Introduction

Hi!  I just wanted to stop by and introduce myself.  I'm T...and I'm fat!  I've been overweight all of my life and can't shed the weight.  Eating "right", exercising, and portion control have made me hit my head against the wall one too many times.  Getting older hasn't helped either with my metabolism slowing down! 

I got married last September.  Starting a family is something that my husband and I really want but I feel like I need to get healthy first in order to keep my pregnancy easy and not put myself or our baby in danger. 

I'm going to St. Agnes' seminar on weight loss surgery tomorrow night with my husband so that we can see if this is something that I want to go through with.  I have previously attended GBMC's seminar with Dr. Liao and I did like him, but then I actually met with Dr. Moen and wasn't as impressed or assured that it is something I want to go through with.  So I want my hubby to go with me, learn about it, and help me make the right decision. 

Did anyone prefer one hospital over the other?  One surgeon over the next? 

I'm not sure yet which surgery I am considering. 

See you around!
T

Hello T and welcome to the MD board. There are so many people here who are very helpful. Most have had surgery and can give more info than I can. I hope to have VSG one day and I plan on using Dr. Li. in Baltimore MD. I have heard there are many good docs and I am sure you will get many suggestions. I will tell you that I have learned you must be comfortable with the doc you select and do your research on them as well. I wish you well and again welcome to the board.

                                                                                                     Julie

Hi to another T!!!

Your story sounds a lot like mine.  I'd been overweight my whole life and finally, just had an epiphany that if I didn't do something, I was going to die too young.

I had surgery at GBMC, but with Dr. David Von Rueden, who's now at St. Agnes.  I love the man.  Seriously.  He helped me save my life.  The care I got at GBMC was top notch (they have a dedicated bariatric wing), but I attribute much of that to the fact that he stayed on top of everything to make sure I was getting the right care.

As far as what type of surgery - go with what the surgeon you choose suggests.  There are a lot of variables - your BMI, co-morbidities, what your triggers or problem areas area, etc. 

You're doing the right thing by attending different seminars.  DON'T settle!!  Go with the surgeon that your gut (no pun intended) says to go with.

It's not always an easy journey, but if done correctly by you educating yourself and being compliant, it can be the best thing you could do for yourself.

HTH,

Tia

Hi T!    Welcome to the Maryland Board. 

Most of us have been there, done that!  I think you'll find that the majority of us would recommend our surgeons in a heart beat.  Personally I researched all of the local surgeons that were part of a Center of Excellence and accepted by my insurance.  OH was fabulous for that.  My PCP actually recommended the pratice at Johns Hopkins Bayview as she had a couple of other patients that had used them and had wonderful results.  I was actually slated to see one of the surgeons but asked to be changed to another after I found out the first one ONLY did RNY open.  My research led me to Dr. Schweitzer who, as it turns out, is one of the leading surgeons in the field.  According to the research, he was the first surgeon on the East Coast to do the RNY laproscopically.  In addition, he teaches the procedure and travels all over the country lecturing and teaching.  His schedule books up far in advance, but it was worth the wait.

Anyways, that's why I chose whom I did.  You'll have your own feelings on whom you end up choosing.

Good Luck!
Heather

hello T,

Welcome!

i had my surgery with Dr. Liao, and he is an outstanding doctor. You can request to have him as your surgeon and not dr mo if that is your choice, that is what i did.


I, as many others will say, think you should go to different seminars and then select the doc your most comfortable because this is a major decision, and you have to 100% comfortable.

again,

welcome and good luck!

brian

Welcome to the Maryland Board ;o)

Hi and welcome!  I went to a couple of seminars - the first one at Bayview.  I liked the program, but didn't like the idea of having surgery at Hopkins, knowing my mother was going to want to travel to see me, and it was too far for me to feel comfortable going.  I then attended the seminar for Upper Chesapeake Bariatric at Harford Memorial Hospital and realized that night that I had found my surgeon.  He was so down to earth, knowledgable, and make himself approachable.  Plus, the practice was able to provide behavioral counseling, nutritional assistance, and exercize coach, and a team of surgeons who combined have a complication rate of less than 2% - all things that were on my must have list.  AND they are only 20 minutes from my house.

I think its very important to have your husband come with you.  Mine has - he's been my rock and even went with me to my pre-op appointment yesterday.

I have found this board very very helpful! 

Hi and welcome!

we met Dr. David von Rueden at St. Agnes and we were hooked.  we researched other doctors but it was a good fit for us with DVR and his staff and his policies.

I think doing the research first is critical.

I wish you much success on your journey!

T,

You are very lucky because Maryland has so many amazing doctors. Like Heather, I went to Johns Hopkins but had Dr. Steele, who I loved. So only good things about my surgeon. I think whichever doctor you choose, there are many people on the board who have used that doctor.

I have a support group in Harford County. Feel free to join (click link in my siggy). I am still trying to find an appropriate home for it. We have been meeting at Panera Bread but I would prefer a non eating establishment. The library now charges :( Once I get all that figured out though, I'll be having regular meetings.

Let us know what questions you have.

Nicole

Thanks for all the warm welcomes!  I do look forward to this journey and using this board as a great support system!