Hi all!

I have been to 2 seminars in the past week; One for Dr. Miles and Dr. Schmitt and one for Dr. Touliatos group. I am leaning towards Dr. Touliatos even though he doesn't have as much as experience with the band as Dr. Miles. He seemed more laid back and he said he prefers to do fills every week, if that's what it takes, in order to help get to your "sweet spot". Anyone have any opinions on either of these groups/docs?

Thanks!

Missy

I go to Schmitt. He's nice but not super warm. He does fills every 4-6 weeks, and sometimes I feel that's not enough but it's protocol. I'm sure he has his reasons. I am not a pro, but a week doesn't seem long enough to adjust to your fill, I would probably prefer 2-3 weeks but I have to do what he says Best of luck

Dr. Clement is my doctor he is in the Kirkland Clinic. He is awsome and has an awsome team and he establishes positve/good/appropriate rapport with his patients, I would not trade him for the world.

If you should go to him, please let me know how you like him

Scorpio,

Thanks for your information. How long ago were you banded? Where did he do your surgery? Did you stay overnight?

I am going to a seminar for Dr. Dewitt this weekend if anyone has any information on him.

Also, has anyone heard of Dr. Cottingham?

Thanks!

hello i used Dr. Ronald clements at Kirklan Clinic UAB he is a great dr and reportedly one of th ebest i would recomend him to anyone He is nice curtious and listens good luck with you rsurgery

Thanks for the info. Tabby,

I have used doctors at Kirklin Clinic before and have always been impressed with the level of care. I would assume since Dr. C. is with the Kirklin Clinic that it was an outpatient procedure? I am really leaning towards at least a 23-hour stay, if possible.

Thanks again!

yes i was outpatient went in at 6 am and was home by 7 that night i think he only does in patient if you have a sleep aptnima.

Tabby,

Does Dr. C do any kind of informational seminar?

I first started with Dr. Cottingham but then found out that he was not a Center Of Excellence that United Healthcare required the surgeon to be. Now I am having it done by Dr. Touliatos at Trinity Medical Center which is a center of excellence. But Dr. Cottingham does have a seminar that you can attend...Good Luck!

souther missy,

yes he does he requires you to go to them they are on the last monday of every month at 6:30 in the spain wallace building of uab in the conferance room e he also requires you to attend meetings after your surgery 2 for support they last about 1-2 hours and acctually i forgot to say that he does not do the surgery in the klinic anymore but always in the hospital but as for me i was an out patient and everything went great they even calles the next day to see how i was feelin hope this helps you in your decision

I had mine done with Dr Cottingham from birmingham surgical at brookwood medical . He is amazing. Super nice, great bedside manner, great surgeon as far as i'm concerned. I was banded on Feb 6th and I've lost 35lbs so far. I would definitely recommend him.

YEA!!!.... I HAVE FOUND PEOPLE FROM ALABAMA!! I went to a seminar with Dr. Schmitt in January and I liked what he said; decided he was the doctor for me. I have BC/BS and the requirements are tough for surgery. I went to my GP to begin my 6 month "supervised diet" as required and missed the second appointment due to the horrible flu that everyone I know has seemed to caught this season. My dietician meeting was cancelled because the clinic decided to only meet with diabetics. My first appointment with Dr. Schmitt is tomorrow and I have to cancel because of a funeral. Sooo, with all of that I am getting a little down BUT... I will just put things back in order and start all over again. I have been fat my whole life I tried everything and I feel like this is the only way to help myself. I suspose I don't have much point to this post except to express my delight in locating you people. I plan on attending a support group for banders with the group associated with Dr. Schmitt to get a feel for life with the lapband. Any thoughts?

I had mine done with Dr Cottingham from birmingham surgical at brookwood medical . He is amazing. Super nice, great bedside manner, great surgeon as far as i'm concerned. I was banded on Feb 6th and I've lost 35lbs so far. I would definitely recommend him.

hello jgunter83 i to was banded on feb 6 i have only lost 20lbs laybe soon i will get on up there your doin great do you have you rbamd filled yet i do not have anything in mine i go march 28 fo my first fill

hello jgunter83 i to was banded on feb 6 i have only lost 20lbs laybe soon i will get on up there your doin great do you have you rbamd filled yet i do not have anything in mine i go march 28 fo my first fill

Tabby29- were you banded by dr cottingham? It sounds like you're doing great as well- I lost most of mine the first 2 weeks(23lbs) and the other 12 since then. I had a fill of 1cc on march 10th, and I go back April 8th and should get another 1cc fill. Have you had any problems eating or found anything you can't eat? So far I haven't, but i also get hungry after about 3 hours. Good luck with yours!

YEA!!!.... I HAVE FOUND PEOPLE FROM ALABAMA!! I went to a seminar with Dr. Schmitt in January and I liked what he said; decided he was the doctor for me. I have BC/BS and the requirements are tough for surgery. I went to my GP to begin my 6 month "

Welcome! I just finished my six month requirement. You will be surprised how fast it flies by!! I just need the record for my visit last week and everything will be done. I cannot wait to find out my surgery date. I went to my first support group meeting this week and left feeling really good about my decision. I think you'll be very happy with Dr. Schmitt and his staff.

I am having my first consult with Dr. Stahl in Alabaster on Monday. I have no idea what to expect. I've jumped through all of the hoops so far with the insurance (Tricare Prime) and got the approval to go see him. I've been on a supervised diet for a year with my endocrinologist, and I've filled out all of their required paperwork. I'm a basket case, waiting until Monday gets here!