I need your help again good people here in Missouri

I went to the seminar at the University of Missouri-Columbia Medical Center had today and it made me realize two things. 1. Columbia is too far away from Farmington for me to make it feasible. 2. I'm going to go with Lap Band instead of Gastric Bypass. So now I need to find somebody in St. Louis that willl accept Medicare for Lapband.... HELP!!! Please HELP me again. By the way, Dr. Scott was awesome today along with the rest of his staff. Good presentation (despite the lady who felll asleep and snored behind me.... LOL).... It was a very worth while trip.... My email address is: [email protected]

Jeff, If you liked Dr Scott but don't want to drive all the way to Columbia, then I would suggest you contact Dr De La Torre, he is out of Depaul Hospital in Bridgeton, and is a partner of Dr. Scott's. I had Dr De La Torre as my surgeon and he was just absolutly fantatasic. We have support group meetings on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month, I know that might be a way to travel just for an hour an half meeting, but just in case you are in the area. His office staff is great and are willing to go the extra mile to help you get the information you need. I'm not sure on what insurance companies that they take, but I am sure that if you give Nancy a call at his office then she will be able to assist you. I wish you the best of luck in finding a new surgeon closer to home. And hope to see you on the losing side real soon.

Jeff, I too want the lapband, but I was told yesterday by my prospective surgeon that Medicaire does not cover the Lapband. I was upset, but want to have the surgery so am not sure what I will do. Have an appt. with my doc next wed. I have good co insurance but they follow what Medicaire does. Good Luck. Colette

It's always great to get the feedback from people who have already gone through or are going through the procedures. I can't believe the number of people who have asked me why I changed my mind on what kind of surgery? I've had several emails to go along with the questions on here as to why.... I don't mind telling you in the slightest. I guess the #1 reason was I simply feel better about the procedure than I do with gastric bypass. Everyone you talk to, whether it be a doctor, nurse, dietician or whatever will tell you that surgery (in any form) is just a tool to use towards weight loss. You have to properly use those tools. After listening to Dr. Scott yesterday it just seemed apparent to me that banding was the way to go. The #2 reason is I would have a built in coach - my sister. She's been through it all and she has a great understanding of what to do, what not to do. In other words the good, the bad and the ugly. The #3 reason is it just seems less invasive with a smaller chance of problems (am I wrong here?). But from all the people I've talked to and all the research I've done (and I've done a ton), it just seems like in the long run the results are pretty close to the same, but maybe a tad safer too... Now I have to find out if Medicare will pay for this procedure and if so where and who... That's my current situation. The good thing is no matter what all my paper work is ready to go.. Everything from my psycho evaluation, to blood work to a seminar. It's time!! Colette, I sure hope your doctor is WRONG about the Medicare......

Jeff I just went to the support meeting in KC, MO. For Dr. Stanley Augustine on Tuesday of this week. What he said in his meeting is that Medicaid no longer will pay for lap bands only the gastric bypass. Of course that could change at any time but as for right now they no longer do. Also with Lapbands you will not lose the same amount you would if you had the gastric bypass. You are right tho about the procedure being safer. 1 in 200 fatal with gastirc bypass. 1 in approx 2,000 fatal in lapbands. Good luck either way you decided and on who you decide to go with. I go for my first consult with Dr. Scott this month!!!! God Bless Melissa