i am curious too. let me know who you end up picking. I am hoping to get some done next year.

Unfortunately, it can take a while. My last nut appointment was on May 5th and I didn't have my surgery until July 26th. I believe I heard back from Janice mid/end of June. It takes a while unfortunately, but its definitely worth it. Good Luck!!!

Hello fellow Marylanders. I am getting ready to start researching plastic surgery stuff and thought I'd start local to see if anyone has used a plastic surgeon they were particularly pleased with in MD, DC or VA.

Thanks so much!! 

Denise

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.

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!!!