Sue Magoo

Hi: Sounds like you need to get some of your fill out. I think that what I was told is that if your band is causing you pain you're in the red zone. Red zone means you should call and/or see your doctor. Hope you feel better soon. Sue

:smile:So, it was easier this time around from a pain perspective. Unfortunately, I had nausea/dry heaves issues for about 6 hours post-op. Since that ended I've felt great except for tiredness. Also, like with the first band even though I ate nothing at the hospital other than ice chips I was 7 pounds heavier today. Just goes to show you how they pump you up with fluids during surgery. I expect toget rid ofthis Fluid in a few days. Much easier becuase my port wasn't touched. Thank goodness. One thing that was different is that they used blue dye to make sure there weren't any leaks. I'm still peeing green and my tongue is blue. So, now I'm on straight liquids for next 14 days. Yikkes! It is challenging but I know that I can do it. I try to attend all my surgeons' support group meetings, but had to miss last night's meeting. Such nice people. They all signed a card and had my doctor deliver it when he came in the hospital last night at 9:30 p.m. Sue

Thanks for your kind words, Mimi.

Kkarryall/Amy: Yes, my insurance did cover this, however I have a different insurer now than I did with the band. Sue

Hi All: In about an hour I'm leaving for the hospital for my 2nd band. I was originally banded on 7/26/07. So, I got almost 3 good years out of my band. I have a small, stubborn slip. I thought I needed a fill back in April because I was eating more and was gaining weight. I scheduled a fill appointment and went to see my surgeon. He did a barium swallow to see what was going on, and sure enough a slip. It's only a small slip, usually a complete unfill will cure them. That didn't work. I tried ten days of all liquids, and that didn't work. I haven't had any fill for almost 3 months. It's embarassing that I need my band so much. I'm about 30 pounds higher than my lowest weight. I'd like to lose at least 20 pounds. But most of all, I just want my "belly cop" back. I cannot control my portions without it. I have full confidence in my surgeon. The only thing that scares me is that I had a nightmare that when I woke up he told me he had to remove the band and couldn't replace it. So, in this case I hope that my dreams don't come true. I'll let you know how it goes. Sue

Congrats for taking your life back! I'm sure your boys are so glad you're losing the weight. Thanks for sharing. Sue

Hi: Sorry, I can't remember exactly what I did. You might want to check out makemeheal.com to see if there's someone there who can help. Also, check a few of the plastic surgeon's websites and it might have a page for post-surgical care. Your surgeon should have given you written instructions because when you're under the influence of pain meds you can't remember well. Hope it goes well. Take care. Sue

Hi: Based on what you said about your surgeon, I would get a second opinion. Hope your pain goes away soon. Please keep us posted. Take care. Sue

Thank you Mona.

Hi PrettyinPink: Wanna be starting over buddies? I've been unfilled since May and have a small slip that probably started in April. I'm having revision surgery next Tuesday. I've gained 30 pounds in the last year, of which most of it has been since April. Thought I needed a fill in May, went in and found out I had a slip, which was allowing me to eat more. I miss my belly cop. I'd love to be "starting over" buddies with you. I think we'll be more successful this way. What do you think? Sue

Hi: Don't mess with jaw pain. It can be an early sign of a heart attack. Please call your doctor. Hope you're okay. Sue

Hi: It's quite normal to be anxious before the surgery. Some people have stomach issues when they have anxiety. You're probably on an all liquid diet pre-op, as most people are required to do this diet. If you're only having liquids it's not surprising if everything "goes through you". Personally, it's the best thing that I ever did for myself. It's so much easier to be carrying less weight. Best wishes to you. Sue

Hi Themo123: My band slipped too. I'm having a revision surgery on 7/20. Can you please tell me what the revision surgery is like compared to the original banding surgery? Thanks. Sue

Hi: When I was first able to eat solids I could only eat 3 or 4 bites too. I figured out that if I ate slower I could eat more. So, follow the bandster rules and chew like crazy and put your fork down between bites. Best wishes to you. I love my band. Sue

