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

Recommended Posts

Hi:

I am new to this board and am in the early stages of planning the lap band surgery. Just wondering if anyone on here is from North or South Dakota and/or has experiences with any of the surgeons in Fargo or Sioux Falls? I am going to talk to my family doctor about having the surgery today and am trying to gather as much info as possible.

I have struggled with my weight most of my life and am ready for a change. I have a 5 year old and a 1 year old and I want to be around for them for a long time but that won't happen unless I do something now. This board has been very informative in helping me make my decision and I look forward to visiting with you!!

Robin

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Welcome! I am from Mitchell, SD and was banded right here in Mitchell, by Dr. Andrew Reynolds. There are several others on this board who were banded in Sioux Falls. Let me know if (via PM) if you would like Dr. Reynolds contact information. Best of luck to you!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am from Minnesota about 40 min from Sioux Falls. I am actually going to a seminar with Dr. Harris at the Ortho Institue tomorrow. I am just a beginner too.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for the welcome!! I visited with my family doctor and will be going to a seminar in Fargo on March 26. My doctor was totally supportive and one of the nurses at the clinic (who I had known for years) had the surgery about 9 months ago and has lost 60 pounds. My doc had her to come in to visit with me and her words were "GO FOR IT!!!" So that is what I am going to do. I have found out that my insurance will cover it but they are sending what they call a "medical policy" BCBS of MN so we will have to see what that is all about. I am so excited!!!

Robin

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am in Bismarck ND. My doctor here is really awesome. He has done other things for me (removed lump in breast). He is at Mid-Dakota Clinic, Dr. Schmit. I have BCBS of IL so I am waiting, praying, that they approve and surgery goes fine..... May 10th. If they don't approve then I have to cancel. Praying praying praying!!<br /> <br /> I know there are others here who have said they went to Meritcare in Fargo and had good experiences.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Fluffy - great to hear from you - May 10 is coming up so quickly. Best of luck to you and be sure to come back and let us know how it is going.

Robin

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi, I am from Breckenridge, MN and have attended the seminar at MeritCare in Fargo, ND. I will be seeing Dr. Monson on May 15th. I have not heard from anyone that has been to him personally. But I do know that his staff has been really great...I am one with thousands of questions and they have been very understanding with each and everyone of them.

Good luck to you!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×