Alex Brecher

Moving to correct forum.

My good friend Attorney Walter Lindstrom from WLSAppeals.com just penned this great blog entry. I don’t remember the first day of OJ Simpson’s pre-trial hearing for the murders of Nicole Simpson and Ronald Goldman. I know my wife Kelley does – she watched the whole thing from a waiting room in a hospital in San Diego. Me? I was having surgery. It was June 30, 1994. Today is the 20th Anniversary of my "open" Roux En Y (RNY) Gastric Bypass. Could it really already be 20 years? I guess so. My 9-month old daughter – my living, breathing “A-HA!” moment – is 20 years old and doing a summer abroad in Spain. My 16 year old son – the gift I hadn’t even conceived of yet – is about to get his driver’s license. 20 years goes by in an instant. Even as fast as the time has passed I dare say I’ve learned things over those 20 years which might help someone else, whether a person exploring the possibilities of surgery – a soon-to-be patient anxiously awaiting their impending surgery silently praying this really is the answer she or he hopes it will be – or people like me in the midst of their wonderful post-operative journey. I even have the audacity to hope these musings will offer something to health care providers offering surgery as a treatment option. So, in celebration of a very important date in my life, my gift to myself is in writing some reflections, one for every year. It is my sincere hope one or more of these thoughts resonate with someone who might read them and need them. Please share them liberally with anyone who might benefit. An Open Letter To The Bariatric Surgery Community 1. Bariatric surgery isn’t for everyone. Sure there are medical reasons which disqualify some people but I’m not talking about that. If you’re exploring it for yourself and decide it isn’t right for you – DON’T let anyone try to shame you, scare you, beg you or otherwise try to convince you to have an operation you’re not fully committed to living with for the rest of your life. Allow yourself the gift to choose another path. 2. “Support” is not a 4-letter word! If someone you care about is having surgery and you’re not comfortable with their decision you’re probably feeling a host of emotions ranging from fear and apprehension to disappointment and anger. DEAL WITH IT! Whether it’s pre-surgery or 20 years later this is really hard on us. It makes it easier when we have people in our corner and not trying to sabotage us. 3. Say it loud! Say it proud! OK – I respect anyone’s decision about privacy and what they wish to share or not share about their lives, especially in this age of social media. But I really hope you can honestly, even proudly, talk openly about your decision to have weight loss surgery. I believe many of us keep it secret because we fear it’s not going to work but I think committing to it out loud strengthens our resolve to succeed more than does a mysterious “gallbladder surgery” which wondrously resulted in a loss of 150 lbs. a year later. Besides, keeping it secret is a disservice to others like us who are often desperate to know “how is she doing it and why can’t I?!?….” 4. Post-op patients should learn to use two words: “FOR ME….” For 20 years I am constantly saddened by the “patient on patient” crime I read on “support” sites. “Only an idiot would have XYZ procedure….” “I’d never go to that doctor….” “If you don’t do ABC then you’re going to fail….” Be supportive of others’ choices. Hostility does nothing to elevate your own choice. Learn to voice things positively: “For me, doing XYZ was the best choice….” Like I said, “support” is not a 4-letter word! 5. Pre-op and Post-op patients should not underestimate the value of being in a well-run support group, especially before surgery and for a good amount of time afterwards. Questions need to be asked and answered about what to expect, what to do and when do to it. Shared experiences and feelings in the early stages of the process are invaluable. Don’t blow them off indiscriminately as too “touchy feely” (and yes fellow MEN – I’m talking to US!). That is a mistake. 6. Just because a surgical option is new that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better. 7. Just because a surgical option is new that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s worse. 8. There is no Gold Standard! The next time someone, anyone, tells you the “X procedure” is the “gold standard” you might want to remind them we haven’t used the “gold standard” since 1933. That term is really quite useless. Insist a health care provider speak to you in terms of what is the best course of action FOR YOU. 9. Repeat after me: DOCTORS and PATIENTS should make decisions regarding medical treatment and surgery, THERE IS NO PLACE FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES TO SUBSTITUTE THEIR JUDGEMENT FOR THAT OF YOUR DOCTOR AND WHEN THEY TRY TO DO THAT YOU SHOULD FIGHT IT WITH EVERY Fiber OF YOUR BEING! 10. Remember the bathroom scale is non-judgmental. It doesn’t think you’re a “good” patient/person or “bad” patient/person. It gives a number. 