Hi thank you all for medicare help and where to start. I called today

medicare that is and they were clueless...They read me a page from the book that I already had read and that was about it. They could not answer any questions but just said your doctor will know...You would think they would know..but...anyway..I'm thining about Sedalia or Tulsa OK. They are the closest to my home. I would prefer sedalia, but my mother is concerned because it is such a small town and thinks the larger hospital would be better. I know some of you did it in Sedalia-How was it there?? Thanks amy

Amy, I am having mine done in Sedalia. Dr. Hornbostel is the only surgeon there that does it. I am lucky because I live close but I am really blessed because I used to work at Bothwell. I knew Dr H and a lot of the nurses many years ago and I trust them and feel confident in what they do. As a nurse you learn if you don't really trust someone you move on. We had 3 surgeries this week on members of our "OH" family. I went to the hospital with all three as an angel. An angel is someone who to talk to, help or try to help ease your anxiety and to be a sounding board for.We also encourage and let the other "OH" members know how the patients are. We are blessed to have a very caring "family ntwork on this site". I feel confident if you chose Sedalia, what we lack in size we make up for in compassion and expertise. We have to be good to be Medicare approved. If you chose Sedalia let me know. I will visit if at all possible and try to help as much as possible. If you chose Tulsa I am sure there are others who have had WLS there and will be glad to share. Julia

Hi Amy, I had Dr. Hornbostal in Sedalia and I have to drive 5 hours to get there. I have Medicare and at the time I had my surgery the hospital he uses was the only C.O.E. in Missouri. But I am very happy that I used Dr. H. and Bothwell Hospital in Sedalia. The gastric bypass and Lap Banding is the only surgeries Dr. H. Does anymore. His whole practice is devoted to the WLS. That is another reason I felt he was the one to do my surgery. It may be a small town and a small hospital but they know what they are doing, I would go there again. Brenda

I am going to try to get it done in Sedalia. The People that have seen DR H seem very happy with him. I will see my PCP next week and go from there-thanks everyone