Sue Magoo

You know you're a bandster when all of your tupperware containers are 1 cup or smaller.

I started at size 26/28 and 324 pounds, so to be a size 12 is such a huge accomplishment. I don't know how many pounds that is. I hope that it's not less than 160. Right now I'm 192 and I am wearing a size 16. I hope that 32 pounds from now I'll be down two more sizes. Most of my fat is now in my lower abdomen and legs. I'm starting to get the comments "You don't want to lose anymore do you?". I was a size 12 before I had my baby and she's going to be 21 in June. I'm 5'7" and I'm 48 years old. I don't want to be too skinny because then more of my wrinkles will show up - lol! Sue

catandnew: I got my band 7/07 and had my gallbladder removed 4/08. I'd have to say that it's a similar type surgery as far as the pain and discomfort goes - pretty easy. However, I think mentally it's easier than being banded because I didn't have to play the all liquids game. I highly recommend getting a panty-type of girdle because my belly hurt alot just above my belly button where the big cut was and because I had already lost 100+ pounds my belly was kind of jiggly. I put a size 14 bathing suit on and it was tight fitting on the belly and I noticed a remarkable difference in the pain on my belly because I didn't have the jiggly effect going on. I had my surgeon who did my band do the gallbladder surgery. When I had my lap band put in I had big issues with nausea so I had him unfill me for the gallbladder surgery as a preventative measure. However, I didn't have nausea this time so I got the fill put back in the day after gallbladder removal. Good luck. Take care. Sue

Hi: I love, love, love my trykke. I got it end of March and quickly fell in love with it. It's almost like an addiction. When I wake up and it's sunny I can hardly wait to get out on it. I live in New England and there's alot of traffic and bumpy roads. It works best on flat, smooth surfaces. Make sure you get a helmet. My first day riding it was riding around the complex where I live and these little boys were following me asking "Hey kid, what's that thing you're riding. It looks cool!". What a hoot - I'm a 48 year old kid. I'm not very coordinated, but I took it slow at first. I haven't actually fallen to the ground yet, but I still got alot of bruises on my lower calves. I wouldn't advise riding it down any hills because it will go too fast and that's when it gets scary for me. Let me know how you make out and if you love it like I love mine. Take care. Sue

Hi Drew: Why don't you show your brother how "lazy" you are. Challenge him to work out with you over the next few months and you'll both loose (and win by losing). It might be a good way to get past this issue with him. I'll admit that I used to be lazy. It's hard to be active when you weigh over 300 pounds. However, I'm more active than most and have been for 13 months now. Good luck. Sue

Hi: I didn't put in for short term disability, but another guy that I used to work with did. He had gastric bypass so he had to take a bit more time off though. Good luck. Sue

Becky: Thanks to you and Frangipani. We learn so much from those who go through things we hope to go through. Best wishes to both of you for quick recovery and fabulous results! I am a jealous fellow bandster. Maybe I'll be having plastic surgery next summer. I have 32 pounds to goal, and then the plastic surgeon that I'm considering likes someone to be at goal for at least 6 months. Best wishes for flat tummies! Sue

Bel: Thanks so much for your response. I'm looking forward to reading your future responses to others too. So nice that someone that's as young as you are can teach an "old dog" new tricks. Thanks again. Keep luvin' life. Sue

Hi Bel: Glad to see someone who's been banded for so long. Can you please just tell me what "after goal" life is like? Did you get your band unfilled? Did you keep losing past the original goal you intended? Do you eat much differently at goal than you did while you were trying to lose still? Do you eat four or five small meals instead of just three? I'm curious because I don't plan to change my exercise habits and I've never really had an ability to eat much at once since being banded. I don't know how I will stop losing. I'm not complaining, just wondering. Congratulations on keeping your loss for so long. I plan to do the same. I plan to be a very healthy grandmother in about ten years. Please share your tips and experiences as a long-time banded, at goal (or close) for such a long time. Thanks. Sue

Hi Allison: Last August I got stuck bad with tuna salad. I had to go to Norwood Hospital because I was stuck and had severe shoulder pain. Dr. Arthur Glasgow wanted me to go and have my band checked. Because I was hurling so much the doctor prescribed metoclopramide for the nausea. With my gallbladder surgery Dr. Glasgow prescribed Compazine suppositories. I know suppositories seem gross, but if you're already hurling then they work the best because you can't throw them up. I only had to take one because the nausea wasn't bad with the gallbladder. You should call the Glasgows and they can call in a script for you. Take care. Sue

