MizzouGirl

I would keep in mind that the care you are getting preop is most likely the care you'll be getting postop. And after surgery you could feel like crap physically and emotionally. On the other hand, you want a skilled surgeon even if the peons in the office stink.
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So tomorrow is exactly one month post surgery for me. Starting weight 248, day of surgery, 235, today 211. Feeling great :-) no complications yet.

I totally understand--and I can't tell you what a relief it is to read your words and realize they are SO similar to the round-and-round recording that's been playing in my head ever since I went to my first WLS seminar two weeks ago.
Here's how I feel about it. In everyone's life, we have choices. We do the best we can, at every moment, to make choices that we *believe* will bring us pleasure/happiness/success, etc. Sometimes we find that those choices lead to exactly what we expected; sometimes the results are difficult or less than perfect. There's no point in punishing ourselves after we make the choices; we did the best we could with what we knew at the time.
Personally, I have spent almost 25 years making choices that felt (or tasted) sooooo good. All those delicious, creamy, sweet, spicy, greasy, satisfying, addictive foods; all those times I decided "nah, don't feel like exercising, pfffft I'm fine the way I am"...well, they've all caught up to me, and they've brought their friends. Exhaustion, arthritis, depression, asthma, acid reflux--it's quite the party, and I hear heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure are thinking of RSVP'ing sometime soon.
As terrified as I am sometimes of exactly the list of things you named (leaks, hair loss, recovery pain, and on and on it goes), I am a million times more afraid of the future I see before me if I DON'T get sleeved. I'm like a Christmas Eve Scrooge, with the dark Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come looming over me. I know beyond doubt that if I don't take this step, sooner or later, my obesity will rob my kids of their mother. It will steal me away from my future plans of retirement and travel. It will put me six feet under, with who knows how many years snatched from me, too soon. That will happen. I know it in my adipose-tissue-smothered bones. I'm out of options and I am not going to change unless that change is imposed on me by something stronger than myself.
I'd rather have saggy skin that makes fwappity noises in a strong breeze--and get to live 10, 15, or 25 extra years--than be morbidly obese with skin as snug and shiny as a beach ball. I may end up looking older than I am; but I'll get to BE older than I would without the surgery. This is my best chance. It might be my last. I have to make it count, and I have to grab on to it with both my chubby mitts and never, ever let go.
That's what I keep telling myself when I get scared. It seems to be helping, so far.
"The greatest mistake we make is living in constant fear that we will make one."
John C. Maxwell
We can do this!! We'll come out on the other side, and when we stumble, we'll get up stronger than before, because the mistakes will teach us what we need to know.
Hang in there!

Dr. Scott is a great surgeon. He did my step dad's RNY two years ago. I just had my sleeve this past Monday, but mine was with Dr. Lisa Martin Hawver with Mercy. I have minimal pain and am feeling great! I didn't have an appetite for 3 days.I had a 2 night stay in the hospital and everyone was so wonderful to me. It's hard to get used to drinking again. I can barely finish a Protein Shake, it takes me an hour, cuz I feel so full. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask And good luck!!

OK, they called and the gal I talked to was awesome. My surgery is scheduled for 5/31. Maybe I'm just anxious so I'm picking on everything. I do think the front desk gal needs some training on demonstrating a delight to serve attitude and tone. Everyone I work with once I'm past her is fantastic. :-)

Hey everyone so today I am one month post op I am excited to say that i have lost 30 lbs. 10 pre op and 20 post op. This journey has been difficult at time but it worth it in the end:) I have attached a picture what do you think.

Don't give them anything to start with. What is the motivation to tell them what is a very personal decision? When people started asking if I was losing weight and how, I told them through Portion Control and exercise. Very true statements. If it was someone who seemed to know the journey of an obese person, I shared that I had VSG. "Normal" people don't understand the struggle. I wouldn't wish them to know the struggle. But I can't explain my deep-seated issues with my relationship with food to the level they can understand, so why even try.
For folks you have already told, and they are pesimestic, just tell them, "Thank you for your concern, I love you, too"

I was done with dr. Scott in December. I love him. He was patient and answered my "dumb" questions. Even when he had to place my stent in on a very early Sunday morning. He was very positive and informative. I felt like someone actually cared what happened. I like the " my new self" doctors.

I'm having mine done by Dr. Jay Snow ( same office as dr waganer) on 1/23/13 @ JRMC.

My sons friend had the band done by Dr. Eagon. He refered me, im in the process of trying to get the sleeve. My sons friend has lost over 100lbs! Said his experiencs was great and he loved Dr.Eagon! He works out of Washington University.

I had my surgery done by Dr Lisa Hawver. She is based out of Mercy Hospital. The surgery was done at Mercy Hospital in Washington, MO. I went in on a Monday morning and was out Wednesday am. She has an office now in O'Fallon also. She is excellent. She is board certified. There are support groups that meet in Washington and at Mercy in St Louis. I have had no problems and am very happy. Great follow-up and office is very good to work with, they return calls fast. Her phone number is 636-861-7870.