Sue Magoo

It does seem so overwhelming at first. I went through a mourning period for my old eating habits. My way of handling it was that I became really b'atchy. It was so hard during the ten days pre-op and four weeks post op. After you start to introduce solid foods it gets alot easier, but don't do it before your doctor recommends it - don't want to hurt yourself or your band. I found it helpful to delve into things that didn't involve food at all. I spent alot of time reading good books in the tub (and at the pool), went to bed early, and walked alot. Please give yourself some time to adjust. It's so worth it! Best wishes to you and your weight loss journey. I love my band and my new flat tummy! Sue

Boo Boo: Congrats. Hopefully it's just the flu. Feel better soon and share pics when you feel better to show us your revisions. Sue

Hi Everyone: Just wanted to give a shout out for Dr. Peggy Howrigan, Wellesley, MA. She did my tummy tuck, and even if I do say so myself, she did a fabulous job. Someone that I saw recently told me I had the abdomen of an 18 year old. Dr. Howrigan is caring, gentle, and talented. She explains everything very well so that there are no surprises. I felt very comfortable with her and that's not so easy for me. Her staff is very good too. They genuinely care for people. If you're interested in finding a plastic surgeon in MA, please check out Dr. Peggy Howrigan. Best wishes to my fellow Massachusetts bandsters. I love my band and my new flat tummy! Sue

Hi All: Just wanted to update. Tomorrow is 4 weeks postop. Feeling great! Doctor said I still have to wear binder during awake hours to keep the swelling down. She can see that I'm still swollen, but I cannot see it. I had a stitch popping through that she took care of with a little novacaine (sp?) and some instrument, piece of cake. She said I can swim in two days if that spot looks good that she just got the stitch from. Great - should be pool weather this weekend She said I cannot do my favorite exercise yet. No, it's not what you were thinking - it's trikking. I really enjoy it so I've been missing it and don't expect to be able to do it again until July. Said I can do eliptical, walking, arm exercises, or leg exercises as long as they don't challenge my abdomen. I'll stick to walking for the next few weeks. I am very pleased with the results so far. Well worth the pain, $$$, and inconvenience during recuperation period. My energy level is almost where it used to be. Now I'm just a bit fatigued from being bored at home while I'm looking for a new job. Fingers crossed out there everyone - I need a job! I love my band and my new flat tummy and small belly button! Sue

I started taking it the week before surgery because that was when the doctor mentioned it. Probably wouldn't hurt, but I'm not an expert! Of course you can get little panties too That's one of the best things since losing all the weight. Take care. Sue

Hi: I've heard that this is because of the change in pressure in the cabin while flying. I think my doctor said to go on fluids for a day or so while it goes back to normal. He also said to make sure you don't eat anything solid on a plane if your band is sensitive to flying. Hope you feel better soon. Sue

Hi Laura: You have a pretty good plan there. There are a few things that I would add to it: Get some Vitamin c tablets. My doctor said extra 1000 milligrams per day to help with the healing. I'm healing great, so it must be working. Get a few pairs of panties that are two to three sizes too big. That way you have somewhere to put the bulbs that come on the drains. You might also want a few pairs of sweatpants or pajama bottoms that are very loose. I didn't want anything that was the least bit tight for the first two weeks. My favorite thing to wear with the binder was men's cotton pajama bottoms with a sleeveless tank top. The binder can get kind of warm. My doctor said today that I still have to wear it every day. I'm glad that I bought an extra so that I can wash one and wear the other while that one is drying. Good idea on those blue things for your bed. The drains can leak and make a mess. Slip on shoes or flip flops are good too. You don't want to bend to tie shoes. I'm 5'7" and I didn't need one of those toilet seat risers. Best wishes to you. You'll love your flat new tummy. I love my band and my new flat tummy (and much smaller, inny belly button):ihih:. Sue

Allie: You look great! The PS will be the icing on the cake. I love my new flat tummy and my band! Best wishes to you with your plastic surgery. Sue

Gingerbug: You should read through Ask Dr. Schulman's thread. He's answered this before. Another one to give you ideas on this is to read OH Juli's plastic surgery thread. She had alot done at once. Best wishes to you. Sue

Dot: Best wishes to you with your surgery. My only regret with my LapBand is that I didn't get it sooner. I love my band and my new flat tummy! Sue

Josie: Glad to hear that you are feeling so well. I am with you on that weird numb tummy feeling. It does feel like I'm touching someone else's tummy when I touch mine. I'm sure it's because the nerves were cut when they cut off all of the excess skin. I can already tell that some of it is coming back to life because the numb area was alot bigger before. I look forward to seeing your pics. Take care. Sue

Please go see your lapband surgeon right away. Don't play around with infections. My Mom was 66 years old when she died from an infection within 48 hours of discovering the infection. Please don't mess around with this.

