Hi everyone,

Where are the support groups in New York?

Thanks

Some of us are showing up in Sept for a Bash.

Judy...

Hey there....There are three support groups that I am aware of in my area (Hudson Valley) The one I go to is in Goshen NY...There is one in Middletown, and one in Port Jervis I believe..I have never been to the Middletown or Port Jervis meetings. I could try and get you phone numbers or addresses to the support groups if this is where you wanna go....I dont know where you are in New York....

Hope this helps a little...

EDIT: Maybe your surgeon can give you lists of local support groups too.

Hi there, there are 2 support groups in Port jervis area 1)The Lean Way 159 east main st. across from Bon Secours Comm. Hosp 2) CKL counnseling milford pa. 570 296 1742 ....milford is just 10min from portjervis....

There is a good group going for lap banders only at Mercy Medical Center - long Island

Debby, I didn't realize you live so close. I'm in West Hempstead.

There's one in Wantagh (Long Island) 2nd tuesday of month. If intrested I can find out more details.

There is also one in riverhead the first thursday of every month!!

Thanks everyone,

I live in Queens, NY very close to LI. I think I will visit the lap banders at Mercy Medical Center (10 mins away)

Judy Judy I'm so excited to have a new friend at the support group. It's run by the psychologist and the Nutritionist from Garbre's office. It's a small crowd and very positive. It's the second Tuesday of the month I'll post the details I have a flyer around here somewhere. There is a fee - I think it's their way of keeping it small.

Karen - You go to Wantagh. I grew up in Seaford - you pass right by it. We should all hook up for a walk (no food involved please).

Hello All,

My name is Mary and I just found your posts. What a welcome relief! I was banded on August 8, 2005, and I think I need a support group because I haven't shared my experience with anyone outside my immediate family. So far I've lost about 16 1/2 lbs, but I recently had my husband hide the scale. I found myself becoming obsessed with it! I have so many questions. Please bear with me while I learn how to navigate this site. Thanks!

Debby,

Do you know if Dr. Garber do fills for patients who had the surgery in Mexico. That would be amazing. Let me know. Thanks!

Hi Mary,

Welcome and congratulations!!!

Hopefully I will be joining you soon. My surgery date is October 10th. Are you close to Mercy Medical Center.

Judy,

You won't need to worry about a fill until December/Januaryish. I'll ask but don't hold your breathe. He charges 250 for the fill and 250 for the visit. Riduculous!!! Karen uses a place in Massapequa for fills. She was also banded in Mx. You may have better luck and a more reasonable fee schedule there.

Mary, Where do you live???

Hi all. There are several support groups on Long Island. I am a member of LIBanders which is a yahoo group. You join by going to Yahoo groups and request membership from the moderator. We have close to 200 members and are growing. We meet on the last Tuesday of every month at the Sweet Hollow Diner on route 110 in melville at 6pm. Dr. Geiss has a meeting the 1st Tuesday of every month at the North Ritz Club in Syosset at 7pm and it is open to pre-banded as well as banded. There is a post surgical support group for patients of Drs. Gellman, Gadeleta, Cosgrove, Maholtra (sp?) and a few others that meets on the 2nd tuesday of the month at Hillside Hospital near LIJ at 6:30 pm. It's a great group but it's open to bypass patients as well. I am very active in the band community as I have been banded just over 2 years. I get my fills at North Shore Manhasset by Dr. Scarmata (radiologist) under flouroscope. All you need is a prescription and phone call! If anyone has any questions please feel free to email me at jackiebwild@juno.com We all need to stick together and make this tool work for us.

Hello All, Sorry it took me so long to get back. I forgot my password and then had a heck of a time figuring out how to get back in. I live in Nassau County and had my operation by Dr. Geiss. I go to his first Tuesday meetings but it is a big group and is not really the kind of support that I feel comfortable with. I like to hear what others have to say, but I'm not going to get up in front of all those people and ask questions. I was thinking of going to one of the small groups that he has, but I am so paranoid about anyone finding out that I had the surgery. With the exception of my husband and kids, no one knows...not my family, friends or co-workers. I am not ashamed of what I did, but I can't deal with negative opinions, nor do I want to be the topic of coffee-break conversations. I like the anonymity of online groups. I lost 7 pounds on Medifast pre-op, 9 more in the two weeks after surgery, and nothing for three weeks after that. It was driving me crazy...I am able to eat more than I think I should, but I was still eating far, far less than I was before. Luckily, this past Tuesday I started to lose again and have now lost a total of 22. It's a spit in the ocean at this point, but I am very happy. I wish the doctor would give me a fill now, as I really think I need one. Thank you all for listening.

Mary...I think you are doing great. You have lost a nice amount of weight since you have been banded. I wouldn't rush for a fill just yet. It is a really good idea to wait about 6-8 weeks after surgery for everything to heal. You don't want to take a chance of anything slipping so soon after surgery. Dr. Geiss has a great team for support but nothing compares to being with others who are going thru the same things as you. You should definitely join LIBanders and come to out diner meetings. We also go out after Dr. Geiss' meeting as well. There are sooo many of us who have been banded for awhile and have "seen it all". We are all very willing to share our experiences and answer any questions you may have. If one of us can't answer then there is always someone else who knows. If you ever want to talk feel free to email me privately and we can chat on the phone. I live in Nassau also. I Would love to get together with other banders.