We will be your advocate, your guide, and your support - throughout a journey that will last the rest of your life. This is your 1st step to a whole new life. The NewStart Dietitians are working on a new fall recipe book. We will feature easy to prepare, healthy recipes with a nutrition analysis. All recipes are due by October first to be included in the recipe book.
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According to the National Health Institute, 93 million Americans are considered obese, and obesity is considered a rising epidemic in the United States. Obesity is a serious medical condition associated with a buildup of excess body fat that, left untreated, can negatively impact the health and wellness of an individual.
St. Alexius NewStart is a weight-management program for those coping with obesity who have been unable to achieve their weight loss goals through diet or behavioral modification. This program is for people who want their life back, those who want to change and are dedicated to their personal success.
The Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band surgery is a restrictive weight-loss procedure in which a silicone band is placed around the stomach to create a small upper-stomach pouch. The band acts as a funnel to delay the emptying of food from the upper stomach into the lower stomach, thus restricting the amount of food that can be ingested, and helps the patient to feel full for a longer period of time.
St. Alexius NewStart is proud to be among the first bariatric surgery centers in the St. Louis area to offer the ORBERA Intragastric Balloon. Our bariatric surgeons are trained experts in the placement and management of ORBERA, and are excited to offer yet another option to help you achieve your long-term weight-loss goals.
BMI or Body Mass Index is an important part of determining your eligibility for surgery with our program. The National Institutes of Health developed a measure called the Body Mass Index, which divides body weight in kilograms by the square of an individual's height in inches. This measurement is used to determine your body fat.
Reviews (10)
Melissa Manning
Mar 21, 2022
Donnie Finley
Feb 18, 2020
My wife had a wonderful experience with Saint Alexius New Start and the staff there. The staff were very helpful with videos on type of procedure my wife was to have. Dr. Richardson was her doctor and he did a tremendous job with her gastric bypass procedure. My wife is doing great down to her ideal weight of 144lbs and she really feels good about herself.
She is off her diabetic medicine and is slowly coming off some of her other meds as well due to her weight loss. We have already recommended Alexis New Start to other folks that are having problems with weight loss. We are very happy that Dr. Magby Gergius of OMC WestPlains suggested sending my wife to Alexius New Start.
She is off her diabetic medicine and is slowly coming off some of her other meds as well due to her weight loss. We have already recommended Alexis New Start to other folks that are having problems with weight loss. We are very happy that Dr. Magby Gergius of OMC WestPlains suggested sending my wife to Alexius New Start.
Kara Rogers
Dec 31, 2019
This place is a joke. Got all my pre-reqs done and then Dr Richardson bailed on his patients and left us high and dry. We all had to find new doctors and start the process over again. What a waste of money and time! The nutritionists barely gave me any new information about diet and I only saw Dr Richardson for 5 min max each time I saw him (2 visits).
He lacked any form of bedside manner and could care less about his patients. The receptionist forgot about me on my first visit and I waited 2 hours before they got me in! Now I'm going through bills and their antiquated billing system charged me double for several visits and no one will return my call so I can get my money back from this unethical, unprofessional company. One star is being VERY generous! Thank God I didn't have my surgery done here or I might have died from their incompetence.
He lacked any form of bedside manner and could care less about his patients. The receptionist forgot about me on my first visit and I waited 2 hours before they got me in! Now I'm going through bills and their antiquated billing system charged me double for several visits and no one will return my call so I can get my money back from this unethical, unprofessional company. One star is being VERY generous! Thank God I didn't have my surgery done here or I might have died from their incompetence.
Nikki Green
Dec 20, 2019
I had my first appointment with the New Start clinic at the end of September. I completed all the necessary steps and appointments (appointment with my GP, appointment with a psychiatrist, appointment with a dietician, bloodwork, EKG, chest X-Rays, pulmonary testing done at the clinic) and my surgery was scheduled for December 16. On December 12, I was contacted and told that my surgery would have to be rescheduled for December 19 due to issues with staffing (I believe she briefly stated that someone was sick but she did not go into detail).
On December 18, I was contacted and told that my surgery had to be postponed again because the supply truck that brings the materials needed to complete my surgery never arrived. She could not give me another date and said that they would contact me to schedule. I expressed concerns because I had already met my deductible and was approaching my out of pocket maximum and I did not want to have to go into the new year.
I was given some less-than-convincing assurance that I would be able to be scheduled prior to December 31 and the doctor was willing to come in over his vacation so that I could get my surgery prior to the 31. On December 19, I was told that there was still no news regarding rescheduling. On December 20, I was told that there were no bariatric surgeries being scheduled the following week and it would most likely happen after December 31.
I initially told them that I was no longer interested, but I emailed and called back on December 23 to say that I still wanted them to do my surgery. I was told I would be contacted after the 1st. I waited until January 2, and then emailed the program director. Didn't hear back. On January 3, I emailed my patient advocate and the program director again and got no response.
I called multiple different phone numbers to try and get ahold of somebody and none of the phones seemed to be working. I finally got an email back this morning (January 6) stating that no surgeries were being scheduled. I asked for an approximate timeline and was told that they had no idea and that they were waiting on word from hospital administration.
So I googled the hospital to see if I could contact any administration, because the lack of transparency was REALLY starting to bug me (at this point I had only been told that supplies were the reason that my surgery had been cancelled). As it turns out, the hospital is filing for bankruptcy right now, and I'm assuming that is the real reason for the indefinite delay in services.
