LMarie_MD2b

Hello, my fellow STLers! I've been a long-time lurker while I considered a decision on whether or not to pursue a Lap Band, and I ultimately chose that preventing another 20-30 years of misery would be worth some financial discomfort for the short-term. I attended a seminar in February, and due to my class schedule couldn't get my initial consult appointment until this past Friday. I'm ACTUALLY doing it! My tentative surgery date with Dr. Minkin is June 5th. I'm self-pay, so I'll be borrowing ~$10K to make it happen, and it'll make my finances pretty tedious for a while, but I am ecstatic! I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions for you veterans out there over the next few months. Thanks ahead of time for your patience and your advice! Oooh... First question!! What are your favorite Protein drinks for liquid diet and post-op meals--and where do you get them?

Hello, all! I have read through the thread, and I can't recall seeing anyone who was self-pay. I'm in med school, so I'm on cheap-ola med student insurance that doesn't cover bariatric procedures, and my only opportunity for a band is this summer. It's the last large block of time I'll have off, ever, and I think I'll need that time to get all adjusted to the new diet, etc. I'm 23, and my BMI as of today was about 36.5. My cholesterol is high, about 250, so I'm guessing that might be a pretty significant comorbiditiy for a lower BMI. My fasting blood glucose is creeping up, too, (97 last time I checked) so that's not good news, either. I just don't want to be one of those "hypocritical doctors" who tells people to lose weight for their health. And I don't think I will physically be able to get through my rotations in 3rd and 4th year with all the pain/cramps that the extra weight causes. I can't imagine being in an OR, standing upright or in some crazy bent-sideways position, for 6 hours without a stretch!! And running up 4 or 5 flights of stairs to answer a page... yeah, that's not happening. Not to mention--I don't want to place myself at higher risk for gestational diabetes or other complications related to "obese" pregnancy. I'm living in the city now, but will be moving to Kirkwood or West County/Valley Park this summer so my fiance can move in with me in the winter. I'm looking into Des Peres hospital and Dr. Minkin--does anyone know what his self-pay rate is? I'm going to try to get into the March 11th seminar. Sorry for the random nature of this post. I'm just taking a study break, and thought I'd try to get some ideas from the people who know the most about STL banding doctors! :blushing: Thanks so much!

I will be a self-pay patient, as I am on medical school-provided insurance. Were any of you self-payers? Even if you weren't--do you know what the price for self-pay surgery is in the STL area? I would prefer to have my surgery/doctor/fills in St. Louis, as I still in school, and wouldn't have time to just take off for Mexico, or even other MO cities, to get a fill or a quick after-care appt. Thanks!

Hello, all! I've been a 'lurker' for about 5-6 months, and I have decided that I should register and start talking to some of you lovely ladies about your Lap Band experiences. As an introduction: I'm a 23 year old medical student--I go to school in St. Louis. I was born in Springfield, and my family lives in the area. I have scheduled my seminar for March 17th (on Spring Break), and hope to have surgery as soon as school is out for the summer at the end of May. I'm choosing to have the surgery in Springfield for several reasons--not the least of which is I don't want the people who are in charge of my grades to be in the OR. I have a great support system in my family at home, and will be spending much of my LAST SUMMER EVER at my mother's house. I want to be healthy for my 3rd and 4th year rotations--I want to be the strong woman I am, but to be able to run up the stairs to work the Code Blue, and not to cramp up on my Surgery rotation when I can't stretch my legs and back for 5-6 hours at a time. I want a LapBand for myself, of course... but I also think it would be a great service for my future patients. I got engaged to a wonderful man in October. It breaks my heart to tell you that one of the first things I thought was, "Oh, my G-d, what will the pictures look like?!" I don't do pictures--I haven't for about 3 years now. I am a little concerned, however, about Dr. Edwards being willing to perform the surgery on me. I don't have an incredible BMI; I'm at 36.2 today. I'm 5'7"ish and weigh 225 pounds. I've always been able to 'carry a lot of weight' and don't appear to others to be as heavy as I am. Has anyone heard of patients being turned away for being "too light" for surgery? If that is a possibility, I think I should mention that, as a part of my Biochemistry & Metabolism course last semester, we had our blood drawn for a lipid panel. My total cholesterol was 250. I am terrified!! That's a ridiculous number for a 23 year old...especially someone who will be telling patients to lose weight to reduce cholesterol in just a few years. My insurance (through school) will *not* cover the surgery, under any circumstances, so I will be self-pay. I have read on this board that it's about $17K, but that includes a year of after-care--is that correct? Does anyone know if Dr. Edwards would make referrals for patients that need fills and can't make it back to St. John's (i.e., if I need a fill, but can't get out of St. Louis)?? Enough of my yammering. It's great to be here--best wishes to all you recent post-oppers!