Get the real deal on beauty treatments—real doctors, real reviews, and real photos with real results.Here's how we earn your trust.

Ryan Heider, MD

Bariatric Surgeon, Board Certified in General Surgery
Mooresville, North Carolina
5 | 9 Reviews
24 Questions Answered
This provider is not currently accepting consultations through RealSelf

CONNECT WITH TRUSTED DOCTORS

Arash Moradzadeh, MD profile photo

Arash Moradzadeh, MD

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

4.6
| 20 Reviews
Max Polo, MD profile photo

Max Polo, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 70 Reviews
William Alan Dulin, MD profile photo

William Alan Dulin, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.6
| 39 Reviews
Ryan A. Stanton, MD profile photo

Ryan A. Stanton, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.6
| 329 Reviews
Anthony Bared, MD, FACS profile photo

Anthony Bared, MD, FACS

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 173 Reviews
Johnny Franco, MD, FACS profile photo

Johnny Franco, MD, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8
| 466 Reviews
Paul K. Holden, MD profile photo

Paul K. Holden, MD

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

4.8
| 99 Reviews
Dilip D. Madnani, MD, FACS profile photo

Dilip D. Madnani, MD, FACS

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 364 Reviews
Gary Lawton, MD, FACS profile photo

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8
| 338 Reviews
Robert Colgrove, Jr., MD profile photo

Robert Colgrove, Jr., MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8
| 328 Reviews
S. Ozan Sozer, MD profile photo

S. Ozan Sozer, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 451 Reviews
Urmen Desai, MD, MPH, FACS profile photo

Urmen Desai, MD, MPH, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

5.0
| 1399 Reviews
Marwan R. Khalifeh, MD profile photo

Marwan R. Khalifeh, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.7
| 155 Reviews
Paul Whidden, MD profile photo

Paul Whidden, MD

Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8
| 90 Reviews
Dolls Plastic Surgery profile photo

Dolls Plastic Surgery

Medical Practice

4.1
| 83 Reviews
Finny George, MD profile photo

Finny George, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 269 Reviews
Joseph Michaels, MD profile photo

Joseph Michaels, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 93 Reviews
Jeffrey L. Schmidt, MD profile photo

Jeffrey L. Schmidt, MD

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

4.8
| 164 Reviews
Afshin Farzadmehr, MD profile photo

Afshin Farzadmehr, MD

Dermatologic Surgeon, Board Certified in Dermatology

4.9
| 227 Reviews
Suzette Miranda, MD profile photo

Suzette Miranda, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 158 Reviews
Paul Lanfranchi, DO, FAOCOO profile photo

Paul Lanfranchi, DO, FAOCOO

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 180 Reviews

CONNECT WITH TRUSTED DOCTORS

SPONSORED
Arash Moradzadeh, MD profile photo

Arash Moradzadeh, MD

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

4.6
| 20 Reviews
15 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA
SPONSORED
Max Polo, MD profile photo

Max Polo, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 70 Reviews
24 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
MIAMI, FLORIDA
SPONSORED
William Alan Dulin, MD profile photo

William Alan Dulin, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.6
| 39 Reviews
22 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
PLANO, TEXAS
SPONSORED
Ryan A. Stanton, MD profile photo

Ryan A. Stanton, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.6
| 329 Reviews
24 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
SPONSORED
Anthony Bared, MD, FACS profile photo

Anthony Bared, MD, FACS

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 173 Reviews
16 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
MIAMI, FLORIDA
SPONSORED
Johnny Franco, MD, FACS profile photo

Johnny Franco, MD, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8
| 466 Reviews
14 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
AUSTIN, TEXAS
SPONSORED
Paul K. Holden, MD profile photo

Paul K. Holden, MD

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

4.8
| 99 Reviews
21 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA
SPONSORED
Dilip D. Madnani, MD, FACS profile photo

Dilip D. Madnani, MD, FACS

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 364 Reviews
19 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
SPONSORED
Gary Lawton, MD, FACS profile photo

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8
| 338 Reviews
25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
SPONSORED
Robert Colgrove, Jr., MD profile photo

Robert Colgrove, Jr., MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8
| 328 Reviews
39 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
SPONSORED
S. Ozan Sozer, MD profile photo

S. Ozan Sozer, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 451 Reviews
24 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
EL PASO, TEXAS
SPONSORED
Urmen Desai, MD, MPH, FACS profile photo