11. Plateaus happen. When you’re a patient early in your post-op journey please remember that the number on the scale may not move in the direction you’re hoping for every day. It may not move at all for weeks at a time. Pretty much that’s normal so don’t stress about it. 12. Reach a balance between using the scale to obtain information so you can assess how you’re managing your chronic disease and stalking it in the hope the number says what you hope/want/need it to say. We patients all have a terrible fear, often unspoken, that we are destined to fail surgery just like every diet we ever tried. We tend to freak out when the number doesn’t go down or – God forbid – it ticks upward. 13. YOU have the power choose how that number on the scale is going to impact how you feel about yourself. I choose to have that number tell me how I’m doing managing my chronic disease, no different than a hypertensive patient paying attention to blood pressure readings or diabetics looking at HbA1c numbers. Sometimes I manage my disease better than at other times. But FOR ME, knowing the number a couple times a week works better. When I tried managing my disease by consciously deciding I didn’t want to know the number because I didn’t want to be a “slave to my scale” I went by how my clothes fit. That was a mistake. 14. If you’re really concerned about a plateau or weight regain, contact your doctor’s office FIRST – then you can make that social media post. Too many of us post as a substitute for reaching out to our bariatric programs. Sorry but sometimes the “advice” isn’t so good. 15. Don’t make my mistake. If you’re regaining weight after you’ve had surgery, PLEASE do not avoid seeing your surgeon and his/her team because you’re embarrassed or feel like you’ve failed them. I had a revision 9 years after my original surgery. I waited way too long to address it and I see or speak with bariatric surgeons and integrated health professionals around the world every single day! You haven’t failed unless you make the choice to not see someone about what’s going on. Given the chance most quality programs and professionals would be begging you to make an appointment to see what’s going on so they can help. Let them. 16. If you’re a bariatric surgeon, nurse, integrated health professional or office support, PLEASE be doing surgery because you care deeply for patients like us and understand that we have a chronic disease. If we’re struggling after surgery the last thing we need is someone who is supposed to be in our corner being judgmental. What we patients are going through, whether year 1 or year 20, is freaking hard. DO NOT MAKE IT HARDER! 17. Repeat after me: Needing a revision doesn’t mean you’re a failure! Needing a revision doesn’t mean you’re a failure! Needing a revision doesn’t mean you’re a failure! 18. The nature of bariatric surgery support groups invariably changes the further out from surgery you are. My support group no longer meets at the hospital where I had my surgery. My support comes from my family, friends and colleagues and has as much value FOR ME at this stage of my journey as any bariatric in-person or online support group I was part of as a member or which honored me with an invitation to speak and share experiences. 19. Whether you are pre-op or 20 years post, we all need help along the way. Take a minute today to say “Thank You” to someone who is helping you with yours. It feels good. After 20 years I have so many people who helped me that to try and list them by name risks leaving someone important out so I’m not going to take that risk. But I will tell you we as patients owe thanks to a two organizations, their members and their leadership. I joined the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery in 1996 and at the time it was closer to a “cult” than it was a major specialty surgical society. ASMBS has grown to help guide and shape important decisions that affect all of us as patients and it has been and will continue to be an important part of my life where I have met many of my closest friends. Equally true is the place Obesity Action Coalition has in my life. Simply stated, there is no other voice out there for us and I’m OK with that because the OAC and its amazing team has achieved things I never dreamed possible when I was being wheeled into the operating room or when I began my new professional life as “The Obesity Law & Advocacy Center.” If you haven’t joined OAC – please do. We all deserve it. 20. Twenty years is a long time. God willing there’s going to be a lot more. FOR ME my journey has meant an improvement in health and longevity which allows me to receive the love I get from my daughter Marissa and my son Jared. They honor me every day by growing into truly amazing people and I know in my heart that if I had not had surgery 20 years ago I never would have been around long enough to see that. But most important to me is the need to say thank you to my Hero and love of my life, Kelley. She is my hero because she loved me regardless of how I looked on the outside when my BMI was over 60. She loved me through the scary reality of weight loss surgery, not once but twice, wanting only for me to be healthy. FOR ME Kelley makes possible anything of meaning I experience every day of my journey. She is my reason to travel this path and I’m blessed by her and because of her. I’m a very lucky man. I can only hope some of you can someday be similarly blessed during the journey you’re taking. Good luck!

