Surgery In St. Louis?

[Lisa's Hope 421]

I have chosen Dr. Van Wagner, I know several ppl who have used him for this precedure. My insurance requires I have the operation done at a bariartic center of excellence. He is really great. I have alot of confidence in him but that doesn't mean I too am not fearful of what could happen! The closer it gets I get more worried no matter how prepared I think I have my self!

I am familiar with Dr. Wagner. I actually started this journey back in 2008 and he was the one I had my appointment with at that time but thyroid issues prevented me from having the surgery. I know that Dr. Follwell and Dr. Wagner practice at St. Alexis Hospital. Dr. Follwell performs surgery at Des Peres Hospital as well. That is where I will be having my surgery if all goes as planned. My insurance will not pay. I'm so bummed about that! I can't understand why some insurances will pay and others will not. My husbands employer pays a hugh premium for us every month. Well, Good luck again. I wish you the best!! Let us know how it goes. I would love to follow your story.

[Norman 1]

Had surgery with Follwell in July and have lost 154 pounds. Everything exceeded my expectations.

[Lisa's Hope 421]

Had surgery with Follwell in July and have lost 154 pounds. Everything exceeded my expectations.

Did you have the sleeve? I'm really scared. I'm just beginning this journey and trying to find out as much info as I can. I haven't seen too many people on this site that has used Dr. Follwell. Thank you for letting me know he exceeded your expectations. I hope my surgery will go well. If you had the sleeve do you know what size bougie he uses for this surgery. I've heard that the larger example:40 fr is better because you lower your risks for complications.

Thanks again!

[Norman 1]

I understand being scared I was too. Yes I had the sleeve. At the time of my surgery Follwell had no deaths and no leaks and had done hundreds of sleeves. I got it done at St. Alexius but I am sure Des Peres is a much nicer hospital. However the staff at St. Alexius was so great I had to have it there. When I started I weighed 410. This morning I weighed 255. And I am still losing. That is 155 pounds in a little over 8 months. Pretty impressive. I only had to stay one night in the hospital. I had no pain. The scars are minimal. Just do what they say and you will be fine. I stuck to the preop diet and did not cheat once. Sitting at Olive Garden with your family downing Pasta and bread sticks and I was drinking Water. Eye on the prize.

Exercise is the key after surgery. You have the tool that stops the food just exercise and the pounds will fly off. I started working out everyday. Lately work has been crazy so I take the steps and walk the dogs if I cant go to the gym.

Good luck, VSG I can truly say has changed and saved my life. I only hope others get to experience the same. As for bougie size I do not know. In fact I am not sure if he uses one. Ask him and post it here I am curious. I know what I can eat and I can eat more today then I could 6 months ago.

[Lisa's Hope 421]

I understand being scared I was too. Yes I had the sleeve. At the time of my surgery Follwell had no deaths and no leaks and had done hundreds of sleeves. I got it done at St. Alexius but I am sure Des Peres is a much nicer hospital. However the staff at St. Alexius was so great I had to have it there. When I started I weighed 410. This morning I weighed 255. And I am still losing. That is 155 pounds in a little over 8 months. Pretty impressive. I only had to stay one night in the hospital. I had no pain. The scars are minimal. Just do what they say and you will be fine. I stuck to the preop diet and did not cheat once. Sitting at Olive Garden with your family downing Pasta and bread sticks and I was drinking Water. Eye on the prize.

Exercise is the key after surgery. You have the tool that stops the food just exercise and the pounds will fly off. I started working out everyday. Lately work has been crazy so I take the steps and walk the dogs if I cant go to the gym.

Good luck, VSG I can truly say has changed and saved my life. I only hope others get to experience the same. As for bougie size I do not know. In fact I am not sure if he uses one. Ask him and post it here I am curious. I know what I can eat and I can eat more today then I could 6 months ago.

Thank you so much Norman. You've really helped to ease my mind. I really don't know anything about either hosptial. Just happen to choose Des Peres. I really hope they are as nice as you say the staff at St. Alexis was. I still have a way to go before I get my surgery date. I'm looking forward to meeting Dr. Follwell.

[dreamakr48 0]

Has anyone here had their surgery in St. Louis?? If so can you give me your input on Dr. Richard Follwell or any other gastric surgeon here? Everything I've read about him is good but I can't find any info on how many sleeves he has performed. Please reply if any of you live in Missouri and know anything. Thanks!!

Lisa ,I have first hand exp with Dr .Follwell-He's an excellent surgeon with outstanding skills.He will be my surgeon when I get my self together for the journey.

