Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

MizzouGirl

Gastric Sleeve Patients
  • Content Count

    614
  • Joined

  • Last visited


Reputation Activity

  1. Like
    MizzouGirl got a reaction from SeptemberSlimmer1960 in Information on Best St. Louis, MO Area Surgeons   
    I'm looking for recommendations for a St. Louis, MO area surgeon. I'm not 100% sure which surgery I'm doing but am leaning strongly towards the sleeve. I just attended Dr. Van Wagner's seminar (HOAB) and was impressed. I've also been extremely impressed with the service his office has provided thus far. I'm attending the MyNewSelf seminar by Dr. J. Stephen Scott tonight. I want to make sure I pick the best surgeon (most experience, least # of issues, etc) in the St. Louis area. Both are Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence surgeons. Good service before, during and after the procedure are important to me as well. Thanks in advance for input that may help me with my choice of surgeon.
  2. Like
    MizzouGirl got a reaction from ChavaBling in What won't you compromise on food wise?   
    Stuff I've read about artificial sweetener scares the crap out of me. Have had to have some during the all liquid phase but never again once I'm through. If I can't do real sugar, I won't do sugar at all. Won't do the fake, chemical stuff. Yuck!
  3. Like
    MizzouGirl got a reaction from BeagleLover in My New Self - Saint Louis, MO **HELP**   
    5/31 - Surgery at 8:30, had sleeve, gall bladder removed and liver biopsy. Surgery done at 10am -- I was in a lot of pain when they woke me up but they fixed it within a few minutes. I think I was in my room at 11am and my husband met me there. The surgeon said all went well with the surgery and they did a leak test and all was fine. I was able to eat a small Popsicle, a cube of Jello and some Crystal Light for lunch. For dinner I had a Popsicle and some Crystal Light and got nausea. They gave me some nausea medicine and it went way. Had quite of bit of pain that night so took a liquid pain killer twice that night. Didn't sleep well because of the staff coming and going, the pain and some intermittent nausea. Almost threw up in the night but luckily was able to control it. Walked the halls twice for about 5 minutes and burped ALOT. Not a great day but could have been worse (like day 2). Oh, I also had to go #1 about every 1.5-2 hours because of all the liquids they were pumping into me. This was not pleasant as it was painful to get in and out of bed. The frequency didn't change for the time I was in the hospital but it did get easier to get up and down.

    Here are the medications they gave me:

    1. Pain ball - tubes inside me going to surgery points. Had to carry the darn thing around which was a bit inconvenient but I wouldn't have gone without the pain ball. It had run out when the Dr. took it out Sunday morning. I didn't control the dosage on this -- it was automatic.
    2. liquid pain killer as needed - a liquid cocktail of hydrocodeine and tylenol that I had to take orally. Not great tasting but did the trick.
    3. Nausea medicine - inserted through my IV
    3. Blood Thinner - shot in my stomach (caused major bruising that took about 2 weeks to go away)
    4. Pepcid - inserted through my IV

    Also had to have massaging sleeves on my calves and oxygen tube in my nose while in bed. Had to do that exhale thing where you lift the ball 10 times each hour I was awake. I think that's it.

    6/1 - Couldn't eat without my stomach seizing then tons of gurgling. Was really worried it would be permanent so posted under the Post Op forum and got reassurance from several people that it happened to them and went away. Also talked to nurse and she assured me it was temporary. I was actually really hungry and couldn't eat and was regretting having the surgery. Broke down and cried for a bit but after the support, I was hopeful. At least the pain was reducing and no more nausea. Walked the halls 4 times for 10 minutes each time and still burping all the time. Was able to get much more sleep this night.

