Television Appearances and Video Clips

WABC
October 15, 2009

Dr. Christine Ren on the TODAY Show

Dr. Christine Ren and ex NFL football player Jamie Dukes appear on the TODAY Show with Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb.

WCBS-TV
July 29

Lap Band Patients Re-Learn To Eat Out

George Fielding has probably done more of the lap-band type of obesity surgery than anyone in the world. He learned from thousands of patients that going out to eat was often an extremely anxiety-provoking event, both calorically and socially. That's how "Dinner with George" got started. It's a festive dinner at the old homestead steakhouse in the West Village. Folks are socializing, having fun, and of course eating. But these are no ordinary diners. Almost all of them have had lap-band obesity surgery, and for them, dining out can be terrifying. Fielding heads the NYU program for surgical weight loss. He started these dinners not just to help his patients re-learn how to eat with a lap band, but also for psychological reasons. He's lost 100 pounds with a lap-band himself. A lap band is basically an inflatable donut around the top of the stomach and it creates a bottleneck that makes it hard to get certain foods past such as white meats, turkey or chicken breast when it's really dry, especially when it's cold, and doughy breads." Deep inside every fat person is just someone that wants to be normal, a normal member of the community, where no one gives them a second look. So they want to be able to go out to a nice restaurant with their family, or on a date and just have a good time like everyone else in the room not worrying about being fat," Fielding said.

George Fielding, MD, assistant professor, surgery, NYU Program for Surgical Weight Loss

Click here for video.

Obesity Epidemic Isn't Getting Any Better
CBS Newspath

July 1, 2009 - A new study released Wednesday says obese adults have more chronic health problems than smokers, heavy drinkers or the poor. An annual report is showing that Americans are getting fatter, and it's an epidemic that's affecting people of all ages. The battle of the bulge is being fought across the country and Americans are losing. A new report called "F as in Fat" reveals two thirds of the country is overweight--nearly a third is obese, 50 pounds overweight. That's costing the country billions in healthcare. Not one state last year saw a drop in obesity rates, in fact they rose in 23 states and some doctors fear half the country will be obese as next year. To bring down medical costs, the report recommends a coordinated national effort because current policies aren't working. "They are not going to impact on the degree of obesity that we have right now," said Dr. Marina Kurian with NYU Langone Medical Center. The key of course is eating healthier and eating more fruits and vegetables. But as the study shows, most adults don't. However, the news for children is a little better. Childhood obesity rates are still dangerously high but have evened out.

- Marina Kurian, MD, assistant professor, surgery, NYU Program for Surgical Weight Loss

Learn more: http://cbs4.com/health/Obesity.USA.New.2.1067667.html

Reversing Diabetes
Dr. Evan Nadler discusses how weight loss surgery can reverse diabetes.

Teen Weight Loss Surgery
16-year-old Erica Rondello discusses how she improved her life with gastric bypass surgery. Dr. Marina Kurian discusses Erica's success as well as NYU Langone Medical Center's continuing study on weight-loss surgery for young people.

Entertainment Tonight
Dr. Fielding's patient Caitlin Van Zandt's discusses her LAP-BAND AP surgery. The segment highlights Caitlin's decision to have the LAP-BAND AP System and how her journey is being incorporated into her storyline on the soap opera Guiding Light.

The Today Show
Dr. George Fielding and Muhammad Ali's daughter, Khaliah, discuss her laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery on NBC's "Today Show."

The Jane Pauley Show
Dr. George Fielding and Khaliah Ali talk to Jane Pauley.

Oprah
For the first time, "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson talks about his experience with weight-loss surgery. Oprah asks Dr. Christine Ren about gastric bypass surgery, exploring the pros and cons of the various procedures.

Oprah: After the Show
More discussion with Oprah and Dr. Ren about gastric bypass surgery.

Additional Videos

Fat Chance
The pros and cons of surgical weight loss for children and adolescents.

Big Guys
The story of three very huge men, each with a BMI over 100, who have had gastric banding surgery.

Big Guy Update
See one of the big guy's progress.

Fat Town
How a small Australia town named Innisfail has embraced gastric banding, with great results.

Miriam
One woman's journey after gastric banding surgery, from BMI 80 to BMI 26.

Last Chance
MSNBC Investigates.

Videos viewable with RealPlayer and Quicktime.