Sue Magoo

Crystal: You're going through the hardest part. I started to mourn food when I started my pre-op diet. I went from being sad to being bit%%y about it! By thinking about how it was making my surgery safer I got through it. sugar free popsicles and sugar free jellow saved me from going insane. It's so worth it in the long run. Best wishes to you. I love my band! Sue

Congratulations on your new start in life! Best wishes to you. I love my band. Sue

Hi: How Lipstix64 explained it is very good. The only thing that I would add is that once you start losing because of your band you'll grow to love it and like yourself more. Best wishes to you. Sue

Hi Dr. Schulman: I remember seeing a picture either here or on your website of a person that had a panniculectomy only, and the results weren't anything that I would consider to be good. I have gone from 324 to 176 and have loose skin on my lower abdomen and upper thighs. My upper abdomen is good, and I don't have any rolls above my belly button. I don't plan to lose much more weight as I'm glad to be a size 12 and I look and feel healthy at this level. I can live with the upper thigh issue, however the lower abdomen is uncomfortable for me and I am starting to get rashes all the time under the flap. Do you have any pictures of anyone that didn't have upper abdominal fat that had a panniculectomy? The reason why I am asking is that I am going to be laid off in a couple of months, so I don't have the $$$ for a tummy tuck, but it's possible that I may be able to get insurance to cover a panni. I don't want to look worse than now. Can you please share pictures of someone that's had a panni only and the results were positive? Thanks for all of the time that you give to the bandsters on this forum. You've been very supportive and informative to all of us. Sue

Thanks so much for that link. I don't have a hanging skin issue above the belly button, so a panniculectomy might actually work for me. The link was very enlightening and encouraging for me. Thanks again. Sue

Melissa: You look great! As long as you're on your way down, don't worry, be happy! I think there's less difference between sizes once you are smaller. I find that I can wear 12's and 14's and there's not much difference. If you need to have a quick "feel better" moment, think back to your original size and weight and think about how far you've come! Congratulations. I love my band. Sue

Karen: I feel for your pain. I agree with oneflew, try to get back to your lapband doctor to get restriction back. If you don't have restriction, and you're taking pain meds, how can you lose weight? I'm sure that your lapband doctor wants you to be successful, and he/she may have suggestions to get you back on track while you're dealing with your medical issues. I hope things improve soon. Sue

Hi: I would choose to have an experienced surgeon if you can. I'm guessing that it's an easy surgery for them. However, the aftercare is where the experience becomes so important. If he doesn't have any other banded patients to learn from it's going to be more difficult for him/her to support you afterwards. Best wishes to you. I love my band! Sue

Breanne: I lost 125 pounds from 4/23/07 to 4/23/08. Went from 324 to 199. Was so fantastic to be under 200. My suggestion is that you Start now. I lost 38 pounds from my first exam with surgeon until surgery date, which was 3 mos. and 3 days later. The band is a great tool. It's very important to eat what they tell you to eat and to exercise most every day. It's important to keep in touch with your lap band surgeon, and if they have a support group, go to the meetings. I read somewhere that the people who follow up with their surgeons are far more successful than those who don't. Find an exercise that you like. I like walking with my MP3 player on. I also trikke. Check it out at www.tampatrikke.com I ride one of them that doesn't have a motor. So much fun I forget I'm exercising! I'm also from MA. I got banded at Caritas Norwood Hospital by Dr. Adam Glasgow. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. Best wishes to you. Sue

Hi: I agree with Kiz. I hope you feel better soon. I am fortunate because my surgeon is 10 minutes from home. Hope things loosen up for you. My experience is that my band is very tight for two weeks after a fill, but I've always been able to get liquids down. One time the liquids would go down, but I had pain where the band is every time I swallowed (even liquids), so I got a slight unfil, and then two weeks later I got a smaller fill. Worked out in the end. I love my band! Sue

Yes, I had to take it too. However, they were kind enough to mail it to me a few weeks before my psych consult so that they already had the results. I think I had to pay $150 for the test too. Answer honestly! Sue

Whosyadaddy: Congratulations! You must be very close to goal. Sounds like your new lifestyle is going to help you keep the weight off. Congratulations on 200#. Sue

