Lisa's Hope

HAHAHA..... TOO funny!!

I can't wait to feel FREE and not imprisioned in my own body.

I am familiar with Dr. Wagner. I actually started this journey back in 2008 and he was the one I had my appointment with at that time but thyroid issues prevented me from having the surgery. I know that Dr. Follwell and Dr. Wagner practice at St. Alexis Hospital. Dr. Follwell performs surgery at Des Peres Hospital as well. That is where I will be having my surgery if all goes as planned. My insurance will not pay. I'm so bummed about that! I can't understand why some insurances will pay and others will not. My husbands employer pays a hugh premium for us every month. Well, Good luck again. I wish you the best!! Let us know how it goes. I would love to follow your story.

That's great! Congratulations. Where are you having surgery? I'm trying to find out some info on Dr. Richard Follwell from "My New Self Bariatrics" in St. Louis. I'm really scared and not sure I've chosen the right physician. Eventhough, he has 12 reviews on his site that are all very good. I always second guess myself....

Good luck to you too NeNe! I'm scared also. I still have all the paperwork to do, just not sure who I'm going to have do the surgery.

You look great! Is there a Bariatric Center at Barns? I'm wondering if the cost is higher. I'm a self pay because my insurance will not pay for it. I'm so ready to do this. Thanks for the info Kristina!!

Thanks everyone!! Appreciate the feedback. I'm surprised that no one has heard of him! Maybe i will research other avenues.

Good. I will add you as a friend if that is ok? I sure wish you the best. I keep going back and forth about having the surgery because I'm so scared. I know I have to though. Last option. Good luck and God bless! I will look for you posting after surgery. Remember everything ok...LOL I need to know. Lisa

Great, congratulations! I actually live near Cape Girardeau. Is your surgeon Dr. Follwell? If not, who are you using. I would love to follow your story. I don't have a date yet. I'm self pay so don't think it will be as long as it would be if insurance was paying. My insurance pays nothing.. LOL

Congratulations!! Can't wait until I'm where you are...

Congratulations!!!! This is so awesome! I will be so glad when I'm a post-oper but I just got started again so I guess it may be a few months. I just love reading the success stories on this forum!

Thanks so much. I do plan to do exactly what the Dr tells me to do. I really need to do this. I was scheduled to do surgery in 2008 and at the last minute my thyroid test came back Hyperthyroid. I had been having issues with my heart rate and BP going up but not much weight loss. The Drs couldn't believe I had Hyper thyroidism (Graves Disease) and not hypo since I was a big girl. I had to have it ablated with radiation and now I'm on meds the rest of my life for HYPO thyroidism. After having it ablated, I gained another 50 pounds. I'm devastated by the weight gain and I just can't lose on my own. This really is my last option. I keep praying for GOD's guidance and I have to have faith that whatever happens God is in control. Thank you for your comments. It helps alot.

Rediscover, I just read your post and it made me teary because I feel exactly the way you described yourself feeling. I have tried everything to fight this beast and win and I cannot. I have prayed so long and so hard on my knees for GOD to help me and guide me in the right direction. I have a thyroid issue. I had to have it killed off with radiation and I now am on medication for the rest of my life. I can't lose weight like everyone else. I know that even with the sleeve it will most likely be slower than most but I also know that if I don't do something I will only continue to get bigger and more unhealthy. I'm so scared but tell myself that I must have faith that GOD is in control and I have to trust him and have faith. I wish you the best. God's Mercy and Grace is what we have.

I haven't had my surgery and you guys are scaring me to death about a leak...lol I want this surgery so badly and I just wish we could be sure that after so long we wouldn't have to worry about leaks. I was reading a post on someone who had a leak 4 months after surgery but not sure who it was. I hate the thought of being on a feeding tube.... ugghhhhhhh! I keep going back and forth about having the surgery. I think... well... maybe I can do this without it... when in reality I know I can't! I went on another site and read about gastric bypass and I KNOW I don't want to do that. How big is your stomach after the surgery? I read where they can make it 2 oz or 6oz. Seems if they make it a little larger, leaks may not happen so easily.

I would so appreciate any feedback you guys can give me on this procedure. I've been reading about some pretty bad experiences people have had long term. I really want this surgery because I feel it is my last option. I understand that some people will have complications but the things I've been reading, state that people aren't acutally able to get enough nutrition so they start to have all of these problems long term. Please give me some positive feedback here!!

Thank you!

If I don't chicken out.. lol I will be having it done at Des Peres Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.

Thank you for your story! I'm glad you are doing well. I know it will be worth it. I actually just got started. Well... this go around. Back in 2008, I was all set to have the surgery but at the last minute my blood work came back that I was hyperthyroid. I had to cancel the surgery and have my thyroid killed off with radiation (ablated). Most people with this disease lose weight without even trying but NOT ME! LOL After the ablation, I gained another 50 pounds. I now am regulated on meds for this and my levels are good. So, I'm starting the journey again. I actually JUST got started. I know things will go quicker because I am a self pay because my insurance will not pay. I'm hoping everything goes quickly and I can have my surgery date in a few months. Thanks again for the info. You guys are awesome here. So glad I found this forum!!

Thank you guys!!! I appreciate the info! I feel much better. I don't have a surgery date as of yet. Just started this journey. I will be a self-pay because of course my insurance will not pay for this procedure. Doesn't pay for much of anything anymore with the high deductibles anyway. I'm so very glad I found this forum. Most of the feedback is so positive and encouraging. I'm very excited about going on this journey. Like I said before, this is my last option. Has anyone here had surgery in St. Louis, MO?? Just curious. Thanks again! You guys are awesome!

Hi I haven't had the surgery yet but am scared to death. So any info you can give me about the surgery, the pain after, what to expect would be appreciated. I've actually read some horror stories on other sites. Did your surgeon tell you how you need to look out for leaks and things like that? Has your hunger gone away? Anything you can tell me would be great!

Aussiegirl, you were in the ICU? I haven't had my surgery yet but I didn't know they put you in ICU after surgery. I'm really scared. So glad you guys are here. Reading these post really help alot.

Hello, I'm new to the forum. I have been researching the Gastric Sleeve for a few years now. Back in 2008, I was just about to schedule my surgery date and my blood work came back that I had Graves Disease (hyperthyroid) so I had to cancel. Since then, I've had my thyroid ablated with radiation and am on medication to keep my levels in check. I am now in the process of getting things done pre op for the surgery and still have alot to do! Before I was diagnosed with hyperthroidism, my weight was 235. So I was still a big girl. I didn't have the side effect of being skinny as most with this disease do. After I had it ablated, I gained 50 more pounds in 4 months. I was devastated! I now weigh 290 and can't lose anything. I've been overwieght since I was eight but was able to lose 80 to 100 pounds 3 times in my life only to gain it back. I know that I can't get the weight off by myself and decided that no matter how much this costs me, because my insurance WILL NOT pay for it, I am going to do this! I have too. I can't live like this any longer. I know that if I don't do something, I will surely continue to gain weight. I guess I just want any feedback from you guys about what it is like to go through the surgery, the pain, the recovery time and any other information you can give me. Also, any negative thoughts you may have about the surgery. I know I just can't live this way. I have high blood pressure, borderline diabetes, heart pvcs, bad knees, arthritis. I would love to hear your stories and would greatly appreciate any input you can give me concerning the surgery. Thank you so much! God Bless!