Sue Magoo

Lauren: Sounds like a good idea to get medical attention. You can have serious problems if you get dehydrated. Does your lapband doctor have 24/7 answering service? Mine does and he tells us to make sure we call him if there's a problem, no matter when. That's what they're there for. I hope all goes well. Let us know how you make out. Sue

Anyalee: I wouldn't bother with buffet because I can eat so little. If you really want chinese why don't you order a couple of your favorites, take them home, and divide them up into zip loc bags for some very small meals. You could probably get three or four things and put them together to eat for a week of suppers. Or, if you don't mind wasting money go to the buffet and have a bite of this and a bite of that. Small bites, chew chew, chew, wait between bites, and enjoy! Sue

Thanks for the inspiration and congratulations on your success. Sue

Hi Lori Ann: I go to Dr. Adam Glasgow. Dr. Arthur has helped me a couple of times when I had minor problems. They're both very nice. Maybe I'll see you at support group some time in the future. Hope all of the testing and surgery goes smoothly for you. I live in Norwood, so we're practically neighbors. Take care. Sue

Hi: Thanks for the challenge. I'm in too! Big day today into the 220's. I'm now within shooting range of 100 pounds lost since April. Yippee! name ...... starting# ....... current#.........goal#.......togo# Rainer...........264................264..............248.........16 wombat712....154.8.............154.8............140.........14.8 LessnLess......172................172..............164.........8 metawnny......252................252..............240.........12 Skinny_Jill......195.................195.............180..........15 Candle .........218.................218..............207.........11 KarenG..........207.................207.............199...........8 Hopping to it .350.................314.............294..........20 SWEETY........180.................180.............170..........10 juliegeraci.......220.................220.............210..........8 Trystelle.........219.................219.............205..........14 Susan4794......240.................240............225..........15 rharriet...........367.................256.............248..........8 nip50.............250..................250............238..........12 keekahari........220.................220.............205..........15 Hollyberries.....298.................298.............285..........13 Stacy73.........230.................230.............222..........8 Irishmae11......233.................233.............219..........14 jfran...............187.................187............177..........10 liz_hager.........202.................202............190...........12 Sue Magoo......230.................229............220............9

Great start Big-D! Congratulations and welcome to bandland. Sue

Yes. They are very nice over at Glasgow & Glasgow LLP. I have BCBS too. However, my BMI was 51 when I started. I went to the first seminar in March, appointment with Dr. Adam Glasgow in April, many tests between May to June, and finally banded end of July 07. Now, 93 pounds lighter. However, I still have a long way to go. Have any more questions, just let me know. I'll try to answer. Sue

Hi Tracie: I am a patient of Dr. Adam Glasgow. Can't say enough good things about both Dr. Adam and Dr. Arthur. Their staff is very good too. Let me know if you have any questions. I'm considering myself to be an experienced bandster at this point, but I'm still in my rookie year. Sue

Fairydust: Bella seems to be doing a great job. I think what they say about hitting a plateau is to change things. Exercise more or journal what you are eating to make sure extra calories aren't slipping in and increase the Water you drink. One of my friends told me to change the foods I was eating and that seemed to help. I know that I get into ruts with my menu sometimes because I think of eating as a requirement, not something that I enjoy anymore, so I just try to make it as easy as possible. For instance, I buy a box of Cereal. I portion it out into plastic cups with covers and throw them in my bag for work. I will eat one of them each day at work. So, though convenient, I get into these ruts of eating the same things each day. Good luck getting past your plateau. Sue

Stephanie: Congratulations. I'm looking forward to being in your size. Sue

WillyWonka: My port incision is below my breast bone - down about an inch from there. I have a bigger scar than you though - mine is 3 1/4 inches. I had a hiatal hernia too, maybe they opened up there to fix it - don't know why my scar is so big. Sue

I was on all liquids for two weeks post surgery. Didn't feel like eating, but forced myself to have Protein shakes & lots of snapple sugar free peach tee - yummmm. At the beginning of your post you asked for suggestions. I wish I knew that my doctor would be using staples because I would have requested stitches instead. Second, I wish I had more anti-nausea meds, or stayed with them longer because I had nausea issues the first 24 hours. Good luck. You are on your way. Sue

