Sue Magoo

Hi: I was able to get partial coverage for my tummy tuck. My insurance approved coverage for a panniculectomy as I had rash issues under my excess abdominal skin. Both my lap band and the plastic surgeon had photo's of my rash (way way embarassing, but worth it). The plastic surgeon submitted to my insurance and they came back with approval for an abdominoplasty. Then I had to pay for the difference between a panniculectomy and the tummy tuck. I'm very pleased with the results. Best wishes to you with your band and also with the plastic surgeon. You should probably look into plastic surgeons that have dealth with post WLS patients. Ask around for recommendations and ask if they were able to get coverage with their insurance or not. I love my band and my new flat tummy! Sue

Hi: I had my gallbladder removed in April 2008. It was 9 months after being banded and after I'd lost more than a hundred pounds. Quick weight loss seems to bring on gallstones for alot of people. I had ten days off after my gallbladder was removed. I was in more discomfort than when I got banded because I had alot of jiggle on my belly because of the loose skin after loosing so much weight. The thing that helped best with this was to wear a tight spanx-like undergarment that went above my belly toward my ribcage. Other than that wasn't too bad. Hope you feel better soon. Sue

Amy: Not sure about band leaks, but wanted to share my job loss/weight loss issues with you. I was working for a place for 15 years and we were acquired. They let us know in November 2008 that we would all be losing our jobs because they were closing our facility. There were once 65 of us there. Long story, short, I was let go on April 24, 2009. Since then I've gained almost ten pounds. I had a tummy tuck during which she took 4 pounds off, so actually I guess I've gained 14 pounds. I know how stressful this can be. I get tighter when I'm under alot of stress and eat the wrong things. I hope to be back to work soon so that I can get back to my old routine. The best part about being banded is that I am confident that once I am on a routine schedule (with a job) I will be able to lose the 10 - 14 pounds in about 3 or 4 weeks. Then I'll be on track again. I wish you well with your band and your new job search. Take care. Sue

You go girl! Thanks for sharing the pics. Best wishes to you on Wednesday. I'll be thinking of you. Take care and good healing. Sue

Barbee: Congratulations on your upcoming lbl. What's the difference between an LBL and a tummy tuck? I had a tummy tuck on 5/14/09 and am so glad that I did. There is some pain, but it's worth it. Let us know if you have any questions. Take care. I love my band and my new flat tummy! Sue

Dr. Schulman: Welcome back! Good to see your posts again. I had a tummy tuck in May 2009. Back then I was under a different insurance plan. That insurance plan covered about 1/2 to 2/3 of the cost of the procedure because I was approved for a medically necessary panniculectomy because of rash issues. My former employer switched insurance so now my COBRA plan is very different from the plan that helped with my tummy tuck. They don't cover much of anything, and if they do it's a 20/80 split, or 40/80 split depending on in the network or out. Because I'm unemployed and have already spent almost $7k on my tummy tuck I cannot afford to spend any more at this time. Now to my questions. I have a dogear on one side. I don't remember when it showed up, but it wasn't there at the end of June when I last saw the plastic surgeon. I have gained somewhere between 7 to 9 pounds (depending on the day) since I became unemployed. Could gaining this small amount contribute to getting dogears? Do plastic surgeon's usually submit a bill if there is a correction made to repair the dogear? Is it usually done with minimal cutting and done in a plastic surgeon's office without anesthesia? Thanks so much for the time that you give to all of us bandsters. Sue

Hi: Sounds like you're doing most of the right things. Are you taking a liquid Vitamin too? Try to get some extra rest too because it will help with healing. Not sure what kind of work you do, but I would have been able to go back to a desk-type job after about four or five days, however I had plenty of time so I took two weeks off to laze around the pool and get used to my new eating/drinking style. Best wishes to you newbie! I love my band and my new flat tummy! Sue

