Hi all, fresh on the journey towards WLS

Hi all, I'm newly on the path to surgery, got my orientation scheduled for feb 10th (can't wait) already got the mental eval. appt made for next week with all the right papers from the columbia clinic faxed over....I feel like I'm making progress! just wanted to say hi! I'm in springfield so if there are any of you out there also in springfield give a shout! Hooray for us! Kim

Hey Kim, Is Dr. Edwards doing your surgery? I have my first appt with him next week. Sounds like we will take this journey closse to the same time. Good luck and welcome to the clan. I am pretty new also, there are wonderful people here. Keep in touch..Tara.

welcome to you both, you are at the best place you can be ,lots of post-opt on here that can help you along. I have my surgery tues so i am excited...God bless you both on your new journey....vesta

Hi ya Kim, welcome to the board and welcome to the WLS journey. I've heard nothing but good things about the docs in columbia. Even tho your new and are pre-op, you should consider attending the Circle Of Friends Support Group lead by Claudette. It's right there in Springfield. Im not from there but have attended the group once and I'll tell ya, if ya have any questions, concerns or anything or just want to meet others that have been where your headed, that group is the perfect one to go to, they'll do everything in their power to find out every answer your looking for and make ya feel like a part of their family, it's really great to get started in a group now. Andrew

Hi, Kim, I live in Nixa and had surgery the day after Christmas at St. John's done by Dr. Edwards. I think he's the bomb but I understand about insurance and having to use a specific surgeon and hospital. I think all the Drs in Missouri are great, haven't heard any negatives. They have different techniques, pre-ops and post-ops, etc, but seems like the results are always great. Hope you can come to Circle of Friends Support group in Springfield. It is a wonderful resource run like a big family of friends. The fun and laughter is unbelieveable and the knowledge shared is incredible. If you need a ride or just want someone to walk in with, message me and I'll pick you up or meet you in the parking lot. I really want you to come. Hugs and love Lana

Hi Kim, and Tara, Welcome to the board. I am pre-op also. Just waiting for the call with my date. I know you will enjoy and learn a lot from this site. I have and the people are wonderful. Julia

Kim welcome to the board. Hope to see you at the support meeting, If there is anything you need to know we have lots of people on here that know a lot lol Jan

Thanks all for the warm welcome, and I DO want to go to the meeting when and where is it? email me to let me know! looking forward to it....I have the seminar coming up on Feb 10th, and next week I do a six hour pysch evaluation and have a dr appt with a new primary, I just moved to springfield and need a primary that will give me the referral, my old one in gainsville mo will but he hasn't seen me in 6 months but is is the doctor who has tried to help me repeatedly with weight loss drugs and speeches and the like....anyone know of a good referring physician here in springfield....I don't want one that is gonna lecture and make me jump through too many hoops...(although I would but don't tell them) my appt is with a dr. chen through cox south....I couldn't got to dr. edwards here in springfield because of insurance.... so glad to of heard from everyone! kim

Hi Kim, Welcome to ObesityHelp and the Missouri Board. As a new member to OH, I saw your post and wanted to reply with information regarding Dr. Edwards' support group. Dr. Edwards, of the St. John's Bariatric Surgery Program, provides a support group that you can attend. I have provided the information below for your information. If you would like additional information or talk with me, feel free to call me at the OH toll free number which is 1-866-957-4636, extension 382, or at [email protected]. I hope you will join us at any of our support group meetings. Cathy St. John's Bariatric Surgery Program's New Beginnings Support Group will be meeting on Monday, January 8, 2007, at the St. John's Surgery Center, Classroom 4B, 1229 E. Seminole, Springfield, Missouri. We meet from 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Our regular meetings are the second Monday of every month. The St. John's Bariatric Surgery Program has created a professional comprehensive support group system consisting of multiple meetings. Our meetings are led by an ObesityHelp trained support group leader. The behavioral health specialist, working closely with the bariatric surgeons of the program, also attends our meetings to support members. We feature an educational portion to our New Beginnings meeting along with open sharing and communication for everyone, plus FUN! We have members with all types of bariatric procedures to provide personal experience and support to others with the same procedures. The New Beginnings Support Group is for weight loss surgery pre and post-op patients, their support members or anyone wanting to obtain information on weight loss surgery. We welcome pre-op patients, post-op patients (with any weight loss surgery procedure), family members, and the general public. You may be a part of our group regardless of where you have had your surgery, and you don't have to be a patient to attend. Our speaker for this month will be Kristin Griffin, M.D. Dr. Griffin's presentation will be "Health Hazards Associated with Obesity in Adults". Dr. Griffin received her medical education from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and completed her internship and residency at the Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, OR. She is a member of the American Medical Association, the Missouri State Medical Association and the American College of Physicians. Cathy ObesityHelp Staff and Support Group Specialist St. John's Hospital Bariatric Surgery Program Support Group Leader