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

Any North Dakotans out there?



Recommended Posts

I tried GasX strips and Beano and a generic gas pill, but they only worked a little. Mostly, the gas pains went away after about a week or so. I was banded on 1/29, back to work on 2/4, and about mid-day that day, I realized I didn't have pain anymore. I bet within another day or two, you'll start feeling better.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was banded by Dr. Bruderer. He was excellent. I was told the whole surgery took about 15 minutes. His staff is great, too, so pre-op and follow-up visits have been a blast. (And how often can you say things like that?) I found him to be very down to earth and encouraging. My mother expecially appreciated the way he interacted with her on surgery day. Everyone at MCO was very helpful (except one overnight nurse who put my IV in at the end of her shift--she was a bit frusterating---my suggestion, drink a TON of Water the night before, and if they still have a hard time finding a vein, ask for a shot for pain before they put in your IV.)

The dietician visit is done classroom style, and is pretty basic. Dr. B told me to step ahead on the post-op diet as I felt ready. So don't be surprised if you're on mushies sooner, and back to regular food within a couple weeks.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I haven't been on here for a while so I hope everyone is doing well! When I had my gas pains I just tried to move around a lot. It sure helps! Even when I didn't feel like it I made myself walk up and down my hallway! I can hardly wait until all this cold weather is gone so that I can get outside and walk! How is the weather everywhere else in the state?

Trish

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello all! Banded in 12/2007 by Dr McColl in Grand Forks with PA Shelley Wright assisting. Shelley performs my adjustments and I'm really happy with the staff at Altru.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Welcome to LBT wired!!! How is it going? I am actually going this afternoon to see Shellie for a fill!!! Hope it is the one that will do the trick!:thumbup:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm in a stalled phase. My feet are so bad that it's hard to even walk sometimes, which has made it really hard to exercise--but I'm trying! My backsliding pre-band would have had be back to be NEW Start begining weight and I've only gained 3 pounds instead of 30.

When did you have your classes? I did the last of the Saturday groups of 2007.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think New start was wednesday and Behavior change was thursday the last part of last year, but I can't be sure. I am doing ok. I look at some of the weight loss on here and it is hard for me to believe. Some people that lose 150 pounds in 6 months....good for them, but I think that they are giving it to me....lol. It has been slow and I have been stalled for a while, but it is starting to slowly creep back down. I think I am having some trouble with my B12 so that could be a lot of it. I go to see the doctor on the 18th so hopefully we can get it straightened out!!!! Good luck!

Trish

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

i'm at 5cc in a 10 or an 11 cc band..and I have no restriction. Going in for a fill soon. I know I haven't been eating the best foods so that's not the best for weight loss but I really am just eating too much. I can eat bread, salad, rice, as much as I want...I'm wondering if Dr. Bruderer is going to be agressive with my fills...oh and has anyone gotten a numbing shot before a fill from him? Because it was HORRIBLE my first time. And I have a high pain tolerance.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello everyone ! I'm from Grand Forks ... Getting Banded on 10/14. I love Dr. McColl and shellie - they're great. I had originally planned on Roux-N-Y a few years ago, then lost my Ins. Then i decided to have the Gastric Sleeve done, as Dr. McColl is now certified toperform it. he's been going to Boston to train. There's only approx a dozen Doc's in the US that are performing it. However, i found out - I"M NOT FAT ENOUGH ! are they kidding me? I'm 13 pounds too light ! Oh well, The band was my next choice. i got approved in July, finished my classes, and now i'm ready to change my life :-)

How is everyone else doing ? :smile2:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello! I'm from Fargo and am going to Altru in Grand Forks because of my insurance. I have 4 appointments there tomorrow, and I meet with Dr. McColl next week. If anybody else is getting ready to go through surgery in the near future, I'd love to hear from you! Thanks!:)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

After having to reschedule my consultation appointments because of our lovely blizzard a couple weeks ago, I finally had all four of them yesterday and passed! I was very happy that each person told me at the end of each appointment that I was good to go. I'm not a very good wait-er :thumbup:). I was given the go-ahead to start my 3-month pre-op diet for insurance purposes, and I meet with my surgeon Dr. MacColl this coming Thursday (as long as there isn't another blizzard!). I am so impressed with everyone at Altru--everyone has been SO helpful and caring. It's definately worth the drive!:thumbup:

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

    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
      · 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

    ×