Can any of Dr. Miles or Schmitt's patients help me with a few questions I have? I have BCBS of AL PPO.

How much where you required to pay upfront? (with insurance)

What was the PREop requirement? (liquids for so many days etc?

What is the POSTop requirement? (liquids so many days, mushies.. etc)

I think that's all for now. We have a couple of vacations coming up and I would like to have a heads up on the money so I don't spend it on vacation lol and food requirements..... same.. need to be sure vacation goes along with them.

Thanks!!

Thank you guys for the encouragement! I just got back around 10:15 from Dr. Miles' office. I have to tell you, I FREAKED OUT when I saw the needle. I also asked for the numbing medicine too. It didn't hurt, it was just really uncomfortable. He was tapping on the port trying to find the diaphragm (?) - Once he did find it - it was all over! I have to honestly say that I don't feel any difference right now ~ I came back to work and started drinking thinking I would feel something. Nope! Nothing yet....

glad to see it went good for you. my first fill didnt kick in until about 5 days later for some reason. but my second was as soon as i got it.

Hi everyone,

I had my appointment with Dr. Schmitt's office last November 11th, and at the end of this month I'll be 1/2 way through the 6 month diet requirement with BCBS. I felt compelled to post, given the subject matter of the last couple pages.

I've gained 7 lbs since starting my diet, and I was really worried about not getting approved. :-( I think some of it was water weight, but I KNOW I will gain this month, given the time of year and all the food that is here around the office. It seems I always gain about 15 lbs between October 31st and January 1st due to "grazing". LOL!!

Anyhoo, a question I had was about your first appointment with Dr. Schmitt's office. Did y'all actually get to see Dr. Schmitt or Miles? I got there, they took my $$, then I sat in the waiting room until the girl called me back & took my weight/height. Then she escorted me to a room where a nurse came and talked to me about the risks & life changes involved with getting the band, and asked if I understood everying & if I had any questions. Afterwards, I was called into the insurance girl's office (not Neomi, but another girl), where she went over my insurance requirements & coverages. After she was done & gave me some paperwork, etc, she said I was free to leave. I asked her if I was supposed to see Dr. Schmitt. She said no, but that I could if I wanted to.

I went ahead and left because I didn't have any questions that they hadn't already answered, or that I didn't get in the seminar/support group/this board. I just thought it was kinda wierd that I didn't get to see him, especially after paying the money for the consult. I guess I won't see him until the pre-op appointment?

Oh...and I forgot to add...turns out I am shorter than I thought I was! I haven't been measured since I was in middle school, or the beginning of high school, and I had always kinda just estimated my height based on what relatives say they are & where I fall against them. I thought I was 5'5", and it turns out I am 5'3.5"!

Edited December 9, 200817 yr by venzwife
Forgot something..

I had the craziest dream last night. I dreamed that I had my surgery but it was different that I had anticipated. Apparently, Dr. Miles had to cut me open from the back of my neck, down my spine to my backside where the incision branched out into an upside down Y. The incisions then went down my legs to my knees and stopped. When I asked him why he did that, he said I had too much fat on the back of my legs and had to cut some of it out. I had thick black stitches that looked like big black x's that went down my back and legs. Very funny looking. Where do these crazy dreams come from? LOL

Deb

I always thought that I was 5'7" but when they measured me for my ht and wt turns out Im only 5'6" wich worked out bc if I was 5'7" my BMI would have been too low for the surgery.

I had the craziest dream last night. I dreamed that I had my surgery but it was different that I had anticipated. Apparently, Dr. Miles had to cut me open from the back of my neck, down my spine to my backside where the incision branched out into an upside down Y. The incisions then went down my legs to my knees and stopped. When I asked him why he did that, he said I had too much fat on the back of my legs and had to cut some of it out. I had thick black stitches that looked like big black x's that went down my back and legs. Very funny looking. Where do these crazy dreams come from? LOL

Deb

WOW Deb! That's wild lol. I do sometimes wonder how our mind comes up with some of the dreams!

Oh...and I forgot to add...turns out I am shorter than I thought I was! I haven't been measured since I was in middle school, or the beginning of high school, and I had always kinda just estimated my height based on what relatives say they are & where I fall against them. I thought I was 5'5", and it turns out I am 5'3.5"!

I did see Dr. Miles on my first visit (Lisa too), but I think they have grown sooo much in the last year because of BC/BS covering the Lap Band that they might have changed their procedures some.

They measured me WAYYY shorter than I actually am. They said that I was 5'6" - I know that I am 5'8", but I didn't fuss, since I on paper I appeared to be even more obese than I already was and that would help.

Glad your fill went well April. Mine didn't kick in for about 2 weeks. Really weird. The 2nd was the same and the 3rd was pretty much noticable in 24 hours.

Hope everyone is well and having a good Holiday Season!

=)

Shawna

hello everyone!

venzwife, i got to see dr.miles my first time.

debbut, you might need to talk to someone.lol j/k

debbut-Im glad to see that I am not the only one that has crazy dreams. I get up all the time and tell my husband about my latest crazy dream and he just looks at me and says have you lost your mind where did you even come up with that....I think sometimes he wonders if I really am crazy LOL.

Everyone got big plans for Christmas?? I cant wait til the next meeting.

hey debbut.. I am laughing my butt off at your surgery dream...that made my day! i am very nervous because I am getting closer to my surgery date.. I have my psyc consult tomorrow and my sleep study Monday night.. then I meet with Dr. Schmitt and then it's surgery time!!!! my 6 month supervised diet info was faxed to the office today and my other preop testing as well... so, it was nice to read your post and laugh a little... i love this bama group!

YAY Bandofhope youre getting closer and closer!!!!!!

Thank you guys for the encouragement! I just got back around 10:15 from Dr. Miles' office. I have to tell you, I FREAKED OUT when I saw the needle. I also asked for the numbing medicine too. It didn't hurt, it was just really uncomfortable. He was tapping on the port trying to find the diaphragm (?) - Once he did find it - it was all over! I have to honestly say that I don't feel any difference right now ~ I came back to work and started drinking thinking I would feel something. Nope! Nothing yet....

I told you not to look at it!!!!!

Hey Yall.,

Just wanted to check in .

Dianne- I saw your ticker--You are doing great

and To all you other folks who have lost over 50lbs, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK:smile2:

I cant wait until I am able to lose 50, I know I will feel so much better physically and mentally.

I am not sure if I will be able to make the Dec 20th meeting, All of our Christmas gatherings start this day and We have obligations everyday after until the 27th. Since I havent had my first fill yet, I am hoping to be able to keep the reins on the appetite. MY first fill is the 5th on Jan.

Any Holiday tips and how to handle the pressure from everyone who expects your plate to be full of food? I havent told many that I have had this done!

I told you not to look at it!!!!!

I know you did! But when she flopped it out there....I couldn't help it! Then Lisa wasn't there...so I got Dr. Miles and the nurse told me "Your gonna need the numbing medicine - he hasn't done many fills". Why would you want to tell a first timer that???? Just to FREAK me out even more! LOL....

I do have a question for you guys...since my fill I have been able to eat like before (solids) but just smaller amounts. Ok that's good...but today I have developed a pain in the middle of my chest, right below where my breast bone ends ~ like the hernia spot. Any clue as to why??? I have been munching on yogurt and it is coming and going....even took Gas X

Does the pain happen after you eat? I have pain right there sometimes in spurts after I eat then I know I didnt chew that bite very well. And it is possible that your stomach is still irritated from the fill. Is it any better?

Hope it goes away!!!