Just wondering if anyone is from Maryland. I am 4 months post opt and just looking for someone locally that can relate. Doing really good so far figured it would be nice to meet someone in the area.

Wow congrats!! How was the whole process? Did you find the staff to be helpful? I just made my appointment yesterday and I'm going to be meeting with Arriane on the 17th and dr gandsas on the 20th of Feb. I'm so excited !

I'm not going to lie to you...but the whole process was overwhelming but exciting at the same time! The staff is very organize. Jeanette has that big binder and will keep you on track. Arianne is there help with diet and Gandsas is there to monitor you and do the surgery. Everyone has a purpose. I also did BOP...which got me started excercising. One thing that you have to remember about the sleeve that it is a tool not a miracle drug/surgery. You still have to do your part. The faster you complete the work in the binder..they can schedule a surgery date. Surgery date depends on your insurance company, but make sure your insurance company covers it and what are the requirements from the insurance company. Some insurance company cover all the prep work but not surgery crazy right.

I started the program the same time has you year ago. I was nervous didn't know what to expect....what a year! I have about 85lbs to more to get to goal. It's work but the sleeve makes you want to work at it. Why have the surgery and not at least try. The sleeve helps you through the hurdle of the 15-20 lbs that you loose but can't get the willpower to go pass that.... I can't tell how many times that I lost 25lbs in the last 20 yrs. ahahahaha.

Read... Read.. Read... Every blog.. This forum... Get to a support group.. There's a DC and Maryland Facebook pages. I was unable to attend AAAMC Support due to schedule . Read the veteran stories. They are real stories that will help you. Get your mind ready.

I finish most of my prep work in one month. I had my first appt with AAMC team the first week in January 2013. I had a 6 months waiting period. Don't miss an appt..

Also one more thing, I meet a buddy at Arriane dietician class. She was my rock.. Someone to bounce ideas... And rant.. Tell them how scared I was to do the surgery. We decided to do the surgery on the same day. She was the first and I was the second on our surgery date of 7/10/13. We went through pre-op diet to recovery. We still talk today.

If you have anymore questions, let me know PM me. I'm a little slow in responding to message but I will answer any of your questions. At times you are going to feel lonely. But you are not alone in the process.

Good Luck!

I'm not going to lie to you...but the whole process was overwhelming but exciting at the same time! The staff is very organize. Jeanette has that big binder and will keep you on track. Arianne is there help with diet and Gandsas is there to monitor you and do the surgery. Everyone has a purpose. I also did BOP...which got me started excercising. One thing that you have to remember about the sleeve that it is a tool not a miracle drug/surgery. You still have to do your part. The faster you complete the work in the binder..they can schedule a surgery date. Surgery date depends on your insurance company, but make sure your insurance company covers it and what are the requirements from the insurance company. Some insurance company cover all the prep work but not surgery crazy right. I started the program the same time has you year ago. I was nervous didn't know what to expect....what a year! I have about 85lbs to more to get to goal. It's work but the sleeve makes you want to work at it. Why have the surgery and not at least try. The sleeve helps you through the hurdle of the 15-20 lbs that you loose but can't get the willpower to go pass that.... I can't tell how many times that I lost 25lbs in the last 20 yrs. ahahahaha. Read... Read.. Read... Every blog.. This forum... Get to a support group.. There's a DC and Maryland Facebook pages. I was unable to attend AAAMC Support due to schedule . Read the veteran stories. They are real stories that will help you. Get your mind ready. I finish most of my prep work in one month. I had my first appt with AAMC team the first week in January 2013. I had a 6 months waiting period. Don't miss an appt.. Also one more thing, I meet a buddy at Arriane dietician class. She was my rock.. Someone to bounce ideas... And rant.. Tell them how scared I was to do the surgery. We decided to do the surgery on the same day. She was the first and I was the second on our surgery date of 7/10/13. We went through pre-op diet to recovery. We still talk today. If you have anymore questions, let me know PM me. I'm a little slow in responding to message but I will answer any of your questions. At times you are going to feel lonely. But you are not alone in the process. Good Luck!

Thanks for all the info Tabby ! If I have any questions(and I probably will lol) I'll definitely message you :-)

Bowie, Md here....Kaiser patient...surgery 2/3!!!!! Been waiting since 12/7/2012!!!! Jumped through all my hoops by 6/7/2013...met with surgeon 7/2013 and FINALLY got "the call" this past Monday! Using Dr.Cantor at Holy Cross in Silver Spring. ( I'm a forum virgin....first post ever in a forum, and first time sharing this experience with anyone...other than my husband....have the most negative, unsupportive family on the planet! Can't wait to melt away into the skinny me I know is hiding in here somewhere....lol!)

Best of luck to you whitemoon.

I just started and had my 1st meeting with Dr. Brebbia on 3/25. My EGD is scheduled for April 18th. My starting weight is 204lbs. Can't wait for it to be easier to move around!

Hi BeagleLover! I'm getting banded by Dr. B. the same day! He did my EGD and everything was perfect, I felt no pain, no recovery time at all. Best of luck. You're in good hands!

Edited April 7, 201412 yr by graymittens

Hi BeagleLover! I'm getting banded by Dr. B. the same day! He did my EGD and everything was perfect, I felt no pain, no recovery time at all. Best of luck. You're in good hands!

Thanks so much for responding. That is good to hear. Hope to hear from you again soon. Best wishes!

Hi there! Where in Maryland are you? I'm in the Southern MD area and work in DC.

I am in Southern Md too. Surgery day is 4/14/14.

Hello Ladies! I am also from Maryland, Southern Maryland Kellylynn who is your dr?

I am so. Md. too. Surgery date is 4/14/14.

I'm in Baltimore, surgery date 4-23 at St. Agnes with Averbach...no preop diet, nerves going wild, bariatricpal being my secret best friend all the while, all I wanna do is hop this fence asap! Best of luck to u all...

I'm in Baltimore, surgery date 4-23 at St. Agnes with Averbach...no preop diet, nerves going wild, bariatricpal being my secret best friend all the while, all I wanna do is hop this fence asap! Best of luck to u all...

You still can hop the fence!

Hello Ladies! I am also from Maryland, Southern Maryland Kellylynn who is your dr?

I am so. Md. too. Surgery date is 4/14/14.

How did your surgery go? How r u feeling? How much weight have you lost and how bad is the recovery?

How did your surgery go? How r u feeling? How much weight have you lost and how bad is the recovery?

. I have lost 30 pounds. I have hit the 3-week stall. Recovery wasn't that bad. In the hospital for 2 nights. Feeling pretty well. Weighing food is a must for me. Eating to much is a killer. Hurts like ****.

Doing great over here in Baltimore. 2 weeks out, 22lbs down and can't wait to be 2 years out!! Have a great life all...