I have been working through her and my paperwork was just submitted to insurance yesterday. r they good about working with insurance and being thorough? TIA

Hi Jacole,

I have seen you on the SBC message boards (where nobody ever posts anything...)

I was a self pay patient of Dr. Blackstone, (banded Oct.26,2007) but everything I have heard has been positive and people I have talked to who went through insurance had things move quickly.

As far as SBC, I have been very pleased with everything. The employees are all very nice and helpful. My phone calls and emails are always answered promptly and that makes me feel good.

The best thing I can say about SBC is that you will be VERY WELL EDUCATED by the time you have your surgery! From reading on this message board, it is clear not everyone has the same level of education and I think that is really important. They were very throrough!!!

I'm sure we will chat again...Kathy

HI Jacole1820, No worries they are very good about submitting the paperwork for insurance. They had my approval in a day

Please see my post on Dr. Simpson. Simpson's staff did not care to get be approved, but Blackstone's did. I had Blackstone's partner Dr Sprunger for my surgery. He has not been very nice to me, but got the job done. One fill appointment I went to when I had not lost enough weight, where we thought I had almost all my fills, he was being very mean, rude, condescending, etc. Then he pulled all the fluid out and found out I only had half of what we thought was in there. Then his tune changed and he was a little nicer. I don't know where that other fill fluid went and feel like I should get my next few appointments with no copay since they charged me for fills that did not go in (or I fear to think if it has a leak) but I have not been doing well and have been afraid to go back because he was so mean to me before and I have gained weight not lost it. I'm having issues and do not have anyone to talk to because he was so rude to me, I don't want to see him.

Gwsoccermom, you don't have to see Dr. Sprunger for fills. Melissa can help. She has had my co-pays refunded when I wasn't being filled. By no means let anything stand in your way for better health. I myself like Dr. Sprunger. Maybe he was just having a bad day?

Betrthnever, Thanks for your encouragement. Have you had "non-fills" as well? I am thinking that I must have had about 4 fills that did not make it to the band if I was so low on fluid when he checked it. Is this common?

I am having problems figuring what to eat for day to day menus. If you have any ideas, I would love your input.