Urmen Desai, MD, MPH, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

5.0
| 1399 Reviews
14 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA
SPONSORED
Marwan R. Khalifeh, MD profile photo

Marwan R. Khalifeh, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.7
| 155 Reviews
19 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
MCLEAN, VIRGINIA
SPONSORED
Paul Whidden, MD profile photo

Paul Whidden, MD

Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8
| 90 Reviews
24 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
CALGARY, ALBERTA
SPONSORED
Dolls Plastic Surgery profile photo

Dolls Plastic Surgery

Medical Practice

4.1
| 83 Reviews
AVENTURA, FLORIDA
SPONSORED
Finny George, MD profile photo

Finny George, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 269 Reviews
13 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
SPONSORED
Joseph Michaels, MD profile photo

Joseph Michaels, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 93 Reviews
16 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND
SPONSORED
Jeffrey L. Schmidt, MD profile photo

Jeffrey L. Schmidt, MD

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

4.8
| 164 Reviews
14 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO
SPONSORED
Afshin Farzadmehr, MD profile photo

Afshin Farzadmehr, MD

Dermatologic Surgeon, Board Certified in Dermatology

4.9
| 227 Reviews
27 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
SPONSORED
Suzette Miranda, MD profile photo

Suzette Miranda, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 158 Reviews
9 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
SPONSORED
Paul Lanfranchi, DO, FAOCOO profile photo

Paul Lanfranchi, DO, FAOCOO

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 180 Reviews
19 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

MAKE SURE YOUR DOCTOR IS REALSELF VERIFIED

RealSelf Verified doctors complete our multistep verification process to ensure they are in good medical standing, display their experience and most performed procedures, have high patient satisfaction ratings, and respond to consultation requests quickly. Just look for the RealSelf Verified badge.

FIND A VERIFIED DOCTOR

CONNECT WITH TRUSTED DOCTORS

Ryan A. Stanton, MD profile photo

Ryan A. Stanton, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.6
| 329 Reviews
Finny George, MD profile photo

Finny George, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 269 Reviews
Joseph Michaels, MD profile photo

Joseph Michaels, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 93 Reviews
William Alan Dulin, MD profile photo

William Alan Dulin, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.6
| 39 Reviews
Marwan R. Khalifeh, MD profile photo

Marwan R. Khalifeh, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.7
| 155 Reviews
S. Ozan Sozer, MD profile photo

S. Ozan Sozer, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 451 Reviews
Max Polo, MD profile photo

Max Polo, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 70 Reviews
Dolls Plastic Surgery profile photo

Dolls Plastic Surgery

Medical Practice

4.1
| 83 Reviews
Dilip D. Madnani, MD, FACS profile photo

Dilip D. Madnani, MD, FACS

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 364 Reviews
Paul K. Holden, MD profile photo

Paul K. Holden, MD

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

4.8
| 99 Reviews
Anthony Bared, MD, FACS profile photo

Anthony Bared, MD, FACS

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 173 Reviews
Jeffrey L. Schmidt, MD profile photo

Jeffrey L. Schmidt, MD

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

4.8
| 164 Reviews
Paul Lanfranchi, DO, FAOCOO profile photo

Paul Lanfranchi, DO, FAOCOO

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 180 Reviews
Johnny Franco, MD, FACS profile photo

Johnny Franco, MD, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8
| 466 Reviews
Gary Lawton, MD, FACS profile photo

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8
| 338 Reviews
Urmen Desai, MD, MPH, FACS profile photo

Urmen Desai, MD, MPH, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

5.0
| 1399 Reviews
Afshin Farzadmehr, MD profile photo

Afshin Farzadmehr, MD

Dermatologic Surgeon, Board Certified in Dermatology

4.9
| 227 Reviews
Suzette Miranda, MD profile photo

Suzette Miranda, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 158 Reviews
Paul Whidden, MD profile photo

Paul Whidden, MD

Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8
| 90 Reviews
Arash Moradzadeh, MD profile photo

Arash Moradzadeh, MD

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

4.6
| 20 Reviews
Robert Colgrove, Jr., MD profile photo

Robert Colgrove, Jr., MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8
| 328 Reviews

CONNECT WITH TRUSTED DOCTORS

SPONSORED
Ryan A. Stanton, MD profile photo

Ryan A. Stanton, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.6
| 329 Reviews
24 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
SPONSORED
Finny George, MD profile photo