Hi: The Glasgows are great, both Father and Son. Good luck with the process, and eventually with the procedure. Maybe I'll meet you at support group sometime. Take care. Sue

Hi: That sounds right. Don't forget this pre-op liquid diet is going to make your body get rid of excess Fluid. It's nice because you'll notice the scale flying down when you're in this pre-op all liquid phase. Good luck with your surgery. Sue

Jimmy: Good luck with everything. You will be look like and act like a different man a year from now when you're down 100+ pounds. I know I am. Take care. Sue

Larry: I have BCBS of New England. I had a $500 copay that I had to give to the hospital before surgery. I always have $500 copay for inpatient surgery, and $250 for outpatient. It has nothing to do with the hospital requirements, but my insurance copays. At Norwood they want it paid in advance. I went to Caritas Norwood. My surgeon was Dr. Adam Glasgow of Glasgow and Glasgow, Norwood, MA. They're great over there. The $500 has been so worth it. Good luck. Sue

Shawnee59: Try sugar free popsicles at night. Most of them have only ten to twenty calories. Another trick, I use an electric ice crusher. Crush up some ice and add a little bit of crystal light, then eat it with a spoon. It's kind of like a slush or snow cone, and no calories to speak of. Good luck. Sue

Hi: I would suggest that you put something in writing that says something about not giving him permission to touch your band. Then, schedule an appointment shortly after gallbladder surgery to get your band checked by your band doctor. Good luck. Sue

Julie H: I had my gallbladder removed in April. My band surgeon did the operation. It's about as much pain as the band surgery, not much. However, my big cut was just above my belly button, and that was really sore. I found that if I wore a high-waisted spanx to control it from being jiggly it helped alot. My band was fine and I've been losing since. Good luck. Sue

Hi: I'm home alone during the college year, so I don't cook much. I love Weight Watcher's smart one's dinners. I usually can't finish them, but there's not enough left over to save either. Because you do cook, have you thought of making some small meals and making your own frozen dinners? You could make a meal and put it on a plate that is freezer and microwave safe and slip it into a zip lock bag. I sometimes have just veggies for supper too. I love the Green Giant frozen cauliflower and cheese sauce. It's only 150 calories for the entire bag. I usually can finish that. Good luck. Sue

Royalbee: My surgeon suggests liquids for a day, mushies for a day, then solids. I am concerned that you're having pain in your throat. My surgeon takes a little bit out if you have issues swallowing right after he fills you. I hope you're not too tight. Three weeks between fills might be a bit rushed too. You can tell if you need a fill if you are eating too much at a time (more than a cup), if you are hungry again after eating before 3 hours, and/or if you aren't losing weight. Hope you get rid of that throat pain. Sue

Hi Electraglide: For sure, once banded you will have to push the plate away. If not, there will be some regurgitation going on, and it's not pretty or comfortable. Even with those occasional side effects I am so glad I was banded. I started at 324 and this morning I weighed 193. I exercise alot and I feel about 20 years younger than I did a year ago. Do you have a date for surgery yet? Where are you being banded? I went to Glasgow & Glasgow in Norwood. They have a great group there. They're very caring and supportive. Best wishes to a fellow Massachusetts lapbandtalker. I'm in Norwood. Sue

Hi: My doctor said anything the size of an M&M or smaller should go down easily. Good luck because I know how nausea can be after surgery - yucky and painful. Sue

BBK: You look so terrific! You can't tell by looking at this picture that you were ever overweight. Look at those fabulous legs! Congratulations on all of your success. Sue

Hi: I feel like one of the luckiest bandsters. My surgeon and his office staff and his partner (his Dad) are fabulous and they would never pull this kind of crap. If they're not supportive now they probably won't be when you need them even more - post surgery. Please do yourself a favor and find a new surgeon. Good luck. Sue

gingerkid: You might want to try and get up in the middle of night and have a big drink of Water. I think that sleeping a long time dries out the pouch and that is what makes it so difficult to swallow things in the morning. I sat in the sun for a couple of hours today and didn't bring a drink with me. When I got home I took three sips of iced tea and it all came back up. Again, I think my pouch got dry and made it difficult. Mention it to your doctor and see what he/she says. Sue

I take the Centrum adult chewable. The non-chewables are too big and they seem to stay in my pouch forever - burping, yucky! Good luck. Sue