thing to have is sweat pants or pajama pants with pockets. It's nice to stick the drain bulbs in the pockets. Sue

Hi: The most important thing about post tummy tuck is making sure that you've got enough nutrition to heal well. So, don't be concerned about 1,000 calories a day. Be happy to maintain. I had tummy tuck with muscle repair, but my port stayed where it was (top of tummy - just under middle of rib cage). I think I got refilled at either 3 or 4 weeks after tummy tuck. By then it was not too uncomfortable to get into the proper position for a fill in that area. You'll be surprised at how numb some areas are after the initial healing time. So, it may not be that uncomfortable. They'll probably fill you gradually because that's the most safe way to approach fills. Best wishes. Can't wait to see pictures or hear your comments. You're gonna love your flat tummy! Sue

Michelle: I had the small band installed in 2007 and lost 150 pounds in less than 18 months. Had a slip and got band replaced in 2010 with the larger band. I had pretty good restriction (without fills) for more than a year, but started gaining and getting fills about two months ago. Have been struggling to get back under 200 since then. I loved my old band, but new band and I are just barely friends now. My old band was my "belly cop" and this one doesn't even go on patrol. Best wishes to you. I've been getting fill after fill and will continue until I get under 200 again. Sue

Just wondering how you're doing? Hope all is well in the flatlands! Sue

Katie: If you have trouble getting approval ask Dr. G. if he can look at the letter that Arthur wrote that helped me get approved. Of course there were very embarassing pictures involved too, but it was worth it for the cost savings. I hope you liked Dr. H. I think she's great and very personable. She has a good bedside manner too. Best wishes for a quick approval for you. Take care. Sue

It may take a few days to get on the painfree side, but then you'll be so happy that you did this. The best thing is to look down and see that there isn't any excess skin hanging! Best wishes. Keep us posted on your progress. Remember, this is major surgery so you need to rest, relax, and recuperate! Take care. Sue

Katie: Please tell her hello and that I have all good things to say about her and the tummy tuck she did for me. So exciting! If you're anything like me you'll be so glad to see it gone. Sue

HI Katie: Glad to see your consult is next week. Are you going to see Dr. H. at Newton-Wellesley? I think she did a great job on my tummy, but it cost alot more than $1k extra like the poster above said. If you've got really good credit, go and get a credit card that has no interest, and then play the credit card juggling game to trade for a different one that has no interest until you've paid it off. Another possibility is a credit union loan if you belong to one. Let us know how it goes. Sue

Congrats! You look fabulous! Sue