Recent Posts
Hi Mar! As you can see, the Maryland Board is nothing like it used to be.
I belong to a FB group, "Bariatric Bad Girls Club," but people have to ask to be admitted to the group on their own, so I can't add you myself. But check it out, there's zillions of members and I bet someone has some info for you!
Hugs,
Tia
Registration for the OH2015 ObesityHelp Conference is now open!
The Super Early Bird is now over.
If you missed the Super Early Bird, you can reserve your tickets at the Early Bird price for $75 until March 27th. After March 27th, tickets will go to full admission price of $85.
Reserve Your Tickets NOW
2015 ObesityHelp National Conference
When
October 16th & 17th
Where
Embassy Suites Raleigh-Durham
201 Harrison Oaks Boulevard
Cary, North Carolina 27513 USA
And the winner is....
Not sure you are going? Check out the video from last years conference and you will see what you missed. BOOK NOW
We hope to see you all there
HW:330 - GW:150 - MW:118-125
RW:190 - CW:130
Hi Tina! Thank you so much for taking the time to send such a detailed reply, I really appreciate it. I actually had surgery with Dr. Gandsas this past July and I could not be happier! I have already lost 102 pounds and it's been almost 6 months. I totally agree with everything you just said, Dr. Gandsas is a man of few words and the rest of his staff is pretty much the same but I have no complaints. I would do it again and I would recommend this team to anyone who, like you said, does not require hand holding, lol.
Thanks again and I hope you are doing well!!
CW: 333.3 lbs.
GW: 165 lbs.
Not only will Super Early Birds get the lowest ticket prices, but you'll also be entered into a drawing for a FREE 3 night stay at the Embassy Suites Raleigh-Durham during the Conference.
Click to order: http://ow.ly/Hr8nQ
We hope to see you there 
HW:330 - GW:150 - MW:118-125
RW:190 - CW:130
Has anyone had weight surgery at Bayview? I have medicare and Medicaid. Will I have to pay anything out of pocket?
I had a VSG with Dr Gandsas March 21st 2014. I wouldn't really say I "chose" him as my surgeon since I dind't have a choice. It was Dr Gandsas or no one. My husband works at AAMC and Dr G is the only one they will provide coverage for. Anyway, he is an excellent surgeon. Despite his short career at AAMC, he has a long history at other hospitals, including starting the bariatric program at another hospital near DC, the name of which escapes me at the moment. So, the program at AAMC is actually the second he has started.
Although I had complications post-op, his complication rate is well below the average. His program is very detailed and involved. Some people will appreciate this and others will be annoyed by it. The pre-op testing is extensive, to say the least. My complications were due to no fault of Dr Gandsas.
If you are the type of person that needs a lot of hand holding and reassuring, Dr Gandsas may not be the surgeon for you. He is a man of few words but very competent. I found his staff to be similar. Very knowledgable and accessible but they're not going to handle you with kid gloves through the process. You have to be pro-active in getting your testing done and scheduling meetings and appointments.
Keep researching until you are comfortable but don't let Dr Gandsas' short track record at AAMC have a big impact on your decision. He was very attentive post-op and i felt very confident in his care. When I had to be readmitted a week after surgery (i got an infection post-op and had to have a second surgery), he, or his partner, came to check on me at least twice a day and when the decision was made that we were going back to surgery I was back in the OR within 2 hours at that was at about 7 in the evening after he had already spent all day going between his office and the hospital.
HI my fellow Marylanders!! I've missed you. Ive been gone for so long. I had my band to rny revision in Aug 2010 and 'only' lost roughly 70 lbs (on a good day).
SW 299, Lowest 230 (non sustainable), CW 270:( Im 5'8-5'9
I gained most of my weight back over the past year and a half with severe sciatica in both legs (at the same time). I had more than 14 lumbar injections, steroids, facet joint injections, physical therapy, chiropractic therapy...
Finally I had both my nerves burned and now Im in acupuncture and doing so much better!
Anyway, I went to check out Howard University for the StomaPhyx... Yeah, I know about the percentages and what not. I was figuring a little something may help. I ended up talking to Dr. Tran who did my band. Let me first say that everyone at Howard is so NICE!! I was so impressed with everyone and the treatment I received. Also- when Dr. Tran did my band he was at Potomac... he must like it at Howard much better because he seems much happier now.
So... explains how horrible the stomaphyx is and they dont do it anymore. But, they are currently running a stuyd to perform revisions from traditional to distal. Actually, he didnt say those words, but he drew me a picture and I said Hey, that looks like the DS intestines. He said YEP! so, that is distal... Right??? I told him I'd have to think about it. and We would start out with the EGD. He thought my average weight loss the past few years has been meager. YEAH!! Thats what Ive been sayin!!
Has anyone participated?? Anyone have a distal so I can pick your brain??
I have dr magnuson I too am awaiting approval. Have you completed all requirements.
