Sue Magoo

Hannah: I just got home from support group meeting. The surgeon brought up colds and flu season and spoke about how the post nasal drip can cause the band to get too tight with inflamation. He said you're better off to give a call, get a small unfill, and then get it filled back up in a week after you feel better. I just wanted to let you know what the surgeon said because it was only an hour ago. I hope you feel better soon. Sue

Hi Thindolphin: I'm in Massachusetts and I have Blue Cross Blue Shield. Good luck. Sue

I took two weeks off from work but I combined my surgery with a two-week by the pool vacation. I could have returned to work after a few days, but it wouldn't have been as much fun! Sue

I'm getting braver! The first one is from July 2007 three days after surgery in my DD's messy room weight was approx. 287. I lost 38 pounds before I was banded. Thankfully I don't have any pictures from my high of 324 pounds. The second one is from this past weekend, 7 months post surgery, ten months dieting, weight approx. 218. Still quite heavy:redface:, but did you notice those collar bones, LOL! If anyone knows how to make them smaller, please do. Thanks. Gotta run - support group tonight. Sue

Barelovers: Congratulations. You're starting your journey to a healthier you. Try to relax, and do get your nest ready for some restful, comfy days. Change your sheets, put the softest blankets and pillows on the bed. If you have a recliner, put sheets and soft blankets on that too because it might be more comfy for sleeping the first couple of days. Make alot of ice cubes, and make sure you have sugar free popsicles. Check out the t.v. guide to see what's coming on in the next few days. Or, go rent some dvd's to watch. Rest, rest, rest so that you heal well. Take care, Sue

Molly: Way to go! It's these NSV's that keep us going. Thanks for sharing because on days that we don't have our own NSV's we can get inspiration from those who do. Thanks again. Sue

Hi Fed Cop: Welcome. Feel free to ask questions. I've been banded for 7 months and have been doing great! I love my band! Sue

Hi: Sorry if this is too graphic. PB is a productive burp. It's not quite vomiting, but it is puking up whatever is in your pouch. The food hasn't quite made it into your stomach to mix with all of the acids in your stomach, so it's more like regurgitation than regular vomiting. I slime if I eat too fast, or too much at once. But primarily if I eat too fast. I think of it as a visit from my spit snake. It's really gross because it's very thick (kind of like egg white) spit. It quite often is followed by a pb. I wish you well. Sue

Hi: I suggest that you go and join Weight Watchers so that you can learn to eat right. If you practice portion control and smarter eating practices maybe you can lose weight without being banded. I would try that first because you may not need to be banded if you could eat better. Sometimes our body tries to hold onto calories if it thinks it's in starvation mode. It goes into starvation mode if you eat only once per day. The lap band won't work if you're going to eat only once per day. I hope it works out for you. Sue

Hi: I can feel my port, but I cannot feel my band, and don't expect to ever be able to feel the band. My doctor told me the band is up under your rib cage. Sue

Staindgal: I could have written most of this ten months ago, but now I feel so much better about myself now that I'm down 107 pounds. I cannot tell if you are banded by your message. If not, I hope it happens soon. If already banded, get back on plan and let the band do half of the work and you do the other half. I hope things improve for you. I'm sure that there's someone in those pictures that deserves to lose the weight and have a fuller life. Take care. Sue

Hi Rain: Sorry you got sick. Good thing it was on a donut though. Cold day in hell before I eat tuna fish again because of getting stuck, dr. sent me to e.r., had to have a cat scan, morphine for pain, etc. That happened my second week on mushies post surgery - hadn't even been filled yet. I wish it had been something good, like a donut! Too bad ice cream, potato chips, and chocolate chip Cookies don't get stuck easy:wink_smile:! Willpower and smart choices keep us going, but every once in a while a person needs a small treat. I can remember before support group one week a woman was talking about having eaten an entire whopper at burger king. I was almost sick thinking about the pain that would have caused me. She said it went down fine. Better luck next time you eat something yummy:ohmy:! Sue

Amy: How inspirational! You look fabulous. Congratulations. Now take a rest and give yourself time to heal. Take care and thanks for sharing your pics. Sue

Hi: I told everyone, and they're all complementary and supportive and have been the entire time. I think it helps that they can see my commitment to changing my unhealthy habits. They see me walking all the time and eating small amounts. As of this morning I've lost 107 pounds and that's since last April 23rd. So, ten months since I started dieting. I was banded 7/26/07. Since banding I've lost 70 pounds. I'm averaging 2.4 pounds per week since starting last April. So, screw what others think or say. Work the band and exercise and you'll have success. Take care. Sue

Julie: You should be very proud of your accomplishments. You've come a long way. It sounds like you've made many improvements in your life, not just on your weight. I hope you continue with your success. In addition, thanks for sharing because your postings are inspirational. Thanks again and congratulations. You're so close to onederland! Sue

Kevin: You should call your doctor and see what he/she says. You're probably too tight. I hope you find some relief soon. Sue

I mean that you sound like you are too tight! Being too tight for too long can lead to band complications, like slippage and erosion. So, please take care of yourself and your band. As long as you can keep liquids down you're not totally stuck. If you get to a point that you cannot swallow anything go to the e.r. so that you don't get dehydrated. I hope you feel better soon. Sue

Why don't you call your doctor and have him decide what is best. I'm very fortunate because my doctor will always call back, or his partner will, 24/7. Maybe you do need a slight unfil. Be careful because it sounds like you're in trouble with your band now. I had one fill similar to this, and funny, because it was my third fill. I had to get a small unfill and three weeks later got 1/2 of what they took out, and now I'm back up to where it was when it was too tight. I hope you get some relief soon. Sue

Nikki: Thanks. I don't have a natural foods store nearby, but I'll check in the natural foods section of my supermarket. Sounds like it would be yummy with fruit, honey, and/or granola mixed in. It sure is full of Protein. Sue

Fabulous! Congratulations. Sue

Ronwifey: I stayed overnight. I think it's probably best to have someone keep an eye on you. I had big issues with nausea, so I didn't sleep much. Glad they were there to give me the medicine to finally make my nausea subside. They also made me do the barium swallow the next morning before being cleared to go home. Take care. Sue

Can you tell me what Greek Yogurt is like? Please compare it to regular yogurt. Consistency? Calories? Fat? I've seen a few people post that they eat Greek Yogurt and I have no clue and haven't noticed it in the grocery store. Thanks. Sue

Queenie: You should probably ask your surgeon what he thinks of drinking before surgery. REmember, the more you lose before the surgery the less risk and easier for them to manipulate your liver to get to the area they need to band. My two cents, but you asked. Hope all goes well for you. Sue

Hi: I think if you've got the right restriction free meals & free days won't matter. I cannot overeat and keep it down. If you can, you probably need a fill. If I want something, I have it. I don't have much of it, but I have it. Sue

Lauren87: Hi Lauren: I just wanted to ask you if your psychologist knows that this surgery isn't that hard on a person? While you won't be up to the energy level you're probably used to, you could probably easily go back to your routine in less than 6 weeks. I started at 324 and had my surgery last July. I had two weeks off from work and was just a bit tired in the afternoons, but other than that felt pretty good. Good luck. Sue