MizzouGirl

I'm almost 1 year out and couldn't be happier. I did have some frustrations with some of the staff but Dr. Scott rocked my surgery and I've had 0 complications. Erika (Nutritionist) has been fantastic and the hospital staff was sooooo great. Dr. Minikin was on call after my surgery and he was great too. So glad I went with Dr. Scott. Down 100lbs and still losing. ????

FYI-I didn't receive your private message you indicated you were sending. Agree that some of the staff weren't too friendly or helpful but most were awesome. I think they recently hired more people so hopefully that helped as I think they are really busy.

I've been going through Dr Minkin at Des Peres. My paperwork should be submitted for insurance approval tomorrow. Excited to get an answer from insurance company and a surgery date. Ready to get on with my life!

Congrats and best wishes to you. Having this surgery was the best thing I've ever done!!! Dr. Minkin was not my surgeon but he was the doctor on duty the weekend after my surgery so I met with him a couple times while in the hospital and really liked him. I've heard lots of great things about him. If you have any questions about the experience in Des Peres hospital or questions in general let me know. Good luck!!!

I must confess that I rarely visit this site lately and haven't posted in a long time. Loving life 85 lbs lighter and realizing that the last 50-65 lbs aren't going to come off as easily as the first 85 did. I've slowed down to about 1-2 lbs a week but I'll take it! How is everyone else doing? I'm so glad I did this --- no regrets!!! :-)

You look awesome and much younger. Congrats to you!!!

Surgery Date: 5/31/2013

Highest Weight: 295

Date of Surgery: 286

Current Weight: 226

Total Loss: 69

I too was wishing I only had the 1 scar (I have the larger one around my belly button on 3 other small ones). I'm 4.5 months post surgery and the 3 small ones are barely noticeable - the 1 around my belly button is still pretty noticeable but hoping it will fade more over time. I can honestly say that I'm ok with the other scars and now don't regret not doing the single incision surgery.

Down to 175 from 260 now....feeling great!

You look fantastic. Congrats!!

Hey stl people I'm confused i was really pushing towards the sleeve then i started wanting the band did any body go through this and y did you pick the sleeve

I'm so confused I'm scared of being really thin after this surgery cause I've never been thin and really still want a little meat on me

I wasn't interested in the band because of all the complications I read about as well as the ongoing maintenance. Also, not all insurance may pay for the adjustments and addressing complications. So, if you change insurance companies when you have the band, this is a risk. I also didn't want something foreign inside me --- can't really rationalize this one but it was just the way I felt. I researched all of the options and felt the sleeve was by far the best option for me. I do think there are some surgeons in STL who are most comfortable with the band so they may push this option - not sure if this is what's happening to you. I think it's a personal decision so only you are going to be able to determine what is best for you. I can say I'm 100% happy with my sleeve, I've had no complications and I'm happy with my progress. Best wishes to you with whatever choice you make.

HW: 295, Surgery Date: 5/31/2013, CW: 231 --- sooooooo happpppyyyyy!!!!! I'm just shy of 5'7".

Wow - thanks for sharing your story and so glad the bad stuff appears to be behind you and you can start enjoying life again. :-)

I think you look fantastic but in the end, you have to be happy with you. :-)

This is the first I'm hearing about the patch. I didn't have one and luckily had minimal problems with nausea and no dry heaves. Glad there is something like that available, though, for those who need it!! Hope you are doing well Skee - for me, each day was remarkably better.

Hi all! I'm from Festus ' date=' which is just south of St. Louis. I am going thru Heart of America Bariatrics with Dr. Snow. I am just about ready for submission to the insurance company. One last appt. with the NUT, on Oct 2nd and my paperwork is on the way to Cigna. I am so excited![/quote']Hello! I also looked into HoA and was very impressed with the program. I think you are in great hands. Best wishes to you!

I just went to Kohls today and started in women's and the pants were too big. Soooo many more options in the "regular" sizes!!! I ended up with a pair of size 16 skinny jeans (not 16w as those were too big). I was also able to fit into some size 14 jeans. Was so amazing!!!! I still have a lot of weight to lose so I limited myself to the 1 pair of jeans but it was sure fun trying on a bunch of other stuff. Life is good!!!

I want to clarify that I'm in no way bashing other surgeons as it sounds like there are other great ones in STL. When I did my research, I just felt Dr Scott was the best one for me.

I wish I had an answer for you. I can tell you that I'm glad I stuck with Dr Scott as I think he is really good at what he does and I've had 0 complications. I've also really enjoyed working with Erika (NUT). My experience in Des Peres Hospital during and after surgery was also top notch.

Ideally, the whole experience would be great but at the end of the day, I want the best surgeon cutting me open and great care right after surgery more than the other stuff. Keep me posted and hopefully they will turn it around for you.

There is a woman in Dr Minkin's office who I want to strangle right now. So unhelpful and flat out rude. If I weren't so far into the process I would switch doctors.

Here was my "vent post" and the subsequent replies. Look at the very last reply and how long after it was posted. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/78438-my-new-self-saint-louis-mo-help/

There is a woman in Dr Minkin's office who I want to strangle right now. So unhelpful and flat out rude. If I weren't so far into the process I would switch doctors.

I had some struggles with the office staff too prior to surgery. If you look at my posts from this Spring, you'll see where I vented. Just a few weeks ago, somebody kinda went off on me in that post. I'm thinking it was somebody from the office based on their lack of profile info, no other posts, and comments that only an insider could make. I choose to bite my tongue instead of reply but was pretty offended. My experience was my experience -- I'm a reasonable person as I've been in service most of my career. Getting steamed again just thinking of that person's post. ������

Anyhow, sorry you are having a bad experience with somebody. Luckily, I think most of the people there are fantastic. Hope it resolves itself soon!

Sleeved 5/22 and down 75lbs!

You look freaking awesome!!

I was sleeved on 5/31 and hit 60 lbs lost today. I cleaned out about 2/3 of the clothes in my closet for goodwill today.

HW: 295

CW: 235

I think it's been about 12 years since I was at my current weight. Can't wait until I'm in onederland!

I ate 1/2 of a small shake from sonic last night. Wish I hadnt done that.

I had a small chocolate shake last night too and felt soooo awful after. Won't be doing that again. I've had sugar here and there but obviously pushed it too much with the shake. So grateful for my sleeve and how it reminds me to be a good girl when I make bad food choices. :-)

I live in St Charles, MO and I am going to Mexico for my sleeve because I am a self pay. I have great insurance but it doesn't cover anything weight related. I am so excited for this new journey to begin.

Best wishes to you!!! I live in St. Peters and was sleeved in STL by Dr. Scott at Des Peres Hospital in May. If my insurance wouldn't have covered my surgery, I definitely would have considered Mexico based on all the great things I've read here. I consider myself lucky that insurance covered my surgery and that I found a great surgeon locally. I've had zero complications and have lost 60 lbs in 3.5 months. VERY HAPPY!!!!

Hi everyone! I just got approved, don't have a date yet. Going to Des Peres hospital with Dr Minkin.

Nice to meet all of you!!!

Dr. Minkin was the on-call Dr. the weekend after I had my sleeve (I had surgery on a Friday by Dr. Scott and was in the hospital until Sunday). I really liked Dr. Mikin. Best of luck to you!

Shout out to all the STL sleevers!! I was sleeved on 5/31/2013 by Dr. Stephen Scott. Great experience and happy with my results thus far!!