Columbus Area

[DrWatkins 5]

You are welcome to attend our monthly Columbus Lap Band Support Group (513-939-2263 for details). We have a lot of Columbus patients come down to West Chester, OH north of Cincinnati because we do Lap Band surgery full-time and one of our band surgeons (Dr. Mobley) has had the band himself. We provide fills locally in Columbus and have so many patients we are going to send one of our surgeons up there so patients don't have to travel for consults, etc. Also feel free to call the office because all of the receptionists are banded and our two fill nurses are banded and you can ask them any question you might have about the band.

[HeatherA 1]

Hi Dr. Watkins, thanks for the generous offer. Is the support group here in Columbus?

[DrWatkins 5]

Yes it is.

Angie runs that group and she has had the band surgery.

You can find out more info by calling the Cincinnati office at 513-939-BAND (2263). They'll give you the exact location (I'm embarrassed to admit that I don't know!)

If you have any difficulty locating it, please let me know.

[SpecialK 22]

Dr. Watkins - are you using the new AP bands and are you happy with them?

[DrWatkins 5]

We only use the AP bands when we place an Allergan band. We really like them and think they should be used over the "old" Allergan bands.

We also are among the first in the country to offer the new REALIZE band from Ethicon. It too is a nice band.

[HeatherA 1]

Thanks Doc :-)

[SpecialK 22]

We only use the AP bands when we place an Allergan band. We really like them and think they should be used over the "old" Allergan bands.

We also are among the first in the country to offer the new REALIZE band from Ethicon. It too is a nice band.

I tried to find a photo or image of what the Realize band looks like and not having any luck. The Reallize website says its still in development. Anybody have a picture they can post?

[SpecialK 22]

I meant to say the web site for the company to inform people about the Realize band specifics is what is under development not the band device itself.

[DrWatkins 5]

I can't find a photo on the web.

It used to be called the Swedish band or the Obtech band before Ethicon bought it.

Their website (www.realizeband.com) has no photos currently, but I suspect they are coming soon. The announcement says, "December 2007" so I would watch that website for more info.

[nurse niki 0]

Hi everyone! I would love to join a local support group! I am currently jumping thru hoops for the second time (see my story on N E 1 forum) to get the band at Mt Carmel with Dr. Choban. My family and I live in Canal Winchester, SE of CBus, but I am willing to drive for a group!

[DrWatkins 5]

Hi Nurse Niki,

You're welcome to attend our Columbus support group. Our clinic is in West Chester, OH north of Cincinnati but we have lots of patients from Columbus so we have office hours there and a support group. You can call the office 513-939-BAND (2263) for details. Angie runs that support group and is a band patient herself.

Hope that helps.

[SpecialK 22]

I just wanted to take time to thank everyone for all the insight they have provided to me via this web site. I really haven't encountered anyone else to talk with in person so far - no family has had weight loss surgery and no friends or coworkers that have ever admitted it to me at least.

I'm off to spend the next 11 days in Arizona for Christmas with my brother and sisters. Can't wait! Merry Christmas!

[Tyanna 0]

Hi I was banded by Dr Needleman at OSU in June and I am looking forward to meeting all of you at Polaris on the 8th of Jan. It will be good to meet other lapbanders in person. pre band /270, weight now /246, goal /240 I cannot get my ticker to post

[OH Juli 15]

Hi Tyanna

I'm and OSU patient too. I had Mikami, in March. Nice to meet you.

[Tyanna 0]

HI Juli,Nice to meet you? I am planning on attending the Get together at Polaris on the 8th of Jan. Hope to meet you there. I see your weight loss is going very well for you. Any tips? I start cycle classes at the Marion Y on the 7th of Jan and I an also taking a Water arobic class. I have been not doing so well on the exercise part because my job is quite strenous but since I got my bodybugg I have been doing so much better. It is such a motivator:) It is really nice to chat with some local people that have been banded. I was a self pay so I am really motivated to make this work and so far it has been very good for me, worth every penny