Sue Magoo

Congratulations Chilly!

Bloo: You'll be much happier when you've lost alot of the weight. Take it from me down to 217 from 324. So, please know that you're doing it for your happiness and nobody else's. You deserve it. Keep all of those foods out of the house that you shouldn't have. Instead, load up the freezer with sugar free popsicles. They're life savers. Hope things get better for you. Sue

Hi: Half of the battle is admitting that you have a problem and coming up with a plan to solve it. I would start with scheduling a fill and put yourself in a positive spirit. Being negative, ashamed, embarrassed is not a good way to start. Why not say "I messed up, but I'm going to change starting today". You could start by increasing your exercise before you get a new fill. Good luck. Sue

Hi: I am in a rut too. I can't wait to see everyone's responses. I still love having instant oatmeal or cream of wheat for Breakfast. Doesn't get any easier than boiling Water. I love having a half of a porkchop and veggie for supper, or Smart One's chicken broccoli ziti - yum! Those are my favorites right now. Sue

Chickie: Congratulations. Thank you for sharing so much on this site. You've inspired alot of us. I hope to be able to post like you three years post op. Thanks again. Sue

jfran: You've been inspiring people here on LBT too. Congratulations. I'm sure it makes you feel good. You're not only doing good things for yourself, but they have a positive effect on others. Take care. Sue

I second on the Snapple Diet Peach Iced Tea. Yummy. I try to catch it on sale though because it's a bit expensive. Sue

Karey: You go girl! I hope to have tummy tuck some day too. I'm still a long way from goal though. I will keep an eye on this posting to see your progress. You're already a very pretty woman. You're probably going to be a knockout when you're all done. Take care. Sue

Hi: I get bad leg cramps when my potassium is low. When I start getting leg cramps I have a half of a banana a couple of days in a row and the problem seems to take care of itself. Good work on the exercise. I'm walking my a$$ off too. Sue

Citigirl: Yipes! So aggressive of a first fill. I hope all goes well. Take care, and do be extra careful. Sue

Teresa: I had a hiatal hernia repair too. I didn't have bad shoulder pain until about a month after surgery when I was on the mushy stage for eating. I had tuna w/mayo and it got stuck. I didn't have any fill yet. My shoulder pain was so bad I called Dr and he said to go to emergency room to make sure my band was okay. I had a horrible night, lots of throwing up, and they gave me some morphine for the pain (I didn't ask, and was surprised that they offered it, but I accepted because pain was so bad for several hours). They gave me a ct scan, and I threw up the contrast liquid too. Eventually they said ct scan was fine, went home throwing up all the way. In the morning I called doctor again and he said I better go and have a swallow test to make sure band was still in position because I had thrown up so much. It was fine. I was on all liquids for four days after that. Now, occasionally if I pb I get shoulder pain, but hardly ever. It does get much better. Take care. Sue

Miss April: I take a drug called Omeprazole for reflux. It is great. Now that I've been banded and lost 105 pounds I cut back and only take this medication every other day. Is it possible you have a hiatal hernia? That, too can cause reflux. Good luck fixing this problem. Your doctor should know the right thing to do. Take care. Sue

Hi: My port incision is about two inches below my breast bone, so the middle. Then, I have four small poke hole scars. Sue

Cynthia: I am a McC** too! Get used to the burping. I burp at least 100 times per day. Sometimes I burp when I'm hungry. Sometimes I burp when I've just eaten. It's crazy, but I think it's worth it in the long run. Sue

Marie: I was 324 to start, and 287 at surgery, and I got the smaller Inamed band. I'm at 219 now. I actually had some restriction before getting fills. In fact, I got stuck with tuna that was very mushy when I was on mushy stages. So, be careful. I have a friend whose son is banded. He was banded a week after me. He must have a much larger band. He's not lost as much as me - about 20 pounds behind me. I know that he can eat alot more than I can. In fact, she said he ate a steak & cheese sub the other day. It hurts for me to even think of eating something like that. I'm glad though that I can't because I would be tempted if I could. Good wishes with your small band. I love mine! Sue

Gilta: I have a hard time with Pasta and rice. They're not so good for me anyway, so bye bye rice and pasta. I have had toasted bread and that's okay for me. I don't dare try bread that is untoasted. Good luck. Sue

Congratulations Teresa! Way to go. I hope to join you in onederland in April. Please save me a spot. Sue

YoungNy: The pain is minimal. However, the fatigue is worse than the pain. I was exhausted for about 6 weeks. But, that was just me. Try to plan to "baby" yourself for a couple of months while your body is adjusting. Go to bed early, take Vitamins, get the nutrition that you need to sustain. I started a modified weight watchers type diet 3 months before surgery and lost 38 pounds before my surgery. I walk alot. My family was very supportive. I was so big I think they were just happy that I was doing something about it instead of slowly eating myself to death. I think it's the best thing I've done since I had my baby twenty years ago. I hope all goes well for you. Sue

Maryrose: Isn't it great when things get too big! Congratulations. Sue

Drs. Adam and Arthur Glasgow, Norwood, MA are great. I think they've done about 100 lap bands over the past two and a half years. They're caring, and they have great staff, and offer pre-surgical lap band seminar, as well as post surgery lap band support groups. Good luck. Sue

Squirral: I hope you get relief soon. You don't want to get dehydrated. Take care. Sue

Kim: Thanks for the suggestions. Sue

Sarah and Chiqui: I think I walked my ass off, literally. I started walking just a half hour each day. Now I'm up to 2 hours per day, 6 days per week. During the week I do it in four or five sessions. Three times a day I walk 15 to 20 minutes each, and during my lunch hour I walk for 50 minutes. Then, whatever's left I walk at night, or go on the dreaded eliptical machine. I got a great MP3 player - a Zune by Dell. I love, love, love it. I listen to great music and the time passes quicker. Popsicles have helped save my life. sugar free, of course. I love all of them, but especially the pineapple one's. Another trick I learned, if I feel hungry at night and want to keep eating, I just go to bed earlier than usual. Or, at least go watch tv in bed instead of being in the living room - too close to the kitchen. Another thing, I have a great Daughter. She's in college, and stays there during the week, but comes home each weekend. If she leaves any "goodies" behind I make sure that I bring them to one of my neighbors on Monday when I get home so that I'm not tempted. Those are a few of my tricks. Let me know when you develop some of your own. The more we share, the more success we'll all have. Sue

Does anybody know where there are pictures to show the difference in the ports? I don't know which kind I have and was hoping if I could see one I could figure it out because I can feel alot of my port. Please share if you know, or post pictures of them. Thanks. Sue

Hi: For me it was 3 months. Good luck. Sue