Pathworker

Hi- I was banded by Christine Ren in May 2005 and two other close family members were banded by George Fielding. They are both awesome. You will be in great hands of VERY experienced lapband surgeons. They do follow-up care in satellite offices north of NYC so it can be more convenient for you than going to NYU. Feel free to pm me for further info. Best of luck in your journey!

Suzanne, Dr. Ren & Fielding have support groups at NYU hospital. Check out their website at: www.thinforlife.med.nyu.edu The group for lapbanders 1-12 months meets once a month on the third Wednesday of the month.

Your dentist is the one that would pre-medicate you when indicated. He or she could write the prescription for the appropriate amount prior to your visit. My surgeons never mentioned this necessity but I will certainly ask.

I had my evaluation with Dr. Huberman as well. I believe he is a psychologist...I would also recommend him. I thought he really knew his stuff about the band.

I'm a NYC bandster. Banded on 5/19/05 by Dr. Christine Ren. Actually I live in Fort Lee, NJ....but I'm in and out of NYC all the time.

Wow....two hotties. You both look fantastic. Glad you had a great time!

I have been experiencing similar shoulder pain. I had my surgery on 5/19/05 and didn't really have bad shoulder pain at that time. The past several weeks I have been noticing that it comes on from time to time....it is not a constant thing but is very uncomfortable when I get it. I have been attributing it to gas pain...Do you get it in one shoulder or both??

Me too! Fortunately I just remembered my password.

I was reading Dr. Pleatman's posts and found it interesting....albeit a rather "subtle" way of advertising. As with everything in life, we have to do our own research....and learn to read between the lines.

My doctor told me the same thing. She said there is no problem with those meds.

Sounds like a super gas pain to me.

Hi I live in Fort Lee, NJ. My surgery was at NYU in New York City. The doctor I have heard about at Hackensack hospital is Dr. Garth Ballantyne. I believe he has a website.

Hi NRS1, I'm pretty much where you are. I was banded on May 19th. Today is four-weeks post op. So I am supposed to start real food today. I, too lost about 15-17 lbs. from 2-week pre-op liquid fast and 4-week post op liquids and mushies. My fill is not scheduled until July 10..since I will be on vacation so I really feel like I'm flying "solo." Some restriction would be nice since there are times I wonder where the band is. My frequent reminder, of course, is port discomfort always. Can anyone tell me if this ever REALLY goes away to the point that you don't think about it?

You can try Tigan suppositories or Compazine. Ask your doctor. I hope you feel better real soon.

Your list sounds great. Look for a line of soups by "Imagine". They come in cartons. They have a great selection of interesting soups....ie. Potato Leek, Butternut Squash, Corn, Creamy Tomato....and more. They are considerably lower in sodium than Campbells soup.

The first few days is very difficult on full liquids....I promise you it gets easier as your body detoxes from all the sugars. Hang in there!

I was banded on 5/19 so I'm right where you are. I was told to stay on liquids for two weeks....anything that will go through a straw...but do not use the straw since it produces more gas (which I surely do NOT need). I start to feel uncomfortable after almost anything I drink...I do find that I am starting to get hungrier now that I am one-week post-op. I look forward to going onto mushies in a week....in fact I can't wait.

http://www.thinforlife.med.nyu.edu Dr. Christine Ren and Dr. George Fielding

I also live in the Bergen County area. My surgery was done on May 19 at NYU. Do you know of any support groups in the Bergen area....it is getting difficult going to the city for the groups even tho I love them,

I was banded on May 19....the gas is REALLY uncomfortable......hang in there

Good for you....my date is May 19th.....i'm almost there....one minute at a time. Hang in there.

You look amazing...thanks for sharing Paula. I'm being banded on May 19....it's great to see such wonderful results.

And my Dr. requires 2-weeks of liquid prior to surgery. My date is Thursday, May 19th so today was day #6 of liquid. After I finally got rid of the 3-day migraine, I am actually feeling quite good....lots of energy. I go for pre-op testing on Thursday...and then it's the countdown. I go from high excitement to high anxiety. Thanks to all of you who put your words of wisdom for all to see.

I will be banded on May 19 by Dr. Christine Ren at NYU. Doing the Optifast thing for 2-weeks and hanging in. Getting kinda anxious...So glad you're all here to talk to.

Best of luck on May 26th....I'm scheduled for May 19.