Finny George, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 269 Reviews
13 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
SPONSORED
Joseph Michaels, MD profile photo

Joseph Michaels, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 93 Reviews
16 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND
SPONSORED
William Alan Dulin, MD profile photo

William Alan Dulin, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.6
| 39 Reviews
22 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
PLANO, TEXAS
SPONSORED
Marwan R. Khalifeh, MD profile photo

Marwan R. Khalifeh, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.7
| 155 Reviews
19 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
MCLEAN, VIRGINIA
SPONSORED
S. Ozan Sozer, MD profile photo

S. Ozan Sozer, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 451 Reviews
24 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
EL PASO, TEXAS
SPONSORED
Max Polo, MD profile photo

Max Polo, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 70 Reviews
24 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
MIAMI, FLORIDA
SPONSORED
Dolls Plastic Surgery profile photo

Dolls Plastic Surgery

Medical Practice

4.1
| 83 Reviews
AVENTURA, FLORIDA
SPONSORED
Dilip D. Madnani, MD, FACS profile photo

Dilip D. Madnani, MD, FACS

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 364 Reviews
19 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
SPONSORED
Paul K. Holden, MD profile photo

Paul K. Holden, MD

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

4.8
| 99 Reviews
21 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA
SPONSORED
Anthony Bared, MD, FACS profile photo

Anthony Bared, MD, FACS

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 173 Reviews
16 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
MIAMI, FLORIDA
SPONSORED
Jeffrey L. Schmidt, MD profile photo

Jeffrey L. Schmidt, MD

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

4.8
| 164 Reviews
14 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO
SPONSORED
Paul Lanfranchi, DO, FAOCOO profile photo

Paul Lanfranchi, DO, FAOCOO

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 180 Reviews
19 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
SPONSORED
Johnny Franco, MD, FACS profile photo

Johnny Franco, MD, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8
| 466 Reviews
14 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
AUSTIN, TEXAS
SPONSORED
Gary Lawton, MD, FACS profile photo

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8
| 338 Reviews
25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
SPONSORED
Urmen Desai, MD, MPH, FACS profile photo

Urmen Desai, MD, MPH, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

5.0
| 1399 Reviews
14 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA
SPONSORED
Afshin Farzadmehr, MD profile photo

Afshin Farzadmehr, MD

Dermatologic Surgeon, Board Certified in Dermatology

4.9
| 227 Reviews
27 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
SPONSORED
Suzette Miranda, MD profile photo

Suzette Miranda, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9
| 158 Reviews
9 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
SPONSORED
Paul Whidden, MD profile photo

Paul Whidden, MD

Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8
| 90 Reviews
24 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
CALGARY, ALBERTA
SPONSORED
Arash Moradzadeh, MD profile photo

Arash Moradzadeh, MD

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

4.6
| 20 Reviews
15 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA
SPONSORED
Robert Colgrove, Jr., MD profile photo

Robert Colgrove, Jr., MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.8
| 328 Reviews
39 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
ATLANTA, GEORGIA

Ryan Heider, MD reviews

Ryan Heider, MD

RATING DETAILS

5.0
9 reviews

All reviews are evaluated by the RealSelf team to ensure they're written by patients like you and meet our guidelines. Your results may vary. Doctors can never pay to have reviews removed or hidden.

START YOUR REVIEW FOR
Ryan Heider, MD
Select your rating:
9 Results
Worth ItGastric Sleeve Surgery

Dynamic883962

Truly Amazing Doctor, Staff and Surgery!

I had surgery in November of 2012 with Dr. Heider. Before I scheduled my appointment I attended his seminar, which I was skeptical about. I live just outside of Winston Salem so this was a big decision for me and I went alone. I was so impressed with Dr. Heider and what he had to say, that I immediately signed up to do the surgery. I was 426.6lbs at my highest. My first month I had to drink 3 Optifast protein drink boxes and one Optifast protein bar. That was per day! I remember praying my way through it because I was used to eating a lot. I had to lose 50lbs in one month or I couldn’t have the surgery. I did it! I had the gastric sleeve performed and did not have much pain. I’m proud to say I now weigh 215lbs and have 20lbs to go to meet my goal. My health has improved significantly. I will never forget Dr. Heider and his staff.

