LearningToLoveMeAgain

Des Moines, IA at the moment but call Silver Springs, FL home.

Hey ya'll!! I just wanted to take a minute to brag about my surgeon. I chose Dr. Mark Smolik who is associated with Mercy One Bariatric in West Des Moines, Iowa. He is a straight shooter, doesn't sugar coat anything and takes as much time as you need to answer all of your questions without making you feel like he's in a hurry. His entire staff has been wonderful. I've had to do 6 months of supervised diet visits per UHC so I've gotten to know many members of his staff over the last few months. The nurses and dieticians work with you to make sure you are doing what you need to do to prepare for surgery and life afterwards. Again, they never make you feel rushed. The office staff is friendly and helpful. I have never had to wait past my appointment time; I'm usually called back a little early if they see me sitting there. They give you a "to do list" during your first visit and schedule all of your appointments (other than clearance appointments) that first day. That was nice for me as I tend to be a planner. You are weighed on a Tanita scale every time you go in so you don't have to worry about fluctuations between scales (I had that issue at the other big bariatric center in Des Moines). They divide the process into what they call Modules. Prior to Module 1 is the lecture where you learn about the different options and have the opportunity to ask questions. It's a small conference room so there aren't hundreds of people there which was a huge plus for me. I didn't feel crowded. Module 1 is your initial RN assessment visit where you discuss your insurance criteria and they let you know exactly what you need to do. Module 2 is your surgeon consult where you'll decide which surgery you want to proceed with. They do an EKG in the office. I failed mine so I was referred to Iowa Heart for cardiac clearance...no big deal, I have failed EKGs most of my life and my heart is fine. After meeting with Dr. Smolik, you walk over to Mercy West and have labs and chest xray done. Module 3 is a diet and exercise class and these ladies are hilarious. They make it fun and you'll learn a lot. Mercy One program requires you to meet with the dietician twice but these visits DO count towards any visits you need for your insurance. You're also required to obtain psychiatric clearance using your choice of psychiatrists (they'll provide you with a list if that helps.) After you complete everything on your "to do list" then they submit to your insurance. Module 4 happens after you get approved and it's a pre-op teaching class. They'll request any additional tests needed at this time and have you go to your primary doctor for a history and physical to get cleared for surgery and they'll also schedule your surgery at this time. Module 5 is one week post-op and is a diet progression class. Module 6 is your 2 week post op visit with Dr. Smolik and also an hour long nutrition class. ((They want to make sure you are clear about your diet and vitamins and discuss these things often during this entire process.)) You will have several follow up appointments post op where they'll check you labs to make sure your vitamin/mineral levels are where they need to be for optimum health and readjust your routine as necessary to make sure you remain healthy. They also offer monthly support groups. They do give you a binder at Module 1 that you'll need to take with you to all of your appointments. I refer to this binder often as it contains a wealth of information. If you live in Iowa and are considering weight loss surgery, even if you have already seen another surgeon, I highly recommend checking Dr. Smolik's program out at Mercy One. It's the best thing I've done for myself in decades! ❤️

I hope you start feeling better soon. I’m sorry you’re suffering.

I agree. However, the one I saw at Unity Point was rude and belittling and as an RN and a patient, I won’t tolerate that kind of condescending behavior. We all put our pants on one leg at a time. LOL. I was so grateful to meet Dr Smolik and his team. They’re an amazing bunch of kind hearted souls.

Hadn't thought of naming it before. Gonna have to think about this one.

Congratulations!! That's wonderful news!! Good luck on your journey!

Weight normally fluctuates multiple times throughout the day. You will weigh the least in the morning and the most in the evening, generally. I was obsessive about the scale for several years so I have it figured out that I lose 2.2 pounds overnight from what my bedtime weight is, after a normal day of eating and that's almost every night. If you insist on weighing yourself daily, do it once, in the morning after you wake up and use the bathroom, wearing similar clothing each time. Then stay off the scale the rest of the day. I no longer jump on the scale so frequently anymore because it stressed me out. Also congrats on the 30# loss! That's a huge loss for less than a month out from surgery! Please try to remember that your body is still healing so you'll have fluid fluctuations that you won't have once you're healed. You're doing great!!

I had a horrible experience with the other surgeon at that location so I switched to Mercy One with Dr. Smolik. I'm so glad I did. I wish you much luck on your journey.

