Sue Magoo

Hi: I had a tummy tuck in May and I was completely unfilled prior to surgery. I have big nausea issues and am glad I was unfilled because I had dry heaves for the first twenty-something hours after tummy tuck. I didn't get refilled until somewhere between 2 - 3 weeks after tummy tuck because it's difficult to get into the right position to get fill without hurting the abdominal muscles which were still healing for six weeks. I am so fortunate that my lap band doctor could do my unfill the day before my tummy tuck and he said just to let him know whenever I was ready for a refill and they'd fit me in. Best wishes to you. I love my band and my new flat tummy! Sue

Sadie: What I'd like to know is how they can lose that much weight and not be flabby like I am. Do you think they wear spanx under their workout clothing? They are still very inspirational. I figured that they must be working out all day every day to pull those kind of losses. Thanks for verifying that for me. I love my band and my new flat tummy! Sue

You're in the stage where you are mourning your old friend "overeating". It's common to go through this. Your success will take over your sadness about not overeating anymore. Take it one step at a time and remember that you're going through a difficult time and it takes a while for our bodies and our minds to adjust. Take care. I love my band and my new flat tummy! Sue

Yikkes! I don't think I could even eat half of a Jr. Whopper. I haven't actually tried a burger at a fast food restaurant since before I was banded. As far as fries go, I sometimes eat four of them if someone else gets them. I usually get a yogurt and fruit parfait if I have to go to McDonalds. I haven't gone to Burger King since being banded, but I imagine they have something similar to McDonald's yogurt. I have gone to Papa Gino's and get one piece of pizza when I go. Sometimes I can finish it and sometimes I cannot. I would get a fill if I could eat a Whopper Jr. and fries because I probably would eat that much if I could. My band is my belly cop! Best wishes to you and your band. Sue

Hi: Yes, you definitely should go back and get some fill put back in. Our bands are very fickle. You will get the most out of your band if you get it adjusted whenever you're not right - either too tight or too loose. Don't worry about what the doc thinks. Remember, they are on your team and it really does take an entire team to be successful with your band - you, your doctor, a nutritionist, support group, and for some a psychologist. Go TEAM! Sue

Elvisgirl: You can do it! You've done it before. You just need to remotivate yourself. Write a list of why you want to lose more weight. Keep that list with you and remind yourself constantly of the reasons why. You probably need a fill. So, please go to see a band doctor and get checked and let him know about your current medical situation. I'm sure she/he will have some suggestions to get you restarted on your weight loss journey. About exercising. I am in New England and it's very cold here. I'm hoping that Santa will bring me a mini trampoline to jog on during the extremely cold days because walking outside when it's freezing sucks. They cost about $50. This could be a fairly inexpensive way for you to exercise at home. Best wishes to you. Sue

Fanny: What did the doctor say about the difference in your boobs? I'm guessing that they are still very swollen. After the swelling goes down if they are still uneven I would think that the surgeon should fix it no charge. Most plastic surgeons are very proud of their work. I'm sure he/she wants a great result. I hope it's just a swelling thing. Either way, they still look better than mine :thumbup:. Take care. Sue

Hi Fanny: I found that I swelled more with more activity. If I took it easy I didn't have a problem. I wore compression garments around the clock for at least the first month. I was more comfortable with them on than with them off when I could take them off for a while. Good luck with your appointment. Sue

Hi: I think one of the most amazing things about losing so much weight is the increase to my energy level. This is only one of the positive things. There are many others too. Best wishes to you to love your band like I love mine! Sue

Hi: I had pain across my shoulders with sharper pain on right side about nine months after banding. Turns out it was my gallbladder. Got it removed and pain was gone. Sue

Lynn: I can relate to what you are saying. It isn't as bad for me now as it was two years ago. I find that if I take a very hot shower just before I jump into bed it helps. Get warm! Sue

Hi: First, congrats on your success so far. Because you've only had one fill and have lost 46 pounds you're probably not restricted yet. So, cut yourself some slack and know that you wouldn't be able to eat all of that if your band was at its sweet spot. Congrats again. Remember, their goal for us is to lose 1 - 2 pounds a week. You're way ahead of that. I love my band and my new flat tummy! Sue

Stevee: If you can trick your mind into thinking that you have restriction and eat like you do, then all the power to you. You'll be very successful if you can do this. Most people can't, though, so don't be disappointed if you don't start losing until you're really feeling restriction. Determination will help so much! Sue

Stevee: I hope all goes smoothly with your fill today. My advice is that you should remember that it can take several fills before you notice a difference. Keeping your mind and spirit in the LapBand game is more than half of the battle and it seems like you've got that down. Good luck! Sue

Skinny: I hope you didn't get too much of a fill. I know you've had your band for a while, but be careful if you're gurgling today. You may be too tight tomorrow. I hope not. Anyway, you're still recuperating from surgery and your body needs good nutrition while you are healing. Keep the healing as your priority for a while. Your band will keep you in check as long as you're not wide open. Best wishes to your continued success. Sue

