Sue Magoo

RonKat: I'm sure things will be fine. I think the pain is very manageable. I didn't take anything more than liquid tylenol after the first night. I'm sure I'll be jealous of you soon because I am guessing by your name that you are a man, and men lose so fast! Take care, and get moving soon after surgery to get rid of the gas. Sue

Hi Frenchvanilla: I have BCBS and they covered all except for $500 for overnight hospital copayment and $175 for the pre-op psych appointment. I had to have a sleep apnea overnight study too and that was covered in full. I don't even have a copay when I go in for fills - they're free for me. I feel like I'm a success story so far. I started at 324 back in April. I got banded on 7/26 and weighted 287 the day of banding. This morning I was 231.5, so I'm very close to losing 100 pounds in 9 months. It's much easier with the band than without. I hope all goes well with your bcbs and selecting the right surgeon. I think that can make all the difference in the world. My surgeon is in a practice with his Dad. If one of them isn't available, the other one is. They have a great office staff. They have monthly support group meetings at their office that are free to attend. I think that what you can learn from the other bandsters is so important. This site is great, but it's nice to see some of the bandsters face-to-face too. Best wishes. Sue

Candle: Have you considered an eliptical instead of a treadmill? I don't know what it's like where you live or work, but I walk around work and around at home. I like the eliptical for working out on. It's very challenging. I was fortunate because my Sister had one that she was using as a clothes rack, so I borrowed hers. I think that some people sell them on Craigslist used too. I hope you find something that you enjoy working out on. Take care. Sue

ebar822: You're probably gone now and on your way to a thinner, healthier, more active you. Best wishes for a quick recovery. Please follow your doctors orders for post op and you will be fine. Get lots of rest while you are healing. Take care. Sue

Hi: Welcome to band land. I'm surprised that you're eating soft foods already. All the doctors are different. I was on liquids for a couple of weeks, then soft/pureed foods. I have issues when I eat too fast still. So, I use a one-minute timer between bites. I bought a few of them on UnclesGames.com has board games, card games, jigsaw puzzles, dominoes, dice, and much, much more. They only cost about $1.50 each. They help me to be able to eat without sliming and pbing after by slowing me down alot. Hope all works out. Keep us posted after you see the doctor. Sue

Update... Name...........Chall. Start Wt........Current......Chall. Goal...........To Go Sue Magoo .................... 243.............231.5................230............1.5

Brianne: I am so jealous! I wish I was at the same restriction that you are. Sounds like you've hit the sweet spot. Sue

Hi: Mine was inpatient - overnight one night only. Sue

Rain: I was shoveling on Thursday (about 7 inches of dry, powdery snow), and again today (about five inches of very heavy snow after freezing rain on top) and my port is fine. My lower back is another story. Winter in New England! Sue

Minnesotalady: I would try to remember why you wanted to be banded in the first place to give you inspiration to get down the stretch. For me, my niece inspires me. She was born prematurely 15 years ago at 1 lb. 13 ozs. Unfortunately, she has severe cerebral palsy. She uses an electric wheelchair to get around with a control panel in the headrest that she uses to steer, go, stop, turn, etc. Her Mom recently found out she has multiple sclerosis. Neither one of them let their health issues get them down. They motivate me every day to be the best that I can be. They'll be needing me to help them down the road, so I have to be a healthier me to be here for my Daughter and also for them. That motivates me. So, put your headphones on and go for a long walk and think about how fortunate you are that you can walk, my niece Danielle has never walked. Don't be down on yourself. Fifty-seven pounds is a great accomplishment. If you weren't banded you could weigh twenty or thirty pounds heavier than your starting weight. Remember, it's not a race. I think if you consider your success so far it can be motivating going forward. Here's to your success so far, and also to getting to your goal in the future. Sue

Mr. James: I could have gone back to work in a week if I had to. I had plenty of time so I took two weeks off. I took advantage of being able to relax around the pool at the complex where I live. I was banded in July though. I could have gone back to work sooner but let me tell you that I was very tired each afternoon and took a two hour nap each afternoon for those two weeks. I think the body needs extra rest to heal properly. Best wishes for a quick recovery. Sue

Congratulations. I see that you have a new Cowboy fan in the house. I have to tell you that even though I live in Patriot land my ex-husband is a huge Cowboy fan. He goes to a game every year. I was nervous when I was expecting my only child, for fear that she was a he, because his name would have been Dallas! Fortunately, her name is Katrina. Congratulations, and won't it be nice to get down on the floor and play with your boys because you are slimming down. Look forward to seeing pics. Sue

Vanessa: I know you might think this is crude, but just let it rip! If you try to supress it you'll be more uncomfortable. Hope the gas subsides soon for you. I've never burped like I have since I was banded. Unfortunately it continues to happen for me. I think that it's one of my "soft" signs that I'm full, however I wish it would start sooner so that the burping doesn't last for a half hour. I still wouldn't trade my band in, not even for a billion burps! Wishing you success with your band. Sue