Hi: My size started at 26/28. I got as low as 12, but I'm at a 14 now. I went from my high to my low in only 15 months, so that was alot of sizes to go through. I shopped at thrift stores. I also bought from clearance racks. What I did was buy things that were in my current size and lots of things in 12's and 14's because I knew that was my goal size. You'll be amazed at what you can find at thrift stores. They usually have some plus sizes too. I think that if you wear clothes that fit on the way down you feel more like you're losing weight because things don't hang off of you. Best wishes to you on your weight loss journey. I'm headed in for a band revision on 7/20 and then I hope to get down to size 12 again by October. We'll see! Sue

I've heard that 1200 calories is a good level for weight loss. Very important to eat something nutritious before working out. Best wishes to your continued success and getting past your long plateau. Sue

Hi: I say quit now! My surgeon wouldn't do any cosmetic surgery for a smoker. I think it's a general rule about elective surgery, not worth the extra risk if someone is a smoker. Also, it's very hard to heal when your system is compromised by circulation issues, etc. caused by smoking. At least that's what she told me. Another thing is that it can be a lengthy surgery under anesthesia. It's hard to breath afterwards and I haven't smoked in almost 24 years. I hope all goes well and I know it's hard to quit. I smoked almost 3 packs a day back in the 80's when you could smoke everywhere. I quit the day I found out I was pregnant and haven't smoked since, and that was almost 24 years ago. Good luck! Sue

Hi: Best wishes to you. I think that the best advice I can give is to think about it one pound at a time. I wish I had measured myself before banding because it's sometimes hard to see the progress without a tangible measurement. Sometimes the scale won't move, but your clothes will become looser. Good luck. Sue

Hi: I think that you might want to try seeing a different band doctor and have that surgeon do a barium swallow to see your band positioning. It sounds like you're not restricted well enough if you can eat as much as you said you could. When I had good restriction (small slip right now and unfilled waiting for rebanding in 3 weeks) I could only eat 1 piece of pizza. My band is like a belly cop and it puts up the stop sign when I've had enough food and allows no more. Hope your new food plan works for you, but make sure you take daily Vitamins too because sounds like there aren't many veggies there. Keep us posted on your progress. Take care. Sue

Hi: I had my tummy tuck just over a year ago. I didn't do anything but walk for the first two months. I wore my binder when I was walking too. That seemed to help keep the swelling down. I'd agree with the other poster and build up your time gradually. Maybe even start with just 20 minutes first week, 30 minutes second week, etc. Take care. Sue

I discussed it with both the plastic surgeon and my lapband surgeon and they both agreed that it was best for me based on my nausea issues after anesthesia. I had dry heaves for the first 12 hours after tummy tuck. Horrible when you've just had your belly cut wide open! I'm sure there's swelling near the band after tummy tuck because I think my entire abdomen swelled for quite a while after the tummy tuck. All worth it though! Sue

Hi: I got a complete unfill the day before my tummy tuck and got refilled about 3 weeks after tummy tuck. Didn't gain then. I had so much nausea after tummy tuck that it would have been a problem if I hadn't been unfilled. Best wishes to you. Sue

Have they checked your gallbladder? My pain from my gallstones hurt under my right ribs and it was intermittent. It's quite common for someone who has lost alot of weight in a short period of time to develop gall stones. Hope you feel better soon. Please let us know how you make out. Sue

Hi: You may be filled a little bit too much. I sometimes wouldn't feel the full effect of a fill for a week or more. I would call your doctor and ask him if he thinks you may need a slight unfill? Like, somewhere between the last level you were at and this new level. It's amazing how just the tiniest bit can make a difference either way. Hope you feel better soon. Sue

Hi: Mine covered about 1/3 of a tummy tuck. They covered the panniculectomy part of it, but only because of medical reasons - rashes that were documented. Good luck! Sue