Just a reminder to please read our forum rules.

Hey, BariatricPal Members! It’s hard to believe, but we’ve reached the halfway point of 2014! Are you making progress towards your weight loss goals? Do you need a bit of inspiration and advice? That’s what the newsletter is for, and this is what we have for you this month! Member Poll: What Is (or Was) Holding You Back from Weight Loss Surgery? The Big Book on Bariatric Surgery – It’s Here! Member Spotlight: Meet Jack! Pregnancy and Weight Loss Surgery: Stay Nourished! Enjoy the newsletter, and then log on to BariatricPal and talk about it and whatever else is on your mind. See you on the boards! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal Member Poll: What Is (or Was) Holding You Back from Weight Loss Surgery? You need to consider a lot of factors before choosing to get weight loss surgery, and many of these factors can make you hesitate to get the surgery. If you have not had weight loss surgery, which of the following is preventing you from getting weight loss surgery? If you have already had the surgery, which of these delayed your procedure? Your insurance does not cover it and it costs too much. Your primary care doctor is not supportive. Your friends or family are against the idea of weight loss surgery. You are not sure which type of weight loss surgery is best for you. You are afraid of complications or side effects from weight loss surgery. You do not know if it will help you lose weight. Other - please tell us in the discussion forum! Please mark your answer and then explain it in the discussion on BariatricPal! The Big Book on Bariatric Surgery: It’s Here! Weight loss surgery is the beginning of a long journey, and you’re going to need a lot of help along the way. That’s why we’ve published The Big Book on Bariatric Surgery: Losing Weight and Living Well After Weight Loss Surgery! This book takes the long-term approach to weight loss and life after weight loss surgery. It is packed with advice to help you flourish in everyday life and special occasions. These are some of the features. meal plans for every stage of the weight loss journey. Simple recipes and meal ideas for all kinds of situations. How to win the “head games” of weight loss surgery. Tips for losing weight at restaurants, parties, and on vacation. Don’t miss out on the book! It will available in hard copy and ereader form for Kindle, Nook, and Kobo through BariatricPal or on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. While you are there, check out our previous three books. The Big Book on the Lap-Band: Everything You Need to Know to Lose Weight and Live Well with the Adjustable Gastric Band The Big Book on the Gastric Sleeve: Everything You Need to Know to Lose Weight and Live Well with the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy The Big Book on the Gastric Bypass: Everything You Need to Know to Lose Weight and Live Well with the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery Insure Nutrition We are always thrilled to welcome a new newsletter sponsor into the BariatricPal family, and this month, Insure Nutrition is giving us the pleasure of doing just that. Our latest sponsor, Insure Nutrition, is an online company that specializes in getting health insurance coverage for nutritional supplements. Its Post-Bariatric Surgery Nutrition products includes Premier Protein shakes in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors and OptiSource High Protein drinks in caramel and strawberry flavors. Checking if you are eligible is easy. Insure Nutrition encourages you to use its online form to find out if you qualify. Our sponsors help make BariatricPal newsletters and other services possible. We encourage you show your thanks by considering them first for your bariatric needs. Exciting News – We're welcoming Jack is a lap-band veteran, and he has been a member of our boards for nearly 10 years! Now he is a host on BariatricPal, too. Jack hit his highest weight of 373 before losing down to 350. At the time, he says he was “going blind due to diabetic retinopathy.” He researched the then-new lap-band for two years, but was unable to find much information in face-to-face meetings because most groups back then focused on gastric bypass. His surgery was in 2004, and his biggest challenge was making