Hi: Is it possible that you have a hiatal hernia? I had reflux for years before banding. When I was banded he repaired my hiatal hernia too. Hardly ever have heartburn anymore. Hope you get better soon. Sue

John: Please tell about your plastic surgery procedures. What did you have done? How was the pain? How much did it cost? Thanks for sharing. I love my band. Sue

Hi: I used to order mashed potatoes or squash. You can have something pureed too. I am still very careful at restaurants because when I get chatting with my friends I forget what I'm doing with my food, and have eaten too large of a bite a couple of times. Yipes! Best wishes to you and your band. I love my band. Sue

I have the smaller lap band, and I'm only at 2.5 out of a highest possible 4.0. I cannot imagine having to lose alot without getting the benefit of more fills. Is it possible that the surgeon used a band on you that is too big? I had a couple of plateaus along the way. Switching up foods and changing intensity and frequency of exercise seems to help some. I wish you well. I love my band. Sue

Mine doesn't really have a name, but I refer to it as my "belly cop" because it helps keep me in control of my huge appetite. Love my band. Sue

You should call 911 if you are having trouble breathing!

Thanks so much Jacqui! Enjoy your new body. Sue

Hi: My port is just under my rib cage in the middle. I can definitely feel it when I feel for it. It is not visible at all and I'm very close to goal. I'm sure it depends on where and how deep they position it. This part of my body is pretty flat now so I don't think it will show when I attain my goal. I love my band! Sue

JJSmiles: Thanks for your thorough response. It's kind of a personal question, but did your belly button come out looking okay? I'm just curious if they touch it at all when you get a panni? I'm just thinking it might look like it's too low if I just have the excess skin cut off from below it. Please let me know if you're comfortable answering. Otherwise, I can wait for my ps consult - not scheduled yet. Thanks. Sue

Hi: I had such issues with nausea when I got banded (dizzy and throwing up for 6 hours) that I decided to get unfilled prior to my gallbladder removal. The same doc that banded me did the gallbladder, so he just unfilled me before the surgery, and then I didn't even have any nausea issues. The day after my gallbladder removal I had someone drive me there and he put the fluid back in. It was hard to lay back on the table to get refilled, but I'm glad I did it. My doc said that I probably handled the nausea better because I'd lost over 100 pounds between surgeries and anesthesia is absorbed in fat cells. So because of losing so much fat it made it easier. Best wishes to you. Sue

Hi: Sounds like maybe you're not getting enough calories in, or poor nutrition in what you are having. Do you take a daily Multivitamin? If you are taking medications, is it possible that you've lost enough weight to need to have your doctor cut back on your medication already? You really should call your surgeon or primary care doctor to discuss. Also, if you're having dizzy spells, please don't drive until you make them stop. My doctor told me that leg cramps can be caused by low potasium. Bananas are high in potasium. Best wishes to you with your band. I love my band! Sue

Jacqui: I'm tending to think that way - get rid of the flab, and worry about how it looks later. I'm self-conscious about it now, and couldn't think of being naked in front of anyone, but I also don't want it to look worse than it looks now. My skin doesn't hang down enough to cause mobility problems, but I pinch myself sometimes without even trying. I've only had a rash a couple of times. I hope to schedule an appointment with a PS by the end of this week. Thanks for your input. I'll let you know what the PS has to say. Anybody got any pictures where it actually looks better after than before a panniculectomy? Sue

Hi: Not sure if I spelled it right, but has anybody had just a paniculectomy? I am considering this because I will soon be laid off from my job and my current health insurance may cover a paniculectomy. I would prefer to have a full tummy tuck, but because I will be unemployed I don't have the extra dough to pay the difference between paniculectomy and tummy tuck. So, I thought I'd ask on the forum. Anybody had just a paniculectomy? Were you happy with the results? I've seen some pictures online on some of the plastic surgeon's websites of just a paniculectomy and they give me nightmares. I am guessing they put those pics up to encourage people to get the tummy tuck instead. I'm very close to goal and need to start soon because I'll be losing my medical insurance coverage at end of June. Please share with me if you've had just a paniculectomy done. Thanks. Sue