Help!! Doctor Dilema!!

Hi everyone, I am in desperate need of help!!! My doctor (Hornbostel) in Sedalia will no longer do Lapband because of its "poor success rate and weight regain"...I really really want the band done! I need a center of excellence because I am on Medicare! Is there anyone out there that knows of a Lapband doctor in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma....Anywhere in driving distance (or flying for that matter!) that I can go to??? Thanks in advance for your help!! ~Patti

Dr. Edwards in Springfield, MO did my band and it's my understanding he's doing a lot of them these days.  I'm not sure if St. John's is a Center of Excellence though.  You could call and talk to Mary Trampler - the bariatric coordinator.  Good luck in finding someone.  I love my band!

No hospital in Springfield is yet a "Center of Excellence". You might wanna look into Kansas City or St. Louis. Curious --- are you even a least bit hesitant about getting the lap band? I was at Dr. Hornbostels seminar a month after he stopped doing the bands. He said a lot of his patients lost less than 30 lbs!!

Hi PLemen, I'd check out Missouri Bariatrics in Columbia, Missouri.  I'm having Lap RNY done in a couple of weeks and as far as I know, they do the band and hold many patents in this field. My doctor is Stephen Scott. Here's their webpage:  http://www.muhealth.org/weightlosssurgery/team.shtml Good Luck, BobM.

Hi! I had my surgery done in Columbia, and I had the choice of RNY or lap band. I chose to go with the RNY. I do know they are a center of Excellence. My doctor is Dr. Fearing and she is the best! Elisa

Hi, Have you checked with Shawnee Mission Med Ctr. It would be closer for you. I know they do a lot of bariatrics now and I think they may be an approved ctr. I have had the lap RNY by Dr. H. and even though I had originally wanted the band I am glad I went this way. Best of luck.  Julia

Dr. del la Torre who does surgery in Columbia and St. Louis is a Center of Excellence.  You can search for him on this website under "find a surgeon" and see his info.  He's got a great track record.

Shawnee Mission Medical Center is a Center of Excellence and does accept medicare however you have to pay what medicare doesn't cover up front before your surgery.  I wanted to have my surgery done there however I have a medicare replacement policy that they do not accept the hospital does but not the surgeons!  (go figure).... That's why I am going to Dr. Hornbostel.  I went to the seminar at Shawnee Mission and compared to what I learned at the seminar that I went to in Sedalia I feel more comfortable and more confident in Dr. H then I did with the surgeons at Shawnee Mission.....Are you sure you want the lap band and not the RNY?  Have you done your research on the two?  Good luck on your journey and I hope you find what you are looking for. 

Dear Patti, I, like Elisa, had Dr. Fearing in Columbia, MO with the MO Bariatrics group. I know that they do the lap band and I cannot say enough about Dr. Fearing-I have NEVER met a better doctor/surgeon in my life!!! I recommend her very highly. The # to MO Bariatrics is 573-882-5673. Good luck to you and please keep us posted, ok?  Love, Janet

The New Start Program is a Center of Excellence, it's in STL MO. Dr Norbert Richardson has gotten rave reviews by 8 of my co-workers/friends.  They offer seminars all over the state of MO and IL. They are affilliated with St Alexis hospital.  Best wishes !