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

Dr. Smith, Berbel, Ziegler? in Ft. Worth



Recommended Posts

To anyone who has used these doctors-----any info, advice, suggestions, tidbits...anything would be greatly appreciated! I know that you have to pay upfront at the OMC. I have requested info. Just looking for experienced info =)! Thanks

~Dawn

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my surgery done by Dr. Smith. You might check to see where else he does the surgery besides OMC. I had mine at Harris Northwest in Azle and haven't paid them a dime. I had to pay for the psych exam and dietician fees at his office, but nothing else. (I have United Healthcare) He is a great guy and has lost about 100 pounds himself with the band. Only negative I can say is that his office staff is over-busy and isn't always the best at returning phone calls. Just stay on them and all will go well. I had a great experience with the staff at Azle. It is a SMALL hospital and gives you that "small town" feeling which some of the bigger hospitals do not. So if you don't mind driving a bit farther (it's about 15 minutes West of Ft. Worth), it's worth the trip.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Did your insurance not cover those expenses? I was hoping that they have a psych doc on my plan so that it woudl be covered also. Did you have to use someone that they choose for both things? Thanks!

~Dawn:D

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Dawn,

My insurance did NOT cover the psych or dietician. I was told sometimes insurance will cover the psych, but mine was denied. I pretty much was told by the staff at Dr. Smith's office who to use, but never really questioned it. Guess I should have! I just did it all through them. You might ask them if you have a choice of those so maybe your insurance will at least partially cover it. I'm just glad the surgery itself (and fills later) was covered! Dr. Smith does give information seminars every few weeks which might answer a lot of your questions as well. Might check with his office as to when the next one is scheduled. I learned quite a bit from it myself. Good luck!! Let me know if I can answer any more questions for you. I get my first fill next Friday!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks! I will probably go to one of the next seminars since he is on my insurance. Congrats on your first fill! That sounds so exciting (I am easy amused)! I cant hope that I will be in that position soon. Thanks again!

~Dawn

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

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
      · 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

    ×