Sue Magoo

Jen: I have issues with left shoulder pain sometimes too. My doctor told me that there is a nerve that goes by your esophogus and up past your left shoulder. He said that if your esophogus is irritated it can send the pain right up to your shoulder with this nerve. So, it could be that your esophogus is irritated because of your fill, or because of what you've eaten after the fill. I find that a good hot shower can help with the pain, or a heating pad. Most of all, though it's eating small bites, and small portions, and chewing things until they're mush. I find that sometimes if I have an episode of sliming and pb'ing that my left shoulder aches. Funny though, I recently had a gall bladder attack and found that I get pain in the right shoulder when my gall stones are acting up. I'm having my gall bladder out on 4/17, so while I imagine the pain will be worse for a few days, I don't expect to have the right shoulder pain again. I hope your pain goes away soon. Good luck. Sue

Pat: I know what you mean about wanting to tell other big people about lap band. I wish someone had told me about it so that I would have known about it sooner. I think it would have been a bit embarassing to hear from a stranger, but it would have informed me. There's alot more press about lap band now than there was a year ago. I'll bet the commercials on tv have helped alot of people find out about it. I advertise too, because whenever anybody comments on how great I look I tell them that I got a lap band. But, like you I couldn't walk up and tell a big person about it. Best wishes for your continued success. Sue

BrandyII: I think that a new start with a complete unfill, and a new commitment by you and your band doctor (maybe a new band doctor) should help alot. Seems like you never got off on the right foot, so I hope that your doctor will help you through this difficult period. I know that it can work, and cannot imagine I could make it work if I was going through the difficulties you've been going through. I hope you get a chance for a new start with a doctor that really wants to help you through the process. Best wishes for a better band experience for you soon. Sue

I would love to maintain my weight without having to obsess over the scale each morning. I would love to have PS so that I can feel attractive in a sexy way, and then find a man that will want me to do some mattress dancing with him with my fine, flat tummy! On the less self-centered side, I have a sister with Multiple Sclerosis whose only Daughter has severe Cerebral Palsy. I'm hoping to be strong enough to help them both if my sister is unable to lift her Daughter anymore. Hard work, lots of $$$ for plastic surgery, strength training, and some self esteem and maybe all my goals will be achieved.:tongue_smilie: Best wishes to everyone to achieve their own goals. Sue

Bill's wife: You might consider putting on a rain coat or using an umbrella. I've found that if I let the weather interfere with my walking I won't walk. Surely you won't melt?:tongue_smilie: Hope you feel better soon. Sue

Congratulations. I'm so jealous, but I hope to join you in Onederland at the end of April. Sue

Their support group has never been as crowded as it was this past Tuesday. There's usually about half as many people as were there. I prefer it when there's less people - more personal, less rushed. Again, good luck on 4/8. Take care. Sue

Hi: I'm picking size 12. I started at 324 and I will end up wherever the size 12 fits comfortably. I'm guessing that it will be around 160'ish for my 5'7" frame, but I don't really know. I'm 48 years old, so I don't need to be a size 8 or 10. I'm pear shaped, so if I lose too much I'll probably be too thin on the top. I'll have to see what the future holds. Right now I'm focusing on getting to 199 first. Ten pounds to go, and I haven't lost any in one week - grrrrrr. Sue

Mamaof3: I got my band in Norwood by Dr. Adam Glasgow. They really do a good job over there. I assume you're having one of the Drs. Glasgow too. They're both wonderful. Good luck on the 8th. Maybe I'll see you at support group, or maybe I've already met you over there. Sue

Lisa: I checked out your blog. Very interesting. You're quite talented with all of the graphics. Congratulations on your weight loss. Keep up the good work. It's so worth it! I weigh just a little less than you, but I've been as high as 324 (yucko) and 209 feels much better than 324. In fact, 209 feels better than 215, 214, 213, 212, 211, and 210. Every pound helps. Sue

Smileelee: Congratulations. You're doing great! I was banded last July, but am 11 months out from starting my diet and my new life. I am down 115 pounds now. I have about 50 to go. Size 12 is my goal, and it will probably be when I weigh around 160, but not really sure. Tell me, how does the strength training work for you? I have been walking and using eliptical exclusively. I'm going to have my gall bladder removed in three weeks. After I recover from that I'm thinking about doing something different for exercise - strength training. Please tell me what you do and how it feels. You and I must have the same size band because our fill levels are similar. I believe I'm at 1.8 cc's in my band that holds maximum 4 cc's. Again, congratulations on your loss. Please drop me a line when you have a few minutes to tell me about your strength training. You're so close to Onederland! Sue

Hope4Joy: I started at 324 and I'm now 209, so down 115 in eleven months. I feel that the lap band has far fewer risk factors. In addition, I still think that one of those smart scientists is going to come up with something that will be a pill, or something easy like that in the future. So, I don't want to do any permanent changes to my anatomy. Do you? Best wishes for whichever way you end up going. Me, personally, I would look for a different surgeon. Good luck. Sue

Julie: Congratulations. You'll have to share all of the details and pictures with those of us who hope to have ps in the future. Stay away from germs, and rest up so that you can heal quickly. Take care. Sue

I think you should call your doctor. I hope you feel better soon. Sue

Hi: I've been wearing longjohns under my pants every day since November. I find that I'm freezing if I don't have them on, especially when I'm walking outside in New England. However, they keep me warm sitting at my desk too. I think it's great that I hardly sweat anymore! Sue

I was on liquids 10 days or 2 weeks pre-op. No need for the yucky colon cleansing the day before surgery. Good luck. Sue

Moonshadow2468: May you be casting less shadow soon. Quick recovery. Sue

Hi: Unfortunately I have one of those common weight loss side effects - gall stones. I'm going to have my gall bladder out in April. I hope it weighs 10 pounds! Other than that, I was really tired the first three weeks, but I think that is common with any surgery and healing. I've also become a shop-a-holic because I outgrow clothes pretty fast. Best wishes to you to have that "clothes falling off of me" problem. Sue

Tim: Congratulations! You look fabulous! I was banded two days before you. I've lost 115 since I started dieting on April 23rd, and I weigh 209 now. Congratulations again. You are looking good. Sue

Becca: I had to laugh because I can so relate to this bath issue. I haven't taken a bath in about six months because of the "cold tummy" issue. Now that I'm down near 200 I think I'll try again. Thanks for the laugh. Sue

Bea1128: When the bigger clothes are too big to wear get rid of them - donate them. You'll see. You're never going to need those big ones again. Congratulations and best wishes. Sue

ICU Nurse: I was drinking sf carnation instant Breakfast drinks made with skim milk for Protein after surgery. Heal well. Sue

Heather: Congratulations. Keep it up and your wishes will come true. Sue

Manatee: You look great as is. Congratulations on your success. Sue

Hi: If you go on the Inamed website and look on the lap band page there is a section where you put in your location and they'll tell you where the lap band trained surgeons are for your area. Good luck. Sue