if you've had VSG in the twin cities area, I'd love to hear your feedback on your surgeon and satisfaction with the dr., hospital, etc.

I'm not definitely decided yet, but if I go thru with it, I will be self-pay.

Thank you very much for your help.

My surgery was with Dr Jones at Park Nicollet. I can't say enough about how wonderful they all are on the bariatric team! Dr. Jones is great. He makes you feel comfortable from the beginning. The nurses and nutritionists are great too. I have had a great experience and so have 2 of my friends. All 3 of us have had no problems at all. I am 2 months out. 1 of my friends is 3 months out and the other one is 1 week out.

Fabulous program at Park Nicollet. They also have a support group that meets 2x a month.

Good luck to you. Feel free to msg me if you have any questions

I also had Dr Jones out of Park Nicollet. I had a great experience from first walking into the office to going to my post op appts. Everyone is friendly and helpful and most of the nurses have been through a WLS themselves which made me feel better. I am a little over a month post op and have had no problems at all. Was back to work in less than a week. My friend had hers done there also and recommended Dr. Jones. She is about a year and a half out and still has good things to say about them. Good luck with your journey!! It is worth all the work!!! Best decision I have made!

I also had the wonderful Dr. Jones through the Park Nicollet program, surgery at Methodist on September 25. In my pre-op apppointment Dr Jones gave me some parenting advice that was also aimed at ensuring I take care of myself. I will never forget it. Everyone on the staff is wonderful - I especially like Candace one of the bariatric nurses. Overall, I had a great experience, short recovery and everything is going well!

Good luck!

Hay, I live in northern minnesota and I had the surgery in fargo in june 2012 and was wondering if I could fit in to ur conversation I know I'm not from msp area but haven't seen a minnesota thread yet

Hay' date=' I live in northern minnesota and I had the surgery in fargo in june 2012 and was wondering if I could fit in to ur conversation I know I'm not from msp area but haven't seen a minnesota thread yet[/quote']

Nice to meet you. How are you doing? I am 1/2 way to my goal 4 months out. I feel awesome!

I'm doing well I had surgery june 7th and I was at 407 and I'm down to about 289..I feel like I can do things now..only bad thing is I freeze now ..I need a heated blanket at night and I ware like 5 pairs of socks some days and I'm lactose intolerate now ..other wise I'm happy with my results! I just got started with a bariatric personal trainer in fargo who kicking my butt back in gear and I wanna run a 5k on my birthday in may I think that would be the most amazing birthday present I can give my self! Hope ur doing well with ur new life as well!

I was sleeved 1/7/13 by Dr. Svendsen at Park Nicollet. My entire experience was awesome from start to finish! I am almost 3 weeks out and down 30 pounds (including my pre op weight loss). Park Nicollet also has support groups that I plan on attending once I go back to work!

Good for u! Glad ur making this life change! I wish I had a suport group near me!

I was sleeved 12/20/12 by Dr. Jones at Park Nicollet. He and the staff there were wonderful.

Hi everyone, I just signed up for this site today with the hope that there were others from the state on here. Happy to see that there are! I live in southern MN (Albert Lea area) and have just started the process with the surgery team at the U of M Medical Center. My tentative surgery date is at the end of April. I have to lose 20 lbs by then so that's challenge #1. Thank you all for sharing your stories on here, exactly what I needed to keep the hope.

Hi there. I was sleeved on 1/21/13 with Dr Ikraamudin at the U of M Fairview. Great doctor and hospital. He's been recognized as one of the top surgeons in the nation!!! Good luck to you!

Good luck Innova, I had to lose 40 lbs b4 surgery and I went on protein shake diet for 2 months..just shakes, 3 times a day and lots of gym time! Good luck! I'm here if u need help...I had surgery on 6-7-12

Welcome!

dleebens -do you go to the support group? I do sometimes. Dorothy does a great job.

Innovative - I live in Owatonna. Good luck to everyone. What a fantastic road we are on!

Welcome!

dleebens -do you go to the support group? I do sometimes. Dorothy does a great job.

Innovative - I live in Owatonna. Good luck to everyone. What a fantastic road we are on!

I LOVE Dorothy! i told her when I started my journey in July last year that if I couldn't get the surgery before the end of the year (my out of pocket max was met, so it was free) that I wouldn't be able to do it. She pulled tooth and nail and got me in late December.

No I haven't had a chance to go to any of the groups yet.

I'm from MN, too, but in AZ for winter. My sister had surgery at Park Nicollet with Dr. Svendsen - he was awesome and her surgery went without a single hitch. She has gone from 205 - 166 in about 7-8 weeks. I wanted to see him too, but they have a strict criteria and my bmi is not high enough.

I know MN has some great bariatric surgeons, between the U of MN, PN, Mayo, etc..