Maryland Residents
Recent Posts
Topic: Introduction
Hi, I'm Shamicka. I live in southern maryland and work in DC. I am currently starting the process to get either a VSG or RNY. I met with my surgeon at GWU last week and now begin the process of verification of insurance paperwork so that we can submit for approval. I look forward to chattting with you.
Topic: RE: Introductions are helpful!!!
Hi, I just joined. I made the decision to do this a year ago but between taking on a new job for 8 weeks, playing telephone tag with various medical support people, etc. it took me until December to get started.
My surgeon is Dr. Averbach, and I think I'm getting the surgery at St. Agnes in West Baltimore. Here's what's done: psych evaluation, 6 month of supervised dieting, gall bladder scan. The insurance request is supposed to go in today. I have my insurance thru Carefirst/Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
WLS veterans: if you have the same insurance, how long did it take you to get approved? How long did it take to get surgery scheduled after approval? Right now I have NO idea when I am having the surgery and if it's in June, I need to do some planning.
About me: I am almost 56 years old, a widow living with my son, a college student. I have another son who lives with his girlfriend about 20 miles away from us. I work full-time as a Federal contractor. Oh, and we also live with an 11 year old van-patterned cat (mostly white with some tabby patches).
The other question might be unanswerable but if you don't mind answering from your own experience...say I have my surgery in 3 weeks. I am planning a social event with friends for 9 weeks from then (so 12 weeks from today). Providing I follow the doctor's instructions to the letter, about how much weight is it realistic to expect to lose in that time? I am 5'3" tall, and weigh about 260 lbs. now.
My surgeon is Dr. Averbach, and I think I'm getting the surgery at St. Agnes in West Baltimore. Here's what's done: psych evaluation, 6 month of supervised dieting, gall bladder scan. The insurance request is supposed to go in today. I have my insurance thru Carefirst/Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
WLS veterans: if you have the same insurance, how long did it take you to get approved? How long did it take to get surgery scheduled after approval? Right now I have NO idea when I am having the surgery and if it's in June, I need to do some planning.
About me: I am almost 56 years old, a widow living with my son, a college student. I have another son who lives with his girlfriend about 20 miles away from us. I work full-time as a Federal contractor. Oh, and we also live with an 11 year old van-patterned cat (mostly white with some tabby patches).
The other question might be unanswerable but if you don't mind answering from your own experience...say I have my surgery in 3 weeks. I am planning a social event with friends for 9 weeks from then (so 12 weeks from today). Providing I follow the doctor's instructions to the letter, about how much weight is it realistic to expect to lose in that time? I am 5'3" tall, and weigh about 260 lbs. now.
Topic: RE: Tell us one thing....
I am in Harford County... Edgewood to be exact
I'd like any type of positive support that would be offered to me
Biggest challange is I feel like I have no will power to stick through things
I've told almost everyone about my surgery, except for my boss. He is very judgemental and ive had issues with telling him about health issues before. when I have my surgery I am using my vacation time so i can keep my job.
I can't wait to go out of the house in a public setting and not feel like everyone is staring at me and making 'fat' comments.
I'd like any type of positive support that would be offered to me
Biggest challange is I feel like I have no will power to stick through things
I've told almost everyone about my surgery, except for my boss. He is very judgemental and ive had issues with telling him about health issues before. when I have my surgery I am using my vacation time so i can keep my job.
I can't wait to go out of the house in a public setting and not feel like everyone is staring at me and making 'fat' comments.
Topic: Introduction
I'm Jodie. I am 26 and live in Harford County. My surgery is to take place @ GBMC November 16. I am having the gastric sleeve. I am going on this journey with my husband as well. He is about 1 or 2 months behind me mainly because he is larger. I have always been the 'bigger' girl of the group ever since I can remember. I have my husband, my parents, my in-laws and my husbands sibblings to support my with this new phase of my life, but I am also looking to connect with people on here who have been through the process or who are going through it now. I am on-line often and would be willing to offer my support to you as well :)
Topic: RE: Introduction
Hi, Judy! I'm Jeri and the Moderator of this group. I'm sorry it took me so long to get back to you - I've been on a about a one-month hiatus from the computer due to some internet issues and just plain getting too busy.
I'm glad you've joined us and hope to get to know you better. Glad to hear that you've started the process of getting the weight loss surgery information.
A little bit about myself:
I had LapBand surgery on March 12th and it was the best thing that I've ever done. I had grown up to 320 lbs. prior to preparation for surgery. I have lost a little over 50 lbs. so far and I haven't felt this good in ages.
