Anyone in Iowa?

[Medic51 1]

Hello,

I am in Albia and had my Sleeve done 3 days ago on the 16th. Everything went well and I am feeling great other than some pain when getting up from a chair. I also have BCBS insurance and when I started my journey I was required to do the 6 month diet and nutrition education. With what I learned in those sessions I am glad that I was made to take them as it will help sooooo much post surgery when I am able to start eating regular food again. With what I learned from the Dietician I was able to drop 69 pounds prior to surgery and my wife has lost 61 pounds as well.

I understand the feeling of not wanting to take any classes and the elation when you find out it is no longer required, but this is a major surgery and more importantly, a major life style change that will last forever and the more you can learn and understand before going into the surgery the better you will be able to cope with all the new changes in your life.

I wish us all well on our new journey!!!!!

Darin.

[TammyDTM 391]

Congratulations to you and your wife!

[jaczim 11]

So glad to see this thread. Live in Norwalk. My insurance doesn't cover wls so I have been researching Mexico as an option for about 3 months. I am ready to book and am looking to August. Anyone know of any support groups in the area? I am worried about having a network post-surgery.

[Brian88ss 59]

Yes Unity Point has one in West Des Moines on the first Saturday of the month and anyone is welcome to come to it. Normally it is required by most insurances to attend at least one informational support group. But if your not able to do it through insurance it would be just informational but lots of questions could be answered. About Mexico procedures I haven't heard any talk about that at support group. Hope this helps Look up Untiy Point Weight Loss (https://www.unitypoint.org/desmoines/classes-and-events-details.aspx?id=baab9cdd-0a9c-4905-a9dd-85957470da8b&typeid=d0c9b280-d721-4180-b9a5-f692a8d3b220)

So glad to see this thread. Live in Norwalk. My insurance doesn't cover wls so I have been researching Mexico as an option for about 3 months. I am ready to book and am looking to August. Anyone know of any support groups in the area? I am worried about having a network post-surgery.

[jaczim 11]

Thank you!!

[brezab 0]

There are tons of Facebook support groups too. Some are better than others. I had my VSG in January and my wife had her's in February. We live in Ankeny so if you ever want someone near by to chat with, we're here for ya. Good luck!

[Julez_schmidt 1]

Me! I'm in central Iowa and 11 months out!

[TammyDTM 391]

@@Julez_schmidt Hello! Congratulations on your success!

[Julez_schmidt 1]

I am still learning how to use this app, so I apologize if I mess up! I'm in Newton, IA and commute to DSM for work daily. If anyone is interested in meeting to chat sometime, let me know!

[bsblovah77 0]

Hi!! I'm in Des Moines, IA. Getting sleeved July 28. Excited/nervous about post op course

[MarciaN 391]

So glad to find all of you! Don't know why I didn't think of search "iowa" before now!

I started my journey on March 1st 2015. Having surgery with Dr Smolick on Tuesday, Nov 24th. It will be almost 9 months since I started so I am ready!

Have lost almost 60 pounds since I started and hope to be down by at least 65. Sounds like most of you have already had the sleeve. How are you all doing? Is there anything I should know before my date?

[Krystal7k 243]

I had my surgery in mason city and lost 130lbs

[FitandFreeEmily 1]

Just popping in to see if there's anyone around the Iowa City area! I would love to connect.

[Luckygrl 87]

Hello...I'm from DM. I'm seriously considering the sleeve surgery. I'm going to an informational meeting in a couple weeks. I guess that's the first step. I'm hoping to gather info, suggestions, etc from these forums. For those of you that have had the surgery, how are you doing with it? Any regrets?

[brezab 0]

Hey Luckygirl, welcome! My wife and I live in Ankeny. I was sleeved in January 2015 and she was February 2015. I had lost 110 pounds but fell back into some old habits that I'm working in breaking again. That's my only regret, falling back into old habits. Who are you looking at for your surgery. We had LaMasters at UnityPoint.