Laura: That "Ken" reference was so funny. LMAO! The "Ken" area is where I still have some swelling when I overdo it. I think it's just because of gravity and that is the lowest place in my body that had liposuction when I had the abdominoplasty. The "Ken" area is also where I notice the clothes being looser too. Some of my clothes are a bit hanging in the crotch! I didn't even know that my "Ken" area was fat until after she lipo'd it. Try to take it a bit easier for the next few weeks. The hot weather doesn't help either. You're still only a couple of months out from surgery. Take care. Sue

Hi: I lost 148 pounds, 38 before my banding, and 110 after banding. I lost 125 of it in one year. So, if they think the band won't work because you need to loose more than 100 pounds, would seem like it can work, and there are alot of people on this website that would agree with that. However, I was a very big meal eater. I could eat 2 to 3 platefuls at supper time. I could eat big at every meal. I wasn't a grazer (spelling??). I think it would be hard to be successful with a band if you're the type that eats smaller amounts at a time, but all day long. If that is your style, please speak with your surgeon about how you eat and see if he agrees that the band might not be your best choice for weight loss surgery. I'm glad that I never had to see the psychologist after the initial consult, because I didn't feel comfortable with him. He did approve me though, thank goodness. I hope things turn out the best for you and that you conquer your weight problem. I'm so much happier since I conquered mine. I love my band and my new flat tummy! Sue

Laura: Sorry to hear you're still having swelling issues. Anything different - activity, diet, working too many hours, on feet too many hours? Are you swelling everywhere or just in your lower abdomen? Hope it improves soon. Take care. Sue

Hi: I had a tummy tuck in May 2009. I don't think I had a mons lift, however she did some lipo in that area. I believe that I could have gone back to work in 4 weeks to a desk job. You might want to plan on a gradual return, like maybe 3 half days, then 3 days 2/3 days, etc. You may be quite fatigued while you are recovering. Most of the pain was gone after a couple of weeks. Best wishes to you. I love my band and my new flat tummy! Sue

Hi: I've heard that increasing your Protein intake should help. I've also heard that it doesn't help everyone. Mine was falling out for a couple of months (not bad though, only noticable to me in the shower drain), but it did finally stop, and it did eventually go back to normal. It did take a bit of time though. I hope yours starts to grow back soon. Sue

Hi: Wish I was near Philly, but I'm not. It sounds like you are quite motivated to exercising. I was too. That's how I lost 125 pounds in one year. Sure, the band helps with the hunger and limiting the intake, but consistent exercise helps so much in conjunction with the reduced calories. I found good music to be my best walking company. I did some running, some walking, mostly walking. I still do some walking, some jogging, and alot of trikking. Take a look online at www.trikketampa.com to see what a trikke is. I started a new, healthy addiction with trikking. I hope you find a buddy, or a program that works for you! I love my band and my new flat tummy. Sue

Just wanted to say that it makes me angry when I see that someone has to wait days and days for an appointment when they are having issues with throwing up. I am very fortunate to have a doctor whose practice makes themselves available 24/7 and if you're having an issue they never make you wait for days. I hope you feel better soon. Sue

Hi: I'll never forget what someone said to me two summers ago. I was banded in July 07. I had lost about 50 pounds at the time this happened, so I was still very fat at the time. I was walking around my neighborhood and I saw my friends out on their patio and there was a girl there visiting that I knew worked for weight watchers. She was one of the people that signs people in, not a leader. She's a "skinny bi&&h" - size 2. I think she wore a size 10 when she started weight watchers. Anyway, when I saw her I asked her if any of her weight watcher clients have lap bands. Her reply was "No, we don't have anyone that big at weight watchers." I walked away flaberghasted (sp?). Now when I see that same woman she looks like she's anorexic and I look like a healthy woman. I love my band and my new flat tummy! Sue

Hi: I never gave up coffee. I started drinking diet soda too at about 6 months postop. I usually stir it like crazy, or leave the cap off to make it nearly flat. Life's too short to not start the day with a cup of coffee (alright, really 3 cups)! Best wishes to you with your band. I love my band and my new flat tummy! Sue

