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. :-/

OK, they called and the gal I talked to was awesome. My surgery is scheduled for 5/31. Maybe I'm just anxious so I'm picking on everything. I do think the front desk gal needs some training on demonstrating a delight to serve attitude and tone. Everyone I work with once I'm past her is fantastic. :-)

OK' date=' they called and the gal I talked to was awesome. My surgery is scheduled for 5/31. Maybe I'm just anxious so I'm picking on everything. I do think the front desk gal needs some training on demonstrating a delight to serve attitude and tone. Everyone I work with once I'm past her is fantastic. :-)[/quote']

Is this at DesPeres hospital.

Sorry for the delayed reply. Yes, it's at Des Peres hospital.

Sorry for the delayed reply. Yes' date=' it's at Des Peres hospital.[/quote']

I had the same experience although I had said I was going to be a self pay and the lady was rushing me to get off the phone. Another lady that set up my appointment had me on hold for over 20 min just to get back with me and ask if she could call me back, I ended up having to call her back. Who are you going to have your surgery with dr. Scott?

Yes, my surgery is with Dr. Scott. I've met with him 3 times and attended his seminar and have been really pleased with him. Seems like the office just needs a strong manager and some service standards. Also, not sure if the front desk gal who answers the phone and is the first point of contact for office visits should be in that position. She is just not service minded or particularly friendly. They may need to hire some more people too as perhaps there just aren't enough employees to handle the volume.

I did work briefly with Heart of America Bariatrics (Dr Van Wagner) when I was trying to pick a surgeon and I was really impressed with their service. They were extremely responsive, quick and friendly. They were just a lot further for me and I connected more with Dr Scott.

Good luck to you!!! Not sure why they would be less responsive for someone who is self pay. It should be less work for them as they had to jump thru all kinds of hurdles for my insurance company.

Where are you in your journey? Have you picked a surgeon?

Where are you in your journey? Have you picked a surgeon?

I too went to see dr. Scott speak so I choose him. I have an appointment July 12 th to see the psych doctor and dr Scott. My husband has a second job and with that job they offer insurance that covers the gastric sleeve thank goodness. So I wonder how many hoops I will have to go thru with that but I don't care as long as I can get my life back.n we should definitely keep in touch throughout our processes.

The office sounds like a nightmare! Imagine how many patients are going through the same thing. I would certainly mention this to someone......maybe after your surgery. :-)

Has anyone had surgery by Dr. Ryan Legrand at MyNewSelf? Just curious?

Kyle Lynn - good luck to you. The office should contact your insurance company to verify the requirements. I had to do a 3 month medically supervised diet in addition to the psych eval. We should definitely keep in touch.

July 22 Sleever - I haven't heard of that Dr. If he is with MyNewSelf at Des Peres Hospital, he must be new. All of their Dr's do seminars so you could attend his to meet him and ask any questions. Good luck to you.

The office sounds like a nightmare! Imagine how many patients are going through the same thing. I would certainly mention this to someone......maybe after your surgery. :-)

Agree! Thanks.

Dr. Scott is a great surgeon. He did my step dad's RNY two years ago. I just had my sleeve this past Monday, but mine was with Dr. Lisa Martin Hawver with Mercy. I have minimal pain and am feeling great! I didn't have an appetite for 3 days.I had a 2 night stay in the hospital and everyone was so wonderful to me. It's hard to get used to drinking again. I can barely finish a protein shake, it takes me an hour, cuz I feel so full. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask And good luck!!

Dr. Scott is a great surgeon. He did my step dad's RNY two years ago. I just had my sleeve this past Monday' date=' but mine was with Dr. Lisa Martin Hawver with Mercy. I have minimal pain and am feeling great! I didn't have an appetite for 3 days.I had a 2 night stay in the hospital and everyone was so wonderful to me. It's hard to get used to drinking again. I can barely finish a Protein shake, it takes me an hour, cuz I feel so full. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> And good luck!![/quote']

Congrats on your successful surgery! I'm sure I'll have questions so thanks for the offer. Hope your journey continues to go well. Wish I could have a 2 night stay - my insurance only covers 1.

Also, thanks for the reassurance on Dr Scott. I've been really impressed with him. It's possible he isn't even aware of the service provided by the front desk person.

Glad you reached out as it's good to have support in the STL area.

Did anyone see the story on Channel 4 about Ashley Delp who had bypass in 2010 and now is at Barnes Jewish in the ICU due to complications related to the surgery? I realize we are doing a different surgery but there are still risks. Hate seeing something like this with my surgery only a few weeks away - Just don't need anything to add to my worries. :-( So many more positive stories so I'm focusing on those!!!

She got her surgery in 2010 in the STL area but they didn't say where or what surgeon due to a pending lawsuit. Does anyone have scoop on this?