Trying again for a response.

I would like to find anyone, especially males, who have had or are going to be having WLS. I have my initial surgeon consultation scheduled on August 15th. I feel really alone and have not been able to get anyone to respond to me. I am in Baltimore near White Marsh. I am a 33 year old male and I have noone to talk to and my surgery is approaching. If anyone feels that they could help or knows someone else that could please email me. My email is [email protected]

Hi Joel, Obviously, I'm not a male, and I'm so sorry that you haven't gotten the support that you obviously need during this time. Sometimes, this Maryland board is very slow. My advice....find out if your surgeon runs a support group, and start attending his meetings. Even though you are pre-op, it would be worth your while to do so. I'm not sure where your surgeon is located, but my surgeon, Dr. Roe operates out of GBMC, and his support groups happen on the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 7 pm to 8 pm. You are more than welcome to attend. My surgeon has a very strong support group, and he even has an online support group that is absolutely wonderful. His website is baltimorebariatrics.com. Check out his website, and there should be directions on how to sign up for his online support group. I would say that you would also be welcome to join in. If you have any questions about what to expect, please feel free to email me. I know how important support can be, especially in the pre-op stages. You've got a ton of fears, as well as excitements that you are going thru right now, and it does help when you have someone to talk to that can relate to what you are experiencing. I felt before my surgery that other people who hadn't gone thru this, they were mis-informed, confused as to why I would go thru all of that, and they didn't have a clue to what it was like to be morbidly obese. Oh, by the way, Congratulations on your upcoming surgery! My surgery was the best thing I ever could have done for myself. I've gone from 316 to 160, and am now at a "normal" body weight. Another piece of advice, take lots of pictures of yourself, both pre-op and post-op. The changes you will see over the next year will completely amaze you! Best of luck! Cheryl Bosley 316/160/150??

Joel, As posted above, the MD state board tends to be very slow, but if you try the main board, you will see that it is very active with dozens of posts hourly!! http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/messageboard/ Attending support groups is a wonderful idea, as stated above, but I also found that on the main board, I could always get answers, opinions and ideas in between my support group meetings Best of luck to you!! Blanche

Joel, I have forwarded your message to someone from my support group. I hope you don't mind. He also lives in Baltimore. His name is John and I am hoping he will be willing to email with you. His progress has been wonderful! I will warn you, though, he is a little quirky. Quirky but really nice! Good luck! Keetara

Joel, St. Agnes's support group is the first and 3 rd Wednesday's of the month. It will be at 7 pm this Wednesday evening August the 3 rd. Our support group is open to all not just Dr. Singh and Dr. Averbach patients. I wish you the best of luck in your journey, if you have questions, feel free to ask. Denise