[Lisa's Hope 421]

Lisa ,I have first hand exp with Dr .Follwell-He's an excellent surgeon with outstanding skills.He will be my surgeon when I get my self together for the journey.

Thank you so much for replying. I've heard some good things about Dr. Follwell. I will be attending the seminar tonight and after I have my physc eval on the 17, I should be able to get my appointment with Dr. Follwell and hopefully my surgery date will be in May. I'm self pay due to the exclusion in my insurance.

Can you tell me about your experience with Dr. Follwell? I'm so excited and scared at the same time. I do know that someone told me he had no leaks or deaths so far. I guess I'm more worried about the complications that may arise after surgery since I'm a self - pay patient.

Thanks again. Everytime I get a good reply about him I feel much better.

[Lisa's Hope 421]

I understand being scared I was too. Yes I had the sleeve. At the time of my surgery Follwell had no deaths and no leaks and had done hundreds of sleeves. I got it done at St. Alexius but I am sure Des Peres is a much nicer hospital. However the staff at St. Alexius was so great I had to have it there. When I started I weighed 410. This morning I weighed 255. And I am still losing. That is 155 pounds in a little over 8 months. Pretty impressive. I only had to stay one night in the hospital. I had no pain. The scars are minimal. Just do what they say and you will be fine. I stuck to the preop diet and did not cheat once. Sitting at Olive Garden with your family downing Pasta and bread sticks and I was drinking Water. Eye on the prize.

Exercise is the key after surgery. You have the tool that stops the food just exercise and the pounds will fly off. I started working out everyday. Lately work has been crazy so I take the steps and walk the dogs if I cant go to the gym.

Good luck, VSG I can truly say has changed and saved my life. I only hope others get to experience the same. As for bougie size I do not know. In fact I am not sure if he uses one. Ask him and post it here I am curious. I know what I can eat and I can eat more today then I could 6 months ago.

Hi Norman,

I actually just got back from meeting Dr. Follwell. I really liked him alot. I did ask him what size "bougie" he uses and he said he did not use one but uses a tube to size the sleeve to be exact to a 38fr bougie. I was hoping it would be a least a 40 but he did say he wouldn't go any smaller because people have more complications if they go smaller than that. I know they size from 28fr to 42fr.

I'm one step closer to surgery. Only, I was surprised tonight that the price they quoted me as self-pay last week was actually not correct but 1,300.00 higher. That was devastating to me. My insurance has an exclusion and won't pay. Just makes me livid that some get it for free and I will be exhausting all my savings for this and risking complications that I won't be able to pay for if somthing happens. I just hope and pray I don't have any.

[Norman 1]

That is what I thought about the bougie. I do have to say my insurance paid for it but it was not free. I had a lot of stuff I needed to do, 6 month diet, including copays and coinsurance. You should shop around. Call up St. Alexius and DePaul and Branes. If you are paying out of pocket and want to stay in St. Louis there are choices out there. Negotiate. They want your business. Offer to pay less. What can they do say no. I would see who offers the best price. Honestly the money I have saved on food in the last eight months is amazing. So there are some upsides when it comes to money.

[RaeGood 1]

Did you not like Dr. Wagner? Now u have me worried. All the research I did & knowing ppl who used him had me sure of my choice. I really liked him & his staff. He has had no patients w/ leaks, deaths, or complications w/ the sleeve. I spoke w/ his office today & my projected date is May 21st, already getting nervous because it's getting so close & becoming real but now starting to worry about ur reasoning in changing Dr?

[Lisa's Hope 421]

Did you not like Dr. Wagner? Now u have me worried. All the research I did & knowing ppl who used him had me sure of my choice. I really liked him & his staff. He has had no patients w/ leaks, deaths, or complications w/ the sleeve. I spoke w/ his office today & my projected date is May 21st, already getting nervous because it's getting so close & becoming real but now starting to worry about ur reasoning in changing Dr?

When I met Dr. Wagner in 2008, I thought he was very nice. He has a lot of experience from what I've read. I had to stop surgery in 2008 when I was going to use him because of my TSH level and being diagnosed with hyperthroidism. The reason I chose Dr. Follwell is because he is associated with Des Peres Hospital. After meeting him, I really like him alot. I've not heard any negative comments about Dr. Wagner. I'm sure he will be great for you. He has done a lot of procedures.

[JulieF 16]

Hi Lisa..I am in Cape Girardeau, also. Just starting he process; went to a seminar by Dr Snow (with Dr Wagner) two weeks ago. I too will be self pay. Have you ever gone to the support group at Healthpoint?