Here's an old link I have saved:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/LapBand/3823448/Protein-Sh ake-recipes-to-die-for-I-am-two-years-out-and/

I had Dr and he is an extremely competent physican. I also like that Miriam is the location of all of his surgeries and that patients are placed on the cardio floor with heart patients as it has a lower patient/nurse ratio. The care at Miriam was outstanding!! Dr V is Chief of minimally evasive surgery and over 60% of his practice is bariatric.
He is happy to answer questions. Remember with any surgery, it is your responsibility to do the research ask the right questions and make the decision in your own best interest.
The combo of Dr V and Miriam is flawless, in my opinion! good luck!!

hi there,
i have dr. v as well...i really like him and his staff. i walked in for my first consult and had my lap band surgery 3 months later. i had some concerns about my coverage because there were massive lay offs at work, i told them about this and they pushed me through the process to get me approved as fast as possible. i was approved from cigna in less than three days. i am six months out from surgery, and unfortunately it has not been very successful, once i obtained the right restriction, i could not keep anything down. he did a hiatel repair, after which i had no reflux, now after all the vomiting the reflux is back. i have not lost weight. i was in his office last week and just broke down in tears, he and his np were very soothing and understanding. he explained that the band does not work for everyone, he unfilled my band so i could ease the stomach irritation, i saw him again this week to follow up, he fit me into his schedule the very next day for a ugi and i have been scheduled for a ultra sound next friday and another follow up on may 13th. his np called me twice to make sure i was feeling ok and getting the right nutrition. she is super nice. his former np was not so nice, karen is awesome. dr v told me there are other options and we are going to explore them, he is very thorough, professional, and i would recommend him and his staff to anyone. he is the chief of minimally invasive surgery and bariatric surgery at miriam hospital. also i will only have surgery at miriam, the staff is super attentive and they have a great working relationship with dr v

It  is AMAZING. I feel like I'am walking on water. Everyday 2 people or more are telling how great I look!!  The best part is I KNOW it too :-) THANK YOU
Dr MANOWN my pc for recommeding I look into the REALIZE BAND!!! Also to Dr Roye for doing it.
Kathy (really wish I could change the fatkat name)

From what I have seen/heard you need to be SMO to have a RI doc even think about it - and even then they are not really familiar with DS surgeries because they really do not do them - look in the Boston/Ny areas you will find someone experienced...