MizzouGirl

I'm really frustrated with the location (My New Self in St. Louis, MO) I've selected for my surgery due to the lack of service provided by the front office staff. I feel good about my surgeon and I've met with the dietician several times and she is great. But, every time I deal with the front office staff over the phone or in person they aren't friendly or helpful and it's making me question my decision. It seems like they are overwhelmed and don't really care about how they treat you or talk to you. I received my insurance approval and called yesterday to see if I could schedule my surgery and what the next steps are. The gal who answered said they had received the approval as well and advised that I would receive a call - I explained I was going on vacation next week and really wanted to determine this before I left. I asked if I could get a call that day and she said they were really busy so she didn't know. (It's now the next day and still no call). She just wanted to get me off the phone. A couple weeks ago, I had an appointment with my surgeon and after waiting 2 hours past my appointment time in a packed waiting room, I discovered there were several people there still ahead of me and 1 person with my same appointment time with the same surgeon. I ended up having to leave. I've had other issues when I've called about not feeling like the person answering the phone really wanted to help. I've never had this type of experience with a Dr's office before. I'm looking for feedback from anyone in the STL area that might have input or scoop on the My New Self Program and if I should be concerned. There are other Center of Excellence surgeons and programs in the area and I'm wondering if I should switch. This is a big decision and I want to feel good about it and right now I'm not. Thanks for any information fellow STL area sleevers can provide about My New Self. :-/

I'm almost 1 year out and couldn't be happier. I did have some frustrations with some of the staff but Dr. Scott rocked my surgery and I've had 0 complications. Erika (Nutritionist) has been fantastic and the hospital staff was sooooo great. Dr. Minikin was on call after my surgery and he was great too. So glad I went with Dr. Scott. Down 100lbs and still losing. ????

FYI-I didn't receive your private message you indicated you were sending. Agree that some of the staff weren't too friendly or helpful but most were awesome. I think they recently hired more people so hopefully that helped as I think they are really busy.

Congrats and best wishes to you. Having this surgery was the best thing I've ever done!!! Dr. Minkin was not my surgeon but he was the doctor on duty the weekend after my surgery so I met with him a couple times while in the hospital and really liked him. I've heard lots of great things about him. If you have any questions about the experience in Des Peres hospital or questions in general let me know. Good luck!!!

Just got my date --- Friday, May 31st. Excited, scared, anxious, hopeful, ready! I go in for my pre-op testing and class on May 20th. I'm required to do a 3 day liquid diet prior to surgery so Memorial Day will be my last hurrah although not planning on doing anything stupid. Praying that everything goes smoothly and that I'm healthy (and maybe smoking hot) by summer 2014!!! I've been working out with a personal trainer for a couple years now - 3x/week - so pretty good on the exercise front. Hope I can dive back in not too long after surgery. I'm kinda anxious about never getting to eat some of my favorite foods perhaps ever again but fit and healthy will surely taste soooo much better. Congrats to my fellow May sleevers - looking forward to giving and receiving support as we continue on our journeys. :-)

I must confess that I rarely visit this site lately and haven't posted in a long time. Loving life 85 lbs lighter and realizing that the last 50-65 lbs aren't going to come off as easily as the first 85 did. I've slowed down to about 1-2 lbs a week but I'll take it! How is everyone else doing? I'm so glad I did this --- no regrets!!! :-)

I'm looking for recommendations for a St. Louis, MO area surgeon. I'm not 100% sure which surgery I'm doing but am leaning strongly towards the sleeve. I just attended Dr. Van Wagner's seminar (HOAB) and was impressed. I've also been extremely impressed with the service his office has provided thus far. I'm attending the MyNewSelf seminar by Dr. J. Stephen Scott tonight. I want to make sure I pick the best surgeon (most experience, least # of issues, etc) in the St. Louis area. Both are Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence surgeons. Good service before, during and after the procedure are important to me as well. Thanks in advance for input that may help me with my choice of surgeon.

You look awesome and much younger. Congrats to you!!!

Surgery Date: 5/31/2013 Highest Weight: 295 Date of Surgery: 286 Current Weight: 226 Total Loss: 69

I too was wishing I only had the 1 scar (I have the larger one around my belly button on 3 other small ones). I'm 4.5 months post surgery and the 3 small ones are barely noticeable - the 1 around my belly button is still pretty noticeable but hoping it will fade more over time. I can honestly say that I'm ok with the other scars and now don't regret not doing the single incision surgery.

You look fantastic. Congrats!!

I wasn't interested in the band because of all the complications I read about as well as the ongoing maintenance. Also, not all insurance may pay for the adjustments and addressing complications. So, if you change insurance companies when you have the band, this is a risk. I also didn't want something foreign inside me --- can't really rationalize this one but it was just the way I felt. I researched all of the options and felt the sleeve was by far the best option for me. I do think there are some surgeons in STL who are most comfortable with the band so they may push this option - not sure if this is what's happening to you. I think it's a personal decision so only you are going to be able to determine what is best for you. I can say I'm 100% happy with my sleeve, I've had no complications and I'm happy with my progress. Best wishes to you with whatever choice you make.

HW: 295, Surgery Date: 5/31/2013, CW: 231 --- sooooooo happpppyyyyy!!!!! I'm just shy of 5'7".

Wow - thanks for sharing your story and so glad the bad stuff appears to be behind you and you can start enjoying life again. :-)

I think you look fantastic but in the end, you have to be happy with you. :-)

This is the first I'm hearing about the patch. I didn't have one and luckily had minimal problems with nausea and no dry heaves. Glad there is something like that available, though, for those who need it!! Hope you are doing well Skee - for me, each day was remarkably better.

I just went to Kohls today and started in women's and the pants were too big. Soooo many more options in the "regular" sizes!!! I ended up with a pair of size 16 skinny jeans (not 16w as those were too big). I was also able to fit into some size 14 jeans. Was so amazing!!!! I still have a lot of weight to lose so I limited myself to the 1 pair of jeans but it was sure fun trying on a bunch of other stuff. Life is good!!!

I want to clarify that I'm in no way bashing other surgeons as it sounds like there are other great ones in STL. When I did my research, I just felt Dr Scott was the best one for me.

I wish I had an answer for you. I can tell you that I'm glad I stuck with Dr Scott as I think he is really good at what he does and I've had 0 complications. I've also really enjoyed working with Erika (NUT). My experience in Des Peres Hospital during and after surgery was also top notch. Ideally, the whole experience would be great but at the end of the day, I want the best surgeon cutting me open and great care right after surgery more than the other stuff. Keep me posted and hopefully they will turn it around for you.