vra123456

Eight years ago, (2008) I had lap band sugery. In the beginning it seemed great and I lost weight. But as time went on each time I went back for an adjustment, it was hell. I always had to have them done at the hospital under x-ray. About 6 months after getting the band I started having problems keeping anything down including Water. It got to the point that every time I'd try to get an adjustment it would have to be reversed. In February of this year i finally said enough. My husband never wanted me to get gastric bypass, so I started researching. That's when I found more updated information on the gastric sleeve. I found Dr. Minkin and he removed my lap band in May 2016. I got sleeved on September 22nd 2016 and I feel so blessed.

Eight years ago, (2008) I had lap band sugery. In the beginning it seemed great and I lost weight. But as time went on each time I went back for an adjustment, it was hell. I always had to have them done at the hospital under x-ray. About 6 months after getting the band I started having problems keeping anything down including Water. It got to the point that every time I'd try to get an adjustment it would have to be reversed. In February of this year i finally said enough. My husband never wanted me to get gastric bypass, so I started researching. That's when I found more updated information on the gastric sleeve. I found Dr. Minkin and he removed my lap band in May 2016. I got sleeved on September 22nd 2016 and I feel so blessed.

Yes I was and my husband drove me crazy-lol

Hi all,

I just wanted to let you guys know that everything went ok. I'm just a little soar. I'm real sleepy so I will post again in a few days. :cool:

I just had my surgery today and Dr Wagner is awesome. Anyone that chooses him for thie surgeon, you are in great hands.:cool:

Hi all,

Just wanted to thank you for you support. Everything went ok, just a little sore right now but nothing major. I am so tired, I keep dozing while I type. I'm gong to sleep. I will post again in a few days.:cool::thumbup:

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to know if anyone else was on there pre-op diet and if you were ready to "kill" family members because they keep forgetting that you can't have food and ask you constantly are you hungry.LOL

surgery:7/11/08

highest/consult/current/goal

263/253/244/130

Thanks for the advice on the meds. Dr Wagner did say to crush them and I checked with my primary doctor and none of my meds came in a liquid form. It just tastes soooo bad to me. The first time I crushed them, I did all of them together and maybe that's why it was bad. I guess I need to do 1 pill at a time.

Dr Wagner is courteous, reserved and has a very good bedside manner. The fee I believe isn't covered by insurance. I was self pay so I paid for it anyway. Being self pay it was 17,500 with lifetime fills. It was $1,000 dollars cheaper if I had it at the outpatient surgery center in Webster. The center is very nice, clean and awesome staff. If I would go to the hospital, they said I would have to have an endoscopy, so I was like "that's okay". Surgery center is just fine. It was totally uneventful. He gave postop anti nausea meds and a patch. Never threw up, which I had nausea to previous surgeries related to anes. Had a nasal narcotic spray for pain, and held a pillow to the abs if you have to cough. Back to work 3rd day postop. I had my first fill and Dr. Wagner did it personally which made me at ease. Piece of cake, no pain. And he used a long needle. He is awesome. Good Luck.....

Dr Wagner goes to the Ballas Surgery Center now for outpatient. I'm paying for the lifetime package too. I financed it all($15825) so the only thing I had to pay up front was for the psych eval($120). Dr Wagner is very quiet and there is something about him that just makes you calm and at ease.

Welcome to our group! Where are you having your surgery done? This board will give you great support. There are a surprising number of us in the St. Louis area. :tt2:

Dr. Wagner does surgeries at St Alexius hospital and the Ballas Surgery Center in Creve Coeur. I am doing the outpatient surgery at Ballas. Wish me luck beacause I am SOOOOO nervous.

Welcome to the group and good luck with everything. I have heard that Dr. Wagner is very good also. My wife and I are almost 10 months out and it is the best thing we have done. Just keep in mind slow and steady is the way to go with weight loss everyone is differant in how fast they loose. Our doctor likes to see 1-3 lbs a week. and if you average the weight loss over a period of time you will see that it falls into that range. It is the best thing that both of us have done. If you have any questions just here or e-mail.

Chris

Thanks for the encouraging words. You absolutly right about the slow and steady-it took yrs to "pack" it on and it will take time to leave it in the "lost and found". I'm sure I'll have lots of questions. Here's one-I have to crush my meds after surgery and last night I decided to try it now and i THOUGHT I WAS GONING TO DIE. I mixed it with Jello and my 19yr old said think of "FEAR FACTOR" but I had to spit it out. Then I mixed some in broth. I was able to drink 95% of it, but it was horrible!!!!!.:tt2: Any suggestions???

Vanessa

Yeah I know it is really close. I guess since I have to self pay there are less "hoops" to jump thru. I start my PRE-Op diet on 7/3-just 7 days. I still can't believe it's going to happen. I have been dreaming of this day for 4 yrs.

This has been the craziest week. I can't believe I got everything done

financing approved: Mon morning

seminar was: Tues night

consult with Dr Wagner was: Wed evening

psych eval and clearance was: Thurs night

medical clearance, EKG, blood work was: Fri morning

I start my PRE-OP diet on 7/3/08 and then banded on 7/11. Somebody pinch me. I have been trying to make this happen since I first heard about gastric bypass in 2002 and then the band in 2004. I know that losing the weight and keeping it off will be a slow and steady process and I am ready to start the journey to a longer better healthier life with my DH and our 3 boys.

:laugh:Hello,

My name is Vanessa and I want to congradulate and wish everyone here good bessings. I will become a bandster on 7/11/08. Looking forward to making lasting friends here.

Gratz on the new date Ann71!!!

1-tillydog, wsw27?, florida girl

2-trudeip, mackie, BethO,guitar247, minidriver

3

4

5

6

7

8-Zeama, Tamspri, knd, JaJeanne,

9-Missrach, st4r69

10

11-mellalot, vra123456

12

13

14

15-Mellimel71

16-lotzasunshine

17-Long2BFree

18-CapitolChick

19

20

21-pennylane

22

23

24-daniml, nyllrap

25 -NewJEM

26

27

28

29-Chellets

30 - mamanmidwife

:laugh:I am scheduled to be banded on 7/11/08 and I wanted to find support groups in St Louis. I'm in North County and I would like to meet other "banded brothers and sisters" and make new friends.

Dr. Wagner will be doing my surgery on 7/11/08. I am so excited and I'm driving my husband crazy.

:thumbup:My name is Vanessa and this is my first post on this site. I have been wanting the lap band since 2004 and it looks like the wait is over :biggrin2: . I will have to self pay and Dr Wagner will be my surgeon. We just got back the good news on the financing and I will be going the seminar again tomorrow night. I hope to have surgery by mid late July. My husband is supportive but extremely nervous. I told him that if something went wrong, then it was my time. I would rather go trying to get better than to die because I got bigger