Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Anyone from Alabama?



Recommended Posts

I have decided to have VSG. I have got the funds and have attended seminar, where I talked with the doctor. I have scheduled my initial appointment with him next Tuesday, 6/7/11. I know that I will have to attend a nutrition class and support group and will have to probably have a psychological evaluation. He might send me for a sleep study since I, more than likely, have Sleep Apnea. According to what I took from the seminar, these are the criteria I have to meet before I can have the surgery. So I'm really just beginning my journey. Anyone from the South who has had this or is willing to "buddy up" will be greatly appreciated!

Meg

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hey! I am from Alabama!! I am still pre-op. I have been planing on having surgery with Dr. Schmitt but now I am thinking of changin surgeons.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am in NW AL. Near Hamilton/Guin/Winfield area. Where are y'all?

I am in Locust Fork above Bham in Blount County

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Bama sleever here! I live in the Birmingham-Clay area. Dr. Touliatos at Trinity was great, if anyone is still on the fence about doctors I would definately check him out.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ashley, why did you change your mind about Dr. Schmitt? We exchanged a couple of emails and we had both chosen Dr Schmitt. . .are you going with same dr's office? Please share your experience so far. I'm in Shelby County by the way. Had lapband at Shelby Baptist in 2008 and had it removed due to slipage in before the year ended. Obviously regained all the 50 lbs I had lost.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am from Alabama! Shelby County, to be exact. I am being sleeved on Sept. 14th by Dr. Pennington up at Trinity, who is also a partner with Dr. Touliatos. I am nervous, scared, excited, happy, freaking out, lol. I am married with 3 kids and I know its for the better.

~*~*~Jenni~*~*~

Finished 3 month dr/nutritionist/fitness instructor/psychologist required appts(July 15)

Paperwork sent in to Aetna (July 25)

Approved for surgery (August 5)

Bloodowork, pre-op class and 2 week liquid diet (starts August 31)

Being sleeved on September 14!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I started this forum and never replied back to it! SO SORRY! I wish I'd have kept checking it, but got busy with everything and forgot I posted this. BTW, I'm in Selma, Alabama.

Ashley, I would like to know why you were thinking of changing surgeons and what you finally decided. I'm having surgery on Friday, the 2nd of September. I have faith in him as a surgeon and think he knows what he's doing with regards to this surgery, but I've picked up on a couple of things that have bothered me and would like to know what made you want to find someone else.

Meg

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I live in Calera, AL (just south of Birmigham)...I had my surgery with Dr Schmitt in Trussville December 1st. I had a wonderful experience with him, his office and the hospital.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

hey klus263 or should i say neighbor... I am over here in Columbiana!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yeah, I know where Calera is. I come through there sometimes on my way to Birmingham. If you don't mind my asking, how much have you lost, how did you feel immediately after surgery, how long did it take you to feel "normal" again, what is your diet like now? I know this is alot of questions, but with my surgery in less than a week, these are the things I'm wanting to know now. Oh, and how often do you see him for post-op?

Thanks,

Meg

I live in Calera, AL (just south of Birmigham)...I had my surgery with Dr Schmitt in Trussville December 1st. I had a wonderful experience with him, his office and the hospital.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

LOL!!! Ladies I had comented on this post before but never came back to see who posted. I too live in Calera, very close to I-65 and Walmart exit. So how are all you doing? I'm approved but still need sleep eval before I get a surgery date. I have my sleep eval today, hope the dont want to do a study, dont think I need it. Im having surgery with Dr Schmitt, do any of you attend his monthly group meetings? Maybe we can get together sometime. . .

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

How did your appt go with Kim Schmitt today? She probably recommended a sleep study right?? That's why I switched to Dr Touliatos at Trinity. I loved Dr Schmitt but I was not waiting a month for that sleep study!! I had my surgery with Dr Touliatos before my sleep study would have been!! I have lost 35 pounds in 9 weeks since surgery. I never get hungry and I feel full after about a 1/4 to 1/2 a cup of food.< /p>

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

How did your appt go with Kim Schmitt today? She probably recommended a sleep study right?? That's why I switched to Dr Touliatos at Trinity. I loved Dr Schmitt but I was not waiting a month for that sleep study!! I had my surgery with Dr Touliatos before my sleep study would have been!! I have lost 35 pounds in 9 weeks since surgery. I never get hungry and I feel full after about a 1/4 to 1/2 a cup of food.

I am being sleeved tomorrow by Dr. Pennington, Dr. Touliatos partner! I am ready but so very, very scared.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×