Please come visit us often and keep us posted on your progress. This is a great place to be!
Blessings and peace,
Jeri
I'm glad you've joined us and hope to get to know you better. Glad to hear that you've started the process of getting the weight loss surgery information.
A little bit about myself:
I had LapBand surgery on March 12th and it was the best thing that I've ever done. I had grown up to 320 lbs. prior to preparation for surgery. I have lost a little over 50 lbs. so far and I haven't felt this good in ages.
Please come visit us often and keep us posted on your progress. This is a great place to be!
Blessings and peace,
Jeri
Topic: RE: Introduction
Hi Judy,
Sorry it took so long to check in on this group! I probably live near you. Just had my surgery at Bayview 5 weeks ago. Dr. Sweitzer by all accounts is a great doc. I didn't have him, but, I know a couple of folks who did, and they were very pleased. You will love Bayview. I was really surprised how good they were. I'm a nurse at the main hospital (Hopkins) so, of course, I was anxious to see how they rate. They were terrific. Are you planning to go to any of the support meetings down there? I showed up last week. Have made a promise to myself that I would keep up with going to them. Met a couple of nice people there and ended up talking well past the meeting time. Hope to hear from you! There's another fella in New Freedom that is here as well. Haven't met him in person but have chatted a bit and he's a good guy.
Sue
Sorry it took so long to check in on this group! I probably live near you. Just had my surgery at Bayview 5 weeks ago. Dr. Sweitzer by all accounts is a great doc. I didn't have him, but, I know a couple of folks who did, and they were very pleased. You will love Bayview. I was really surprised how good they were. I'm a nurse at the main hospital (Hopkins) so, of course, I was anxious to see how they rate. They were terrific. Are you planning to go to any of the support meetings down there? I showed up last week. Have made a promise to myself that I would keep up with going to them. Met a couple of nice people there and ended up talking well past the meeting time. Hope to hear from you! There's another fella in New Freedom that is here as well. Haven't met him in person but have chatted a bit and he's a good guy.
Sue
You already know what fails. You also know what works. Pick one. 
Topic: RE: Introduction
welcome judith! I live in pikesville, work in baltimore city...i had wls a little over a year ago, lost 118 pounds, just had plastics done on the 19th of april in monterrey mexico, just came back home on the 30th of april...looking forward to getting to know you.
Topic: Introduction
Hi Everyone,
My name is Judy and I'm 47. I actually live in PA right on the MD/PA border and work in Baltimore (Pikesville). I have my surgical consultation with Dr. Sweitzer at Johns Hopkins Bayview on Monday, so I've started actively pursuing weight loss surgery after considering it for years. I am hoping to get the lap band.
I am presently at least 200 pounds overweight- ugh. I have been fat since I was a toddler, save for twice when I was successful at losing weight. I once lost 120 pounds on Weigh****chers when I was in my mid-20's, but gained it all back plus more. I am a binge eater and have tried almost everything to beat these demons, including antidepressants and therapy. At one point, I also suffered from bulimia.
So anyway, that's me in a nutshell. I'd love to meet some people in the area and get some support. If you're so inclined.....
My name is Judy and I'm 47. I actually live in PA right on the MD/PA border and work in Baltimore (Pikesville). I have my surgical consultation with Dr. Sweitzer at Johns Hopkins Bayview on Monday, so I've started actively pursuing weight loss surgery after considering it for years. I am hoping to get the lap band.
I am presently at least 200 pounds overweight- ugh. I have been fat since I was a toddler, save for twice when I was successful at losing weight. I once lost 120 pounds on Weigh****chers when I was in my mid-20's, but gained it all back plus more. I am a binge eater and have tried almost everything to beat these demons, including antidepressants and therapy. At one point, I also suffered from bulimia.
So anyway, that's me in a nutshell. I'd love to meet some people in the area and get some support. If you're so inclined.....
Topic: RE: Tell us one thing....
Hi I am Shameek and I live in Catonsville,MD.
I'm really looking for any support /info I can get from any/everyone who has gone through this procedure. I have a great co-worker who has urged me on to get surgery. She is 18months post-op and looks spectacular. I kinda want to know what others have experienced during their journey so I'll know what i might be looking forward to on mines.
My biggest challenge is eating 3meals a day. I have never eaten properly as long as i can remember. I also love starchy foods, but that is easier to overcome than eating those 3 meals.