TX Bandit: I think I was getting depressed because I missed large quantities of delicious food. I still do sometimes. Then I think about the pounds I've lost and usually it goes away quickly. Sometimes if I go outside walking it helps too. Good luck. Sue

DNA: I had nausea right after surgery over the first 24 hours. I think it may have been due to the pain medication as I have a very low tolerance for that. If you have nausea issues tell your surgeon so that he can give you all of the medication possible to try to counteract the nausea. I haven't had any nausea issues since then. Good luck with your surgery and weight loss. Sue

Anitak: Another thing you might try is to put any food you are going to eat in a small container. If the container is smaller you might feel full faster - mind game, but it can help. Ignore your Mom for now. Remind her that everyone's different and they only want you to lose 1 - 2 pounds per week and you're right on schedule for that. Are you exercising? It helps alot. Good luck. Sue

Brenda: I live in Norwood, MA. I am cold all the time. I bought a bunch of pairs of long johns for women and I wear them under my clothes every day. I wear two pairs of socks most days too. I never had issues like this before. I'm thinking it's all of the insulation I've lost. I recommend long johns. It may help. Good luck....bbbrrrrrrr! Sue

Reesh: Sounds like you need to have a slight unfill. You need to be able to eat enough to get the nutrients to stay healthy. Please call your doctor or you're risking a bad situation with your band. Best wishes. Sue

I finally figured out how to update the chart. I had to get an unfill on Friday because I was so tight I couldn't eat supper two nights and was starting to get a reflux sore throat. So, now I'm on mushies for a few days. Hopefully won't set me back. Wow - alot of us are doing great with the challenge! Name.............S.W.........C.W........G.W......T o Go Dakota1984 ..... 246 ....... 242 ....... 234 ..... 8 MJSafari ....... 237 ....... 231 ....... 227 ..... 4 Wombat712 ...... 162 ....... 159.6...... 150 ..... 9.6 SueMagoo ....... 243 ....... 235 ....... 230 ..... 5 Missrhondalynn.. 255 ....... 255 ....... 235 ..... 20 MM ............. 213.4...... 209.6...... 208 ..... 1.6 BeckieT ........ 248.8 ..... 247.8 ..... 240 ..... 7.8 Suzzzie. ....... 312.1 ..... 307.3 ..... 299 ..... 8.3 HUNTERSMOM...... 170 ....... 170 ....... 165 ..... 5 LULUC .......... 182 ....... 182 ....... 170 ..... 12 SWEETY ......... 188 ....... 182.6 ..... 180 ..... 2.6 Joeygirl........ 226 ....... 223....... 220 ...... 3 FarmerE......... 182 ....... 177 ....... 172 ..... 10 Finallythin..... 235 ....... 235 ....... 220 ..... 15 Holliwagz........386.........297.........286...... 11

KelinTX: Funny that you said you seem to be losing from the bottom more than the top. I started at 324 and as of this morning was 235 and I'm shrinking from the top down. I look like an average-sized person from the ribs up, and like a very large woman from the ribs down. I can wear a Large top, but am wearing size 20W on the bottom! I heard that as you get close to goal is when it "melts" off the heaviest part. I hope that's true. Keep up the good work. Sue

Linda: Congratulations. Sounds like you've made the right decision. I hope all goes well with your appointments. I am glad every day that I got banded. I still have a long way to go. Keep looking at the before & after pictures on this website. They can inspire you through the rough band days. Best wishes. Sue

September: Best wishes to you. Welcome to band land. Sue

Hi Kara: I started my journey last January - had to wait for informational seminar until end of February. Had first consultation with surgeon in April, and had surgery in July. So, your time-frame seems reasonable to me. Some insurance companies have rules that must be followed, so you might want to check to see what their requirements are if you're using insurance. Some doctors have some prerequisite tests too. Mine had sleep apnea test, barium swallow, ekg, psychological test, and there may have been a few more tests. I can't remember them all. Good luck with your journey. Sue

Bubblegum: The more you can take off before the surgery the safer the surgery will be. What the doctor told me is that when they do the lapband they have to lift your liver and do alot of work under the liver. So, if you lose weight before you get banded the liver is one of the first places to shrink. So, if the liver is smaller the surgery is easier, thereby less risky. I did a modified weight watchers thing for three months, and then the two week all liquid presurgery diet. I lost 38 pounds before my surgery. Good luck. Sue

Jennie: I'm 5'7". I started out at 324 and I'm down to 232.5 this morning. I didn't update my ticker yet. I think I'll be happy at 160, or size 12 - whichever comes first. I started doing a modified weight watchers diet on 4/23, so in 7 1/2 months I've lost 91.5 pounds and I feel much better - physically and mentally. I get inspired by looking at the before & after pictures. Take a look. Good luck. Sue