Looking for a surgeon

Hi eveyone I am so excited I spoke with my PCP today and she told me to look into a surgeon in St. Louis and we will go from there. This is just the start but I am thrilled. Does anyone out there have any personal experience with any of the St. Louis docs to share with me? Thanks, Anita

After reading the post just before yours....I wouldn't be going to no Dr. Vaughn!! HA!! There's a town called Vienna, IL? Where?? My best friend in high school was named Vienna....how strange!

I Feedle, I live not too far from Anita, about 15 miles or so. My dad lives in Vienna too. I grew up in a town about 7 miles from Vienna called Goreville, when we moved down here, I was kind of freaked out, I had visions of an old black and white town, old fashioned,etc. But I love it there. Just bought property back there so I can have my kids go to the school there. After moving to Goreville from New Lenox, it was a HUGE change, even being only 10yrs old..lol

Eve, I had to respond to your post. We all know there are patients that have died after WLS. The first thing to ask ANY surgeon that you're considering is where they have lost any patients, the reasons, and what was done afterwards. Terry

I am sorry to hear that you do not like Dr. Vaughn. He is in my opinion my life saver! He is a VERY kind and caring person. Have you ever met him and talked to him? Unless you have, please do not make those kinds of judgements unless you have a first hand experience with him. Tina

Hi Anita! How are you doing? Not heard from you in a while, hope all is going well. The only dr in st. Louis that I can think of that takes public aid(which is what you have right?) is Dr. Eagon and he has a longggg waiting list. Like a 3 yr list. There may be another that I didnt see, but that is the only 1 I found when I started all this out. Give me a holler sometime, I miss chatting with ya.

Hi Anita I usually stop in Vienna on my way down to Nashville There's a program in St. Louis I heard about at a convention, I think it's New Start or something like that? Maybe posting on the Missouri boards would get you some more definite answers or just switching to Missouri above and clicking "Go Local". Not trying to drive you from our IL boards, just tryin' to help Best wishes to you! Cathy

Hi Anita .Welcome to the band wagon of waiting..Well the closest ,and isnt a three yr wait that i know of.Dr. Oliphant in Urbana he moves slower you have to call his office for a packet fill it out send it back in and you'll hear from them for an appointment in a few months I think he's currently scheduling for January/February. 217-383-3240 RNY only. Dr. Shayani In maywood.... he only does the Lap Band and he requires you to go to one support group meeting then will schedule a consult he moves pretty fast. 708-327-2899 The surgeons at the COMP clinic at SIU they require a $260 up front to cover things that medicaid wont ??? and then $10-20 for nutritionist appointments and support group costs too. (217) 545-COMP Open RNY only. Dr. Frederick Tiesenga in River Forest. (708) 386-1078 He just started accepting public aid. To get into the consult with him you will have to go to an informational meeting and get a packet. In the packet will be papers for you to fill out. You will need an upper GI, Gallbladder U/S(If you still have it), Psych Eval, Sleep Study (IF NEEDED), nutritionist consult ($75 OOP) You also have to write an essay explaining how YOU think the surgery is and how it is going to go. You have to explain WHY you need the surgery. (This all gets sent to the insurance company) He is now only doing 2 IPA cases a month. here's a surgeon in Bloomington Indiana that just got Illinois Public Aid providership. His name is Dr. Bradley Ray 812-330-9962 LAP Band Only His people are GREAT!!!! Well heres alittle list that a friend had posted.They all take the IDPA card that i know of.I wish you good luck on your journey...

Chandra- actually I think Dr. Oliphant is now scheduling for May. I've got a wls buddy off of another site and she is just starting the process and I told her about Dr. O and when she called the next day they told her they are currently scheduling for May. So, there will be a little wait, but it would be worth it. I love it there. Everyone is soo nice and helpful.

Thank you Lora for the update,Il add it the info incase someone else wants it...