the half-day trip to his surgeon’s office from his home in a rural area of Oregon. Jack has since lost and kept off 85 pounds. He says that “the worst day post-op over the last10 years has been better than the best day pre-op in the 5 years before surgery.” One of his best moments after losing weight came when he went to a restaurant that he had not been to in a year, and found himself wondering how the restaurant staff had managed to rebuild the booths so that he fit in them! He also celebrated the moment when he was able to get into his pickup truck without his belly rubbing the steering wheel. He is off of his CPAP machine and insulin medications, too. Jack found BariatricPal to be encouraging because he could see how others handled their problems. He could also see that his were not so bad. Jack really appreciates having the boards as a resource when he was a WLS-newbie. He says he doesn’t use the boards so much anymore, but still drops by occasionally to catch up on the chatter. Jack suggests to other member that you take at least one step per day towards your goal. Also, remind yourself how far you have come by keeping a set of your old “fat clothes.” Finally, of course, “stop eating!” Thank you, Jack, for being in our Member Spotlight and sharing your story. Congratulations on losing the weight and keeping it off for so long, and thank you for your support and contributions to our boards over the years. If you want to be in our Member Spotlight or you would like to suggest to us a member to highlight, please let us know in the Spotlight Forum or by sending a private message (PM) to Alex Brecher. Pregnancy After Weight Loss Surgery – Stay Nourished! If you are hoping to become a parent of a healthy child, obesity can be standing in your way. Obesity can make both men and women less fertile, and if you are able to become pregnant, it makes your pregnancy higher risk. You are more likely to develop gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia, and your child is more likely to become obese and develop diabetes later in life. Weight loss surgery patients can realistically hope to become parents, and losing a significant amount of weight can make for a healthier pregnancy and baby. However, you still need to be very careful. If you have had weight loss surgery and you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, you may be at high risk for nutritional deficiencies that can harm you or your child. An article in the February 2014 edition of the journal Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases identified vitamin B12 and folic acid as some of the common nutritional deficiencies among pregnant weight loss surgery patients. Low protein levels can also be problematic. Deficiencies were found among gastric bypass, vertical sleeve gastrectomy, and biliopancreatic diversion patients; lap-band patients were not included in the study. If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, plan your nutrition carefully to be able to support a healthy baby. The rule of thumb is to delay pregnancy for at least a year after weight loss surgery while you focus on losing weight. During your pregnancy, the focus needs to be on good nutrition for you and your baby. Consult with your physician to get the best advice, and continue taking your vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent deficiencies. That is all we have for this week’s newsletter. We hope you enjoyed it!

I'm all for this. I think it's a great idea. Please come up with a Forum name, forum description and the appropriate place you think this forum belongs. Thanks for everyones input.

Please see the Pregnancy with Gastric Sleeve Surgery forum.

Great suggestion! We hope to have new tickers added over the next month or two.

I spend about $80-$100 per month on Poland Spring deliveries to my home. It's insane! Planning on installing water purifiers around the house shortly.

Some votes were lost since I edited the poll after it was launched. If you've voted and you notice you still have the ability to vote in this poll, your votes were mistakingly deleted (please vote again)

Correct, the new beta version is called BariatricPal Pro. That's the one we're looking for more feedback on (pretty pretty please!) We hope to enable groups with the next version we release.

