My name Kelley I am form alabama and was banaded 11-2-06 by Dr. Black in Anniston. I Have lost 12 lbs so far. Would like to talk to other people in my area.

Hey Kelly! Welcome! We have a pretty small group of Alabamians on here but we are all willing to chat, I think. Unfortunately, I'm not banded yet, but I'm hoping it will happen very soon and would love to hear all about your experience. I've never heard of Dr. Black. How was your experience with him? Gosh, 12 lbs already! You go girl!

Hope to talk to you soon...

Hope:)

Thank for the reply. My experince with Dr. Black was wonderful. He is fromAnniston Alabama. Are You set up for surgery yet . All of this lap-band stuff is still a little bit confusing to me bu I am learning everyday. I love to chat with people from Alabama. Keep me informed on your surgery.

I am from Bama. Nice to meet yall.

I am from Gadsden Alabama and I will be banded on Dec. 11, in Birmingham Alabama I glad to know I am so close to someone in Anniston that has had the surgery. How long were you i surgery and how do you feel?

i am also looking for someone that could let me know how to change my name on her from my screen name to my real name. I feel that is not why i get a lot of replys

Happy Thanksgiving to all.... Looking to find out any info on Dr. Snow in Mobile... Went to his seminar and just looking for any feedback about him or any Lap Band surgeon in mobile area...

Thanks,

tom

Glad to see all of the people from Alabama. I was the second Lap- Band done by Dr. BLack in Anniston. I was in surgery for about 1Hr and 20 mins. The surgery started around 10:30 and I was home by 4 that afternnon. It was great. I do not know the doctor in mobile that someone was asking about. Keep In touch about your surgery.

Hey, Tom!

I have never seen Dr. Snow, but I do know several people that he performed bypass on. As far as doctors in Mobile and the lap band go... there are a few that are now performing them, but they are relatively new to the procedure. When I say relatively new, I think it is safe to say they have only within the past year started performing the surgery. Dr. Avara at South Mississippi Surgical Weightloss Center has been doing the lap band for a few years and has had great success with it. He does seminars in Mobile, also. I've been to his and have been to his office, which really is just across the state line and it takes no time at all to get there. Also, his prices are somewhat cheaper than the ones in Mobile from the information I've collected. Dr. Caylor in Foley also does the procedure and has for about 3-4 years but charges more than any of the others. I know, personally, that when I have mine done, I want a dr that has done this surgery ALOT!

I'd love to hear what information you've collected on the procedure. Do you have BCBS of AL? I was told recently that they are supposed to start covering this surgery soon... Don't know how accurate that is but we can always hope!

Send me a PM if you want to chat. I don't run across too many Mobilians on here!

Thanks,

Hope

Hello Alabama Bandsters!!! I am from the Birmingham area. Dr. Miles @ Medical Center East did my surgery November 13 and I have lost 19 pounds so far! Starting weight was 227.5. I have not had my first fill as of yet but am scheduled for Jan 2. A little nervouse about it since I do not know what to expect.

I am eating most anything just in smaller portions. I am making sure I chew everything extremely well. I do not want to experience the PBing everyone talks about. I have almost walked on the edge with eating to much. I did not pay attention to what I was eating and let me tell you the band screamed at me that I was full and do not eat anymore!!! There was a slight pain in my back and I knew to stop eating! It was great! I was not misarable from overeating!

So far I have not had any negative results from being banded. Hope it continues that way!

hello bandsters,i have not been banded yet iam in birmingham i would like to know the cost of dr in our city can anyone help?:phanvan

Hey, I live in Baldwin County. I had lapband surgery March 2006 by Dr. Daniel Lane at Mobile Infirmary. I have BCBS AL and they would not cover. I also have Aetna as secondary, but at the time did not cover. So I was self pay. However, Aetna starting paying at the end of March 2006. (About three weeks too late for me). I would recommend Dr. Lane to anyone - he has been a very supportive surgeon. I do not regret spending the $18,000. My surgery lasted 45 minutes and my beginning BMI was 61.

hello bandsters,i have not been banded yet iam in birmingham i would like to know the cost of dr in our city can anyone help?:phanvan

I was self pay and the cost was $13, 900. This was for the doctor and the hospital, Medical Center East. MCE is a wonderful facility with great people. This was my first experience with the hospital and it was great!

Hey i live in Gadsden Al, and was banded on 11-15-06 in Huntsville by Dr. Foremen. I was his first Lap Band patient. and i was in surgery about 1.5 hours. Glad to see some people on here close to me. Things are moving slowly for me I've lost about 18lbs. i will have my first fill on jan. 10th.

hello bandsters,i have not been banded yet iam in birmingham i would like to know the cost of dr in our city can anyone help?:phanvan

Hey Lashanda,

I was banded by Dr. Schmitt at Medical Center East in Birmingham. I paid cash for my band, and the price was $13,900. If you go to the seminar that the doctors provide they will give you a number to call to get the surgery financed. My insurance would not pay. I have blue cross blue shield of ALabama.

Good Luck,

Losinit07

Hey,

I was just wondering if BCBS pays for this surgury? And what all you had to do to get approved? I go to my Dr. thursday to talk to her about getting this surgury I really want it but I am nervous that she will say no (she doesn't like me, dont ever tell your doctor to mind there own business.) So I was wondering if you have any hints to help my get her to my point of view. I want and more importantly need this surgury. I meet all the guide lines for having it. Im 19 with a BMI of 47. So I really hope I am worried for no reason, but please help anyway.

Kmarie101,

BCBS of Alabama does not pay for this surgery as of yet. I believe MCE is working on getting approval from BCBS. They have to be considered a center of excellance and they are in the process of approval. It may soon be covered under BCBS. As for getting approval from you doctor, I did not go through my primary physician. As a matter of fact, he doesn't even know I have had the surgery. I have not seen him since I have had my surgery so I am not sure what his thoughts are on the lapband. I went to a seminar that Dr. Schmitt was doing at MCE and just started the process on my on. Dr. Miles did my surgery November 13, 2006. And if your BMI is 47 I don't know why your doctor would have a problem with you having the surgery. If she doesn't see you side and can't support your decision, which by the way is your decision in the end, then maybe you should look at finding another doctor. Your doctor should be a team member in YOUR health care. Not someone who is going to fight you on ways to make you healthy.