Any Missouri people

[Brown Suga 17]

@@Ohsosleeved

How was the nurse visit and can you tell me what exactly it involved? I'm so bummed that I had to reschedule but I'm still excited for everyone going before me and looking forward to hearing about your experiences and successes!!!

[pammyg7 10]

I really was not supposed to drink until swallow test but I did not know it until next morning. The swallow test was just ice with blue food coloring. They do that to make sure there are no leaks at the surgery site. I had a drain and if the drain would have showed blue, I had a leak. It did not so I got to come home.

Brown suga. I am not sure what nurse visit you are talking about. Sorry

Edited January 28, 2016 by pammyg7

[Brown Suga 17]

I had my surgery yesterday with Dr. Minkin (highly recommend) at the St. Clare Surgery Center, Fenton, Mo. I had to do a 3 day all liquid diet. That sucked!! I do not know how some on this site doing 7-14 day liquid diets do it! By the time I go t! o the surgery center yesterday, I was weak and feeling like crap. I was in surgery for about 45 minutes and that included repairing a hernia that I did not know I had. I am not going to lie, when I woke up it was hell!! They finally got pain meds going like they should have and I got brief periods of pain relief. Not sure if I had a reaction to the pain meds, but I was very restless and could not stop moving and hurting. They finally gave me some benydryl and I got about 45 minutes sleep. But, beings I could not sleep, I did a whole lot of walking in. The walking helps considerably!! My back and shoulder were killing me. They ended up giving me pain meds every hour which helped. It was the gas that they give you making my back an diaphragm hurt!!The incision sites were a little sore . The tube site was very sore and when I got that out it was a huge relief. So, I came home today. Other than some of the gas still with me, I feel pretty good!! I have to brag on the staff at the surgery center. They were all So supportive, and helpful and took wonderful care of me. I was able to suck on ice chips and take small sips of Water all night. That did not hurt at all. When I finally got to have a Protein drink, it did not hurt at all going down. I even took my blood pressure pill. I have been drinking and eating popsicles ever since! So, so far it has been very worth it, when I keep my long term goal in mind!! One of the most painful things was when the pulled the drain tube out this morning! But it went pretty fast and my belly where it was at is not near as sore as it was while it was in there! Dr. said I could have a cup of coffee or some Decaf tea, on these 7 days clear liquid diet! If the coffee and tea did not bother me. I stopped on the way home and got a big ole glass of regular tea with sweetener and it tasted amazing. I have had a super, super dry mouth since surgery, It is eventually getting better! So just wanted to share what my experience was! Good luck everyone!!

Thanks for the detailed update!!!! I hope you continue to feel better and congratulations!!!

[Brown Suga 17]

@@pammyg7

@@OhsosleevedHow was the nurse visit and can you tell me what exactly it involved? I'm so bummed that I had to reschedule but I'm still excited for everyone going before me and looking forward to hearing about your experiences and successes!!!

This question was for ohsosleeved. We have the same surgeon, but I absolutely loved your detailed status report!

[Ohsosleeved 13]

@@Ohsosleeved

How was the nurse visit and can you tell me what exactly it involved? I'm so bummed that I had to reschedule but I'm still excited for everyone going before me and looking forward to hearing about your experiences and successes!!!

I'm sad to say that my surgery has been cancelled. I gained 15 lbs since my visit with Dr. Eagon in August so they had to cancel my surgery until I lose the 15 lbs. Coincidently, I had a tooth pulled the Monday and I'm in a ton of pain so I can't really eat. Being on liquids anyway, I should be able to lose the weight rather quickly if I keep my eye on my sugar intake. I've really just been doing Protein Shakes, Jello, and applesauce. Anything else hurts. She said once I lose the weight, they'll book me for soonest available. I'm a bit upset with them for not telling me that gaining more than 2 lbs a month would result in cancellation. I understand the reasoning but I'm sad that it wasn't clear to me. It's my own fault but had I known, I would have been way more careful. My friend's surgeon's office made her sign a form agreeing to not gain any weight. I don't recall even having such a discussion with Dr. Eagon or his nurses. It's ok, though. I'm bitter and I will be until I get the weight off. Good thing I can't really eat because that most certainly would have incited some comfort eating. My appt with the anesthiologist was also cancelled to save me a copay. But anyway, the other day was just a refresher course with the nurse. It was me and 3 other patients and we were given packets with information on our procedures. The nurse went over diet, pain management, and what to expect before, during, and after surgery. Then she answered our questions. It lasted about 30 minutes or so. I wasn't going to share my story because I was so upset but someone may benefit from knowing that they can and will cancel if you aren't careful.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

They are strict at Washington University.