I'm very frustrated with the overall attitude I've received from the staff at the clinic and with the overall lack of transparency. I am left with choosing between waiting an indefinite amount of time prior to having my surgery scheduled or choosing a new doctor and starting the process all over again. I'm not sure if they are accepting new patients at the moment, but PLEASE take this information into consideration prior to beginning the process with this particular clinic. TL;DR: Hospital had to cancel my surgery likely due to bankruptcy; gave me the run around for upwards of three weeks.
On December 18, I was contacted and told that my surgery had to be postponed again because the supply truck that brings the materials needed to complete my surgery never arrived. She could not give me another date and said that they would contact me to schedule. I expressed concerns because I had already met my deductible and was approaching my out of pocket maximum and I did not want to have to go into the new year.
I was given some less-than-convincing assurance that I would be able to be scheduled prior to December 31 and the doctor was willing to come in over his vacation so that I could get my surgery prior to the 31. On December 19, I was told that there was still no news regarding rescheduling. On December 20, I was told that there were no bariatric surgeries being scheduled the following week and it would most likely happen after December 31.
I initially told them that I was no longer interested, but I emailed and called back on December 23 to say that I still wanted them to do my surgery. I was told I would be contacted after the 1st. I waited until January 2, and then emailed the program director. Didn't hear back. On January 3, I emailed my patient advocate and the program director again and got no response.
I called multiple different phone numbers to try and get ahold of somebody and none of the phones seemed to be working. I finally got an email back this morning (January 6) stating that no surgeries were being scheduled. I asked for an approximate timeline and was told that they had no idea and that they were waiting on word from hospital administration.
So I googled the hospital to see if I could contact any administration, because the lack of transparency was REALLY starting to bug me (at this point I had only been told that supplies were the reason that my surgery had been cancelled). As it turns out, the hospital is filing for bankruptcy right now, and I'm assuming that is the real reason for the indefinite delay in services.
I'm very frustrated with the overall attitude I've received from the staff at the clinic and with the overall lack of transparency. I am left with choosing between waiting an indefinite amount of time prior to having my surgery scheduled or choosing a new doctor and starting the process all over again. I'm not sure if they are accepting new patients at the moment, but PLEASE take this information into consideration prior to beginning the process with this particular clinic. TL;DR: Hospital had to cancel my surgery likely due to bankruptcy; gave me the run around for upwards of three weeks.
Cherie Bauman
Mar 21, 2019
Great place to go to get help to lose weight. I have been very happy with the success I have had and the help I have gotten from St Alexis! I have gotten an education about weight management too. I have never had that before at any weight loss facility. Most places want your money and don't offer much more except their food. Dr Richarson is very nice and I got the meds I needed to help me too.
Can't say enough about everyone at this office. I have lost 25 lbs so far. Julia the dietitian is very knowledgeable and helpful! Couldn't be happier! Thank you! I highly recommend this place. Go if you are having weight issues! Its not that expensive and they really do care!
Can't say enough about everyone at this office. I have lost 25 lbs so far. Julia the dietitian is very knowledgeable and helpful! Couldn't be happier! Thank you! I highly recommend this place. Go if you are having weight issues! Its not that expensive and they really do care!
Evelyn Hemphill
Jan 03, 2019
I started the weight loss program November of 2018. I have really enjoyed my experience. Not only have I loss a noticeable amount of weight, I was given the tools an resources to be able to continue to lose and also maintain on my own. I was skeptical initially because I've tried so many diets in the past, but this really is a lifestyle change that is realistic and can be implemented all the time. Also, the counselors are very knowledge and provide a lot of good tips and recommendations.
Agnes Hamilton
Feb 03, 2018
I have had several surgeries with New start, The Dr's and staff are knowledgeable to help us stay focused on our journey with helpful tips support meetings at the office they have a counselor for therapy that also holds meetings. I don't regret having my surgeries even though I had issues when I had my lap band. I would recommend this office to anyone
Nurse
May 26, 2017
I feel like I should preface this by saying I work in healthcare and therefore can be somewhat skeptical when it comes to medical providers. That being said, I have nothing but GREAT things to say about this program. Everyone there from the receptionist to my surgeon (and everyone in between!) has been very outgoing, helpful, and just overall very nice!
Everyone always makes a point to speak to me and seem to really remember the specifics of my case. I drive over 2 hours to get there and feel like it is worth every single second!
Everyone always makes a point to speak to me and seem to really remember the specifics of my case. I drive over 2 hours to get there and feel like it is worth every single second!
Shirley Yaeger
Apr 02, 2017
I cannot say enough nice things about New Start. I had my Gastric Bypass Surgery 3 yrs ago (August 13, 2013) and couldn't be happier. Dr. Richardson performed my surgery and he was awesome. His whole staff was great. Everyone one was so kind and extremely helpful. I continue to see them now once a year and still holding my own. I have no regrets. If you are considering Bariatric surgery this is the place to come to.
Caron Barnhart
Mar 24, 2017
I have nothing but great things to say about St Alexius NewStart! Dr Richardson as well as every support staff I have worked with have been nothing less than wonderful. I had my surgery in March 2015, hit my target weight and have been able to maintain the loss mostly due to the positive attitude of everyone there. Of course, I have also had to change my eating habits, but they always great you with a smile and give you lots of aid in reaching your goals.
