MUSIC MOM

Hi! I play French Horn professionally and was banded on June 24th. I did not play until after my post op appt. with my surgeon - June 30th. He said it was ok to play and I started with warmups and easy exercises for the first week and then had to get to the serious playing the week after because I had a show to play. I was not affected by the band at all! Never felt any different playing or breathing. In fact, you would never have known I had the surgery except that my black pants were loose! Go for it! You will be fine! Happy new band day! Music Mom :girl_hug:

I have mini goals along the way - no dates involved just moving the scale downward! The big goal kind of keeps me focused and determined - I must say though - going to the gym everyday is helping alot the scale move downward - I am totally exhausted when I get home but it is a good exhausted - not the tired feeling I used to get lugging my big body around! So here's to our success - keep on losing!

Thanks Long2BThin! It was a terrific day! I have never been a gym rat before but when you see the scale going down it certainly gives you the incentive to keep going back! I have made it a point to go every day and so far so good. My next goal is to lose 100 pounds by Christmas - if things keep going as they have I have no doubt I will succeed. Best wishes to you too Long - sounds like you are doing equally as well! Let's keep in touch! Music Mom

Hi Junebugs! Haven't been around much - been reading but not posting. But today is my birthday and I can't tell you what a great day it is - I never, ever thought that I would have a second chance at living - but the band has done that for me - I have lost 63 lbs as of today! (My goal was 53 because I turned 53 today - and I can't believe I did it and more!) I have joined a gym - that in itself is an amazing thing! I go everyday and have never felt better! I have alot more to lose but my determination to succeed has never been stronger. Thanks to all of you who have answered my questions and been there for support! If I can ever help or be an ear for your problems please let me know. This has truly changed my life and I can't believe it is going so well - on to my next mini goal! Enjoy the weekend - Your buddy in the band. Music Mom

I use IDS New Whey protein bullets - They are 42grams of protein in about 3 ounces. I mix them with Crystal Lite - and they are actually pretty good! I prefer the Fruit Punch and Orange - but the blue raspberry isn't bad either! You can get them at GNC or I bought them on line. Good Luck! MM

Hi! I used Dr. Nusbaum in Livingston/St. Barnabas Hospital - he is wonderful. I cannot say enough about him and his staff. Good luck with your search!

I stayed in the hospital overnight so my husband needed to take the two days off. I came home mid day and was glad he was there to help me get in and out of bed and just nice to have around.

I had surgery on 6/24 and have lost 33 lbs! I am thrilled at the results and looking forward to keeping the downslide going!

It depends on the surgeon - I was banded 6/24 and my Dr. did not require anything more than clear liquids the day before surgery.

Hi Everyone! I have been around LBT for a little while but just recently started reading your thread. I was happily banded on June 24th (I am on your list Cathy!) and would like to join your merry band if that is ok! Things are going pretty well for me - I have lost 25 lbs and have been working hard to keep the scale moving in the right direction! I look forward to sharing my experiences with all of you.

I purchased my scale (digital and it talks!) from livingXL.com - it is the website associated with Casual Male XL - but they have great stuff for larger human beings. The scales were reasonable and there were several to choose from. Good luck! Music Mom

Hi Huggie Bear and all my fellow June bandsters! I had my first fill today and it was a snap! Not sure what I expected but it was painless and quick - my Dr. uses floroscope - you lay on the table - he tilts is until you are sort of standing and then gives a shot to numb the area - he puts in the saline - you take a big sip of what I guess is barium - he watches to see if it goes down and voila! DONE - Painless. I go to see him a month - unless I think the fill is not enough. So all is well!

Jello - sugar free fudgesicles - crystal lite lemonade - yummy!

I am not sure what restriction feels like but I do feel full after about a 1/2 to 3/4 cup of food. I have been trying to be very careful about what and how much I eat - so far so good! Keep in touch - let me know how you do at your Drs. appointment and whether you get a fill - we can compare notes! MM

Hi Charlotte! I was banded on 6/24 and yes the first two days were rough but things are sooooooo much better now! I had my post op on 6/30 - the Dr. and I chatted about how I felt, checked my incisions, discussed the stage 2 diet and beyond - I had a few questions for him and then he told me I needed to schedule my first fill! I will be going to see him on Friday, 7/11 to get my fill - I am excited and a little nervous. So far things have been going well - I am not hungry and have been trying to walk 2-3 miles everyday. My Dr. likes to see you 1 month after a fill so I guess that will be my next big weigh in! This is the first time in my life I am looking forward to stepping on the scale. Good luck to you! MM

Hi gingin! I was banded on the 24th and didn't have steri strips - I did ask the Dr. when I could go swimming - he said to give it 2 weeks. Hope this helps - I am just counting the days! It is hot here too.

The IDS New Whey protein bullets at GNC are pretty good! They have 42 grams of protein and if you mix the fruit punch with Crystal Lite Lemonade it is not bad - I usually mix 1/2 of the bullet in a large glass - They come in several flavors - fruit punch, orange, lemon lime, peach and a few others. Good luck!

Hi guys! Went for my post op this past Monday and lost 15 lbs since surgery - Yipee! My first fill is scheduled for 7/11 - can't wait. I am so surprised at how good I feel - yesterday I walked a mile and today 3 miles - I have NEVER walked that far in my life! Exercise was never my thing but since the surgery I have this new determination to succeed so my goal is to walk everyday. It is great to hear that the other Jazzy Junes are doing as well. Have a great day! MM

My band date was 6/24 and I am scheduled for my first fill on 7/11.

Bree - I was also banded on the 24th but I have not had the same problem. I do keep a bottle of water with me all the time and am constantly sipping - I also eat jello and clear broth - try to hang on - the second stage allows you more choices like oatmeal and yogurt. I get to start that tomorrow. I had my post op appt today and have lost 15 lbs and I am absolutely thrilled! Remember our journey has just started you have got to keep the prize in sight - you can do this! Yes, you will look awesome in your skinny jeans so keep that in mind whenever the tears come. Avoid the kitchen - find a project to keep busy - (if you have trouble with that let me know - I have more projects than this site has banders!) Hang in there - if you need to talk write me - we can be buddies. Best wishes, MM

Hi! I was banded on the 24th too! I have clear liquids for 1 week then all liquids - so far so good. My pain is mostly gas (especially my shoulder!) - the incisions were fine until today - I think I overdid it - I will be more careful tomorrow. As for eating - I have not really felt hungry. Just keep the goal in mind and hang in there - you are doing great and you can do this! It will be just a short time until you can start trying real food. Write if you need a buddy!

I was the 24th also! And yes, the big D has set in - OMG! I know liguids in, liguids out but jeez can't we catch a break - all I can say is be careful! I know TMI - I have been on clear liquids since the day before surgery - In regards to the protein - I bought protein bullets at GNC - fruit punch and mixed it with pink crystal light lemonade - not bad! Tastes like fruit punch drink - I actually like it! I don't like the protein shakes so this may be my saving grace. Try it!

I joined the band on Tuesday, the 24th and have all the same symptoms. Who knew our stomachs could make such weird noises! and yes, the big D has set in here too! Walking really helps the gas just becareful because of the big D - I can even sleep on my sides but my shoulder pain has not gone away - better but still hurts. I can honestly say that everday has been better than the last - yesterday I felt so good I went shopping - ok - so I felt like crap when I got home but it was so good to get out and about - I even drove! Let's look toward the brighter days ahead. Hang in there - it is worth it! MM

I do have a question about the fills - are they done by Dr. Nusbaum? MM