Recently, some members volunteered to become part of a select group of BariatricPal members to test the new BariatricPal app for Android. I would like to thank those members for their willingness to help with this project. Your participation is invaluable as our team works to develop the best possible app. Now that you have had a chance to use the app, I would like to ask you to ask for your feedback on it. I would very much appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to share your experiences with the app by posting to this forum. Please feel free to answer these questions and add any additional observations and suggestions for improvement that you can think of. Thank you! Was the app easy to use? How often did you use the app? How often did you use the app compared to logging on to BariatricPal’s website from a laptop or desktop computer? Did you notice any technical problems with the app, such as having it crash? Did you run across any other problems with the app? Were you able to use the app to do everything you normally do on BariatricPal, such as posting to forums, uploading photos, and sending private messages to other members? Do you have any suggestions on how the app could be improved? Again, thank you for trying out the new app and letting me know what is good and bad about it. Your assistance allows us to make improvements that can benefit all BariatricPal members.

Your mom's situation is really a tough one. I understand why her cardio doc is so hesitant but on the other hand having WLS might actually allow her to overcome much of what she's dealing with today. I'd seek a second (and maybe even a 3rd) opinion and see what those docs recommend.

You need to consider a lot of factors before choosing to get weight loss surgery, and many of these factors can make you hesitate to get the surgery. If you have not had weight loss surgery, which of the following is preventing you from getting weight loss surgery? If you have already had the surgery, which of these delayed your procedure? Your insurance does not cover it and it costs too much. Your primary care doctor is not supportive. Your friends or family are against the idea of weight loss surgery. You are not sure which type of weight loss surgery is best for you. You are afraid of complications or side effects from weight loss surgery. You do not know if it will help you lose weight. Other - please tell us below! Please mark your answer and then explain it in the discussion below!

Agreed! That's why I posted this piece. I thought John Oliver did a great job at showing the world what Dr. Oz is really about. It so sad since he could be using his influence for wonderful things that are actually benefitting humanity.

"Check this shit out with some guy named Mehmet "

I was at an ASMBS conference in Miami and didn't find out about this terrible news until this evening. I met Dr Aceves on numerous occasions in Mexico as well as in the states. Last time was at ObesityWeek 2013 in Atlanta. He was sweet man with a heart of gold. With deepest sympathy, our thoughts and prayers are with the Aceves family. May he rest in peace.

