Hello!

I am looking for a bariatric surgeons in the St. Louis or Hannibal, MO/Quincy, IL area that you have gone with. Thank you!

I went through the Washington University program in St. Louis, with Dr. Arghavan Salles as my surgeon. I couldn't be happier with that program. It's worth noting that the WashU program is different than most others I've heard of - no pre-op liquid diet, and the post-op food stages progress more quickly than most other programs. I'm only 5 weeks out and already past the liquid/puree/soft stages and onto regular food. In addition, you only have to see the psych/nutritionist/nurse practitioner/physical therapist once each to get cleared, then meet the surgeon, (and have various tests done, of course) before surgery; after surgery. After surgery, follow-up visits are only required for the surgeon, not the rest of the providers (though you can schedule them if you choose).

Sounds like a winner of a plan! Too bad more don't think in that manner![emoji38]

Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal App

I definitely like it better than the one I was in previously (Memorial Weight Loss and Wellness Center in Springfield, IL), which wouldn't even consider doing surgery unless I was under a BMI of 60/65/70 (it varied depending on who was talking to me that day), so even at my current post-surgery weight, I probably wouldn't be eligible! That program also made me see the physical therapist, dietitian, and nurse practitioner or bariatrician EVERY MONTH. (I think they were after my money more than anything, and my PCP is no longer referring patients to them for that and other reasons.)

On 3/24/2018 at 1:05 PM, istytehcrawk said:

I went through the Washington University program in St. Louis, with Dr. Arghavan Salles as my surgeon. I couldn't be happier with that program. It's worth noting that the WashU program is different than most others I've heard of - no pre-op liquid diet, and the post-op food stages progress more quickly than most other programs. I'm only 5 weeks out and already past the liquid/puree/soft stages and onto regular food. In addition, you only have to see the psych/nutritionist/nurse practitioner/physical therapist once each to get cleared, then meet the surgeon, (and have various tests done, of course) before surgery; after surgery. After surgery, follow-up visits are only required for the surgeon, not the rest of the providers (though you can schedule them if you choose).

Thank you so much for the information. I will be looking into that soon.

I was scheduled with another doctor and I decided to dump him because he wanted me to do a colonoscopy with him even though he was out of my network and I would have to pay for it. The heck with that. I have no problem getting a colonoscopy...but I'll do it with a doctor of my choice within my network that actually does colonoscopy for a living and does not try and pad their bill with procedures I didn't request from them.

Anyway, I appreciate the positive referral. I've used Wash U doctors in the past and have been very happy with them. Thank you again.!

5 minutes ago, Snapple said:

Thank you so much for the information. I will be looking into that soon.

I was scheduled with another doctor and I decided to dump him because he wanted me to do a colonoscopy with him even though he was out of my network and I would have to pay for it. The heck with that. I have no problem getting a colonoscopy...but I'll do it with a doctor of my choice within my network that actually does colonoscopy for a living and does not try and pad their bill with procedures I didn't request from them.

Anyway, I appreciate the positive referral. I've used Wash U doctors in the past and have been very happy with them. Thank you again.!

I forgot to ask...do you have any idea of the cost there? I am a self pay as my insurance will not cover this. Thank you!

10 hours ago, Snapple said:

I forgot to ask...do you have any idea of the cost there? I am a self pay as my insurance will not cover this. Thank you!

I know what *my* cost was -- I posted about it here:

but I'm pretty sure prices are different for those who self-pay.

15 hours ago, Snapple said:

I forgot to ask...do you have any idea of the cost there? I am a self pay as my insurance will not cover this. Thank you!

Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, I seem to remember getting a sheet of paper that had the self-pay vs. insurance costs on it. I'll check my surgery info binder when I get home.

18 hours ago, Snapple said:

I forgot to ask...do you have any idea of the cost there? I am a self pay as my insurance will not cover this. Thank you!

I was right, I have a sheet that details costs with and without insurance. This is from last summer/fall, though, so I don't know if it's still perfectly accurate.

I started with the Barnes program. Dr. Eaton. I had completed all requirements and was waiting for a surgery date when I found out they had a problem with my insurance. I am now going thru Memorial Hospital weightloss and wellness program in Springfield, IL. I think the Springfield program is much more thorough and personal. There is a genuine effort to know you personally. At Barnes it always felt like I was being herded like cattle. Also, the information I receive from Springfield has been more detailed and the program itself is more organized. The staff is much more knowledgeable, helpful, and professional. I’m not sure of the cost difference. For me, with co-pays & uncovered costs, it comes out about the same.

On 3/28/2018 at 6:07 PM, istytehcrawk said:

I was right, I have a sheet that details costs with and without insurance. This is from last summer/fall, though, so I don't know if it's still perfectly accurate.

I'm wanted to thank you and apologize for not thanking you before.

23 hours ago, MaryPoppins said:

I started with the Barnes program. Dr. Eaton. I had completed all requirements and was waiting for a surgery date when I found out they had a problem with my insurance. I am now going thru Memorial Hospital weightloss and wellness program in Springfield, IL. I think the Springfield program is much more thorough and personal. There is a genuine effort to know you personally. At Barnes it always felt like I was being herded like cattle. Also, the information I receive from Springfield has been more detailed and the program itself is more organized. The staff is much more knowledgeable, helpful, and professional. I’m not sure of the cost difference. For me, with co-pays & uncovered costs, it comes out about the same.

I find it rather amusing that we had exactly opposite experiences with the two programs, since I switched from Memorial to Barnes.

I'm scheduled for surgery on Feb 8 with Doctor Eckhouse. My insurance changed January 8 and they no longer take my insurance they were able to get my insurance to approve my surgery anyways .

Sent from my LM-Q710(FGN) using BariatricPal App

This may be too far out for you, but people come to this facility from all over for surgery so I'll throw it out there. I went through The Bariatric Center of Kansas City and had amazing success and I was also self-pay and it was easy breezy. Started the orientation process in mid September '17 and my surgery was November '17