Inspirational!  I too thank God for the journey and hopefully the end results of resolution of severe co morbidities, mobility issues and depression.  And of course weight loss !  Thanks for sharing I wish we had more activity on this Missouri board. 

Hello soon to be my 7 year out. I've been taking care of my Godbrother Michael Morrison, who had gastric bypass 6 years ago this year. He had many complications. He passed away Dec 11th. Please don't let this discourage you from having gastric bypass its life saving as well. I'am now 159lbs. From 426. Livngi life to the fullest. I now am back home where I was born and raise around my family. I got to go boating and fishing for the first time in 15 years. I'm so happy that the Lord has given me a new life. I was talking to an Atheist man not to long ago and he was asking everyone in the house to show him proof of a miracle. I went my bedroom and got a picture of me weighing 426 lbs. With a Trach tube for breathing. Mind you I had the trach over 9 years. I went to him and said LOOK at me right now. I pulled the picture out and said this is a miracle of the Lord. He was dumbfounded and loss for words. If you're about to have the gastric bypass surgery. I recommend it highly. I didnt regret it one bit. Neither did my Godbrother. He lost a lot of weight but just had many health issues that showed up years later. As him, I say. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. This 7 years went fast. Each and everyday I see different things about me, my appearance, activity, etc. Its so fun and thrilling. But, first and foremost is my health. I have gain much of my good health back. Praise God. God Bless you all. Congrats to the ones who are losing, best wishes and a prayer to those who are going to be taking the life journey of becoming thin and healthy.

Yes the group is still meeting on Monday nights.

Sorry, I don't have an answer for you, but I'm also interested in finding a support group in the St. Louis area.  I'm relocating from Northern Michigan and am 3+ years out from RNY.  I hope to live in a southwest suburb (have an offer on a house now). 

Let's hope someone answers both of us!

My sister used him, had complications, called his office said she hadn't been able to hold anything down for over 24 hrs (even sips of water) and was in extreme pain.. Was told you probably ate something that didn't agree with you if it's not better in a couple of days call us back. Needless to say she never made that call because  she was dead by then. this was 56 days after surgery and 6 days after her 50th birthday. She left behind 5 children (2 grown and 3 newly adopted small children)

Be very careful if you use this dr. (there was another of his patients who died from the same cir****tances.)

One week post part two f DS ahd VSG 11/2010.  OMG the PPAAIINNN!!!  I stayed in the hospital till saturday, got post op pneumonia.  My or took 4+ hts.  I wa full of adhesions from pre hysterectomy I had in 2001.  I can tell the abd cavity is more "released" good and bad the increased movemnt is painful due to the DS but is slowly diminishing.  Morphine hourly in the hosp and liquid percocet at home, knocks me out and stillhaving wake up.  Everything tastes like metal / gravelven water. Tol minimal protein, some vits but getting fluids in. Explosive gas and BMs in hosp and now at home.  That hurts as well.  Still having back shoulder pain from the pneumonia so now yeast infection from the ABX.  Bld pressure down to 99/55, had low platelets in the hospital, hi BUM and Crat today is first post op visits .  Buyers remorse kinda.  This is how my head works, Did I really have a DS??? I know  am in pain. have 8 scares on my belly, cannnot eat, poop or stand upright.  But did the MD really do OR??  I am a train wreck??   Maja in St Louis, MO

There is surgery and then there is Maja Surgery with side effects included.  I again had extra 2 hrs added to my OR, had platelet issues and post OP pneumonia  Not that other surgeons  could not have handled those problems but with the EXTENSIVE pre op testing I had I cannot see how anything was missed and that these " surprises" which were handled in expert hands. would have been ignored or had me sent packing to another hospital.  Just my opinion on travel surgery. Dr Scott you rock with OR just need your staff to sw patient post op before dc to make that transition smoother and calmer.  The Drama is severe.

There is a Kansas City Bariatric Support group that meets on Mondays. 

http://www.meetup.com/Kansas-City-Bariatric-Surgery-Support-Group/

We are also attempting to get a WLSFA group started here in Kansas City.

Where is park hill, MO  BTW WELCOME!! To this list and the journey.  What surgery are you considering or have you had?  What program / physician? I had VSG 2+ years ago with Dr J Stephen Scott and will have a revision on 3/23/13 with him as well.  Really I had a two parted DS.  He moved from DePaul Hospital Weight Loss Institute program to Des Pere My New Self program.  He had his reasons, somewhat lateral change for me.  It is a closer drive, but still getting used to the change of personall to deal with and the office systems.  I am such a "stick in the mud" do not like change person.  Oh well change is life! Again Welcome Maja -  St Louis

Hi, im just begining my journey and ive found it difficult to find local ppl in mo to connect with that are going through the same things. Ive created a website that im hoping i will be able to gather some local ppl on so that we have local support.. It is a work in progress but would love some suggestions.

http://myweightlossjourneywithlapband.webs.com/