OK, I know I'm not the only Missouri person searching for surgery. I was surprised to get on here and find that no one has ever posted here.

I would like to start a rapport with other Missourians looking into, scheduled to have, or already had lap band surgery. If you're willing to post, I'd love to hear from you!

Have a great night

Billie Branham

I was banded on March 10th,2006. I have lost 48 lbs and 3 sizes in my pants. Dr. Garza really helped me.

hi Chris 61 ....Have you found a doctor in Kirckwood yet? I have looked into the doctors in Mexico and some look very good but I would have to go alone and I don't want to do that. So I am looking for a DR close to home. I live in Springfield MO

I usesd Dr. Dunshee w/ Tallgrass in Topeka, KS. The TOTAL price was $10, 750 for self pay - - that DOES include 1 year of office visits w/ FILLS!!! He is a great doctor and the surgery center is wonderful. We me living so far (2 hours), they put us up in the hotel next to the Surgery Center after my surgery and for the evening and next day.

Going to Mexico may sound great, but then you have got to think about the price of airfair and you have to find a doctor for aftercare. Going to Topeka, I didn't have to worry about that.

If anybody would like more infomation about Tallgrass, just ask me and I'll answer all I can.

Sherri

(just banded April 17, 2006!)

What doctor did you find for 11,000? I have to self pay and am looking for a good doctor. I live in Springfield MO. Please let me know. I am desparate.

Go out to this site >>>> obesitycontrolcenter.com

I went to Dr. Ariel Ortiz in Tijuana. He was wonderful. He even had to do a hiatal hernia repair on me and it was still only $9,500. I pulled my money out of my 401K. My payback is about $85 every payday which is every 2 weeks. I am a Registerd Radiation Therapist and just could not swing Dr. Malley's fees and was pleased with my surgeon. Dr. Ortiz does the placing of the band and Dr. Martinous does the port work. They are both super nice doctors and very personable.

Check out the site and let me know if you have any questions.

I have heard that Dr. Dunshee in Topeka is a little cheaper than Dr. Malley.

I have not regretted a dime I have spent on myself so far.

I used Dr. Minkin in St. Louis Des Peres hospital. Not including the fills it was 10,000, Camille

I am new here and was banded by Dr. Joya in Puerto Vallarta on 4/14. I began looking into this several years ago in Europe and chose Dr. Joya based on what I heard from other professionals. I am an ARNP, and have been a nurse for 33 years, in fact I used to work on the bariatric sugery unit at Tampa General in FL. The hospital in PV was immaculate and the care was top notch in everyway. The total cost was $8000, which included the airfare from the Springfield airport, being picked up at the airport, overnight in the hospital and another night in a 5 star resort right on the beach.

I am feeling great, have lost 14 lbs, but am interested in finding a fill doctor in the four state area as I live in the Joplin - Springfield area. I have lifetime free fills by Dr. Joya, but if I can find someone in the area cheaper than the airfare back to PV, it would be awsome.

I was banded 1/18/06 by Dr. Jesse Lopez in Overland Park, Ks. I can highly recomend Dr. Lopez and his new staff. They have all been wonderful and attentive to my needs and my band.

I'm not losing near as much as quickly as I had planned (Yeah, I had the whole thing mapped out....easier said than done!) but I am not gaining anything and am losing SOMETHING each month no matter how little the amount!

Good Luck!

Hey y'all, I live in Overland Park, and I am seriously considering getting lap band surgery. I have contacted my insurance company, United, and my employer's program pays for 90% in network, 50% out of network. Obviously, I have to do some more research to find out what local drs are in-network, but I was wondering if anyone knew anything about The Institute of Advanced Bariatric Surgery and their hospital in Lenexa, KS? Also, does the price a drs office quote you include the fills? If not, what is the cost of a fill? Sorry for so many questions, but I'd just like to have as much info as possible. I plan on attending a couple of seminars before I make my final decision, but I'm concerned that the seminars will come off like 'hard sells'. Thank you in advance for your help!

I believe they are $15.000 there..if I remember right. I hope you decide to do it..I def think it's worth it...i don't know anything about fills yet.

Hey y'all, I live in Overland Park, and I am seriously considering getting lap band surgery. I have contacted my insurance company, United, and my employer's program pays for 90% in network, 50% out of network. Obviously, I have to do some more research to find out what local drs are in-network, but I was wondering if anyone knew anything about The Institute of Advanced Bariatric Surgery and their hospital in Lenexa, KS? Also, does the price a drs office quote you include the fills? If not, what is the cost of a fill? Sorry for so many questions, but I'd just like to have as much info as possible. I plan on attending a couple of seminars before I make my final decision, but I'm concerned that the seminars will come off like 'hard sells'. Thank you in advance for your help!

Well, after reading a lot of good things about Dr. Malley here, I'm going to one of his seminars on May 20. I still have a ton of questions, so I'm hoping that between the seminar and an office visit, I can get them all answered.

My husband is being very suuportive of me, and that helps a lot. He told me that he would love me no matter what, but that the knows how important my health is.

So, if all goes well, maybe I can be banded by the end of the summer! :clap2:

Hello Missouri. This is my first post. I am leaning towards the lap band due to safety issues. I have three little girls and a great husband to think of. 12 women at the hospital I work at have had the gastric surgery. 1 has been on a ventilator since January. The rest are doing fine with various stages of success. The lap band sounds appealling to me. A lot less risk. I look forward to visiting this site. I am in mid-Missouri.

I am in Columbia as well. Is Dr Scott with the University or with Boone? What type of insurance do you carry. I have BCBS and didn't know that they can be difficult to get coverage from.

Hi nutmeg1965,

Dr. Scott is with the university, Dr. Pitt does it at Boone. I had mine done with Dr. Pitt. I have United Healthcare which took a few months for the approval to go through but they covered just about everything except for fills. Dr. Pitt charges $75 for fills which isn't too bad. Its good to find someone else in columbia!

The lapband is less risk by far and a better way to loose weight. Loosing weight at a slow rate is better for your skin, hair and everything. With the Gastric bypass you loose fast and it doesn't always look good. From what I have seen anyway. I had my surgery Oct 6th-2005 and I have lost 50 pounds since then, I had the surgery at St. Alexis Hospital with Dr. Van Wagner. My insurance covered most of it. It was the best decision I have ever made. Good luck.

hi i use dr. sandu in cofffeyville kansas just a few miles from where you are he is great . here is his number good luck in our weight loss. 620-251-7500