I'm from Queens NY. Not banded yet. Looking forward to meeting others in Queens.

Hi Alfie,

I live in Rego Park, Queens. I'll be banded on October 8 with Dr. Ren at NYU.

hi Im in Richmond Hill Queens, I don't have a date yet but I am being banded at South Nassau Communities Hospital by Dr Vohra's team. Your date will be here before you know it. All the best.

Regards,

Alfie

I lived on 120th near Lefferts Blvd. for a couple of years. I've spent the weekend purging my apartment of non-bandster food items & stocking up on the things I'll need during my liquid time. Dr. Ren requires two weeks of liquids prior to surgery. My kitchen looks like a Slim Fast warehouse right now.

It's great knowing someone else from Queens on the bandster journey. I hope you'll get your approval very soon.

Bill

Hi Bill,

I'm just 10 blocks from where you used to live...small world. That is so exciting about setting up the kitchen to suit your new requirements. I read about your journey on your website. I'm glad you are finally going to be able to do this.

This morning I have to go back to the WLCenter to speak to one more person that was not in last Thursday due to the Jewish holiday and this afternoon I have an appt with my PCP to get my referrals for the different doctors that I need to see.

Also, I wll now be on that 6 month supervised diet that Aetna requires.Someone at the WL center wanted me to 'fudge' my journal and say that I've been on Weight Watchers for the last 6 mos. I told them I won't lie; it would be so wrong. Hence, I will have to wait a bit longer.

I also have to have my gall bladder taken out sometime in October.

Anyway, you take care and enjoy and savor your journey into being a Bandster

Regards

Alfie

Hey Alfie,

Double check with your insurance company to be certain they require the 6 month supervision. Not all of them do.

I did the entire 6 month thing & then found out that Oxford doesn't always require it. I could have been half way to my goal by now.

I'm looking to lose about 75 pounds. My BMI is 37.1, but I'm diabetic with high blood pressure and very severe sleep apnea.

I start on the liquid diet on Friday. The nutritionist at NYU recommended SlimFast Optima instead of Optifast. She said the taste is better. I think that's probably a relative thing. I don't think any of them taste even remotely good. I'll be telling myself that it's just a small hurdle to jump on the way to my goal.

I hope your appointment goes well.

Bill

I live in Saint Albans, being banded on Novemeber 13th by Dr. Merola at New York Hospital,Queens.

Hi Princess, Is NY Hosptial Queens the old Booth Memorial? Nice to meet you!

Regards,

Alfie

Hi I live in Astoria...I was just banded on 9/19/07

Hi Miss NYC,

Nice to meet you. How are you doing with your band and who did you get banded by? I know you must be on mushies by now. I still don't have my date but I am w-a-i-t-i-n-g!

Hi Alfie...Well I am well past mushies...I am eating solid food (chickem, steak,vegetables) but so far so good. I was very blessed to only have experienced HORRIBLE gas pain for the first week...then I upped my Water intake and started walking and the gas went away.

I am due for my first fill on November 5.

I was banded in Houston, TX by Dr, Speigel. He was great and the lap band surgery is the only surgery that he does; so he's pretty good at it.

Hi NYC,

He must be good at it with all that practice!

I am from Flusing and was banded by Dr Fielding NYU on Nov 1, home and feeling great - drinking and gassy but otherwise good- grew up in Kew Gardens near some of you others - cannot wait to chew!! Lillian:clap2:

hi Lillian, Glad you're feeling good. Im in Richmond Hill just a few towns away from you. Still not banded but I have a date for my gall bladder to come out on November 28 I heard so many good things about Dr Fielding! I'm being banded by Dr Nishimura from South Nassau Communities Hospital. He also practices at a "circle of excellence" so I'm feeling confident. Take care and let us know how you are progressing.

HI am now eating but what is the deal about being hungry - should you be hungry and then when you eat fill up quickly or should you not be hungry ??Help very nervous

Yeah I was REALLY hungery as soon as the swelling went down. Folks say that it very common. I've been told that until you get proper restriction your stomach is pretty much they way it was before the band. Just up your protein and find things to nosh on...my personal favorite is Sugar Free popscicles (sp?) and pumpkin seed (they are very time consuming to eat) and drink plenty of water.