Merit Care WLS Clinic

Hello all,  Just  wondering if any one knows how far out are they scheduling  WLS date  for DR Garcia ? Wanted to know how long the wait. Also any one who has had the pr-op already, can you buy the opti stuff with a credit card or only cash, just wondering what I need to have. Thanks for all your help. Loretta

Loretta, I have my pre-op Wednesday so I can tell you then.  I would think you can pay credit card or cash, but I'll know for sure on Wednesday.  You can call the receptionist and they should be able to tell you when he's booked out to.  I think he also is the surgeon that goes to Wahpeton's MeritCare so I don't know if that affects anything.  I would just call and ask, "as of today" where is he booked out to, and tell them "I know it will change by the time I get approved"- sometimes they don't want to tell you because they think you will then "count" on that time.  He could have 10 approvals come in between now and your date but at least you would know when the soonest is for now.  Good Luck and I'm glad you appealed!!

and the answer is.....check, cash, or credit card.  I had my preop and they faxed my menu to the nurtrition place, which I totally didn't find the first time and had to ask directions.  Once I got there they gave me a sheet I had to take to the pharmacy and pay for the meals and vitamins.  After I paid they stapled the receipt to the piece of paper and I went back to the nurtion office and showed them I paid and they gave me the food and vitamins.  That's pretty much it in a nutshell.  I did ask if I could come back to get some more meals if I'm leary about eating my own creations and she said yes.  

Danni,this is for your hospital stay. I hope you can get this. I hope your recovery goes very well and your time in the hospital goes by very fast. Take good care of yourself so that you will be able to get back to your family activities soon. Best wishes to you and lots of very gentle hugs to help you through this time. Diana

Diana, Thank you soooo much for the well wishes.  My hospital stay was not a great one but it sure felt good to get home.  My husband isn't much on coddling but its ok since I can do most stuff on my own.  I did start walking the same day of my surgery and I think thats helped me alot.  Unfortunetly alot of my walking was every hour, as in I couldn't sleep.  I've read where some hospitals actually cater to this whole process and if I were to do it again I think I would have looked into that.  I instead found me a fantastic Dr.....sometimes I don't know if thats enough, there are sooo many other elements to this surgery- it really takes a team!  Anyways, I'm on the mend now and have lost the 6 lbs I gained in the hospital...can you believe that...I 'GAINED" 6 lbs, I didn't even eat the first two days.  My mom says its the IV fluids they pumped into me, BUT that didn't make it any easier to see on the scale.  Today the scale is back to my starting weight though...phew ***Good Luck on your upcoming surgery, I hope all goes well and your healing is fast. Huggs

Danni! Thinking of you and sending you warm wishes of good luck and cheer!  We miss you! Pattye

Pattye, Thank you for the warm wishes and cheer!!  I knew I had my OH family here rootin for me so that helped.  I sure could have used a laptop there for some cheering but I had so many awesome notes to read when I got home, so that was nice too.  I'm off and running now...ok, maybe gimping slowly but I'm off :) Huggs