Sue Magoo

Missy: How did you make out with the bleeding? Please let us know. Thanks. Sue

Wilem: I'm getting a fill on Wednesday too, at least I hope I am. I am disgusted today with how much I can eat today. I've been out of control, and had little restriction. I can't wait to get restriction back! A bite of stuffing with gravy, a couple of bites of squash, and some cranberry sauce, and I'll be happy. Happy Holidays! Sue

Is it possible that you are not allowing enough time after eating, before going to bed, to let your pouch empty? My surgeon was mentioning this problem at our last support group. He said one of his patients was working late so he got home late, ate dinner, and went right to bed. He had bad reflux because of it. I hope that's your issue because that's probably an easy fix. If not, please call your doctor. Take care. Sue

Hi: I get left shoulder pain occasionally when I've eaten too fast, or too much. It must be my "soft stop". It is miserable. I couldn't answer the left or right port question because mine is in the middle between the bottom of my rib cage. My doctor told me that my shoulder pain is linked to irritating my esophogus, and a nerve that runs along my esophogus and by my left shoulder too. My shoulder pain usually goes away after I have a pb. Take care. Sue

Joho: Sorry about your troubles. My Sister, my bff, has had one episode with MS, so although they're 99% sure she has it, they won't technically say that she has it until she has another episode. She has lesions on her spine that effect her left arm, and of course, she's left handed. Shortly after it started to bother her they put her on steroids too. The thing that I wanted to tell you most of all though, is that she's been on copaxone since shortly after they figured out that she probably has ms and hasn't had an episode since (about 9 months). The numbness has dissipated some, but not all the way. My Sister is a very strong woman. God gave her a special child. My Neice has cerebral palsy (severely disabled - 15 years old - quadriplegic), and my Sister has always been very strong for Danielle. One of the reasons why I want to lose this burdensome weight is so that I can help my Sister and my Neice if my Sister gets sicker. But so far, the copaxone is helping tremendously. Please take a look online for copaxone and discuss it with your neurologist. My Sister has to give herself one injection per day, but there's very little side effects compared to some of the other choices. Best wishes for finding a successful drug treatment for you. Take care. Sue

Missy: You should probably call your doctor now. Hope everything turns out okay. Sue

Please keep us posted. Best wishes. Sue

Ouch! I hope you feel better, and that your next fill is more comfortable, or that you won't need another fill. Thanks for sharing your story. Good luck. Sue

Nancy: I always "wolfed" food down too. I still have issues with it even though I've been banded for almost 4 months. I have two tools that help me. First, I bought a bunch of baby spoons - ridiculous, but it helps. Second, I bought some one-minute, hourglass type timers. I bought them at unclesgames.com. They only cost $1.50 each. I got five of them so that I can always have one whether at home, at work, or at a friend's house. As I take a bite I tip the timer over and I cannot have another bite until the sand is all the way through. Seems silly, but it helps prevent sliming, and actually allows me to eat a bit more than if I didn't use it. If I eat too fast I can only get about four bites in before I start to suffer and have to stop eating. Good luck. Sue

Hi: I've been using the salvation army store to donate and also to buy "new" clothes. I can't see spending $40 to $50 for a pair of pants that will only fit for a few months. It's good to recycle. All I do is make sure I wash them before I wear them. I've already started collecting 18's, 16's, and 14's, and I'm wearing a 20 now. I started with 26/28. Don't forget to donate your old clothes and take the tax deduction too. Good luck. Sue

Hi: I'm hoping that I when I've lost enough weight I will feel attractive enough to want to date. I've been without a man for way too long. I certainly couldn't do it at 324, not yet either at 241, but we'll see how I feel at 160. I might have to wait for tummy tuck. Not the end of the world if I don't, but I can almost remember what butterflies in the stomach can feel like. They certainly feel better than alot of "fat" stomach feelings. I was married for twenty years and got divorced two years ago. It's scary to think about when you've only been with one man and even that was a long time ago. I also want to ice skate again. I haven't skated in 20+ years, but I grew up on a lake. I'm going to try that in January (???)after I've lost 100 pounds. I want to look for a new job too. I need to make a move before I hit 50 years old. I've been putting that off because of that assumption that fat people are lazy. I've always been a hard worker and I don't want people to make that untrue assumption. I want to be able to sit on the floor and get myself up without using furniture to crawl over to. I want to use a regular bath towel instead of a beach towel. I want to fit comfortably in a bathtub to be able to soak for hours. I want to be around to play with my grandchildren, though I don't have any yet, and probably won't for five or ten years. I have a Sister with MS. She has a Daughter with CP. I want to be able to help both of them with physical things when they need it. Those are some of the things keep me motivated to lose weight. Good luck to all of you achieving your goals and dreams. I'm on my way to a better me! Sue

I got a bunch of one minute (hourglass style) timers that I put next to me when I'm eating. I've slimed too many times and this helps me to slow down alot, which in turn helps me to be able to eat a little bit more per meal. If I don't pay attention I eat way too fast and have problems unless it is mushy food which doesn't stay with me long, so the one-minute timer is working for me. I found them online and they only cost $1.50 each. I have one at work too so that I eat slower at work too. If you need to know where to buy them, let me know and I'll look it up. Good luck. Sue