Millions of Americans will go away on vacation this year, and if you are lucky enough to be one of them, you need to know what to pack. Packing requires a little more thought than it did before weight loss surgery, when you did not have much to worry about besides your clothes and toiletries. After weight loss surgery, you need to be sure that you bring what you need to stay healthy and keep losing weight. That means adding a few extra items to your packing list. These are some essential additions to your suitcase when you are taking a trip after weight loss surgery. Keep reading even if you’re one of the nearly half of Americans who are not going to travel this year. These tips can be just as helpful for staycationers as for vacationers, since the goals are the same. On vacation, you need to stick to your weight loss surgery diet, keep exercising, and be prepared for unexpected complications that can come up. Water Bottle Before surgery, hydration was a lot easier. You grabbed a bottle of water, a soda, or whatever else was around. If nothing was available at the moment, you just waited until the next opportunity to drink something. That doesn’t fly after weight loss surgery! You need to stay hydrated to keep your energy levels up and your hunger down, and you cannot afford the calories of sodas, juices, or sports drinks. Another wrench is that you cannot drink beverages while you are eating solid food, so you need to be prepared to meet your fluid requirements within small windows of time. Take a reusable water bottle so that you can always have water available when you need it. A reusable water bottle is not necessary if you are certain that you will always be able to purchase a few bottles of water when you need one. Include a few packets of powdered sugar-free beverage mix if you do not like the taste of water. Protein Powder Getting enough protein was no problem before weight loss surgery. There was no way you couldn’t get enough each day. After weight loss surgery, though, your 60 to 85 grams of protein per day can be challenging. Being on the road can make the task much more difficult. You might not be able to check the nutritional information of a food before it is time to eat your meal, or you might find yourself at a restaurant that seems to have no high-protein options. If you are in a foreign country, a lot of the foods you eat may be unfamiliar, so you will not know the exact protein content. You can still enjoy these exotic foods on your vacation, though. Stash some protein powder in your suitcase so that you never need to risk being without enough protein. A 1-lb canister of protein powder can provide 300 grams of protein, which should be enough to help you meet your needs when you combine it with the healthy foods you choose during your trip. Healthy Snacks Snacks and meals were easy before weight loss surgery. There is always some sort of food around, and when your stomach growled, you could hit the nearest vending machine, convenience store, or restaurant. After weight loss surgery, you need to eat healthy foods. If hunger strikes and you are unprepared, you are out of luck. Bring a few healthy snacks to prevent diet disasters at the airport and throughout your trip, unless you are certain that you will be able to visit supermarkets with the healthy foods you need whenever necessary. These are some ideas. Protein bars. Nuts or peanuts. Peanut butter. Beef jerky. Microwave popcorn. Packets of instant oatmeal (use the coffee maker in your hotel room to heat water to make the oatmeal). Emergency Contacts Anything can happen at any time after weight loss surgery. Lap-band patients may get sick and need an unfill, and any weight loss surgery patient can need to see a surgeon for a variety of reasons. Be sure you know how to reach your surgeon, primary care doctor, your pharmacist, and a friend or family member who can act as your emergency contact. You likely already have their information in your cell phone, but write it down on paper, too. That way, you can easily make copies of the information. Include names, phone numbers, and email addresses. Anti-Nausea Medications You may have already been prone to motion sickness and nausea before weight loss surgery, but the risks associated with vomiting are more serious after weight loss surgery. Vomiting can displace the lap-band or rip the staples if you have the gastric bypass, sleeve plication, or sleeve gastrectomy. Pack an over-the-counter anti-nausea and anti-vomiting medication that your doctor approves of so that you can minimize vomiting as soon as possible if you happen to get food poisoning or fall ill on vacation. Running Shoes Take your running, walking, or other active shoes…because this year, you are going to participate instead of watching on the sidelines! Don’t forget other activewear, such as comfortable exercise clothes that are suitable for whatever you might encounter, whether that involves outdoor hikes or indoor group exercise classes on a cruise ship. Food Journal Calories and portion sizes count just as much on vacation as at home, and logging your food is just as important. Take a paper notebook so that you do not need to rely on having internet access to log your food. Or, if you are staying in the U.S. and are confident that you can keep logging your food on your mobile device like you always do, you can stick with your smartphone. Nutritional Supplements You don’t want to waste your vacation chasing down the assortment of vitamins and minerals that you are supposed to be taking. Some of the vitamins and minerals may not even be available over-the-counter in the doses you need if you are in a foreign country. Bring enough of each kind of supplement that you take to comfortably see you through your trip.

You quoted me without a reply. Just want to make sure I didn't miss anything.....

Not at all!!

"Rome Wasn't Built in a Day" We had 11 members at our first NYC meeting. I promise if we keep at it we can make BP Support Groups a huge powerhouse. It'll take a little time but it'll be solid once it's in place