Worth It$12,000Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Rhonda Caldwell

Weight Loss Surgery (Best Decision I Ever Made)

I live in the Lake Norman area of North Carolina. My friend turned me on to go the route of weight loss surgery. She had it done and she looked amazing! I guess, I wanted what she had accomplished. Now I am that person and I look amazing. It was easy since I was self pay patient. Best $12k I ever spent. This included everything from the Surgeon fees, Anesthesiologist, 1 overnight Hospital stay and an insurance policy for the surgery plus one year of follow-up doctor appointments. I would highly recommend the "Sleeve" surgery. Just invest in yourself and become you again!

Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Rebecca519

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!

I cannot even begin to put into words how wonderful Dr. Heider is as a surgeon and as a person. I had the Verticle Sleeve Gastrectomy done and it is hands down the best decision I have made for myself and my health, however, choosing Dr Heider and his team was the best decision I made in trusting someone to perform surgery on me. He truly cares about his patients and puts himself in their shoes and walks every step of the way with them! With a surgery that is so individualized he knows the importance of each patient and understands that each person is different, you are more than just a number to him, you are truly his patient!!! He is professional yet still personable and CARES!!!! Surgery is not always easy but somehow he helps ease and calm your nerves to make it as pleasant as possible. I have been around other bariatric surgeons and I truly cannot say the same about them, there is clearly a reason I chose Dr. Heider and it's simply because he genuinely cares about his patients. I have a surgeon who is relatively close and I chose to drive an hour further just because I felt comfortable. Honestly the drive doesn't even bother me and never was a factor because I know I have NEVER been just another surgery on his list!!! I honestly and truthfully have to thank him for giving me my life back but everytime I thank him he never once takes credit he always tells me, "it's not what I have done I gave you a tool it was up to you to use it" to me this speaks volumes, he performed the surgery and as the patient you get credit for the results!!! He and his staff are quick to respond and are defiantly there for each patient, if you need anything they will ALWAYS be there to help and never make you feel like any question is ridiculous. He knows undergoing bariatric surgery is something new to the patient and while he is willing to help and educate each patient he and his staff are also willing to learn with each patient!!! If you are looking into bariatric surgery please do NOT hesitate to give Dr. Heider a try, trust me when I say you will not for one second regret choosing him as your surgeon!!! I cannot recommend Dr. Heider and his staff enough and believe me I do every chance I get!!!

Worth It$11,000Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Chodge04

I Got my Life Back!!

It took me a year to make the decision to have this surgery. I can't tell you how many times I dialed the phone and then just hung up. I had to overcome the fear and embarrassment that I had let my health and weight get out of control. I have not regrets and it is a decision that I am forever thankful for. My life, health and outlook on life is one of optimism and hope. Once I made the appointment, I was greeted by the most amazing staff who guided me through every step of my journey. Dr. Heider eased my concerns and was truly engaged in my well being and I felt like he was my biggest cheerleader. Each post op appointment was a celebration of my success and I felt like Dr. Heider was just as excited for my accomplishments and my return to a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Ryan Heider is an expert in the field of Bariatrics and has a proven, successful practice. His dedication to his trait and his passion for Bariatric weight loss is evident is his commitment to his patients. I couldn't have had a better experience, surgeon or team of professionals to be with me during my journey.

Gastric Sleeve Surgery
CarolinaGirl81

CarolinaGirl81

Incredible Life Changing Decision! Great Price! - Mooresville, NC

I had a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy and it was the best decision I've ever made. I had been searching everywhere trying to find a reputable physician in the United States that was afforadable due to my insurance carrier not covering the surgery. I then found Dr. Heider and had heard a lot of great things about him and his staff. They have a thorough program and his staff is very caring. The educational component, support from the physician and his staff and follow up you receive is remarkable. I found the price to be unmatchable. My out of pocket was $11,615.00 and well worth it. They also offer BLIS complication insurance as an option if you feel the need for it. You will not regret your decision. You are definitely getting your money's worth.

Worth It$12,000Gastric Sleeve Surgery

MommaSings

Wanna Dance at Their Weddings!!! - Lake Norman, NC

58 year old widowed mother of and 8 and 13 year olds- I know, I am a late bloomer!!! Had children very late in life, gestational diabetes with both. Controlling my sugars and my weight had become increasingly difficult, and the thought of dying before my children were adults horrified me. I chose vertical sleeve gastrectomy for its permanence and for its effect on the hunger hormone, grhelin! Only a week out but the obsession to eat, constant hunger is largely diminished... YAY!