I've never had to get an unfil as I've only gotten one fill and am anxious to get my second one, but based on what I've read from the other bandsters you definitely need an unfil or else you'll get sick. Good luck, and welcome back to the bandwagon. Sue

I'm excited about having two NSV's on the same day. I put a ring on that I haven't worn in 20+ years and it fits comfortably. Then, for the second, and even more exciting NSV, I have a blouse on today that is an XL, that's right, not 3X, not 2X, not 1X, but XL and it's not even tight! I love my band!:nervous Sue

I'm eating anything that I want to, in small quantities of course. I was following a modified weight watchers for two and a half months prior to banding, then I went through two weeks prior to surgery of liquids only, then two weeks of liquids post surgery, then mushies, then no limitations on what I eat, only limited by my little band friend as to how much I can eat. Of course, I'm not mowing down Cookies, cake, and ice cream, because I want this to work. I have had an occasional cookie, and I was having frozen yogurt once a week, but I had to walk to get it, so I felt like I earned these treats. I feel much better, and lots of people tell me I'm really slimming down. I started with size 26/28 and today I have a size 20 pants on. My top half is thinner than my bottom half, but hopefully it will all balance out in the end. Good luck, and let me know if you have any other questions. I'd be glad to help. Sue

Redantz: A pb is a productive burp - something comes up. When something gets a bit stuck a pb will usually take care of it. It's not a comfortable thing, but it's not as gross as regular throwing up because it doesn't sit in your stomach and get all that acid in it too. Good luck future bandster. I could pb every day and I'd still be glad that I did it. Sue

Hi: I lost 37 pounds in 3 months. I lost 38 pounds before banding too, so 75 total after 6 months. I walk 4 to 5 miles per day and sometimes use the elpitical too. I usually take one day off from exercise per week. Good luck. Sue

Dan: The pain isn't bad at all. You will need liquid tylenol for the pain though because taking a pill could be a problem. I drank some soda since being banded, but stirred it alot to get most of the bubbles out. I burp like a truck driver now - not very attractive. I don't buy soda anymore, love Snapple Diet iced teas instead. If I'm playing cards and they offer soda I'll take it, but stir like crazy, and add alot of ice to Water it down. Not a beer drinker, so don't know about that. I haven't had any cocktails yet, maybe during the Holidays. I started dieting and exercising three months before I got banded and lost 38 pounds pre-surgery. I walked alot of my butt off, but still have plenty left. I did some swimming too, but the pool where I live is closed now so I didn't continue. I'm thinking about seeing a personal trainer shortly after Xmas - my present to myself! Oh yeah, I have an eliptical machine too - hate it, but use it anyway. I can only do six minutes at a time so far on the eliptical before my legs turn to jelly, but I'm still working at it. Good luck. Sue

Bud in Indy: Wow! Please share your best advice to someone who wants to reach 100 pounds lost too. You've averaged more than 4 pounds per week. Please tell us your secret. Sue

Melissa: I have a 10cc band, got it end of July, and I've only had one fill of 1cc. My Dr. is very conservative when it comes to fills. Last time I went he said no fill, still losing well, maybe next month. I hope to get filled next week when it's been a month. I've been doing pretty good, but seem to get that bottomless pit at night when I'm sitting around bored. I think I need a fill on my brain for that one though! Good luck. Sue

Mary: Not Boston, but close, Norwood. I went to Glasgow & Glasgow LLP. They operate at Caritas Norwood Hospital. Glasgow & Glasgow is a Father, Son team. One operates, the other assists. They're both very experienced surgeons. Their office staff is terrific. They have a pre-band seminar they run it about once or twice a month. They have a once a month support group too. I recommend them highly. They have a website too. It's glasgowandglasgow.com, or glasgowandglasgowllp.com. Check it out. Good luck. Sue

Pc15: As you can see by looking at Wasabubblebutt's ticker, she lost 103 pounds in only 10 months. I've lost 81 in less than 7 months, and I feel great. Good luck, and plan to exercise too. The band doesn't work alone we have to work with it. Take care. Sue

Hi: I chose lap band because it has alot less risk, and I have a Daughter that counts on me being around. Good luck with your decision. Sue

Is it possible that you're eating too close to bed time? At support group doctor talked about one bandster who had this similar problem and it was because he was working late, coming home, eating, then going right to bed. He said you need to give a couple of hours for the pouch to empty all the way before going to bed. Good luck. Sue

Molly: Do try to get in small amounts of Fluid at a time. I had big nausea issues after surgery too, and did barf many times in the hospital. Once I stopped taking the pain meds the barfing stopped. If you can't get fluids down because of nausea you should call your doctor and ask for something for the nausea as there are some medications they can prescribe. I know there's a pill, but if you can't take drinks this won't work. There's a suppository that can help if you can't take anything by mouth. Good luck and I hope things get better soon. Sue