I wanted a streamlined process which is why I chose the program at Des Peres. The programs with all the hoops take forever and the were are too many issues. They do the same thing To Northwestern in Chicago.

Sorry your surgery was cancelled.

[Denise A Harrop 1]

Well I've jumped through all the hoops so hopefully it won't be too long after the first of March

[Ohsosleeved 13]

They are strict at Washington University.

I wanted a streamlined process which is why I chose the program at Des Peres. The programs with all the hoops take forever and the were are too many issues. They do the same thing To Northwestern in Chicago.

Sorry your surgery was cancelled.

They are strict and I know he's conservative but sheesh! Some warning would have been nice. I was called for scheduling on 1/4. They could have told me any weight gain would result in my surgery being cancelled at that time and it would have given me enough time to drop some weight before my refresher course. When you know better, you do better...usually. But this is so important to me, I definitely would have been weighing myself often to make sure no weight crept up on me. If they can't get me scheduled in March after having this weight off in a few weeks, I'll have to find another surgeon. I start a new job in April so I'm on time constraints.

[Ohsosleeved 13]

My lovely primary doctor put me on phentermine. I was on it before and I lost 12 lbs in 2.5 weeks but was taken off of it because of increased anxiety. Between the meds, the 1200 calorie diet he put me on, and not really being able to eat solids due to my recent oral surgery, this 15 lbs shouldn't take long to get off at all.

[Brown Suga 17]

Thanks for sharing your story. I so understand how you are feeling right now. This has been an extremely LONG process. After I completed my 6months of NUT visits(Sept2015), I called his office and could not get in to see him for 2 months! During this time I found out that I actually needed an additional NUT visit (my insurance requires a certain number of days from start to finish and (I think mine was 180) I had just under. I verified this with my dietician and had to make an additional appointment. That was TOO CLOSE...I would have been HEATED if, after 2 months of waiting, the office submitted my paperwork and it was denied by insurance. Luckily, a co-worker who was also going through the process gave me the heads up. This was their oversight and I was mad enough to make an appointment with the my New Self Program at Des Peres. I paid a mandatory 75.00 program fee, signed a medical release for my records to be sent from Dr. Eagon's office and met with Dr. Ricks. He was extremely nice but then a few things happened...

1. At this point I had not decided between the bypass or sleeve. I had been holding out to receive a medical opinion from Dr. Eagon. Dr. Ricks told me he only did the lapband and sleeve and when I asked him why he told me that the malpractice insurance was too high.

2. When the program coordinator called to tell me that my insurance would cover bariactric surgery (i already knew it did but I assume every program routinely checks) she told me that I have an out of pocket max deductable of 1500.00 and would have to pay this amount subtracting any copays made thus far in the year to Des Peres.

3. They wanted me to have an EGD which was another 150.00 deductible.

These were the major deciding factors for me...I decided to be patient and just wait.

Dr. Eagon attended Harvard Medical School and did his fellowship at mayo Clinic. He is the only WU/BJH bariactric surgeon and does many of the most complex surgeries that most other surgeons can't or won't.

I would argue that he is the top in the St. Louis area. I work for WU so I may be biased but, I have also spoke to many of his patients who say he is worth the wait!!! After the disappointment and shock wears off you will feel better. During the seminar, I remember someone asked him a question regarding gaining and losing weight pre-surgery and he said that he would cancel surgery if there was weight gain. As I can recall it was a specific question and not something included in the presentation. It sounds like the issue of weight gain was not addressed during your seminar. Im so sorry and feel your pain.

Loose the weight quick and get on the schedule fast!!!

[Ohsosleeved 13]

Thank you for that because I surely registered for Dr. Minkin's seminar at Des Peres a couple of weeks from now. I really have to get this done in March because my new job starts the second week of April. I'll wait and see how quickly they can get me back on the schedule before I start all over with all the preop testing somewhere else. It's just too much of a headache to switch hastily because I'm mad at Dr. Eagon's office. I worked for Wash U too (might be going back as I was offered my old position back) and I know several people who have either been sleeved or gotten the bypass by him and they are all very happy with their results. I've already lost two pounds since Wednesday. I'll hold my ponies until I do my weigh in.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

It's seems like this delay is creating a big risk that you won't even be able to have surgery. I would start the ball rolling with another doctor just in case if you really want to have surgery before march.

[Ohsosleeved 13]

I'm going to check out Dr. Minkins' seminar and Dr. Wagner's. Both have good reviews.

[RobynTurner 15]

I'm heading to Dr. Wagner's office on Tuesday for my first visit! I'll post for you after!

[Ohsosleeved 13]

I'm heading to Dr. Wagner's office on Tuesday for my first visit! I'll post for you after!

I'd really appreciate that! Thank you so much!