Sorry - It's another "I'M NEW" Thread

Hi everyone.  Like many of you, I have been lurking for a while.  I have spent the last several years researching (and then talking myself OUT OF) gastric bypass surgery.  Now, at 30 yrs old and 5'8" and 278 lbs I THINK I am ready.   I am scared to death - I have MILLIONS of questions - questions about the "process" (where do I start????) and about the actual surgery and the what happens after. Thank you all for being here for people like me.  Just reading the posts for a long time has helped me a lot!

Hello and welcome!  You've come to the right place -- and doing your research.  I'll be happy to answer any questions you have, just PM me if you'd like.  And while you're looking at all your options, make sure you check out the DS (the surgery I had).  It has many advantages over the RNY and lapband and we are so lucky to have a wonderful surgeon right here in MD that performs it laproscopically (he does the other surgeries too).  Take care and good luck!  Nancy

Hi! Glad you are joining us! It is an exciting journey (sometimes a bit like a rollercoaster); but when you're done, you'll say 'WOW, WHAT A RIDE!' Maryland has a great board and the people here are so helpful and encouraging. You came to the right place.....you'll get all the answers you will need here!

No need for apologies.  I'm happy to meet everyone and hear where they are in their journey.  I found this forum a HUGE help in making my decision. I also read a few books, with Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies being the most helpful to me. Start out slow, and don't stress yourself, or push yourself too fast.  Find a surgical practice that is convenient for you, check out their website, see what people are saying about them on here, go to their orientation if they offer one, attend their support group meetings if they offer them, and if that isn't the right practice for you, then check out another one.  When you find the one that is best, you'll know it. I am working with the program at GBMC, and I felt great about that choice from the moment I stepped into the office. Everyone (ok, except the twit of a receptionist, but she is small potatoes) has been wonderful! I met both doctors, and it just turned out that Dr. Moeinamolki is the one who had an appointment open for the time that was best for me.  I am confident in my choice. Welcome on board, and I look forward to hearing more about your journey.  I can't answer a lot of questions, as I am still in the waiting for insurance approval stage.  BUT... I am very close to finishing up their pre-requisites and should be ready to submit for final approval before the end of September.  I'll be happy to answer anything I can about the process I have been through so far. I believe in paying it forward, and everyone I have encountered here has been so wonderfully helpful.

Hello and welcome to the MD Forum.  There is no need to apologize i think we all go through that stage where we llurk and just absorb all the information that is posted.    I am glad that you are making the first step into going forward with your decision. We all go through all these emotions and it is perfectly normal.   When i did all the research and chose my surgeon I knew in my heart that this was the right decision for me.  It is a major rollercoaster ride at times but all worth while.   I will be happy to answer any questions you might have.  please do not hesitate to post or contact us by personal message.  If you read my profile from the beginning you will read about everything I went through and all the pre-requisites I had to get done before submitting my information to the insurance for approval.   Welcome again and I can't wait to get to know you better.   Best wishes in your journey.

Welcome. Apologize away! He he he- just kidding. This is a great place to learn and get support. Looking forward to seeing more of you here.

Welcome to the MD board.  Ask away!!! TraciL

THANK YOU ALL for making me feel so welcome!  It's so comforting to know there are others out there who have been exactly where I am and are willing to share their experiences to help others. I am in Harford County so I found the closest hospital that performs bariatric surgeries and they have information seminars on the second Tuesday of each month so I'll be attending the next one. Although I've been researching for a few years, I hadn't even discussed it with my family...so last night I kind of sprung the idea on them.  ("They" are the husband and eleven year old daughter).  They were very supportive and had good questions so there was an open conversation which was good. Thank you all again - it is wonderful to "meet" all of you and I will be around a lot here in the upcoming weeks as I actually start the process!

Welcome new be for the other new be......... Stick around ,everyone seems to be great on this site.... I sure am glad I found this site.... Ellie

Like everybody says, just shoot with the questions.