$11,001Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Kathy10495

Kathy10495

To Lose It - Moorsville, NC

i have gained alot of weigh, and can't stand it.The last 2 or 3 years i have tryed to get it off.exercise. weight watchers pills.the whole nine yards i have tryed it all.Friend of mine had the vertical sleeve done,she is doing well with it. I think i would do good with it, i have read up on it for about 6 months.

$3,500Gastric Sleeve Surgery

jennotjenny

Ready To Live Again - Mooresville, NC

I have always been heavier, though I didn't always see myself as big as the pictures clearly showed that I was. I was just me. I tired easily and didn't like doing things outside. I never got dressed up because nothing fit me and I didn't like looking in the mirror in the first place... I've lived a life of avoidance, that is of every person who owns a camera! I have very few photos of myself. My heaviest Wt - 237 My current Wt - 232 My BMI - 39.8 with a comorbidity of Hypertension(also have Asthma) All that will soon change. I have after many years of trying every diet out there and a solid year and a half of research, decided on The Center for Surgical Weight Loss at Lake Norman with Dr. Heider as my surgeon. I am fortunate that I have BCBS insurance so my hoops to jump through are not as many as a lot of the reviews I have read here. My progress - Initial Bariatric Consultation - 4/18/2016 Nutrition Consultation - 4/27//2016 Physical Therapy Consultation - 5/3/2016 Psychological Evaluation - 5/4/2016 They are waiting for my Psych Eval. to come back and the documents from my regular Dr and then they will submit to my insurance for approval. Wish me luck! I will keep updating as things progress. Updated on 5 Jul 2016: This is my first update on my journey. I am still going to Dr. Heider. By my last pretty insurance submission date I was up to 234 and my BMI was 40.1 with a comorbidity of Hypertension(also have Asthma). I am fortunate that I have BCBS insurance so my hoops to jump through have not been as many as a lot of the reviews I have read here. My progress - Initial Bariatric Consultation - 4/18/2016 Nutrition Consultation - 4/27//2016 Physical Therapy Consultation - 5/3/2016 Psychological Evaluation - 5/4/2016 It took over a month to get my psychological evaluation back. I do not recommend Mr. Ferguson in Mooresville, NC. He told me it would take about a week and and a half because he had to request my medical records from my normal doctor. 2.5 weeks later I called to check on it and was told I was supposed to request the documents! By the time it was over it took nearly 6 weeks to get that part done. My final presentation insurance submission appt with Dr. Heider was Friday, June 17th. I called to check and make sure they had everything they needed to submit to my insurance for approval on Tuesday, June 21st and to my surprise they already had my approval! !! Now things are moving fast I had my- Post approval w/ Dr. Heider 6/28 and he set my surgery for 7/14 Preoperative app(lab work) 6/30 Workshop 6/30 (started my 2 week Optifast liquid diet this day) Endoscopy 7/1 Now I am counting down the days. Only 9 more until my vertical sleeve. Wish me luck, this liquid diet is hard! Updated on 18 Jul 2016: Today I am 4 days post op. Just getting to feeling like being more mobile. I was sent home with pain meds but it hurts worse to take the medicine than it the pain itself so no pain meds for me. I have actually been very fortunate as I have had next to no real gas pains and though I have felt nauseous, I have yet to actually fail to keep things down. Pre op - 234lbs Surgery day - 212lbs 2 days post - 214lbs Today - 210lbs When I came home there was swelling and of course water retention from all of the iv fluids. The swelling is going down daily and so the extra weight it brought with it is going rapidly as well. The struggle to get in enough fluids each day is real. I am only up to getting 36 ozs in so getting in 64 oz is my current goal. Lake Norman Regional Medical Center and Dr. Heider - The nurses were amazing and my stay was about as good as you can expect considering the discomfort of the procedure and beginning of the healing. Dr Heider was great. I am very satisfied with my choice of Doctor and facility for my life changing Gastric Sleeve. I look forward to meeting the challenges ahead and finding the new healthier me trapped inside here somewhere. The process has already changed me drastically. I have completely quit sodas and don't even crave them. I used to live with a cup of coffee in my hand and now I have one occasionally. Foods that I remember thinking ewe about now seem interesting and when the time comes that I can add solid foods back into my diet I plan to try new things one at a time. I am not having any issues with hunger unless I am around food being cooked. Then I know it is in my head and I just remove myself from the immediate area. I can do this and you can too! Updated on 25 Jul 2016: Today I am 11 days post op. I am getting to feeling more normal but I do get tired more