Hi: I had a tummy tuck with liposuction. I was fortunate that my insurance covered the cost of a panniculectomy and I only had to pay the difference to upgrade to tummy tuck. My out of pocket costs were almost $7,000.00, and I was told that my out of pocket costs were for the additional time for the surgeon, o.r., anesthesia. I stayed in the hospital overnight. I'm in Massachusetts where medical costs are very high. Best wishes to you. I love my band and my new flat tummy! Sue

Choopie: You might just be having a plateau. Or, is it possible that you're building muscle from your workouts? Muscle weighs more than fat, so it could be masking your weight loss. When I would hit plateaus and have the proper fill I would try to change my foods and that can usually help me get off of a plateau. It's not unusual for the weight loss to slow way down as you get closer to goal. Best wishes to you and your band. I love my band! Sue

Hi: I'm glad you're feeling better. I've heard that if you do get stuck it's best to go to fluids for the next 24 hours, then mushies for 24 hours, then regular fluids. I think that they recommend this because you can be swollen after having been stuck. I love my band! Sue

Laura: I had almost all internal stitches too. They put a few external stitches in my belly button and where the drains came out. My surgeon did some kind of funky stitches on the big long cut that I couldn't see. There wasn't any glue. I think it's a method of stitching that they do where the do everything from the inside. Hard to explain. Maybe someone else here can explain it better or show a link to where we can see this method of stitching. Best wishes to you with your plastic surgery. I love my band and my new tummy! Sue

Shalee04: Congratulations! Fun to shop for panties when it's not at Lane Bryant, huh! Enjoy the new body! Sue

Laura: Congratulations on your upcoming surgery. I had my tummy tuck on 5/14/09. The only thing I'd like to add is to be prepared for fatigue. I am alot more exhausted than I thought I would be. I'm healing well, so that takes alot out of a person, but it is so worth it. Best wishes to you. I love my band and my new tummy! Sue

Josie: My pics are on the cosmetic surgery thread. They're titled something like from 2007 Post Op Lap Band to 2009 Post Op Tummy Tuck. I posted them at the end of May. You can see them on my profile page too. I look forward to seeing your pics. I love my band! Sue

brendaanise: Now's the time to get a fill if you're gaining. That's your band's way of telling you that it needs to be tighter. Best wishes to you. I love my band! Sue

Josie: I am doing great as far as tummy tuck goes. Energy is an issue for me too. I've decided that I have to continue napping and taking it easy. I walked 7 miles yesterday and I was suffering for it today. My swelling isn't bad, but I'm still wearing the binder every day and some of the nights. I still get this crazy pain in my right side sometimes that wakes me up so I'm still having sleeping issues. I sometimes get up and put the binder back on because I think it's more comfortable in bed with the binder. The numbness is kind of crazy too. My belly button is almost healed. Did you see the pics I put up? I'm very happy with the results so far. You must be very excited - new body, new engagement! Keep in touch and let us know when you have pics to share. Sue

Anxiety can get to all of us at times of stress. If I get nervous about my band I come to this website and it makes me feel better about it. Also, if you take a look at the before & after's it's very motivating. My band was almost two years ago. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. Best wishes to you and successful results with your band. I love my band! Sue

Hi: I started by asking my Primary Care Physician and LapBand Surgeon if they could recommend anyone. They actually recommended the same Plastic Surgeon. If you have a LapBand Support Group you might want to ask there because you'll probably get recommendations of your local plastic surgeons. Best wishes to you in your LapBand and Plastic Surgery journey. I love my band! Sue

Shirley: Please call your doctor. Totally abnormal to vomit blood from what I've heard. Feel better soon. Sue

Thank you. I had unbearable pain the first 24 hours because I had dry heaves from anesthesia. It was tolerable after that. It's definitely not a surgery for wimps! You look like the pain was worth it! Congratulations!