Hi, This my first post . I am going through the process and hope to have my surgery in November in Springfield Mo. I need to take off 140 lbs. I had the diet consult today and went shopping at Wall Mart and Sams for meal replacements. I am new at this sort of thing, not too great on a PC, hopefully I will get the hang of it in time.

Not sure about KC... but I was self pay doc Edwards, and just over $17,000 @ st johns springfield mo.

Forgot to mention above.... that price included one year of after care and fills too. Good luck.

Hey guys! My name is Jessie. I'm a 25yo female from Harrison, Arkansas. I have been researching the full bypass and the banding for almost 5 years now. I have finally chosen Dr Chris Edwards in Springfield, MO. There is just something about his staff. His nurse, Mary, has helped me out so much. She has actually kept me updated on what my isurance does and doesn't cover.

I have been to their seminar, filled out all of their packet, gotten my refferal, and finally, last week, I got my approval from my insurance. (I'm on Tri-Care Prime and it looks like they are going to pay 100%!) :tongue: I go March 25th for my first real app. From what I'm hearing, thats most likely when they will set my surgery date. I am super excited and nervous at the same time. I have always been big. I can't imagine my self at 200 or less.

Anyways, I would love some feedback from some people who have gone to Dr Edwards and I would take any tips or advice I could get!

Thanks!

-Jess

Jessie - and any of the others in the area:

I live in Harrison, actually I'm in Bergman, and I'm looking into getting banded. Where do I start? I've read about this Dr. Edwards in Springfield. What is this about a seminar? How long from the time I see a doctor until the actual surgery? Also, can anyone tell me about fills? How often do you get filled? What is the port like? Are you limited as to what you can eat? I need as much info as possible.

Thanks.

Jessie - Congrats and Good luck!

Valleygirl - The seminar is a about an hour and it is just an informational session on lapband and a bit about bypass. You will get a packet of informatoin to fill out and give to Mary - she does all the insurance work (and more). She is great! I went to the seminar in May and had surgery in August...but it all depends on if you will be self-pay (might be quicker) or if you are going to go through a process with your insurance. After you get the process started with Mary you will have an appointment with Dr. E and with Katie (she does the psych eval stuff), an all day behavioral class and then a final appt with Dr. E to set the date. Again, all of this depends on your method of pay. Some insurance co. require different things - like 3 visits with Katie. It really all depends on if you are self-pay or going through insurance.

Fills: I have had 4 fills so far. Everyone is different on this too. I've heard of some people that have only had one fill and they are a year out from surgery. For most people it takes at least 3 fills before they notice any significant restriction. You are limited on the amount of food intake, but being limited on the types of food really depends on what you can handle. Some people can/can't handle bread, chicken, etc.

Port: the port is really not noticable. It is attached to a muscle on the left side but you'll never know it's there.

I hope this helps some. Please feel free to ask more questions and I will try to answer the best I can - as I'm sure anyone else will who has already had surgery. I've found everyone on LBT VERY helpful!

Good luck

Hey valleygirl, sorry it took me so long to get back to you. My first consult with Dr Edwards was Tuesday (March 25) Him and his staff are so friendly and understanding. You will have to go to the seminar, they will give you a packet at the seminar. Fill it out and return it as soon as possible. You might want to ask Mary (his nurse) if you can fax it back to her Thats what I did. Anyways, she reviews it and decides if you're good canidate or not. She called me withing 24 hours to set up my first one on one consult. Dr Edwards went on vaca so itt ook me about 3 weeks to get in. But like I said, that was Tuesday and I already have my next 3 apts lined up. (more pre req stuff) Ie:. you have to do a dietary consult, a cardiac workup, a psych eval, and a behavioral class. I am finishing all of mine up within the next 2 1/2 weeks and from what I understand, I will go back to Dr Edwards and we will set a aurgery date. (usually within 2-3 weeks) Its looking like I"m on par for a May surgery date.

You are welcome to e-mail me on here or if you want to actually talk, feel free to call me. 688-8126

I just love doc Edwards! Lots of his patients are on the thread ... Got banded in Springfield MO?? I am almost one year out. I have finally posted before and in progress pics page ? ...78 ...on pix thread I think. Love my band and it loves me! Good luck and great health to you all! Congrats! Kim:)

Hello All. I am new to this forum. My new insurance kicks in tomorrow. I got on this site to research lap band. Have been considering it or a while now and now that I finally have insurance again, I am stepping up my research. My current weight is 280 at 5'6", have high blood pressure, pcos, endometriosis, infertility, and metabolic syndrome. Will see my pcp in may and go from there. Wish me luck.

Hello All. I am new to this forum. My new insurance kicks in tomorrow. I got on this site to research lap band. Have been considering it or a while now and now that I finally have insurance again, I am stepping up my research. My current weight is 280 at 5'6", have high blood pressure, pcos, endometriosis, infertility, and metabolic syndrome. Will see my Primary care physician in may and go from there. Wish me luck.

Welcome! I don't know if you're going through St John's or Cox, but Dr Edwards a St John's holds monthly seminars about WLS that can answer a lot of your questions. You can also pick up paperwork there that's specific to your insurance company's requirements. Their # is 820-3800.

Good luck!

Does Cox even do bands? Never heard they do or do not. Just curious?

Does Cox even do bands? Never heard they do or do not. Just curious?

I don't know if Cox does WLS, I just assumed they did. My insurance requires using St Johns, so I didn't look any further. I'm just glad my insurance is covering my surgery. :-)

Hi everyone. :cool2: I'm new to the group. Just been researching online some info on lap band. My insurance doesn't cover it, so i'm self-pay, but i've decided I spend that much on eating out and bad food, so why not just bite the bullet and make the changes I so desperately need. I have about 160 pounds to lose. I'm 31 and have been heavy my entire life. I am so ready for this change.

I am scheduled for the seminar at st johns on the 23rd so hopefully i'll see some of you there :thumbup:. I'm going to call them tomorrow and see if i can get into an earlier seminar but I believe they're all booked up at this point. Hopefully I can get the ball rolling pretty quickly :thumbup:

So anyway, I look forward to reading all of these posts and see how things are going.

Amber

Hello - My LB placement was 08/20/08 - I have lost 38 pounds so far and 59 pounds since I started this adventure in April of 08.. I am delighted at how well I feel and am able to get around much better. I really enjoy reading about others experiences - it helps so very much...I just had my third adjustment and was wondering if anyone could describe what it feels like to be at the correct adjustment level - I do well the first week after adj. then the second week I seem really hungry again...they assure me I am doing as I should be....when do you fill full on the smaller amounts of food for the entire day....or am I just expecting to much? Thanks for any help you may offer...

Any Cox patients out there? I've recently had my first seminar at Cox South and met with their three surgeons (Dr Tom, Tim and Dan), but haven't had my first consultation yet. I've spoken with my insurance (UHC) which say I'm a slam dunk for approval so I'm not worried about that. Reading through here, I see most if not all went through St Johns. :cursing:

I'm a local (Nixa-nite), 'recently' came to the area from Chicagoland area a few years back. Love it here

Hi, I just turned in my paperwork through Cox too. I also have UHC. Im so excited to see you here. Maybe we will go through it all at the same time and be able to talk to each other through it. I haven't had my consultation either yet.