anyone gone to new start in St. louis???

Hello everyone. I am new to the Mo message board, though I am OH alot. I am waiting to hear from my insurance company to see if I am approved for my lap rny. I will be going to New Start at St. Alexius hospitol in St. Louis and the surgeons there are Dr. Richardson and Dr. Fowell. I am just curious to see if anyone here has had their surgery done there and If you have any comments you would like to share with me about your overall experience with the surgeons and the whole experience. Thanks in advance. Valerie

Hi Valerie. First of all, welcome to the MO board! I had my surgery through New Start back in April. My surgeon was Dr. Richardson. I was very pleased with the program. I did find at times that one person didn't know what the other was doing so keep accurate notes and call, call, call with any questions. If they don't call you back within a day, call them back again. They get a huge load of patients and sometimes get overloaded. I loved Dr. Richardson. I found him very easy to talk to and very knowledgeable. As for St. Alexius hospital I cannot say enough good stuff. My experience there was awesome. I have never been treated with such dignity and respect by any other hospital in the St. Louis area. They were also the cleanest hospital I have been in. I had one problem with one nurse but I definantly don't hold it against the hospital. Feel free to email me with any specific questions anytime and good luck on your WLS journey. It is well worth it. It has given me my life back. Deanna

Hey Diana, Sounds like you had a great overall experience, I am so glad to hear that. I think that Dr. Fowell is going to be my surgeon but it is my understanding that he and Dr. Richardson work side by side in surgery so I guess thats a good thing. So, what part of Missouri are you from? I live in the outskirts of a small town called Hermann, ever heard of it? Mind if I ask what ins. co. you went thru. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield and am waiting to hear back from them. Thank you so very much for your reply.....I am just so excited and nervous...and I havent even gotten approval yet LOL. Congrats on the weight you have lost and the start of your new life. Take Care, Valerie

Hi Valerie. Yeah, the two doctors do operate together. I really know nothing about Dr. Fowell since I never met him. I am from the St. Louis County area. Yeah, I've heard of Hermann and have been there several times and have gone through on the train more times than I care to count. As for my insurance, I have Medicare Complete through United Health Care. Let me know when you hear from your insurance company. Deanna

Valerie, welcome to the board , hope you will continue to post on here and let us get to know you better. I dont know anything about New Start but Im sure there have been lots of people on here that have used them. Jan

Hi Valerie, welcome to the board. A lot of us have used Dr. Richardson, and so far I always only hear great things about him. I had my surgery with him 10/04 so just over two years ago now. He was wonderful! He even did the surgery 7 months later to remove my gallbladder. I would highly recommend him and the new start program. Everyone there is very helpful. Goodluck with your journey! Chrissy 283/157

Hi Valerie and welcome to the board, i posted to your other one about anyone living between jeff City and St Louis, I actually know where Hermann is, my dad grew up there and we used to go there when I was a child till we moved my grandma closer to us. As far as Dr Fowell, he used to work with Dr Scott and Dr De La Torre, which they both do thier surgeries either out of Depaul Hospital in Bridgeton or Columbia. Dr Fowell did my gall bladder surgery last year in Wentzville and he did pretty well on that, but of course, that was a minor surgery compared to the gastric bypass so I can answer how he does on them. I wish you the best of luck on getting your approval back and getting your surgery.