Teresa: When I asked my surgeon about it he said it is referred pain from the esophogus. He said there's a nerve that runs along the side of the esophogus that goes up through the left shoulder. He said I must have irritated my esophogus and that caused the pain in my shoulder. I've had it about ten times since I was banded and it can be very painful. Thankfully, it doesn't usually last too long. I hope it doesn't happen too many times for you. Take care. Sue

Candi: I didn't have diarrhea issues. I suppose though if you've been on all liquids that would make sense. I did the sugar free carnation instant breakfast too. I drank a ton of snapple diet iced tea, but my band being done in July made me want to drink cold stuff anyway. I can remember how tough the post-surgery liquid diet was. Those first mushy foods were the best! I got my band done at Caritas Norwood Hospital in July. I go to Dr. Adam Glasgow. He's part of a Father and Son team. He's the son. He and his Dad are wonderful. They seem like they genuinely care about their patients. Their office staff is very nice too. They have a monthly support group. Hope all goes well for you. Remember, take it easy as you're still healing. Sue

Candi: Welcome to bandland. I'm from Norwood, MA. I'd be glad to try to answer any questions you have. I consider myself to be an experienced bandster at this point, but I'm sure I still have alot to learn too. Happy New Year! Sue

Ilene: I went through food withdrawal too. I got very depressed, then went through the bitchy stage. Exercise helps because it gets you focused on something that is positive instead of thinking about the "what I can't have's". I'm 5 months out and glad that I did it, and look forward to a much healthier 2008. Time will help these sad feelings pass. Take care. Sue

Great start Heavy! Congratulations. Sue

Gweniper: Congrats for making your goal. Update - I didn't reach my short term goal of 230, but I'm at 231.6, close enough for me. Next challenge - losing 100 by 1/26/08 my 6 month bandiversary. Congratulations to all of you that met and exceeded your goals. And to those of us who didn't, keep on plugging away. Think of it positively. I'm positive that I gained ten pounds during the Holiday season of 2006, this year I actually lost. Here's to seeing less of all of you in 2008! Sue

010308: I thought that the two weeks after surgery were a great time for some housekeeping, though not hard scrubbing. It was a great time to go through closets and put things in boxes for somebody else to carry out of the house. I think my Dr. said no lifting anything more than ten pounds until after stitches were removed (approx. 10 - 14 days out). Good luck. Sue

Dandy1: I am certainly not an expert, but here's my thoughts on this. The lap band is all done at the upper part of the stomach, so I'm thinking that a prior tummy tuck wouldn't interfere at all with the lap band. Take care. Sue

Kyteachjules: I belch like a champion! It probably has to do with the fact that I still chew gum. I think that belching is one of my "soft signals" that I've had enough food too. Your weight loss is great so far - 48 pounds! Keep up the good work. Sue

Catie: I second what Josiebies said. The exercise really kicks up the weight loss. Not only that, but it helps relieve stress too. I walk 4 to 5 miles 6 days per week. I usually do a mile in the morning, two miles during lunch hour, and another mile in the afternoon. Then at night I try to get on my eliptical for at least ten minutes. I got a great MP3 player and put some great walking music on it and off I go. Hope all goes well for you. Sue

Monica: Don't get too discouraged. I lost 38 pounds before surgery and gained 9 pounds the first three days postop. It was all Fluid retention. It's been coming off nicely since then. Everyone will be seeing less of us in 2008. Sue

Grace: Congratulations! You should be very proud of your accomplishments. Sue

AudricIan: I noticed that you posted that you have lateral epicondylitis. I have medial and lateral epicondylitis in both arms. I think I injured both arms using an exercise machine. My left arm was really bad so I had surgery in December 2006. What a huge difference. I'm so glad I had it taken care of. Took 6 weeks to recover and then about 4 months of physical therapy, but the pain is gone in my left arm unless I'm very cold and then it aches a little bit. So much better than the constant pain I had before. My right arm isn't as bad as the left was so I'm living through that occasional pain. The surgeon that I had said that 50% of the time the surgery isn't successful, so I'm glad mine was. Good luck with your sore arm and also with your band. Sue