Hello Lori, Thanks for your response. What I really wanted to know is at merit care WLS clinic you have to but the opti fast drinks and Vitamins from them for the first month, I just wondering if they can be purchased with credit card or if it has to be cash? Thanks Again. Loretta

Good Luck to you! Dr. Garcia did not do my surgery, but I had heard very good things about him.  He actually was the doctor who checked on me on the 5th of July, as my doctor was gone.  He discharged me from the hospital.  I very much liked him, and would not have had any issues when him being my surgeon. I do know of some people who had him for their surgery, and they had nothing but good things to say.

Hi Cindy...Congratulations on your approval!  I had Dr. Monson do a previous surgery of mine and he was great.  I absolutely love his nurse, she is very compassionate and quick to return calls.  The only thing I can say about my laproscopic surgeries that was uncomfortable was a pain I woke up with in my shoulders, from the gas I guess.  I never did have any pain from the incisions.  I'm having my wls open with Dr. Howell.  There is alot of information on these boards you just have to keep in the back of your mind that "we" don't know the whole story behind people's posts.  It's nice to have such a huge library of info though.  Good Luck

Hi, everyone.  I live near Fargo and work in Fargo.  I have just been approved for wls.  I haven't heard from the doctor about a surgery date, but am thinking the first part of November would work well with work....I am looking for any information that will help with surgery and would love to offer my support for anyone that needs it.  Cindy

SOO... I waited to call the clini****il Monday and when I asked how I was doing, I got a very snooty...I don't know, how are you doing?!  As if she doesn't know what I'm talking about...arghh, just had to put that one note in..sorry  SO, I got it out of her that they had faxed the papers on Friday- no need to call me I guess, not like I'm waiting to see if I need to take out a $18,000 loan or anything...second arghh...  I decided I'd wait until Tuesday to call insurance, chickened out Tuesday...I didn't think I could handle hearing something went wrong so I waited until today to call and they said it was already approved on Tuesday, hadn't my clinic notified me??  Geee, no brainer there...sooo, I guess I'm approved, still in the back of my mind I think, something could still happen- this has just been such a nightmare that I really hope the surgery part goes well.  I would never have believed the begining part would be this bad.   Now on to the future...my preop is in a week and my surgery in a little less than two weeks.  I'm glad I can now concentrate on that.  I'm wondering what people brought to the hospital?  My mom was going to get me a couple pj's as a surgery gift but I told her I would probably wear there stuff in case of bleeding?  I have saved my janet evanovich #13 book as a treat to read there and I've heard people mention bringing a personal cd player to block out noise?  My husband will only be there the day of the surgery and to pick me up, my parents said they will try to bring the girls up once so I will pretty much be on my own.  I'm also wondering...did you go shopping before the surgery to get some of the food on hand that they talk about eating after the trepuree gourmet meals...lol   Thanks for any info... PS...Judi, did your staples come out ok?  I was surprised he did it 1/2 and 1/2?