I too am from Sioux Falls. That is a good six hours from where you will be. Rapid City would probably be your nearest site. However, I went to Orlando Florida just three weeks post op. I made sure and had my doctors phone number just in case. I also got a national calling plan for my cell phone and a phone card in case of no reception areas. Luckily, I didn't need them, but it was good to have. The area where you're going is somewhat remote, but I think Rapid City is only a little over an hour away. Check with your doctor, he may be able to give you the number for a support personal in the Eagle Butte area. My doctor was able to give me a couple from the Orlando area. If you'd like to contact me, my email is [email protected]. I can do some checking for you. When do you leave?

Well, as far as what's close to Eagle Butte, I couldnt' say. But Sioux Falls is on the very east side of the state. That's where I live and I had surgery 4 weeks ago today here in SF. I don't know how long you'll be in the area, or what direction you'll be coming from, but if there's an emergency, Sioux Valley is a WONDERFUL hospital with great surgeons and doctors.

Hi everyone, I wanted to encourage you to attend the obesityhelp conference in Gering, Nebraska. Those of you who know Drs. Holloway and Forney know they are good speakers and have a lot of good information to pass along. Also you can talk to other people who have had surgery or are looking to have surgery. I hope to see you there. Mona

Hi, I live in Wyoming and would like to know of any doctors in rapid city or closer to me than denver. I am having some difficulty with the insurance person at the surgeon's office that I have chosen to do my lap band surgery. She just doesn't seem to give a damn whether or not I am a patient. My insurance company doesn't cover lapband but I am going to appeal and hopefully go to the external review board and if necessary possibly use an attorney. Anyway, I was told by her that I had been denied so I initially decided to be self pay (which like so many of you can't afford). I called my insurance co. to see why they wouldn't pay for the surgery and was told that there had never been any pre-authorization sent to them. There had been a phone call from the doctor's office a0nd when she was told that they didn't cover it, then she called me and told me I had been denied. I can't start my appeal process until I have the official rejection letter from my insurance co. (I'm almost done) okay, so basically I told her exactly what she needed to send to the insurance co. and she would tell me that she did and I could find out that she had not sent the information that the company needed, like letter of medical necessity, I have tried to give her the benefit of the doubt but I just feel like she doesn't give a sh@# about whether or not I get help from my insurance company. I mean shouldn't she know what the company needs? I think she should. So maybe some of you can see why I need to find someone else to help me with my surgery. I know there is a doctor in Riverton, Wyoming that does bariatric surgery but I go to Rapid City a lot and would prefer to find someone in that direction. Please let me know if anyone has any advice. Sincerely, Michele pissed off in wyoming

Is there anyone out there interested in a support group in Rapid City? Please email me if you are interested.