Sue Magoo

Hi: I'm guessing you're in a world of hurt right now. Chin up and rest up because if you're like me you'll be so glad you did this when you look down and your abdomen doesn't touch your legs! Congrats! Sue

Sounds like you could possibly have a slip. Yikkes! Maybe you just have swelling. My doctor says that you shouldn't have pain with your band (once you heal from surgery) and that he wants us to call if we do have pain. Try to keep some liquids down if you can by having tiny, tiny sips. Don't want you getting dehydrated. Good luck with your doctor. Tell them that you need to be seen today. Please let us know how you make out. Sue

Hi: I'm 4 years out. I had the smallest band first. Between April 2007 and April 2008 I lost 125 pounds! Had a slip after 3 years. So, had larger band put in a year ago. I've been unfilled since November but still have some restriction (scar tissue?) and have been struggling to keep the weight off. I started at 324 and got as low as 174. I'm hanging around 190. I probably wouldn't struggle if I exercised, but have been lazy and unmotivated. I'd like to be at 180 because at 174 my face was too thin. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. Although my band helps tremendously it's still the head hunger and boredom that leads me to make bad decisions at night while watching tv. Best wishes to you. Sue

You should call your doctor and tell him that you're starting to have reflux and getting sick sometimes. Maybe he can do a barium swallow to see if your band slipped. I wouldn't wait 8 weeks for an upper GI if your symptoms are changing.

You're probably swollen still from the surgery. You'd be better off just having the broth and not eat the noodles. The reason why they have you on the liquid stage after surgery is to give your body time to heal. Best wishes to you newbie Sue

HI: My panniculectomy was covered, but I upgraded to tummy tuck with lipo. My out of pocket was $7k, the total surgery was about $20k. Expensive in Boston area. Hopefully you're in a place where medical costs aren't as high. Best wishes to your wife! How lucky she is that her spouse cares enough to ask. Sue

Ooooooooooooops. I forgot to mention that you should be on all liquids today and mushies tomorrow so that if you're swollen it will go down. Take care. Sue

Glad you're feeling better!

Robyn: So sorry to hear about your medical issues. I love my band and wonder what the issues might be long term. Just wish they'd come up with the magic pill so that we can eat what we want and not gain weight. Until then, we take risks. Hope your esophogus heals well. Sue

Hi: I get the shoulder pain that lingers for hours when I get stuck too. In fact, when I get stuck it always hurts my shoulder more than my tummy. You may want to mention it to your doctor though, just to give yourself peace of mind. Take care. Sue

Josie: I gotta admit that I'm quite jealous! Congrats and hope all goes smoothly. Thanks for sharing with us. This way I'll know what to expect when I hit the lottery Sue

Welcome to the world of the fickle band. It is strange, but it has happened to me too. So many things can make our bands get tight - a slight stick, stress, hormones, sinus drainage. Hopefully it will pass soon. Best wishes to you to feel better soon. Sue

Hi: I think you're supposed to wait at least 6 weeks post op before doing any physical exercise. For right now, you should probably be sticking to walking and possibly biking. You should ask your doctor, but I think you're really pushing it! Best wishes to you. Sue

Hi: I stayed one night for my tummy tuck. So hard to sleep at a hospital, even with the morphine. I think my surgeon's rule was stay for 24 hours post op. I was so glad to go home! Let me know if you have any other questions. You may also want to check out www.makemeheal.com It's all plastic surgery related. Sue

Congrats and best wishes. It's so worth it!

Gallbladder issues are common with a quick weight loss. I had my gallbladder removed 9 months after banding. It is a bit easier than lap band surgery - day surgery for me versus overnight stay with lap band. I had the same surgeon do my gallbladder that did my band. You can probably put it off for a while, but that may mean that you'll get a bad attack that will require emergency surgery. I think it's better to plan ahead and get it taken care of soon so that your chances of having it done laproscopically are greater than if it is an emergency surgery. Best wishes to you. Sue

I think you should go see your doctor. You're probably getting dehydrated and that can be very serious. Please take care and let us know how you're doing.

My surgeon did these stitches that were all internal - it was amazing. I was able to take a shower right away. However, take note that you will want to make sure that someone will be right there or that you have a shower chair because you may get weak when you try to take a shower. It's a big surgery that knocks you for a loop for a few days (especially with the pain meds). It's a pain in the neck managing the drains while showering. Best wishes. Sue

Jachut: Glad to hear that things are going well with you and that you're done with the damn Chemo. Hope your ten weeks fly by and that the next step goes well too. Sue

Hi: A very hot shower may help with this pain. As hot as you can stand it and have the Water hit your left shoulder. Worked for me. Best wishes to you to be rid of the pain. Sue

Hi: I didn't actually go down any sizes from tummy tuck. Everything just fit better. If all you have left is loose tissue without any fat on it, there won't be alot of change if you're anything like me. Best wishes to you. Sue

Lori - I put my answers next to your questions below. I know it's scary to think about it, and yes, it will be more painful than lap band surgery, but the end results make every bit of the discomfort worth it! My band surgeon suggested that I take additional Vitamin c before and for 8 weeks post op. I healed very well, so I pass this suggestion along to you too. Best wishes to you. Keep us posted. Sue

Congratulations! Of course it's worth celebrating. I started at 324 and it is overwhelming to think about it more than one pound at a time. The next 50 will be very noticeable. Getting under 300 is amazing. Wait until you see what it is like to get under 200 - triple what it felt like to get under 300. Keep in mind that with the LapBand you're supposed to average 1 - 2 pounds a week. Seems to me like you're right where you're supposed to be. Slow and steady wins the race. Celebrate with something meaningful to you. Sue