My husband is my biggest supporter in my family, that's probably because he's the only one I told so far in my family. My mother is going to have a heartattack when she finds out and I'm not telling her til the day of surgery, I feel like a little kid sneaking around but she would never understand and would make me feel bad about it.
I received my approval today and my surgery is Scheduled for April3,2010
After surgery I would like to maybe run around a track and be able to ride at the amusement park. I was totally embarrassed a ffew years ago when asked to get off because my bar wouldn't lower. I haven't tried since then and seeing how I've gained more i'm sure i wouldn'rt be ableto fit now
I'm really looking for any support /info I can get from any/everyone who has gone through this procedure. I have a great co-worker who has urged me on to get surgery. She is 18months post-op and looks spectacular. I kinda want to know what others have experienced during their journey so I'll know what i might be looking forward to on mines.
My biggest challenge is eating 3meals a day. I have never eaten properly as long as i can remember. I also love starchy foods, but that is easier to overcome than eating those 3 meals.
My husband is my biggest supporter in my family, that's probably because he's the only one I told so far in my family. My mother is going to have a heartattack when she finds out and I'm not telling her til the day of surgery, I feel like a little kid sneaking around but she would never understand and would make me feel bad about it.
I received my approval today and my surgery is Scheduled for April3,2010
After surgery I would like to maybe run around a track and be able to ride at the amusement park. I was totally embarrassed a ffew years ago when asked to get off because my bar wouldn't lower. I haven't tried since then and seeing how I've gained more i'm sure i wouldn'rt be ableto fit now
Topic: RE: Tell us one thing....
Well - shame on me! I never did answer these questions - even though I said I would! LOL
I live in Columbia, MD - near Baltimore and fairly close to Washington, D.C. I've been here for about 19 years. I just had LapBand surgery two and a half weeks ago! It's amazing what an emotional change this has made in me. I'm excited, hopeful, ready to take on the world. This is from someone who has suffered from depression for the past 15 years and has gradually been gaining weight since 1997 and topped out at 320!!!
One can never have enough support when going through this type of lifestyle change. I am excited that there are others here who know what I've gone through and some that I'll be able to help and support as well.
I only told a select group of friends and family about my surgery. I have been down the weight-loss road with people too many times. They are usually judgmental, insensitive and ignorant about what I go through - so I can totally relate to the comments like "you can lose it - all you have to do is work on it." Yeah - ok!!! That's why my doctor finally told me that he didn't see any other choice but for me to have some sort of bariatric surgery.
My biggest challenges are learning how to live with a new lifestyle. I'm taking it one day at a time right now. Just gradually adding food back in and a little nervous each time I progress to the next step. I'm on pureed food right now, but at the end of next week I'll be able to start having regular food and I'm really nervous about that. I don't want to fall back into any of my old habits!
The one thing I want to do after I lose the weight is shop in the regular "misses" clothing section of the store. I'd like to be able to have some "cute" clothes again and stop hiding everything under elastic waisted pants and big t-shirts
You all can help ME by being here, being active and encouraging others to join us in this journey together!
Thanks for being here!
Peace and blessings,
Jeri
I live in Columbia, MD - near Baltimore and fairly close to Washington, D.C. I've been here for about 19 years. I just had LapBand surgery two and a half weeks ago! It's amazing what an emotional change this has made in me. I'm excited, hopeful, ready to take on the world. This is from someone who has suffered from depression for the past 15 years and has gradually been gaining weight since 1997 and topped out at 320!!!
One can never have enough support when going through this type of lifestyle change. I am excited that there are others here who know what I've gone through and some that I'll be able to help and support as well.
I only told a select group of friends and family about my surgery. I have been down the weight-loss road with people too many times. They are usually judgmental, insensitive and ignorant about what I go through - so I can totally relate to the comments like "you can lose it - all you have to do is work on it." Yeah - ok!!! That's why my doctor finally told me that he didn't see any other choice but for me to have some sort of bariatric surgery.
My biggest challenges are learning how to live with a new lifestyle. I'm taking it one day at a time right now. Just gradually adding food back in and a little nervous each time I progress to the next step. I'm on pureed food right now, but at the end of next week I'll be able to start having regular food and I'm really nervous about that. I don't want to fall back into any of my old habits!
The one thing I want to do after I lose the weight is shop in the regular "misses" clothing section of the store. I'd like to be able to have some "cute" clothes again and stop hiding everything under elastic waisted pants and big t-shirts
You all can help ME by being here, being active and encouraging others to join us in this journey together!
Thanks for being here!
Peace and blessings,
Jeri
