kristenmh

i'm a big fan of the NYU practice. i've had a great experience thus far -- no long waits, all my questions answered, no problem getting an appointment or getting someone on the phone. i think my luck has to do with: 1. surgeon choice -- dr. kurian (she does all of her new patient consults on mondays, you do your physical/nutritionsit/consultation on the same day) 2. fielding/ren are in surgery on mondays -- i.e. quieter office 3. asking for the first morning appointment before they start to get backed up. i can't say enough about how sweet, down to earth and supportive dr. kurian is.

i have my esophagram on thursday and the rest of my pre-op testing on 8/7. liquid diet will start on the 31st. the get together was great. i hope to organize another one in the next month or so.

congratulations! i'm about a week behind you -- august 14th with dr. kurian. are you starting the liquid diet this weekend? when are your pre-op appointments?

can i be added to the list? i just got my date today. i'll be banded in NYC by Dr. Marina Kurian on August 14th.

hi everyone, just got back from my appointment with dr. kurian. this is my second time at the NYU office and everything has been smooth sailing. (haven't had to wait at all for either appointment.) met with dr. kurian (who is lovely) and we set a surgery date for august 14th. my esophogram is next week and the pre-op tests are on the 7th. everyone seemed fine -- nilsa (the surgical coordinator) was v. together. we'll submit to my insurance for pre-certification next week and go from there. yay!

quick question: i have my surgical consult with dr. kurian on monday. i've already had my nutritionist appt and physical (by the folks at nyu) -- how long should i plan on being in with her? my appt is at 9:50, so im hoping i'll be able to avoid some of the long wait times.

who told you that you needed a five year weight history for oxford? i have oxford (and am being banded at NYU) and that's not a requirement. per the documentation oxford sent me, surgery is automatically approved (with out the need for a medical director review) provided that the patient has a bmi of 40 or above.

Sheila, I'm sorry you're experiencing so much anxiety over this. I've met a few folks who have never had a PB -- as long as you take things slow, you should be ok. Also, from what I gather you do get a bit of a warning sign if you are going to PB. (The sliming/tightness in the chest feeling.) So, like vomiting, you'll have clues it's happening and you can get yourself to a place where you can feel safe. xoxo

congratulations! where are you being banded?

poop. i had to reschedule my surgical consult today. fortunately, i only had to push it off a week. i'm just ready to get this show on the road.

Really looking forward to meeting folks!

You don't have to be an NYU bandster -- everyone is welcome!! I hope you join us -- it will be awesome to have you there.

Congratulations! We'll be thinking about you on Tuesday.

Here's the info.... Everyone is welcome to attend! Please don't be shy -- none of us know each other in real life, so it will be a great opportunity to make new friends. NYC Lap Band Meetup Sunday, June 29th Ozzie's coffee 49 5th Avenue (between Carroll & Garfield), Brooklyn, NY (Park Slope) 4:00 pm Map & Directions: 49 5th Avenue Brooklyn, NY - Google Maps Trains 2,3 to Bergen D, M, N, R to Pacific

Hey folks -- I'm putting together an NYC area get together on Sunday in Park Slope, Brooklyn. (Sorry to spam -- just wanted to make sure everyone who might want to come knows about it.) Barb: Keep up the good work! You're surgery is only 1.5 weeks away -- how exciting!

I'll post this in the main forum as well... NYC Lap Band Get Together Sunday, June 29th Ozzie's coffee 49 5th Avenue (between Carroll & Garfield) 4:00 pm Map & Directions: 49 5th Avenue Brooklyn, NY - Google Maps Trains 2,3 to Bergen D, M, N, R to Pacific Hope to see everyone there!

i'll call ozzies on 5th ave and see if they can accommodate a group.

hey everyone, i'm kristen and i live in carroll gardens. i'd love to organize a get-together -- maybe someplace central like the slope? Ozzie's on 5th Avenue is HUGE -- plenty of space for a get-together. Anyone up for a gathering say, this Sunday late afternoon/evening?

NYC Lap Band Get Together Sunday, June 29th Ozzie's coffee 49 5th Avenue (between Carroll & Garfield) 4:00 pm Map & Directions: 49 5th Avenue Brooklyn, NY - Google Maps Trains 2,3 to Bergen D, M, N, R to Pacific Hope to see everyone there! I'll be the chubby girl all in black!

i absolutely agree! i'm out of town this week, but if anyone in the NYC area is interested, drop me a PM and i'll organize a get-together.

thank you! my doc (dr. daryl isaacs @ mercer street medical) was glad to give me the recommendation. phew!

oh, phew. glad it was submitted. keep us posted on the approval status and if you need anything pre/post op. xoxo

that must feel so incredibly frustrating. silly questions but....did you call the folks @ nyu? i know they can be a little abrupt a times--but perhaps you can check in with them and see what's up? i'm sure everything will work out -- let us know how it foes.

Congratulations Leslee! Dee, I don't have insurance approval yet -- the doctor's office won't submit that until close to my surgery. I have Oxford which has been described by the folks @ NYU as the "Cadillac" of insurance when it comes to the lap band. Having spoken with Oxford (and gotten a copy of their benefit schedule in the mail), they cover the surgery without the need for a Medical Director's review if your BMI is over 40 and the surgery is being performed by an Allergan-certified surgeon. (All the docs @ NYU are). Oxford doesn't require a 6 month doctor-supervised diet -- but looking through my information packet from NYU, it does appear that BC/BS requires that.

Question for all of the NYU bandsters -- what pre-op tests did you have to have? I've had my routine physical bloodwoork, an EKG and a pulmonary capacity test. I've heard folks mentioning chest x-rays and sleep apnea tests -- are those required?