heykiddo

I used Dr. Frenzel but both use Texas General Hospital (?) in Grand Prairie and unlike some others, I very much disliked this hospital. One of those "you get what you pay for." Suggest selecting one of their other hospitals.

The OR staff was great but the staff on the floor was awful. Very uncaring and left me in a dangerous situation of refusing to accompany me when walking even after I told them I was still woodie from the effects of anesthetic. They told me to "just walk, you'll be okay." Once I ran into the wall a nurse finally said she'd stay back to help me. Everything was very rote with them. I guess they have so many in one day, everyone is treated the same.

The other two issues I had with Frenzel were that he makes everyone get there at the same time very early the morning of surgery even though he can't possibly handle everyone at the same time. My surgery was scheduled for 1:00 but I had to be there by 7:00 a.m. Just like everyone else. I wound up not being taken in until 5:30 that afternoon. The OR nursing staff said they were very frustrated with this, too, since they have that influx of people all at once to try to deal with.

The other issue is his staff. It was almost impossible to get hold of the staff person in charge of my case. Once again, everything is rote. They'll get to you when they want to -- even days later or not at all until you call again. One of his PA's was very insulting and I would never work with her again. When I complained about her to him, at least he admitted he instructs them to say the things she said to me. AND, for follow up visits, you can be left waiting more than an hour past your appointment time -- totally unacceptable in my book. Once again, he tries to run everyone in without regard to their time -- only his.

I think his surgical technique is probably good, but all the rest of the experience was crap. -- and I've had many different surgeries to compare this experience to.

Unfortunately, I would never recommend him and two others here in my office have had the same experience with him -- we all had surgery about the same time. Hope this helps anyone trying to make an informed decision.

Sorry, ignore last question. I just went back and read how much exercise you do. You just look great.

Did the excess skin just magically disappear or do you have some wise wisdom to impart about how to deal with that?

I never did find a shake that I liked at all but I have found that I could tolerate Isopure. The thickness of shakes just make me want to gag, but Isopure has the consistency of plain Water and there are several flavors. You can try them (one bottle at a time) at GNC without having to buy a bunch until you know if you like them. I hope that anybody coming to this site will refuse to buy something that anyone connected with the surgery says you "MUST" purchase. They are just pushing something they sell and not looking after your best interests. Good luck with your journey.

I did use Dr. Frenzel. My surgery date was 2/19 so I am about 6-7 weeks post-op. What was your experience like with the doctor and his staff? My experience has not been so good but I know one other person who loved him and his staff. Two other co-workers who used him had not so good experiences but not as bad as mine. My surgery was performed in Grand Prairie and theirs was here in Dallas at the Micro-Surgery Center.

I would do it again, no question about it. I didn't always say that - I was guarded the first few weeks. At 15 months out, the quality of my life has improved immensely. I am 51, and have as much energy as I did in my 20s (and that's a lot!), and I look and feel so much better. I love being of a normal size, and not having the continuous worry if I'll physically fit in places, chairs, etc. I am liberated! Obesity took more of a toll on me than I ever realized.

As for complications, I would say 3+ physically. I had a post op incisional infection that took about 6-7 weeks to heal, and I felt pretty wiped out the first month or so. I'm sure it was made worse by that infection. Mentally, I'd say 0 complications. I think I've adjusted well and pretty easily to the life changes I needed to make. Of course the frustration of having a hard time getting the last few pounds off is irritating, but honestly, even if I never get there, I consider the surgery an overwhelming success.

MichiganChic, how long did it take you to begin to feel some energy? So far that has totally escaped me but I'm only about 35 pounds down and 7 weeks post-op.

I'm about 7 weeks post-op and still waiting for all those good feelings to come flooding in. I can't say I regret it but it has been much harder than I ever thought. Many of the people I knew who had the sleeve didn't tell me all the problems you can encounter and, unfortunately, I didn't find this website until after my surgery. I had a hiatal hernia repaired along with the sleeve surgery and it is still so tight that it makes getting food and/or Water past that area difficult. I can still only eat maybe an 1/8 of a cup of food at a time. I've lost about 32-33 pounds (including the pre-op diet) and that number in my head is good but it hasn't affected they way that I feel physically yet. I keep holding on to all the success stories I read here but must say (as others have) if anyone tells you this is an easy way to lose weight, they are nuts. For some it is a breeze and for others, it is not.

I am so sorry to read your story and I so commiserate with you. My story was no where near the same as far as specifics but similar in that I think a lot of the bariatric surgeons and their staff (people associated with the bariatric practice) treat us as cattle to be fed through the chutes. I think they handle so many more people than a regular surgical practice does that we are just nameless, faceless cattle. As an example, my doctor thought when I went in for my post-op visit that I was there for my pre-op visit. Partially, this is the medical practice anymore, but specifically it is true in this type practice. No wonder you or any of us feel like we are "boiling." Anyone does when they feel they have no power in a situation and that is certainly where you are right now -- no power to effect a change in the situation, no power to effect a change in her and the way she does things, and no power to change the way the doctors do things as you and the rest of us are just one of MANY who will put up with most anything to get the surgery. And, let's not even talk about the insurance companies . . . . .

My thoughts are with you and I certainly hope things work out for a quick, positive resolution to this situation. Keep us all posted.

I'm a year out, about 50 lbs from my goal. Weekends are pretty spontaneous and I kinda just go with the flow. Monday-Friday are my routine days. I eat a Quest bar for breakfast, Greek yogurt (sometimes with PB2 mixed in) and a string cheese for Snacks, salad with grilled chicken or tuna for lunch. dinner is usually a reduced fat, whole grain, cheese quesadilla with salsa and low fat sour cream, or a Smart Ones meal, or a turkey and cheese wrap. I still have carbs, but I try to have whole grains and I limit how much. I also try to avoid red meats. Sometimes I have some popcorn as a snack. I also have one Protein drink every day. I try to keep my calories at 1000-1200.

Glad to hear this. I'm only a little over 3 weeks post-op and was wondering if I would ever get to eat an entire Smart One, etc. again. It seems impossible right now. It's hard to want to eat anything these days. Guess I should be grateful but it's also a bit scary being almost unable to eat.

I used Dr. Frenzel but both use Texas General Hospital (?) in Grand Prairie and unlike some others, I very much disliked this hospital. One of those "you get what you pay for." Suggest selecting one of their other hospitals.