Samuel K. Miller Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

Dr. Miller is very nice. Well educated and willing to answer any questions. The group practice is called Changing Lives through Bariatric Surgery. It appears to be a very well managed program with a heavy emphasis on follow up care. All risks and benefits were discussed very thouroughly. I'm looking forward to working with them to achieve my goals.

I had my 1st appointment with Dr. Smoot and Changing Lives through Bariatric Surgery on Aug. 29 2003. WOW!! What a wonderful difference from the previous 1st consultation I had with a different surgeon!! This staff actually takes the time to tell you everything and anything you need to know.. including risks, expectations, procedures...etc. They are straight and to the point!! I loved it!! Basically, if the expectations of aftercare or the surgery are out of your reach, then you are in the wrong place! