New and looking for a doc!

Hello everyone!
 I searched the forums but was unable to find what I was searching for. I'm sure you have answered these questions millions of times and am sorry if you have. After years of trying to convince my husband that bariatric surgery was right for me he has finally agreed. But now I am lost as to what to do next. My main worry is finding a good doctor. I am looking for one in the St. Louis area as there arent' any close to where I live. I live about 2 hours away from St. Louis. Could you recommend one for me? And second, what comes next? Do I see the doctor, attend a seminar etc? Like I said I am lost. This i exciting yet scary at the same time. Thanks in advance for your help. Hopefully I will be chatting with you all a lot more )

So glad to hear of your decision to have bariatric surgery.  It will be a beginning of a new life.  I am not sure where you are located - north, east, south or west of St. Louis.  I do not personally know of docs in that area, but someone on here will.  I know quite a few people go to Columbia also.  I know a wonderful doctor in Sedalia, Dr. Hornbostel- He has done a lot of our surgeries.  How far is that for you?   I know a lot of people travel 3-4 hours for him.  Yes, most likely you will first attend a seminar first, then fill out paperwork and submit, get appt with doc, and go from there.  Hope this helps.  I am sure a lot of other people will also answer your question.  God Bless!!!!!!  Colette

I highly recommend my surgeon Dr. De la Torre, he has a clinic in STL.  If you click on his name under my profile pic he should give his info to the office and they can get you the number for him in STL.  He's done over 5000 wls's and has over 50 patients on laprascopic instruments.  Hope this helps, Lou ;) btw he came highly recommended by a surgeon that used to do wls. 

I second Dr De La Torre! I have not yet had my RNY (gastric bypass) but will at the end of this month. He is excellent.
If you call the office they will send you paperwork to fill out or you could attend their seminar. The dates are on the website.
http://ssmweightloss.reachlocal.com/coupon/?scid=1142999&cid =376597&tc=09072006522076764&kw=4928771&dynamic_proxy=1&prim ary_serv=ssmweightloss.reachlocal.net&se_refer=http%253A%252 F%252Fwww.google.com%252Fsearch%253Fsourceid%253Dnavclient%2 526ie%253DUTF-8%2526rlz%253D1T4DMUS_enUS255US255%2526q%253Dv ertical%252Bsleeve%252Bgastrectomy
Part of the paperwork involves having a psych evaluation, letter from your GP, and weight history, etc.
Let me know if you have any more questions!

I used Dr Norbert Richardson (a long stroy why I traveled 3 hours to a dr) I liked him a lot and haven't had any complications so far. He has a clinic at Des Peres Hospital http://www.mynewselfbariatrics.com/ and at St Alexius http://www.stalexiusnewstart.com/
or here is his website http://www.norbertrichardsonmd.com/

welcome to the Missouri board....i know you are full of questions and thoughts. etc....as you can see my Doctor is Dr. Hornbostal in Sedalia...great man. I live as far as you do from a doc. i drive 31/2 house to see him just once in a year now.he is very good at bedside manner and a great surgeon. hope to see you on again once in a while.