New here from NYC. I don't know what to say!

[Thundercat 0]

Hello everybody. My name is Andre and I'm from NYC. :biggrin2:

It was hard for me to even type in "Lap Band Support Group" in google to kind of seek help and see what other people's experiences have been like. This is my very first time doing any research on the Lap Band and this was my first stop. For the last hour I've been reading people's posts and articles and it made me feel like I wanted to shed a tear because for the first time in my life I finaly feel like I can get help.

All my life I have been a bigger person. I have been active growing up but always fat for my age (even though now I look back on my pictures and don't see a problem with my size). All the men in my family have been big guys too so I guess it's in the genes. I never felt fat until about 4 years ago. Then I kept gaining weight. I'm now at 420lbs (I cant believe I just typed that because I don't tell ANYONE my weight... but I guess I need to get used to it). I need to do something and I think lapband is the way to go. I've tried soooooo many diets through the years and they never stick past 1 or 2 months. I love food too much. I need to do something and I'm ready to start now.

Sorry for the long post :crying: I'm just happy to have found this board and it will motivate me. I don't know where to start. Should I start going to support meetings? Where would I go to find doctors in the NYC area who do the lapband? Can I search for doctors based on the insurance they accept? I don't know where to sart but I know I will find my way. I'm going to be 30 in May and this is what i want to give mysef for my 30th birthday. Something to change my life. :teeth_smile:

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Welcome, Andre! Good to have you here.

First thing to do is verify that your insurance covers banding or WLS at all. That's the first step. If it does you need to find out what the requirements are. Do they require a certain number of comorbidities, do they require 5 years of documentation that you have been overweight? What about a medically supervised diet?

Then you need to get a list of doctors your insurance co contracts with and start going to seminars and choosing one.

Of course, read here daily. ;o) Seriously, much great info here to be had. Take it all in and see what works for you and what doesn't. But keep coming back and reading. You can't research enough!

Good luck to you!

[Nologoz 18]

It was hard for me to even type in "Lap Band Support Group" in google to kind of seek help and see what other people's experiences have been like. This is my very first time doing any research on the Lap Band and this was my first stop. For the last hour I've been reading people's posts and articles and it made me feel like I wanted to shed a tear because for the first time in my life I finaly feel like I can get help.

Hey Andre,

When I first found this website I spent hours researching everything about the lapband. You will learn a lot on this site that will help you decide if lapband surgery is right for you. And yes, it is great to have a place that reminds you that you are not alone.

[shortgal 5]

Try looking up Dr. Fielding in NYC. There are many on the forum that have used him and have been very happy.

You can do a search on the forum. Go to the very top (right) of the forum page to "Advanced search". It's above the google search box and type in his name and to the right choose ,Doctors and hospital forum section, you'll find lots of previous posts about his group.

You can find there web site and see if they have a seminar coming up, that you can attend.

Before being banded, I had tried so many times to lose weight, I could never get much off or it would go very slowly and then I would regain the weight. I was becoming miserable and avoiding social situtations becasue I was worried I would overeat at them and be more miserable. Let's face it almost all social situations involve food.< /p>

I am now banded just over 3 months and have lost 30 pounds. For a 56 year old, short woman, that is a big difference in my size. I was worried I wouldn;t eat normal food again after surgery, but that is not the case. I don't feel deprived and I am so happy, I have control over the food instead of the food having control over me.

I would also suggest you call your ins. co. and ask their requirements for weight loss surgery. Ask if it's covered by your policy.

There is also a men's group on the forum, you might want to check out. Look on the main page and scroll down and you see various groups on the forum, such as higher BMI, or age related (people in twenties and thirties).

[4jin 0]

welcome Andre!

Yes you will fit right in! LOL

I suggest the same 1st step check with insurance company...very important...or are you self pay?

but the information here is priceless!

[hungry4help 0]

hi andre... welcome. i'm relatively new to this site and to being banded myself. actually just had surgery on monday, so i'm not even a week out. so far so good. the soreness is subsiding and i'm headed out soon for another walk. i'm in nyc too and might head over to central park or to the historical society.

as for finding a doctor. checkout the sites for nyu (thinforlife.med.nyu.edu) and for lennox hill (LHH/MMIBS :: Home). others here have highly recc'ed dr. murian and dr. fielding at nyu. i met with dr. kruian, but ultimately went with dr. roslin over at lennox hill. as you embark on your own research, you'll find that bariatric surgeons are a relatively small community in nyc and many have worked with and for one another at some point in their career. i went with roslin and lennox hill partly because of his experience and his straightforward style. also, i appreciated that his office was convenient for me to get to from my home and my office. plus, several friends of mine had other procedures at lennox hill and i liked that it was a somewhat smaller hospital and very focused on patient care. at any rate, do yourself a favor and comparison shop. you're making a lifetime purchase, commitment and quite possibly forming a lifetime relationship with your medical team.

also, pick-up "weight loss surgery for dummies." it's a helpful primer and will help you think of and ask the right questions.

good luck with your decision and your Quest for a healthier lifestyle.

[justicenyce 0]

Hi there Andre

Im new to the site as well and im also a New Yawker so i know what are going through. I have not yet been banded but i have decided to go to NYU. The staff as well as the surgeons are really helpful and supportive. Lenox Hill also has a great rep. This site is really awesom. The peopl on here are a supportive network that i am really grateful for....good luck!

[amsderb 1]

Good luck to you...it is a journey that is for the better...I believe

I am so lame...I can't get my ticker to post!!! I'll keep working at it?????

[whimsy 0]

Welcome Andre!

I have to say that your post brought a tear to my eye. Thank you for being so candid with us...and with yourself. After doing your research on the lapband, you will more than likely find that it is something that will positively impact your life.

This forum has been a wonderful source of information and encouragement for me. I was banded on Monday and I have no doubt that I was ready for anything because of the information I found here.

Good luck to you, hon. Please keep us posted.

[Truckerbabe2000 0]

Hi, I just joined today. My primary doctor asked me to consider lapband and has referred me to a surgeon. We can start our journey together.

[Truckerbabe2000 0]

How did you get the ticker to show up on your post?

[nycm00 0]

Hi Andre. I live on Long Island, but I am having mys urgery done at NYU. It is an excellent program. Check out their website and you can sign up for the next informational seminar. That would be the first step. You could check out the other programs in the city and see how you feel. NYU works for me because I like their approach to follow-up over the others. With the band the follow up and fills are almost more important than the surery itself. Dr Fielding has had the band for 8 yrs and has performed 8,000 band procedures.

Christine

[amsderb 1]

I went to tickerfactory.com and made one.

Then you edit and copy it (the bb.board box url) like a word document....then go to the lapband site and click on Edit Signature...paste the copy into the box with your name...NOT in the part below all the smiley guys that says HTML etc....

Then, below that, save signature...you should see it. Good luck it took me several days because I kept puttingit in the wrong place!

:thumbup:

[Ltrujillo 0]

I'm going to be 30 in May and this is what i want to give mysef for my 30th birthday. Something to change my life. :eek:

I too am in NYC and I had the lap-band surgery in 02/05 by Dr. George Fielding at NYU. Their website is http://thinforlife.med.nyu.edu.html I originally lost 100 lbs, but my band slipped and I had to have emergency surgery to repair it and was afraid to get a fill for over the last year, so I've regained 50lbs. I'm finally ready to go back for a fill and have promised myself to stick with the program. This problem is totally on me and I can say nothing but good things about NYU and the staff and I believe you can do no better than NYU and I wish you luck. Good luck on your journey!