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!!

Amanda, Amy, & Jason - It was great seeing you at support group today! This is the first meeting I've been to after getting insurance approval and my surgery date. It made it feel different....like it's really going to happen.

I am getting more and more excited! Hopefully these next few weeks will fly by.

It was nice meeting all of you as well! I am so jealous that you already have your date, but hopefully mine won't be too far behind.

Hearing all the testimonials today was really encouraging. Could've gone without seeing the sagging skin pics though! LOL!:scared2:

I hope everything goes well with your surgery. Please let us know how the presurgery protein goes, and any helpful hints you come up with along the way!

yes it was nice talking to everyone again.

and the pic's of the skin well get ready for it, because we all get it. lol

and ladies and gents please if i dont see you please come up and say hi. i know i didnt get to talk to everyone. and trust me im not trying not to. i love talking to everyone, i love talking about the surgery and live afterwards, i love trying to help everyone in anyway i can.

and by the way if you havent got to do your excersie today yet get up and go do them. im going to the gym in a few myself.

I would much rather have the skin than the fat! I am totally ready for the surgery, so hopefully all will go smoothly with my approval!

Evening all! I was so excited to see everyone today; I really needed the support and encouragement. You all are wonderful. Venzwife, we won't see you again before surgery, so good luck i am so happy for you, and hopefully mine will be approved soon. Jason i did not get to meet you today, but i asked about the scar healing to the p. surgeon. Again, i hope everyone has a wonderful day tomorrow, and God Bless. Amanda

amanda, next time come up and say hi.

Hey guys...under the alabama area here there is another thread about alabama bandster meet...if anyone is interested post up Jason is trying to get a head count..if not enough ppl want to do it we just wont have it. But I wanted to make sure everyone knew just in case!!!!

just got back from the gym. had a great work out tonight. i hope EVERYONE else is doing the same!

and kaninag, im sorry i didnt get to call you back got real busy. but it dosent look good this coming weekend. im going to take an extra call - trying to save up money for the trip in july. and kim has to work all weekend.

what time are ya'll going to cookout and eerything?

ok everyone i want to see you lose at least 3 pounds for the rest of the month. i know you can do it and you know too. so get up and shake your rump and work out some.

have a good night!

Hey guys,

I was interested in finding out who the plastics guy was at your meeting? Did you like him? I've gone to see a few in Bham recently and I would love to get some feedback on what you thought about the one who came to talk to you.

THANKS!

just got back from the gym. had a great work out tonight. i hope EVERYONE else is doing the same!

and kaninag, im sorry i didnt get to call you back got real busy. but it dosent look good this coming weekend. im going to take an extra call - trying to save up money for the trip in july. and kim has to work all weekend.

what time are ya'll going to cookout and eerything?

ok everyone i want to see you lose at least 3 pounds for the rest of the month. i know you can do it and you know too. so get up and shake your rump and work out some.

have a good night!

We're prob looking at around lunchish on monday...Im hoping the weather is going to be ok...

Hey guys,

I was interested in finding out who the plastics guy was at your meeting? Did you like him? I've gone to see a few in Bham recently and I would love to get some feedback on what you thought about the one who came to talk to you.

THANKS!

he was dr. ike. and i did like him alot. he was a no bullshit kind of guy. and like he said anyone can do plastic surgery, but only a few people does reconstruction surgery. he also was saying no matter who you go to st least fine someone that has done people with weight loss surgery before. he is the one that done veroinca plastic surgery. thats who i will go and see when i get ready for it.

We're prob looking at around lunchish on monday...Im hoping the weather is going to be ok...

alright thanks. i will see about coming. i know kim want get to. but i might.

If you're talking about Dr. Eich, he is one of the guys I went to see. He was very nice and did appear knowledgeable. My only drawback with him was that he doesn't take credit cards and my flex care benefits are with a credit card. I don't have the money to foot it upfront and then be reimbursed, unfortunately! :redface:

Thanks for letting me know!

this guy is at st.vincent east. been work out of there for about 10 years he said. can yopu use your card to get a cashier check our money order.

Geez, what about payment plans didnt you see that he did that?

I cannot wait to get serious about reconstructive surgery. I will probably be ready next summer. I know I have so much skin on my abdomen that I have a horrible time with my pants fitting right. I will probably use Dr. Beckenstein at St. Vincent's Birmingham. Since I worked in surgery for the last 6 years, I got to know a lot of the surgeons there, and he is by far my favorite. He has done several of my friend's adminoplasty's and they look great.

Well I went in for my 1 year check-up yesterday and let me tell you - don't waste your time! It is completely unnecessary. First I got there and didn't have me on the schedule (where they had rescheduled it) and then Dr. Miles came in and asked why I was there and I had explained to him that the girl on the phone told me that I needed to come in at one year. I had told her that I was a lap band pt and she said that it was still necessary and they would do some bloodwork. Well the girl was obviously wrong. He told me that they do that for bypass patients, but it is not necessary for band patients since they are in so much more often. Oh well. C'est La Vie!

Hope everyone is well!