New to this journey

I will need your support and friendship thru this journey and I am eager to be the same for everyone else. 

Hello everyone. I live in Upper Marlboro, MD. I am an African-American female.  I have been obese since I was young.  My highest weight was 311 (323 when I was pregnant).  I have lower back pain, severe joint pain, and an extensive family history of diabetes.  I don't have diabetes yet but I had gestational diabetes when I had my son, which is an early sign of future diabetes with excessive weight.  My quality of life is suffering and will only get worse if I don't get this weight off. 

I have spent the last couple of weeks reading and researching all that I can about weight loss surgery.  I am finally ready to make my grand entrance onto the WLS scene.  I have admired so many people that have chronicled their journey and allowed themselves to be a mentor and source of support for others...I want to do the same thing. 

My older brother had the LapBand surgery done at the end of June.  I never thought of having WLS for myself.  It just seemed like something other people did...not me.  Well, when he had his surgery done, I figured I'd look into it.  He gave me his doctor's card and information but I didn't actually do anything with it.  I let it sit on my dresser for about 2 months before I even looked at it. 

Last month, I made a firm decision that I would pursue WLS for myself.  I checked with my insurance first and found out that they did cover WLS.  I was excited about that.  Then I had to find a program.  I was initially looking into 2 different hospitals but after attending info sessions and dealing with office staff I have decided on Dr. Schweitzer at Johns Hopkins.  I have yet to meet him but I've heard he's the best.  I have my surgical consult scheduled for Nov. 1.  

Here's some information about where I am in my journey. 

------------------------

6/10 - Older brother gets LapBand surgery (put the thought in my head)

9/10 - Made a firm decision to seek WLS for myself - Highest weight - 311

9/22&28/10 - attended WLS info sessions at 2 different hospitals

9/30/10 - After some conflicting information I find out my insurance covers WLS (yay!!)

10/8/10 - Cardiac Evaluation - everything is normal...having an Echo Stress test to be certain. - Weight 305.8

**10/19/10 - SCHEDULED - Nutrition Class

**10/21/10 - SCHEDULED - Cardiac Stress Test & Gastric bypass/sleeve support group meeting.

**11/1/10 - SCHEDULED - First surgical consult with Dr. Schweitzer. Yay!!!

Good morning and nice to meet you!
Congrats on the decision to take control back of your life. It is an up & down journey with the occassional scarey twist & turn, but it is sooooo worth it!
I had GB in June of 2009, and do not regret one minute of it. I am off all meds, and feel healthier than I have in YEARS!!!!!!!!
Good luck and if you ever need to talk, please feel free to message me!
~hugs~

Congratulations on your decision. Dr. Schweitzer is my surgeon also and actually he did me and my 2 sisters. He's the best and I had complications and he was right on top of it. I do not regret my decision on bit. I would have never lost this amount of weight and counting without this tool. Oh yeah I got RNY. Good Luck and keep the faith.

Welcome to our world.  Wishing you the best!  If we can help you along the way, please let us know.  You will find some great people on this board always willing to lend an ear, hand, arm, leg .... good luck to you!

Thank you for the welcome!  I have already received a lot of support and I'm looking forward to moving forward in this journey with everyone!

Hi i am scheduled with Dr Sweitzer for RNY surgery on November 16th it was about an 8 week wait from when i got my approval but from what i hear he is worth it and the best.  I wish nothing but luck to you:)  I hate playing the waiting game i find myself a lil miserable right now knowing i am just waiting for the day:))  This was the best decision i have ever made for myself i am 31 a mom, wife and diabetic!! 

I keep hearing that Dr. Schweitzer is the best so I will wait for him.  Although, as you said, the wait is killing me.  I still have 2 weeks before I even get to meet the guy.  lol  Good Luck to you!

Hi , I live in Baltimore, MD , i want tos ay this is an exciting journry and at first it feels like it may be a long one, but the time flys, i have been thinkibg about surgery since 2008, my sister had the band doen in 2008 and that is what got my mind going I have had diabetes since I was 19 so about 12 years I have had high blood pressure since 2003 when I jhad my daughter, I have back and knee pain also so I can relate. Congratulations on your desicion and beleive me time flys I started the process in April and am now waiting for approval it will go rather quickly you will see.

Congratulations on the decision to take back your life - you won't regret it for a minute.  I had my RNY done at Hopkins Bayview with Dr. Steele who trained under Dr. Schweitzer.  I love the care I have received from the folks at Bayview.  You are wise to be setting up a support system now, as I think that that is the one key to my success so far.  Keep plugging away and in no time you'll be on the loser's bench and experiencing all of the wonders that this journey brings.

Good luck! 

Thanks. I'm glad to hear that you had a good experience at Hopkins Bayview.  I hope to be on the loser's bench soon.