Hello... Tinkerbelle from VA - Now a Marylander ..

Hello Everyone from Maryland .. I wanted to introduce myself to you . I am a 2 year post op that has now moved to Rockville MD . The love of my life asked me to move in with him .. and I said yes ... I am also undergoing a tumor study at NIH , and hope to get resalution on this - Tuesday . I do know several people from Maryland that have attended the Va - Weight Loss Expos . Myself and David Becker put these on each year . I am also a Obesity Help Chapter Team Leader . I had a support group here in Va that I will be giving up , but will be looking to afiliate myself with a group up here in the Rockville Area . I am still learning the area .. dealing with the capitol beltway traffic .. learning that there are no Walmarts around .. ( Got to go to Gaithersburg for one ) Well... that is all from me ... I hope to meet some of you or atleast be here for support for you all . Take care , Natalie 310\125 and holding on tight !

Hey Tink, Welcome to MD. Being from Georgia, Wal-Mart withdrawal, especially super centers, was one of the first things I had to cope with.

OMG .. I Thought I would pass out when I had to drive to Gaithersburg .. then I got in there and said .. Can someone tell me where the grocery department is ?? And they all kinda looked at me funny .. But ya know I will take what I can get ... Got to have my Walmart .. Thanks for the Welcome .. Nat

Hi Natalie, Dr. Barry Greene, who's bariatric practice works with Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Rockville, has support group meetings that meet twice a month: the 2nd Monday at Temple Beth Ami, on Travilah Road (near the intersection with Darnstown Road); and on the 4th Sunday at the Weinschel Education Center at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. Both meetings start at 6:30 p.m. Dr. Greene's office also is working on establishing a separate support group meeting to address the needs of the longer-term post-op patients. Dr. Greene has welcomed post-op bariatric patients from other surgical practices, regardless of whether the individual uses Dr. Greene for their follow-up care, and we have a number of individuals who have had their surgeries elsewhere. You can find out more about the details of Dr. Greene's support group meetings from his website at: www.AdvancedWLS.com. Hope to meet you at one of the meetings. Leesa

Thanks Leesa .. that is great info to know . I may contact his office today and see about working with him on some up coming WLS Conference ideas . Many thanks ! Nat

Natalie, Dr. Greene is out of the country right now ("vacationing" in E. Africa w/his family on a medical mission). When you phone or e-mail his office, you should ask for Laura LaMotte, his bariatric coordinator, or Peter Womack, his physician assistant. Both are active with the support group activities. (I volunteer and help to start/facilitate the meetings.) Leesa

Welcome to Maryland Natalie. I don't post on here that often anymore, but I have seen some of your posts before. I read your profile and you are very inspiritational. You look absolutely amazing too. I'm having a hard time with my weight loss and last week my husband told me he wants a divorce. It was nice reading what you have been through. I'm sure you will be a great asset to Maryland. And congratulations on moving in with your boyfriend! Melissa

Hello Natalie, Welcome to Maryland. I am new to Rockville also. I am from Baltimore, but I am employed with NIH, so I too have to deal with the Capital Beltway traffic, and no there is no Walmart, but there is a Target. Good luck in your Tumor study, NIH is committed to promoting good health and research.

Good morning Natalie, Welcome to Maryland! I spend a lot of time in NC, so I have been spoiled by the 'southern' Walmarts and I get back here and it takes me a while to adjust to the fact that I can't buy everything I want/need at my not so local Wally World. Hugs, Mo

Aloha from Hawaii, I'm on vacation now but I have to keep on with the boards. I live in Silver Spring, work in Rockville, right across from White Flint Mall and my surgeon is Dr. Juliette Lee is in DC. Dr. Lee and her partner Dr. Lin work out of GW and have a suport group every other week on alternate Mondays and Tuesdays. Their support group has been great especially since we were all in the same hospital and have dealt with the same people. Welcome to the area!