Support & Friends in or near the Charlotte area

Hi, My name is Donna Terenzi I'm 47 yrs old, I live in Monroe NC and am looking for a friend or just someone to e mail and talk to about this whole WLS process. I'm married and have great support from my husband, however I'm sure it's hard for him to understand all of this. I have my first appointment tomorrow with Dr. Voellinger and am getting really nervous about it, I know it's just the consult but I have anxiety issuse so that really intensifies the nerves just a bit. Anyway I'm just a beginer at all of this, but have been researching it for months, and tomorrow will be the start of it all...wish me luck! Donna

Donna welcome to the group Feel free to email me any time... I am in South Charlotte and had surgery with DrMelkonian in June of this year There are also some great support groups in our area as well Good luck and well see you on the losers bench!

Thanks so much, I actually will need to find a support group to go to. I hope everything is going well for you since your surgery. Thanks again for responding Donna

Donna Dr. V did my RNY about a month ago. I am feeling great and down 28lbs already. The 1st week recovery I was week and tired, but everyday you feel better. The second week I was back to work and traveled for work. I am planning to attend the support Group that is organized by Dr. V's office (pick up a schedule when you are in his office) on 12/11 if I am in town. Best of luck. Chris

Chris, First of all congrats on your weight loss. How did you like Dr. V? I hear he is great, I haven't heard anything negitive at all, and that I can tell you is a huge relief. I will make sure that I pick up a schedule for the support group when I go for my appointment tomorrow. Thank you so much for responding Donna

Donna How has your progress been going? Last you posted you were on your way to meet with Dr. Voellinger. How did your appointment go? Insurance approval? Let me know. Take Care Chris

Hi Chris, I hope all is going well for you. Nothing seems to be going in my favor. I had to cancel my appointment with Dr. Voellinger, because I was told that our insurance would not cover WLS. We are now waiting for some changes in our policy. Needless to say I was very disapointed and almost discourged, but I'm going to stick with the fight, because I know it will be well worth it in the end. How are you doing?

Hi Donna, My name is Denise Bowen. I'm 45 yrs old and live in Indian Trail. I had RNY on 11-13-06 with Dr Kuwada at CMC Surgery. I'm feeling good and down 30 lbs. I completely understand the anxiety. I think I changed my mind about 4 times prior to the consultation. By then I started looking at the way the weight was making the quality of my life worse, not to mention my health and decided I really needed to do this for me. I'm so glad I did already. I feel like I may soon be in control of my life, not health issues and compensating for what I can't do because of the weight. There is a support group meeting tomorrow, Tuesday the 28th, at Mercy Hospital in Charlotte at 6:00. I am going. If you would like to go and meet some others that have been there or are planning to it would be great. Let me know and we can even ride together if you want. Good luck whatever you decide. Denise

Hello I live in Charlotte and had my surgery with Dr V on 05-15-2006 . Kinda had some ups and downs but all in all I WOULD DO IT again in a heartbeat. He is a wonderful surgeon and his office staff is just wonderful. They also have a great support group that meets right behind Queens college the 2nd monday of every month from 630 -730. They are realy a great group of people , you couldn't have picked a better surgeon. You can e-mail me at [email protected] if you would like to chat and /or attend a meeting together. Best of luck Michele Lap RNY 05-15-2006 Lap Gall Bladder 08-31-2006 -152 lbs and counting ( this includes my 6 month supervised diet and 2 week liquid pre -op diet) Highest weight in Dec of 2005 was 398 Day of surgery 349 today 246 lbs next year 145 lbs