Jennifer: I'm glad to see that you are going to start an exercise program with your daughter. If you're working that many hours it is very important that you have time with her. Be glad that she wants to spend time with you because alot of 16 year old girls don't want to have much to do with their Mothers. With my daughter a nasty beast moved into her mind when she was about 14 and it stuck around until she went to college. Now she's 22, and next to her boyfriend of four years I am her best friend. I hope that you can find a better balance of work and home time in your life. It's all part of putting yourself first sometimes. It's better for everyone in your life if you take better care of yourself. Best wishes to you. Sue

Now is a great time to shop for next summer. All of the summer clothes are on sale now and you're probably going to be close to your goal by next summer. Something exciting to think about....... I love my band and my new flat tummy. While I was loosing I would buy the current size plus clothes in size 14 and 12. My starting size was size 26/28 and I'm wearing 12's and 14's now. I bought alot of "slightly used" clothes because I couldn't afford all brand new. Best wishes to you and have fun shopping! Sue

Hi: My dog ear is on the end of my stitch line which is on my right side about half way around. It doesn't lie flat like it should, it sticks out just a bit. Sue

Hi: I have the small band too. It's worked for me. I am close to my weight goal, and am at my size goal. I think I'm at 2.0 cc's. I was as high as 2.5 cc's, but never worked up to that since I was unfilled for tummy tuck in May 2009. If I lose another ten pounds or so I probably will need .5 cc's to be tight again. Right now I'm comfortable where I am. Best wishes to you. I love my band and my new flat tummy! Sue

Erin: You may want try Hot Tea and if that doesn't help, try cold sugar free popsicles. One of them might help your throat while it also gives you liquid to keep you from getting dehydrated. Please share with us what the doctor tells you. I'm curious. I hope you feel better soon. I love my band and my new flat tummy! Sue

Jennifer: I had a tummy tuck in May 2009. Because I had rash issues I got some coverage from BCBS. My plastic surgeon said I only had to pay the difference between the time taken for an abdominoplasty and the tummy tuck for the o.r., and the o.r. team. She said I would have to cover about 1/3. My out of pocket was $6,800. I'm near Boston and I've heard we have one of the highest medical costs in US, so it may be alot lower where you are. If you're having issues with rashes and your insurance covers abdominoplasty, please make sure to mention it to your doctors so that they can document your file. Better than that, have them take pictures if you have a rash when you seen them. Good luck. Sue

Barbie: Sounds about right to me. I hope you're on mushies tomorrow. If you struggle tomorrow with liquids or mushies, please call your doctor. He may want you to do liquids longer or get a slight unfill. Good luck. Sue

Josie: Thanks for responding. I got a private message from someone who said that their surgeon covered the cost to repair the dogear and it was taken care of in the surgeon's office. Novacaine is a wonderful thing! I'll look into it further in a couple of months. It's only been 3 months, so I'm gonna give it a little bit more time. I wonder if it's because I've gained 8 pounds. Glad to hear you're back to the gym. A couple of weeks ago I did a 24 mile trip on my trikke. It took 4.5 miles, but I completed the ride. Have only ridden a couple of times since then because my shoulders killed for 3 days and then the weather got really hot up here. I'm looking forward to riding alot more with the cooler weather, at least until the fall leaves make it dangerous. I've been walking too. I've been unemployed (and bored!) since the end of April. I've been looking for a new job and there aren't many out there. I've had a couple of second interviews, but haven't nailed it yet. Fingers crossed for a job soon. I've gained 8 pounds since I stopped working, and I know it's because I'm bored and around the house too much. I'm sure I can drop it fast once I'm back working. As long as I can fit in my size 12's I'm not gonna let those 8 pounds bother me. Even with those additional 8 pounds my tummy's still flat! Best wishes to you. Sue

Hi: Funny how the fat fairy seemed to delay the wrinkles and then she disappeared when we lost weight. I think that a few wrinkles/crinkles under the chin and on the neck still beats three chins any day. I also think that we're way too critical on ourselves. Take a close look at your friends necks that are your age. Chances are you'll find that they're getting a few wrinkles too, but you probably didn't even notice they had them. Best wishes to reach your weight loss goals and become happy in the skin that you're in. I love my band and my new flat tummy! Sue