easily than I want to. I am more mobile though and that makes me feel tons better. I was sent home with pain meds but it hurts worse to take the medicine than it the pain itself so I opted to forego anything for pain. My daughter (aka the warden) kept me from doing too much the first week and wouldn't let me pick anything up. I have actually been very fortunate as I have had next to no real gas pains, only muscle soreness local to the incisions. The only spot really still sore at this point is the main incision. It still hurts a little when I bend a the waist. Two days ago I faiIed to recognize my small stomach's fullness and lost part of my meal and again that evening I ate something I should not have and lost part of another meal. I'm still in my learning curve. There was no pain just the mouth watering, that feeling you get and sudden knowledge that I needed to get to the bathroom. Pre op - 234lbs Surgery day - 212lbs Today - 203lbs The struggle is still real to get in enough fluids in each gay. I am up to getting around 50-60 ozs in so getting a steady 64 ozs is still my current goal. Add to that trying hard to get in my protein and enough calories. Yesterday was my best day yet - 70g protein and 750 calories! I will include new pictures with my next update. Updated on 11 Aug 2016: Updated on 11 Aug 2016: Today I am 1 day shy of 4 weeks post op. I feel mostly normal besides getting tired a little more easily than before no doubt due to my still real struggle to get enough protein in each day. I never experienced gas pains, only muscle soreness local to the incisions. My learning curve is drinking too soon after a meal and still eating too fast. Both have hte same result of me losing part of my meal so I am still working on that. Pre op - 234lbs Surgery day - 212lbs Today - 196lbs My weight loss has been slow but steady at around .2lbs - .4lbs each day so long as I get enough calories in each day. I am hoping now that I am feeling better to start adding exercise into the mix and getting serious about getting healthier now that the weight is coming off. The struggle is still real to get in enough fluids in each gay. I am up to getting around 50 ozs in so getting a steady 64 ozs is still my current goal. Add to that trying hard to get in my protein and enough calories. I will add more pictures later today. Updated on 4 Dec 2016: I kept meaning to get on here and post more often but life gets in the way. It is a good thing though because now I am experiencing life like I never have before! I'm more confident in myself and I am physically able to do so much more. The healthier me side of this was always the most important side of things for me. I was on two high blood pressure meds before and I am off both of them now. My back , feet, ankles and knees do not hurt anymore. I can not express how much better I feel now. I am 1 week shy of 5 months post op. I feel better than I ever remember feeling in my life. I never experienced gas pains, only muscle soreness local to the incisions, so not everyone experiences a lot of pain but some do so it is a very individual experience . My learning curve is occasionally eating too fast and not chewing enough sometimes. I do still struggle to get enough protein in each day. I also need to start working out. My results thus far have included no exercise other than the amount of walking I do at work each night as part of my job which is about 3.5 miles. My numbers - Pre op - 234lbs Surgery day - 212lbs Today - 171lbs My weight loss has been slow but steady at around .2lbs - .4lbs each week in the last month which is why I know I need to add exercise into the mix. The struggle is still real to get in enough fluids in each gay. I am up to getting around 50 ozs in so getting a steady 64 ozs is still my current goal. To anyone on the fence - you can do this. It is not the easy way out, but the life you will gain after it is over will be new and worth the struggles along the way.

$11,000Gastric Sleeve Surgery
clnorman0611

clnorman0611

55y Nana Excited to Improve my Health and State of Mind - Mooresville, NC

I am now in my 2nd month of the nutritional phase am 5ft 6 230 lbs with blood sugar issues high cholesterol high bp and joint problems . hoping this will help with all of this I also have 7 vertrbra compacted from a vehicle accident at age 14y so arthritis and pain are with me always. This should ease that as well.Of course am so looking forward to being my husbands Arm Candy Again and energy to keep up with the two loves of my life my grand children.Will post pics later Best of luck to aii of you who are headed into this journey either per or post op. Updated on 5 Mar 2015: Got My Approval Today!!!!! Updated on 10 Mar 2015: Surgery date set April 16 !!!!!!! Updated on 1 Apr 2015: Well my time is growing near and the nerves have arrived as well.Have anxiously awaited this moment dreading a 2 week fast but knowing in the grand scheme of things all doubts and anxiety will be resolved. Best of luck to all who have been there and those like me who are on their way!! Cindy