mmills

Anyone familiar with New Start at St. ALexious in St. Louis MO? I am trying to get approved to have Dr. Follwell perform my surgery. Anyone with any info about him or the program, I would love to hear from you! Thanks, Mary

My PCP suggested them to me. I really didn't research alot of other places. So far my experience's with them have all been positive. I have been to the seminar, meet Dr. Follwell there, and my patient rep. there is very helpful. I am really anxious to get approved - no doubt that I qualify - just a waiting game. Good luck to you! Mary

I am still waiting for my insurance to approve me for surgery. I have had no luck finding anyone who has had surgery there on this web site or yahoo's bandster web site. Hopefully I will know in the next week or so if I am approved. Then I will get the first available appointment with Dr. Follwell and then hopefully be banded soon. I 've been going crazy waiting. Even sort of depressed. I think I am overeating now do to the stress of waiting and thinking, "Oh, I better eat this one last time - it may be the last time I have the chance." I need the now! I will keep you posted as to my progress and experience. I am about 2 hours north of St. Louis, in Quincy. Mary

Ann, I looked on the New Start website but see nothing about this new procedure. I did find info on another web site. Sounds interesting. Any idea the recovery time for this procedure? Also, will insurance pay or is it still considered experimental? Thanks, Mary

I too went to one of Dr. Folwells seminars (April 21) I am waiting to be approved by my insurance. Any info on him or New Start you could share? I'm from Quincy,IL. Thanks. Mary

I've been considering having the lap-band for about 6 months. I have been heavy almost all my life. I have had 3 successful "diets" in the past - but have always regained all the weight and more. In 2004 I lost 150 lbs in just over a year - felt great - looked great - swore it was gone forever - Now it is 2007 and and I have gained back 100 lbs and refuse to gain anymore. I cannot do it on my own - I need this tool to help me control me. I have been lurking on this site and another one for a couple of months and have attended a seminar in St. Louis - New Start which is with St. Alexius. I turned in my insurance info today and hope to be on the quick road to a surgery date. I realize that it can take months to be approved, but I hope to be one of the lucky ones and breeze through all the steps. I want to thank everyone for sharing on this site. It has been very helpful in my decision to go ahead with the lap band. If there is anyone from the Quincy, IL area who could share info with me that would be great. I am concerned about there not being a local support group and I believe it would be very helpful to have local folks to get together with. Thanks for "listening" - hope to get more familar with the site and "meet" some of you. Mary

I attended the April 21, 2007 New Start seminar in St. Peters, MO. Is anyone familar with him, or New Start in general. I turned in insurance info today. I just started being covered by BC/BS of Illionois. I think they will cover the surgery - may have to wait 6 months. I've been going to Weight Watchers since Dec of 2006, so hopefully they will count that towards 6 months of supervised dieting. Anyone from the Quincy, IL area? This is my first post. Any info would be appreciated. Mary