HI I am from south of buffalo and i am new to this site as well as I am just strating my journey by continuing my research on what is best for me- and finding a good doctor- if anyone is from the area and can give me some suggestions that would be great- thanks and nice to meet you all

I next seminar is March 6th.... I asked when I was up in the office Tue. I see Dr. Hoffman on March 4th again. I talked with him about getting new patient in and he told me have them call Lisa since the main line is such a pain in the neck for quick service. Let her know your done with all your paperwork required by your insurance and that you have been to a seminar already and that could she help get you in for there's March 6th and also get an appointment set to see Dr. Hoffman ASAP just after that date if the seminar is required before hand. Let her know you have been waiting so long and need her help..........

Wonderful. I called and got an appointment for next week!!!!!! I am so excited. THANK YOU for all your help and advice.

OMG.... That's awesome, swesome, awesome.......... I so wish you the best... Tell Dr. Hoffman Cynthia Tatta sent ya a calling!! I just got back from talking to the head of surgery here and there looking into starting the bariatric Lap Banding here with our most skilled surgeon Hoffman, she asked me a ton of questions and I going to start working with them to help out in the program...... I'll be the example and help out when patient have questions. I'm excited

Now we need to get FireDust and Lovingheart into the loop.... come join us at Buffalo General with Dr. Arron Hoffman.

You are so funny- You are giving Dr. Hoffman lots of praise- that is great word of mouth is always the best-

I am unsure if I want to do gastric or the lapband- and I am still unsure of which Dr- - I was looking into Dr. caurana for the gastric and then Dr posner for the lap- But I think you are doing great with Dr hoffman- how many did you say he has done? SO many things to think abnout-lol

you have given me lots of info - SO how did you decide on him?

I have to say that both Posner, & Hoffman can do the RNY the difference in Carauna is he only does the "OPEN" surgery which is longer to heal, larger scar and longer recovery than the Laparoscopic surgery. Posner is also know to lean way towards the RNY. I have four tiny incisions less than 1/2 inch and one where the port is placed is about 1 1/2 inch long. I didn't need high end pain meds they gave me for when I got home. I only had to take Extra Strength Tylenol for the pain I had. Which was very manageable.

I was in the pocess of going to Dr. Carauna's lap band doctor, but he left during the summer unexpectedly and that's when I started my research for the best Lap-Band doctor in Buffalo. I found that Dr. Hoffman was returning to Buffalo after studing Lap-Band @ Long Island Jewish, I found out after much research he has done over 450 I even asked him how many he's done and yes it's now around 480-490 which is really great. He also does surgery here at my hospital and Children's for general Laparoscopic surgery. I have found out he's a master at doing this type of surgery on patients with high scar tissue from prior proceedures. He aides in difficult surgeries.

My research is that I can sit around and melt away in a chair and eat hardly anything, maybe have a few sweets to only to dump in my pants, have malnutrition side effects, much more floppy skin folds, and look greyish with RNY sure I might lose weight faster in the first year but do I really own that weight loss have I really changed by eating, thinking about food??????

Now I'm making sound choices, look great, feel awesome, have that small slice of cheese cake if I want with out dumping my pants, eat what I want, when I want as long as my smaller pouch allows me too...... I eat small meals and I choose high quality foods because I feel better and crave them more over junk foods. I now fuel my body not my temptations......My skin is forming to my newer size better as it's going down, I have high energy out the yahoo.. The best part is that own every pound I lose...it's mine to own... I know if I eat higher carbs, sweets, or fatty foods to often then the scale or my body will let me know by not losing as well.... So I own that weight, I learn what my body needs, wants and in the long run I want to know what it is so I can keep it off this time "FOREVER" My band is going to allow me to do that and I will never turn into a woman with a body shell of 411 lbs.

Only you know what method will work for you once you have all the information by doctor's and patients feed back..... Just take your time and do a pro/con list on both procedures..... any way you decide your going to succeed. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask me.... Cynthia

Cynthia if you don't mind me asking, you work at Buf gen. I completely agree with you on all your points, lap vs. gastric.

Caruanas office still does not have a lap band surgery. Well I called in Jan and they said they may have one in a couple of months.

No, I'm at VA Medical Hospital w/Research......... I really did my homework with the doctor's. I just really 'LOVE' my band!!!

Before I had it placed I was scared that oh this is going to be one more try at getting this weight off.... But, I feel so much different now that I have it!! It's way much better than I ever counld have thought it would be!! My attitude, my ability to have control w/the bands help is awesome. I'm feeling like a Billion bucks these days!!

Well, I think I might be leaning toward Buffalo General now! :tongue2:

Okay... so walk me through this. I'm sorry, I'm from about 2 hours away (along the NY/PA line, so I'm not as well versed on Buffalo as everyone else). Dr. Hoffman is in with Dr. Posner? I had requested and received one of those little application packets from Dr. Posner about a month ago. Do I need to visit my PCP FIRST before I get all that stuff filled out and then go to the seminar?

I have BC/BS, so I know I'll have the 6 months supervised diet that my insurance requires, but that should be the only sticking point for me.

Is there anyone else out there that needs to attend a seminar and maybe wants to buddy up?

I mean look who could eat one good med sized meatball with 1/4 cup sauce for dinner and be happy...... That was me last night!! I made pasta homemade meatballs and sauce for my children last night. I wanted just a meatball and I was totally happy with it!!! My old self would have had four meatballs 1 1/2 to 2 cups pasta, garlic bread and I would have been stuffed. I made a huge pot of sauce with pork loin, meatballs, and chicken sausage two weekd a go and froze it in dinner size portions for my two kids and I and I have so many meals that is blows my mind what I used to consume in one darn meal.... I was a complete piggy before my band........ No wonder I became so large @ 411. Still blows my mind!!!

Hi FireDust Yes Dr. Hoffman is with Posner's group. What I would do is call Lisa today, right now 716 859-4024 and see what she needs to get you in for the seminar. The next one is March 6th and if you want I would be willing to meet you there once you have your seminar appointment. I'm not that far from Buffalo General and I know most of the staff and I could even have you meet Dr. Hoffman while we are there........

I hear ya. Really want my band. I feel as though I need something. Meaning some type of tool to lose the weight. Diet and excersice just is not enough to keep it off for me.

I would'nt mind meeting you guys there.

I know what you so mean... In 2004/2005 I lost 167 pounds on Weight Watchers I owned every pound I lost...... I felt good and I did it by eating good and doing my treadmill everyday.... But the keeping it off was the real bite in the Azz........ I still had the large tummy inside and if I wanted I could eat large amounts of food...... That's just what I went back to doing.... eating by the bag full of chips, cookies, and other foods. Once I started I couldn't stop myself.... Now I have my ring of hope the band...... I know if I need it in the future I can get a fill... Right now I'm empty (no fill) and doing this with my will power and the bands reg tightness.... Some people don't have restriction 7-8 weeks post-op like I feel I do have so I feel lucky... Once some of the fat around my belly goes away then this may change...... Now I have the oppertunity to learn and teach myself what makes the best fuel for my body and what works. Once I get down to my last bit of weight I'll have what it takes to get there finally and forever be free of this weight.........

I would love to meet up at any meeting/other oppertunity to get together and help answer question, show my port etc.......

I might become part of the Lap Band support here at my hospital once they get the program started.... I was asked to speak to some of the doctor's who will be sending patients to Dr. Hoffman so they can understand the patients view on the surgery.