MUSIC MOM

I used Dr. Nusbaum in Livingston. I have only great things to say about him and his staff - I was banded on Tuesday, 6/24 and I am doing fine. Best of luck with your search! MM

I agree! So far, everyone has been wonderful and no one has asked me for a dime. I was banded Tuesday, 6/24 and can't say enough about Dr. Nusbaum and his staff. He is truly in this because he cares about his patients and he has surrounded himself with people that feel the same way. I have only good things to say about my experience to date. Good luck to all of you considering the surgery - you have chosen the right physician! MM

Thanks! I am now up and banded and feeling great! Things went well and I am riding the bandwagon. I hope you are feeling better - I can't believe I feel as good as I do - the worst part about the whole experience was my roommate from hell! Other than that everyone was wonderful! Keep smiling! MM

First congrats to all the banded June bugs and best wishes to all of the remaining June bandees! Tomorrow won't come soon enough for me - I have so many emotions going through me right now - excited, nervous, hopeful, scared -:tongue: I have read all your posts and know that I have made the right decision. Thanks for all the continued support - it is great to have so many of you to share our thoughts and experiences with! I can't wait to join the band! :biggrin2: Talk soon! MM

I was banded on the 24th - and your right - the time flew and here we are starting the rest of our lives! I am glad things went well for you - my surgery went well also - no problems - some scar tissue but nothing to cause problems. I am home and feel pretty good - gas and now the bid D - but otherwise fine! Stay in touch! Best wishes!

I was banded Tuesday, 6/24 and I have been very tired - so I rest - but I noticed that today was better than yesterday and I am sure tomorrow will be better than today. Hang in there - things can only get better!

I joined the band on Tuesday, 6/24 and came home yesterday late afternoon. Things went well - pain in my chest and shoulder from gas - but nothing I can't tolerate. I actually feel alot better than I thought I would! I am enjoying my broth and crystal light and who could believe that jello could taste so good!

I was banded on the 24th also! Things went fine - I cannot say it was pain free but nothing like what I expected. In fact, the worst part was (and still is) the gas pains in my chest and shoulder - pretty bad. I have been using liquid Roxicet for the pain in the evening so I can sleep - the rest of the day I walk and tolerate it. Congrats to all the newly banded - hope your procedures went well!

Check your BMI - I think Oxford said 39 or 40 is what they look for. Also, do you have high BP or some other medical problem that would benefit from loosing weight? I have RA and high BP - my doctor's said they would write letters but none were needed.

Yes, Dr. Nusbaum is my surgeon! He is a doll - I am being banded on Tuesday, June 24th and am very excited (and a little nervous too!). At my consultation he was patient, kind, explained everything fully, answered my questions and never made me feel embarrassed about my weight. His staff is equally as wonderful - my bariatric coordinator is Wanda and she is extremely good at what she does and just a great person to just talk to. I am lucky to have great insurance so my consult date and surgery date are only 1 month apart - in fact I made my surgery date at my consult - Dr. Nusbaum requires a psych consult, venous dopler of your legs for blood clots, blood work, PATs at St. Barnabas Hospital (also very good - the day I went for the PATs I was in and out in less than 30 minutes!), and chest xray. No pre-op diet other than 1 day prior to surgery - I must have clear liquids only. I did have a vena cava filter implanted (to avoid blood clots traveling from your legs and cause a pulmonary embolism) - he suggested this procedure because of my weight and family history - so it was day surgery - not bad at all - and everyone was great - wanted to know when my big day is scheduled. The LB is something I have researched and considered for several years. I am not a chicken - but I did have concerns - Dr. Nusbaum addressed those concerns and gave me the assurance that I needed to feel comfortable with going ahead with the LB procedure. He was recommended to me by a colleague and another friend who also found him to be highly capable and compassionate. As of this date, I can only say good things about him and his staff. Best of luck as you make your decision - I will let you know how I make out - only 4 more days! - Music Mom

I have Oxford Freedom - they cover the procedure - if I remember correctly they did not require a 6 month diet - my particular plan also did not require pre-certification or a referral so I just breezed through. They were very nice on the phone - answered all my questions - my surgeon is not in network so there is a deductible and then they pay 80%. I know others who have the same insurance and they also had no problems. Give them a call! Good Luck and welcome to LBT.

I've got the 24th in NJ! And yes, I am nervous, excited, and everything in between!

Mramey - Welcome! I will be banded on the 24th also - we can compare notes!

Me too! Congrats! Sounds like the band is in tune and playing your song! I love reading your posts - don't ever feel that you are repeating info - I am on the countdown for June 24th and really like reading anything I can get my hands on so I am prepared. Best wishes to both of you!

Mary, Congrats! Just the red roses would have made the operation worthwhile! Glad to hear you are doing well - I am counting down the days until I join the band on June 24th. Best wishes! Keep us informed - MM

Jeff - Who is your Dr.? I am from NJ - using Dr. Nusbaum/St. Barnabas Hospital. My BMI is 54 and all I have to do is clear liquids the day before - no preop diet - so I suppose it is totally up to the Dr. I have read alot on this site and the diets go the gamut of none to several weeks. Best of luck - my surgery is June 24th - how about you? MM

My psych consult was good too. We chatted about a lot of things - weight loss, the surgery and the anticipated results - life in general. He asked me about my family, have I ever been depressed. I felt comfortable talking with him. It was not bad at all! He did not require a meeting with my DH and gave me the letter for the insurance at the end of the session. So I guess I am not as nuts as I thought I was!

You are in my thoughts and prayers! Good luck with everything - I am sure you will do just fine. I have pre-op on Friday and banding on the 24th! The excitement is building! MM

I am sure it depends on your insurance and your doctor. I was lucky - my first appt was 5/23 and surgery is 6/24 - so it can be done - I am a teacher too and had the same idea -get it done during vacation and be on the road to a new me before school starts again!

Maybe Girl talk?

What about just ordering an apetizer? Or soup?

Hi girls! I would love to be buddies with all of you and share the ups and downs of our journey! I will be banded on June 24th and I can't wait! Fortunately my insurance is great - I saw my surgeon on May 23rd and booked the surgery date right then - I did not need a pre-certification or a referral (I know - can you believe it!) so I have been going through the necessary testing for the big day. My pre-op is this coming Friday, 6/6, vena cava filter on the 12th and then count down to the big day! My only diet is liquids the day before surgery. I know there is a long, hard road ahead but for some reason this time I am going to get to the end. I can't explain it - I just feel it - my head is on straight this time and I am ready to succeed! So let's all do it together!

Hi Everyone! I am from NJ and will become a member of the band on June 24th - Dr. Nussbaum. I am married to a great guy (20 years in Oct.) and have 2 wonderful children - a son and a daughter. Although I have been a music teacher for 30 years I can't wait to join this NEW band! I have struggled my entire life with weight and am looking forward to this new beginning. I look forward to sharing experiences with my fellow June band members! Best wishes!

Thanks for the information! I will certainly look into the "bigger" picture.

Hi! I am joining the band on June 24th and have been diligently arranging and taking all the necessary tests to complete the process before surgery. Pre-op is scheduled for the 6th. Today, when I went to my Drs. office to hand in the Psych letter, the bariatric coordinator said the Dr. suggests that I get a vena cava filter because of my family history of blood clots. I know what it is and what it does - but has anyone else had this procedure? Did it hurt? Were you able to do whatever you wanted to following the procedure or are you limited? for a long time? Thanks!