From RI and need some advice

Hi, I'm considering Lband.  Am attending a seminar at Roger Williams Hosp on 5/8.  I'm petrified about the whole thing but with a BMI of 36 I need to do something.  I see there are only a few docs in RI who do this  - can anyone give me insights on their experiences with their surgeon and with the success of the surgery in general.  Thanks so much for any and all advice! Kelly

Hi Kelly, I have Dr. Jeannine Giovanni. She is awesome. VERY VERY nice, calls you back as soon as she can, very well educated and very informative. She performed my surgery and :Knock on wood: I have yet to have any serious issues.

Hello Kelly, I have Dr. Ryder as well for a surgeon and she is wonderful. No matter how many questions I had at any appointment she took the time to answer them all, as well as questions from my husband. Her office staff is just as nice. My surgery went well. I only had one little "incident" and that was because I was dehydrated the weekend I came home and my blood pressure bottomed out. I saw the VN, sat in a chair and drank water till the "pond was dry" so they say. After that everything was a learning process. I think that you will be fine. Nerves get all of us at the beginning of your journey but you will find that the RI OH group is very supportive and will ease your nerves. Good luck, Tracy

I have Dr. Beth Ryder. She is located in Providence. She is absolutely wonderful. No regrets from me on anything.  One thing I do like (as I'm hearing many complaints about seeing surgeons) for every appointment I've had with her...I've only seen her. The last thing I want to do it go in for a routine appointment and see an associate working for her. I like knowing if I have questions or concerns...they will be answered.  Good luck in your decision! 

I have Dr. Pohl who was the only doctor in the state to be doing lapband in 2005 when I got mine.  De. Pohl and Dr. Giovanni work together. I trust him 100% so feel good about Dr Giovanni because he would only work with someone who was great.  Good luck!  Please let us know if you  have any questions...

The sucess of the lapband depends a lot on you.  It can be "eaten around" with soft food like ice cream and milk shakes.  I had mine put in 3 weeks ago and I am doing well.  I have Dr Roye as a surgeon and he is wonderful!  The seminar will give you a lot of information and you will have a chance to get all your questions answered. Good luck!

I am in the pre-op process for the Lap Band and i am going to Dr. Vithianithan.  He is out of Miriam and absolutely wonderful.  He is the Cheif of Biartic surgery at Miriam and i am so looking forward to everything.  His office staff is great.  If you have any specific questions please feel free to contact me.  I would suggest coming to the support group at Miriam on 4/22.  It starts at 5:30 for lap band patients.  It is a great way to gain a lot of information.

Hi, I had doctor Pohl.  Roger Williams Hospital is a Center of Excellence for Bariatric surgery.  Dr. Pohl was key in getting this certification.

I too have to put in a plug for Dr Pohl, While we have several really good Drs in the area, I researched and kept coming back to Dr Pohl. Once I met him at the seminar and heard him talk my mind was set.