anyone on here in the baltimore area? would love to get together with people for support/friendship.

Sorry I've bee so quiet, but I did get my band on Tuesday. I'm healing pretty fast and I think this will be pretty good. I took pain meds last night but not at all today. (I think they make me feel worse.) But I've been walking and drinking a lot and doing breathing exercises, so I'm doing well for only two days out. Dora

I live in Ellicott City and I'm getting banded in October. I can't wait! I've been on here for a while and feel pretty prepared. Now I'm just waiting!

Hi all, I am in Baltimore County and will be banded by Dr. Manguson at Hopkins Bayview in either late oct or early nov, just got my insurance approval today

Hi!

I live in Howard County(Elkridge) and am about halfway through the process with JHU - Bayview- Dr. Steele. Anyone else going to Bayview- I would love to get some feedback.

Linda

Linda, I am going through Bayview. I found out today that Dr Manguson will be working with Dr. Steele and now I have to wait to find out if she has my chosen date available.

I'm just curious - did you they give you a pretty hard time about choosing the band over RNY? Dr. Steele was pretty negative about me getting the band at 288. Congrats on the approval! I hope you get your date.

Dr. Manguson was much more up on the RNY, but said it was up to me. banding is the option that makes my husband most comfortable. Of course I also have the issue that Valerie - Dr. M's assistant, submitted to my insurance as RNY, so we need to get reapproval, but that should not be an issue. Also, she did not fax the request when she should have. I called to check on the status this past thurs and found out it was not even there. She kept telling me it could take 30 days - my insurance said approval is within 48 hours and they did

Hi I am in Baltimore county! I am still in the information gathering stages but I did attend the Sinai Hospital/Lifebridge seminar on Monday. Dr. Li was very candid and very, very funny. I like her approach she just gave it to us straight and said the band is only a tool that gives only so much help diet and exercise are the key. I like her!

Hi, I was set on going to Bayview and then my friend (who is a nurse at Harford Memorial) said that Bayview is a teaching hospital and she doesn't reccomend them... Does anyone have any views on this? Of course she also said that it's pretty much BS that the band causes less skin hanging issues than bypass, and I'm about 99.9% sure she doesn't know what she's talking about.......Thanks for any advice!

Lilith,

I did a lot of research and Hopkins seemed like a good program. My PCP recommended them or Sinai and I had a two friends that have gone to Sinai for RNY with mixed results. The Dr.'s at Bayview have all been there for quite a while and it is a Center of Excellence so those things count. I would say trust your instincts. Good Luck! Let me know where you decide to go.

Thanks for the reply, Linda. Right now I am between Hopkins and St. Agnes. I don't know anyone (personally) who had surgery at either one. I had an unrelated surgery at Sinai a couple years ago and was NOT crazy about the staff. The nurses in recovery were basically rude not to mention uncaring, of course you never know who you are going to get anywhere.... I am going to go to the information sessions at both, I may go to the session at Harford Memorial too just to see what they say.

Lilith,

I had my procedure at St. Agnes with Dr. Averbach. I have nothing but fantastic things to say about him, his staff and the entire process. I was banded on August 18th and have had no complications. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me at djw6171@comcast.net. I am in Harford County (Forest Hill) and work in Baltimore County.

Hi,

I'm in Harford Co. too but work in Baltimore City. There are lots of groups out there. I just haven't found one I'm comfy with.

Cheers,

Gail

Hi. I live in Edgewood, work in Rosedale. I see you were done by Dr. Von Rueden. He has moved from GBMC to St. Agnes. I saw him at the bariatric Christmas reunion party at St. Agnes, and he also came to the Holiday gathering (on Lapband group night). You might be interested in the St. Agnes group. It was the 3rd Wed of the month but in January it is moving to the 3rd Monday. It is in the Alagia auditorium at St. Agnes, 6pm to 7pm. Bypass and sleeve meet on the 1st Monday. I have been comeing to group since way before surgery. Learned a lot.

Hi, I was set on going to Bayview and then my friend (who is a nurse at Harford Memorial) said that Bayview is a teaching hospital and she doesn't reccomend them... Does anyone have any views on this? Of course she also said that it's pretty much BS that the band causes less skin hanging issues than bypass, and I'm about 99.9% sure she doesn't know what she's talking about.......Thanks for any advice!

I can't attest to what was said about Bayview (I was done at St. Agnes by Dr. Singh--had a very good experience) but as far as loose skin . . .

Much depends on age, how much weight you have to lose, how long you have been heavy. It is a rare person who loses significant weight on ANY bariatric procedure that does not have a loose, hanging skin issue. I have lost 100 pounds, and I will soon be 64 years old, and yes I have loose hanging skin. I half joke about saving for my tummy tuck, and if I win the lottery it will be a total body lift, boob lift (yes, even at my age) and a face lift, but right now that is all wishful thinking. I am not ruling it out, however. A lot of my new clothes have long sleeves, and I wear pants and jeans mostly. The only time I am seen in the bathing suit is at Water aerobics, and most of the women are heavier than me, so what skin shows doesn't really attract much attention. However, those new clothes are size 12, down from women's 22, so I am not complaining. I am also off most of my previous meds (2 cholesterol, 1 of 2 blood pressure, 1 GERD). I have one for arthritis pain which I hardly ever need, and my doctor is trying me off the last BP med to see if I can ditch it. If so I would just be taking Vitamins, fish oil, and glucosamine. Not too shabby for an old gal.

Hi...I'm in Ellicott City. Would love to meet up with fellow bandsters.