Are you certain you don't have any co-morbidities? If you snore, you could have sleep apnea. How's your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar? Do you have joint pain such as arthritis? Decreased mobility? There are a lof of co-morbidities. I don't think there is any insurance company in the US that will pay for WLS unless you have BMI greater than 40 without any co-morbidity OR BMI greater than 35 with at least 1 co-morbidity related to obesity, some require multiple co-morbids. If you are self-pay, you MAY be able to find a surgeon in the US who will do it, I know mine will NOT do WLS unless you meet one of the two above criteria. I do know of people who have gone to MX to have WLS done who didn't meet insurance or surgeon criteria here. Good luck!

Caffeine withdrawal is torture. I get terrible migraines too. MalAlt does wonders for them. I started detoxing myself off of caffeine a month ago. I gave up soda a year ago but plain ole black coffee is a huge vice for me. It's hard being an RN and not drinking coffee but I'm trying to make decaf work. 😖

I use the same protein powder. I also use Isopure zero card creamy vanilla but that's not clear. I also add fiber powder to mine. The taste doesn't bother me so I don't add flavorings to it. I haven't tried Unjury yet, maybe if my tastes change post-op I will but for now I like Isopure.

I was awake for both and have been in the room assisting (I'm and RN) when others have had them and the patients having the colonoscopies carry on full conversations with the staff. I watched my Endoscopy and although I wasn't supposed to remember it, I did, likely because I take klonopin and they give you a benzo. I am pretty tolerant to benzos because of my script. I doubt you'll even remember either procedure, to be honest. Versed is a great med, LOL.

Add ice cubes to it or refrigerate it so it's cold. It goes down much easier. I've told my patients this when they've had to do preps. Good Luck!

I chose the sleeve because I have spent the last 20 years of my life dieting, failing, dieting, failing...I'm just over it. I've tried everything and nothing was sustainable. I was in a severe head on collision in 2/2007 which left me with a lot of pain. I'm ultra-sensitive to narcotics so I refuse to take any opioid, basically I just suffer. The weight makes it worse. I don't look like I weigh what I do and I get a lot of side looks from people when I mention surgery but I don't care. I was recently diagnosed with a few cardiac conditions and weight loss will help all of them. I try to be active ( I have a hubby, 17 yr old son, 6 year old son and a 2 year old Rottweiler so I don't have a choice). Another main reason, and probably the nail in the coffin, so to speak, is looking at my genetics. My blood family (other than my children) are obese. The only ones who are not have either had WLS or have already died (most of them who have died were in their 40s-50s) and I don't want to join them. I want to see my boys grow up and have families of their own. We all have our own why...it's up to you to find yours. Also, my insurance requires 6 months of supervised diet visits, comorbidities because my BMI is under 40 and psych eval. My surgeon has his own requirements but all are in my best interest and meant to provide me with the best possible outcome. I'd start by calling your insurance company and finding out what the criteria are or if they even cover it. You can also attend a seminar at a weight loss clinic (they're free) and they will help you determine what your insurance required. Best wishes. ❤️ P.S. I haven't had surgery yet. I have a cardiology appt this week because I failed my EKG and I'm hoping he will give me clearance when I'm there. I've met all of the other requirements. Next step is submitting for approval and waiting for my date.

@Rozay, I wasn’t allowed to lose any weight, was told to maintain for 6 months and then once I get insurance approval, I am allowed to lose as much as possible on the pre-op diet. I started with a BMI of 37 though and only 12 pounds from being under that magic number of 35. I’d call and ask.

My sister uses MagO7 from Amazon. She says it's the only thing that's ever worked for her and her surgeon approved it. She used it pre-op and still uses it post-op.

Wow! Congratulations on a successful journey! Hard work and persistence pay off!

As an RN myself, this infuriates me! We have to take courses for cultural diversity in the nursing program. She needs to be reported because she is NOT holding up the oath we take when we graduate from nursing school. I'm sorry you went through this and I'm embarrassed for the nursing profession as a whole. We are NOT all like that. Hugs and I hope you heal well. Might not be a bad idea to talk to your surgeon about the nurse's behavior. I say this because surgeons have a great deal of pull within the hospital system and he/she may be more likely to get something done about this. At the very least, you deserve an apology and the hospital needs to provide cultural diversity education for their staff but I think this nurse needs to find a new profession.

Thank you.

Congratulations! Dr. Smolik and his team are a great bunch!