Albany, NY or surronding areas

I am just curious if there is anyone else out there that is just starting the process that lives in or around Albany, NY.

Jennifer: Hello! feel free to email me off list anytime! [email protected] I am not a newbie preop but I am a older postop and would gladly assist you in any way through this journey. I live north of Saratoga (Near Greenfield Center/Corinth area) and run the Saratoga Springs Bariatric Support group. I would love it if you visited us! January we are having a plstic surgeon as a guest speaker, Dr. Joshua King, a not to be missed presentation! In the board room of Saratoga Hospital 6-8pm! Here is info I have on local support groups! These are the groups I know of... I have facilitated a Bariatric Support Group in Saratoga Springs since mid-2003 (at the time Dr.'s Yeaton/Anderson were performing RNY at the hospital). 1st Monday of the Month (next few are: 11/6, 12/4, NOTE in January due to Holiday is 2nd Monday 1/8/2007!) at Saratoga Hospital in the Board Room 211 Church Street Saratoga Springs NY 12866 My contact info (office) 518 583-3035 x 212 *can call and by 3pm if I cancel due to weather it will reflect that on my VM message, or hospital operator 587-3222 would know or on our website: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/SaratogaSprings-NY-WLS-support/ I usually present a topic (realistic expectations, WLS lifestyle, protein sampling, trimming the psychological fat, regain issues, body image/self esteem...are some) and plan on having some guest speakers (Plastic surgeon/psychotherapist on emotional eating) in near future. Glens Falls (please call to confirm as it has tendency to change w/o my awareness/dates time place etc.!) Karen Hogan @ (518) 926-2615 or email her @ [email protected] Meets every other month, on the second Tuesday of EVEN NUMBERED months, at 6:30 p.m., at the Nutrition Center, located at 2 Broad St. Plaza, in Glens Falls, NY. ***Members requested having a meeting every month vs. every other, SO on alternate Months at glens Falls Hospital 6pm in downstairs auditorium A (ODD NUMBERED MONTHS) Lois McBride@ 793-6214 [email protected] or Karen Yurcik@ 745-1278 [email protected] It doesn't matter which hospital, surgeon, type of surgery, or nutritionist you are using. It is open to anyone who would like more information. In Albany Med EVERY Thursday 6-8pm (open to anyone) but mainly Dr. Singh/Dr. Rosati patients attend. New Scotland ave entrance (white pillars) go in first LEFT (before the info desk) down the hall, in the waiting area it meets. Starting in October they went to 1st week of month a topic discussion (Nov is Exercise, December is minerals/vitamins) and the others are just a round the room intro/Q&A group. http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/upstatenywlssupport/ Lap Band Support group at Albany Med SECOND Monday of the Month 4:30pm-6pm in the Alumni Lounge Room A 164 LONGTERM GASTRIC BYPASS SUPPORT (those over 1 year out) SECOND MONDAY AT AMC as well in Alumni Lounge (Room A 164) 6-8pm *right after Lap band support group. Ilana Nardone is a RD who runs those groups. I believe they have an answering machine system to call in case of cancellations/in climate weather (518) 262-2195 or it may be on the site (although not too active lately) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Albany Clinical Nutrition 1240 New Scotland Road Slingerlands, NY 12159 (518) 475-7000 X4 Run by: Kathleen Callahan RD [email protected] EVERY TUESDAY 5-7pm in their waiting room (*used to be held at St. Peter's in staff cafeteria) She usually does a topic w/ handouts. http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ACN_Bariatric_Surgery_EducationGroup/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A new group, I have little info on and have never attended (*I have attended all the above except Lap band group) is in Gloversville NY (run by a pre-op pt/beginning training by OH) http://upstatenybariatricsupport.bravehost.com/ meeting every Second and Forth Sunday of the Month Place: Nathan Littauer Hospital 99 E. State St Gloversville, NY in the Auditorium Time: 6pm to 8pm Please Email Staci White with any Questions at [email protected] http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=W1144872146 is her OH profile Here is all the info on Ellis I have (*I would call to see if you would be 'allowed' to attend? I feel support should be open to all, but then again everyone has their opinion!) http://www.ellishospital.org/bariatrics.cfm http://www.ellishospital.org/bariatricsseminars.cfm Bariatric Support Groups give weight loss patients and potential patients an intimate forum to discuss personal and medical issues. The group meets the first Monday and the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. in Ellis Hospital's George Wm. Graham Auditorium. Support groups are supervised by a medical professional and feature a guest speaker such as a nutritionist, a psychologist, an endocrinologist, or a surgeon. Parking for both the seminar and support group is available, free of charge, in the Ellis Hospital parking garage, which is accessible from Nott Street. Please note that attendees may be dropped off directly outside the auditorium door, which is accessible from Parking Lot # 1 off of Rosa Road. Ellis Hospital Bariatric Care Center 1405 Fulton Avenue Schenectady, NY 12308 Phone: 518.243.1313 Fax: 518.831.7007 Email: [email protected] http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/LiriosLiteBrigade/ may have been taken over by spammers, not sure if active!? http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Capital_Region_Bariatric_Support_Group/ This is an INDEPENDANT group that is for ALL people interested in or that have had Gastric Bypass Surgery in the Upstate NY, Capital Region. We are not affiliated with any other group or Hospital in the area. Support is ONE of the things that can assist you on this journey! Be well and Dr. Singh is AWESOME! Take Care, Jamie Ellis RN MS NPP 100cm proximal Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh Albany, NY 320(preop)/163 (lowest)/174 (current) 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King www.albanyplasticsurgeons.com http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/jamiecatlady5/ "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

Hi Jennifer, Jamie told you most of what you need to know. Stay in touch with her because she's an amazing source of information and wonderful support. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have. I usually go to the Thursday support group at Albany Med once a month. Hopefully I'll run into you there. In the interim, if you want to chat or have any questions, feel free to email me. [email protected] Hugs, Amy

Hi Jennifer, Congratulations on getting started. I am in Cohoes and I just started my journey in November. I would be glad to talk to you. This site is a great source of information and support, the people are genuine and kind. I also attend the Thursday support group at Albany Med so hopefully we'll get to meet. Janet

Hello Jennifer... I live in Whitehall but work in Albany and also attend the Albany Support group on Thursday nights. I had Dr. Singh as my surgeon. Feel free to e-mail me if you want to chat... [email protected] Lori Greenough

Sean B, just had surgery in manhattan last month lives around Albany. If your looking for a surgeon, make sure you first figure out what kind of surgery you want to have....there are really no DS surgeons in the Albany area, and you'd have to travel outside the area to find a good surgeon. Scott

Merry Christmas everyone!!! Thank you all for all the info.!! I can't believe how amazing this site and all the people are!! Thank you all so much for the support I am sure that I am going to need it in the next couple of months.