WLS at Des Peres Hospital anyone?

I would lie information on this program.  The services you had , medium cost and after care.  I am leaning towards VSG have researched the De Paul Program already.  Thank YOU. Maja

I had rny at Des Peres Hospital 8/10/09. I had Dr, Richardson but he's not with the program anymore. I like the office staff very much, but since I am 3 hours away and had to have a new Dr. anyway I chose one closer. The hospital was great while in icu but I didn't like the care on the regular floor. The nurses on the regular floor were the pits. A drill sargent wannabe and the other one didn't listen well at all. My over all impression was good but I wish I would have gone home on the second day.

Hello! Sorry about the long post...I tend to rattle

I am currently going through the MyNewSelf program at Des Peres, so hopefully I can provide you with some info.

I am scheduled for VSG with Dr. Richard Follwell on 10/18.  I have been very happy with the service and support I have gotten from the staff and the doctor.  They were very helpful when submitting to insurance (I have United Health Care) and I have not had any delays with them; they have always been able to answer any questions I have had or called me back quickly with an answer if needed. 

I have met with Dr. Follwell once and will see him again before surgery (my insurance requires I see him within 30 days of the surgery and my initial appointment fell outside of that time frame).  I like him as a doctor quite a bit.  He is knowledgeable and was willing to answer my questions without making me feel like I was wasting his time or anything like that.  He is direct and to the point, which may turn some off, but I'm not going to him for his charm (although many find him quite handsome ), but rather his skill and expertise, which I have heard and experienced nothing but good things about.

I have the dietitian class on the same day as my doctor appointment, and then I go back a few days later for all of the pre-op testing.  I can't give you any information on any of that, as I haven't gone through it yet, but I can keep my eyes/ears open for you if you have any specific questions I can answer for you later.  

The seminar I went to was led by Dr. Darin Minkin, the other doctor in the practice (there are two now, since Dr. Richardson left).  He was very nice, knowledgeable and again was great with answering questions the audience had.  There is another person on the VSG board that is going to Dr. Minkin and seems happy with her doctor, but has had some issues with the office staff.  Hopefully she will pop in and give her thoughts as well. 

I'm not sure if you have looked yet, but their website has a lot of information on it if you are interested: http://www.mynewselfbariatrics.com I started the online education part tonight (you have to request a login...not sure if that is for "official" patients only?) and have been really impressed by it.  It looks like it goes through a company that specializes in patient education, so it isn't Des Peres created, but I thought it was a neat little add on.  They also have post-op support groups, but I haven't attended any of those yet so I can't speak about them. 

The only costs I have had were two small co-pays from my initial appointment with the doctor.  My insurance covers the surgery, and I will only have my deductible to pay.  I was told I will pay that on the day of surgery.  I have not had any other bills or payments to make.  I have not been required to purchase any supplements or meds from them, although that may change after the dietitian class.  If I recall correctly, the cost of the surgery includes your after care doctor appointments, but I may be confusing that with something else I read along the line somewhere.  That might be a good question to ask them directly, as I am sure your payment type would change how that all would work.

Overall, (and I know I am coming off as a total cheerleader, but I'm being honest) I have been really happy with my experience over the last 7 months I have been working with them.  Any issues I have had have been insurance stalling around related, and there was literally nothing I had to do to get the insurance whipped into shape to approve, Chris the program manager was all over it.  Granted I am on the pre-surgery side of things, I have been very happy with my choice of programs.  Let's just hope my surgery goes just as well!

Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions or PM me. Good luck in your search!

I went thru DePaul and had nothing but good things to say about the nurses on the 6th floor (baratric floor) and then i had Dr. Scott and he was great.  I was originally with NewStart at St. Alexius however after Dr. Richardson I just wasn't impressed with how that was handled when it came to my surgery and the follow up - So i switched and was SO glad i did!