NJ Richie

The number for the Obesity Center in Ridgewood is 201-251-3480. I used Dr. Beth Schrope of their team she has been awesome. Most of the doctors there also work at Columbia Presbyterian. Since I work in NYC, I've been able to see Dr. Schrope at both of her offices. They are also very concerned with post-op aftercare and the even conduct biweekly support groups. You will not be disappointed by this team.

I saw my doc Tuesday for my second fill. The first fill three weeks ago was 4cc's and this past Tuesday she put in another 2cc's, which ended up making me too tight. On Wednesday I was still having trouble getting liquids in so I went back to have 1cc taken out. Being too tight is a VERY uncomfortable feeling! Luckily the unfill has done the trick and I now feel quite restricted and which has lead to all the gurgling and noises everyone has mentioned. It feels funny, but it feels great not being able to eat so much and to finally start losing.

I had no problem with UHC. They will require you to complete 6 months of medically supervised weight loss from your primary care doctor, after which he or she will prepare a letter to them. After that, my lap band doctor required both a nutritional and psychological consultation, both of which were not covered by UHC. These set me back about $400 out of pocket, but overall worth it considering UHC covered pretty much everything else. Good luck.

I am starting to get worried hearing about all these people on liquids for so long. I was only instructed to do liquids for the day after surgery. The day after that I started pureed foods. I am supposed to do that for 2 weeks and then introduce "soft foods" for the next two weeks. I was banded on March 25 and, thank God, have had no ill effects to date. I was eating yogurt, cottage cheese, tuna, and scrambled eggs the first week! The post-op diet is clearly an individual thing with an approach that varies from doctor to doctor and from patient to patient. Like everyone else is saying, ask your doctor first, but in the end, you should have a program that you will be able to do comfortably. Good luck.

Hello from New Jersey! I got banded on 3/25/08 and so far things are going well. I lost 16.5 pounds the first week! but I have now leveled off to a slower pace. I was banded by Dr. Beth Schrope. Her and her team operate out of Valley Hospital in NJ and Columbia Presbyterian in NYC. I am definitely in need of a fill. I already know I can put down more than the 3-4 ounces they said would be the limit but regardless, I am careful. I have had no PB'ing to date. Unlike a lot of what I read, I was only on liquids for one day following my surgery. After that, I started right on pureed food. I am supposed to do that for a couple of weeks and then advance to "soft" foods. I was wondering if anyone was on such a schedule.