Wow Fanny! Sounds like things are going very well for you. I hope day 3 isn't too bad. Take care and rest, rest, rest. Sue

Hi: The best way to stop worrying is to give your doctor a call. That's what we pay them the big bucks for:wink:. Please post again and let us know how you're doing. Take care. Sue

Hi: Here's a link to the post-op diet from my lap band surgeon's website. Please don't eat too soon. You may be causing long-term issues by eating too soon. Your body needs time to heal from the surgery and accept your new band. http://www.massweightloss.com/patient_area/files/post-op_diet.pdf I love my band and my new flat tummy! Good luck newbie! Sue

Kate: I'm so excited that your time has arrived! I'm also jealous because you're getting the "works". I just got tummy tuck with some extra lipo. As far as wondering about the pain. My abdominal pain wasn't bad until I got the dryheaves from the anesthesia. That lasted for the first 18 to 24 hours. Once that subsided it wasn't bad at all. I had a pain pump that helped me with the abdominal pain for the first three days before it ran out. Thinking back, there was one thing that surprised me, embarassed me actually. I didn't realize that my doctor would have me stand naked in front of her and she got down sat down on the floor in and marked me from her sitting on the floor in front of my naked vajayjay. Just didn't expect it, but was knocked out so quickly afterwards I got over it. I was also surprised at how much pain I had down in the groin area. She did alot of lipo down there and that's actually where my worse bruising was. I couldn't sleep in a comfortable position for about three weeks because I would get a severe shooting pain down in my groin if I rolled over to my side. The strange pain happened randomly during the day, but always happened when my sleeping body tried to roll onto my normal side sleeping position. Remember, with the pain meds you'll be loopy for a while. Don't do anything that could be harmful if you fall asleep suddenly - like cook on the stove. The numbness is kind of a weird thing too. It has come back alot, but there's still parts of me that feel like they are part of someone else's body. Have some slippers you can just put your feet into easily. I was wearing flip flops all the time because it was May, but you don't want to get cold feet. You won't be able to bend, so slip on shoes and/or slippers are necessary. You're so lucky to have your Mom helping. I look forward to seeing your before & afters and hearing that everything went well. Take care and rest, rest, rest. Sue

Skinnyjeans: I looked at your updated pics. You look GREAT! One of the next exciting steps is when your bellybutton scabs go away and you get to see your new bellybutton. I loved how small my new bellybutton looked. I know that my new bellybutton is actually my old one, but it looks so different I'm just calling it my new one. Rest up and get rid of that cold. Take care. Sue

Hi Skinny: My doctor provided the first binder and it's velcro from top to bottom at the middle, kind of like you would wrap a towel around you, but it's made with stiff stuff and the velcro closes at the seems that go vertical from the ribs down almost to the pubic bone. I couldn't have worn that one comfortably under the correct size clothes - only jammies or sweat pants. At this stage you could probably buy a binder at Kohl's or JC Penney. You'll want to make sure you buy the kind that has "bones" in it so that it doesn't roll up or down. I bought one from JC Penney that I would use still if I wanted to try to get an hourglass figure with a tight, flat stomach. I did wear it about a month ago because I wanted to look extra thin for an event that I went to. It went from just under my boobs to just above my yoohoo with enough room to bend comfortably. I also have one that I bought at JC Penney. It doesn't have the "bones" in it, but it stays up good and it has a panty and tops of legs in it too. Has to pull down to go to bathroom, but because it's just a tight stretchy thing it's easy to pull up and down. I lost another pound this week for my weigh in at the doctors. He says it's a battle to maintain during the holidays, and a big plus to lose. I'm focused and working at it still. Down 5.5 in two weeks with 14.5 to go! Hope you can keep the swelling away! Thanks for your prayers for my job situation. I am an Accountant and was the Controller at my last job before we were closed by our new parent company. It's hard to find a job at my level, or even just below. Tight economy doesn't hire alot of middle management. But I keep trying and hope that things improve on the job front soon. I'm very bored staying home alot. Take care. Sue

Hi: Another reason to call your surgeon is that he may have someone to recommend for you to see in the country where you are. I you do go on all liquids make sure that you add Protein in. You can also get liquid Vitamins to help you through this all liquids phase. I hope you feel better soon. Please let us know how you're doing. Take care. Sue

Hi: I clicked on it and you can't tell who is offering this special. It's probably in Mexico. Good luck. Sue

Hi: Did you band surgeon look at your CT scan? You might want to ask him/her to. Not that many ER docs have alot of band experience. My band doctor says that if you have an issue below your chin and above your knees to at least give him a phone call. He had one patient that had 3 days of tests before he knew she was in the hospital. He went in, took a little Fluid out and all of her discomfort went away. He could have saved thousands of dollars if she'd called him first. I hope you feel better soon. Please let us know what it is so that we can learn from your experience. Take care. Sue

Allie: I checked out your pics too. You look fabulous! The drains I had were near my hip bones. They didn't hurt at all when they came out. Enjoy that new body of yours! Sue