    6/2 - Woke up feeling a ton better I think in part because I got pretty decent sleep. Was able to do 10 sips of Protein for Breakfast and lunch and lots of sips of Water. No stomach seizing and no nausea - still some gurgling but that is manageable. In the night I had my first toot and had 4 BMs the rest of the day - pretty much all liquid. Walked in the morning for 15 minutes and found out that I was going to get to go home.... yippeee!!!
    I had some minimal pain (no meds necessary) for about 7-10 days and ran a low grade fever for the first week post surgery. I dealt with alot of fatigue for about the first 4 weeks and burped all the time for the first 5 weeks. I do still get tired after a busy day but who wouldn't on 800-1000 calories a day! Sometime during week 5, I pretty much felt normal again. I can eat everything that has been cleared on the surgeon's "Shopping List" without issue. I can comfortably eat about 6oz - I might be able to do more but don't want to push it. I still haven't thrown up or really had any issues. If you have any specific questions, don't hesitate to ask. I'm happy to answer anything.
    Best wishes to you!!!
  4. Like
    MizzouGirl got a reaction from kathy85 in My New Self - Saint Louis, MO **HELP**   
    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. ????
  5. Like
    MizzouGirl got a reaction from kathy85 in My New Self - Saint Louis, MO **HELP**   
    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. ????
  6. Like
    MizzouGirl got a reaction from mtchick in **May 31st**   
    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!!! :-)
  7. Like
    MizzouGirl reacted to Hopeful in May sleevers results so far!   
    Hi guys, I haven't been able to get on in a while and I've lost all my threads and profile Id.
    Anyway, just checking in to see how you all are going. Good job by the way!
    My stats are as follows.
    HW 127kg (279 lb.)
    SW 110kg (242 lb.)
    CW 88kg (194 lb.)
    Total loss from HW 39kg (85 lb.)
    Total loss from SW 22kg (48 lb.)
    I was so wanting to Celebrate my Onederland stats with you all (because really, who else appreciates it!) but just couldn't get on!
  8. Like
    MizzouGirl reacted to 50notFat in STL sleeve scheduled 9/25   
    Hi from St Charles! I was sleeved on Monday 12/2 at Mercy in Washington with Dr Hawver. I can't say enough about how great she and her staff are. Cathy, the program coordinator, was so very helpful. It's been 5 days and I think I'm doing pretty good. Weird to always be sipping on something and burping a LOT but I'm down 5lbs since surgery and 24lbs since beginning the program. So glad I found this site!
  9. Like
    MizzouGirl reacted to Denise28 in STL sleeve scheduled 9/25   
    Hey STL just found out im approved so excited waiting on phne call from nurse on surgery date
  10. Like
    MizzouGirl reacted to JessicaDiane1021 in Updated pic...   
    Surgery weight 274
    Surgery date 3/25/13
    Today's weight 168
    Current goal 135
    I'm 22 and 5'0 tall.
  11. Like
    MizzouGirl got a reaction from MIJourney in May sleevers! How much have you lost so far?   
    Surgery Date: 5/31/2013
    Highest Weight: 295
    Date of Surgery: 286
    Current Weight: 226
    Total Loss: 69
  12. Like
    MizzouGirl reacted to erics300 in What Was Your Starting Weight?   
    The picture in the suit was a week ago The one playing golf was about 2 months ago and the one next to it was before surgery
    [ATTACH]19407[/ATTACH]

  13. Like
    MizzouGirl got a reaction from lrs in STL sleeve scheduled 9/25   
    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.
  14. Like
    MizzouGirl reacted to Kristina J. in 5 Month Progress Pictures   
    Friday will be 5 months since surgery! I haven't posed much lately since my new less fat butt is out and about way more these days, but here are some progress pictures! They were always my favorite thing to see when I was pre-op!!
    It's amazing to finally feel "normal" again. I lost 40 in the 4-5 months pre op, and another 57 since surgery, putting me at a loss of 97lbs. I feel like a whole new person. I'm a better mom, wife, friend and just a better, happier, person all around!!




  15. Like
    MizzouGirl reacted to No1234567 in STL sleeve scheduled 9/25   
    Update!! Surgery yesterday. Still in the hospital waiting to hear if I can be discharged. Little tip...ask for a scopolamine patch prior to surgery. I've never been sensitive to sedation, but holy moly!! I started dry heaving the minute I woke up and didn't stop for 12 hours. The pain wasn't terrible, but dry heaving didn't help any. An hour after the patch was placed, the heaving stopped. The nurses said they could have put a patch on during surgery to help. I suggest everyone ask for it. It was a pretty miserable day yesterday. Today....MUCH better!!! So surreal I've actually had surgery!
  16. Like
    MizzouGirl reacted to greensleeve in STL sleeve scheduled 9/25   
    Hi Rude! I'm going with dr Minkin there, my consult is next week and hooefully I will get a date then!
  17. Like
    MizzouGirl reacted to SleevedSylvynn in STL sleeve scheduled 9/25   
    Less than two weeks to go Dr. Scott at MNS - here I come!
  18. Like
    MizzouGirl got a reaction from Jen35 in STL sleeve scheduled 9/25   
    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!!!
  19. Like
    MizzouGirl got a reaction from SleevedSylvynn in STL sleeve scheduled 9/25   
    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.
  20. Like
    MizzouGirl got a reaction from SleevedSylvynn in STL sleeve scheduled 9/25   
    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.
  21. Like
    MizzouGirl got a reaction from Jen35 in STL sleeve scheduled 9/25   
    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!!!
  22. Like
    MizzouGirl got a reaction from Jen35 in STL sleeve scheduled 9/25   
    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!!!
  23. Like
    MizzouGirl got a reaction from Jen35 in STL sleeve scheduled 9/25   
    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!!!
  24. Like
    MizzouGirl reacted to Jen35 in STL sleeve scheduled 9/25   
    One day you will no longer shop at Lane Bryant and Torrid . You WILL be able to walk into other stores and try on the cute, fun stuff. I've been giving away my clothes as I "shrink" out of them and I'm trying to build up my wardrobe little by little. I'm at the point were I no longer have any smaller sizes in my closet. I started at a size 22W and I just bought pants at Kohls in the misses department (OMG!!) in a size 14 and shirts in Large!!! Shut the front door!! No more Lane Bryant (except for bras - those are awesome and I can still wear them) and no more women's department. I keep having to readjust my thinking about my size. I walked into Old Navy (never could really shop there before) and grabbed a few XL shirts, tried them on and they were all too big. That was a wonderful feeling. Shopping is actually fun for me now. I need to be careful not to become a shopping addict.
  25. Like
    MizzouGirl reacted to lookingforwardnotback in STL sleeve scheduled 9/25   
    Good luck to all my STL peeps! Sleeved 3/25..,. 82 lb weight loss, 16 lbs to go to a goal of 145 lbs. It's been great!

PatchAid Vitamin Patches

×