Apollo Endosurgery Revitalizes the LAP-BAND® System with New “It Fits” Campaign AUSTIN, TX (June 16, 2014) – Apollo Endosurgery, Inc., the leader in minimally invasive endoscopic surgical products for bariatric and gastrointestinal procedures, today announced the launch of the “It Fits” campaign, aimed at rejuvenating the LAP-BAND® System and educating a broad range of patients about the benefits of the minimally-invasive weight loss procedure. “It Fits” supports the company’s decision to place greater emphasis on the unique advantage of the LAP-BAND® System – the only FDA approved device for weight reduction for people with at least one weight-related health problem, and having a BMI of 30 or greater. The new campaign will reach consumers through advertising, digital engagement and multi-channel marketing efforts. “It Fits” creative can be seen on direct response TV spots, digital ads and print publications. In addition, the brand has revealed a new logo and refresh to LAPBAND.com, launched @ lapband, and established a call center to improve customer care and field inquiries for potential LAP-BAND® patients (1-800-LAP-BAND). “With the increasing prevalence of obesity in the United States, the Apollo Endosurgery team decided that it was time to refresh the brand and inspire people who have tirelessly tried everything else to lose weight, with little to no success, to finally conquer their weight issue with the LAP-BAND® System,” said Dennis McWilliams, President and Chief Commercial Officer of Apollo Endosurgery. “The LAP-BAND® System’s benefits speak for itself, so now is the time to raise awareness and let people know this could potentially be their weight loss solution.” Apollo is evolving the LAP-BAND® System to become more than a procedure, providing a full solution that involves strategic partners, nurturing communities, and a customizable platform for personalized, sustainable weight loss. The new campaign will showcase these unique advantages and provide consumers with the means to live a better quality of life. “The revitalized system will also cater to physicians so that we can better support their practices,” said McWilliams. “We support specialists in being the best coach for their patients. The patient may be in the driver’s seat, but the surgeon has to help them steer. The new system will help address those needs.” About Apollo Endosurgery, Inc. Apollo Endosurgery, Inc. is the leader in minimally invasive endoscopic surgical products for bariatric and gastrointestinal procedures. Apollo Endosurgery was cofounded with the Apollo Group, a unique collaboration of physicians from the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins University, Medical University of South Carolina, the University of Texas Medical Branch and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. This collaboration developed a broad portfolio of patents in the field of endoscopic surgery that became the foundation of Apollo Endosurgery. For more information regarding Apollo Endosurgery, go to: www.apolloendo.com. APOLLO ENDOSURGERY and LAP-BAND are worldwide trademarks or registered trademarks of Apollo Endosurgery, Inc. About LAP-BAND System® In a LAGB procedure, a band is placed around the upper part of the stomach. As the band inflates, it shrinks the size of the stomach. This helps individuals reduce the amount of food intake and slows emptying into the lower stomach. This helps individuals feel full sooner, stay full longer and reduce hunger urge. The LAP-BAND System was acquired in late 2013 by Apollo Endosurgery, Inc. of Austin, Texas, from Allergan, Inc. Warnings: The LAP-BAND System is a long-term implant. Explant and replacement surgery may be required. Patients who become pregnant or severely ill or who require more extensive nutrition may require deflation of their bands. Adverse Events: Placement of the LAP-BAND System is major surgery and, as with any surgery, death can occur. Possible complications include the risks associated with the medications and methods used during surgery, the risks associated with any surgical procedures, and the patient’s ability to tolerate a foreign object implanted in the body. Band slippage, erosion and deflation, reflux, obstruction of the stomach, dilation of the esophagus, infection, or nausea and vomiting may occur. Reoperation may be required. Rapid weight loss may result in complications that may require additional surgery. Deflation of the band may require additional surgery. Deflation of the band may alleviate excessively rapid weight loss or esophageal dilation.

Hi Carin, That would be fantastic! We had our first meeting in Manhattan over the weekend. Wish you would have joined! It would be fantastic to get something started in Park slope etc. There are many many WLS patients in your neighborhood. As group leader it would be up to you to select a time, place and location. We've created flyers you can use to post at your surgeons office or any other groups you attend. Please post to the local support chapter topic and let them know that you'll be leading. I'll also provided you with access to the local chapter leader forums once you confirm you'd like to move forward.

I just sent you a PM, thanks!

I love this idea! Are you willing/able to organize this ?

That's awesome news, congrats!!!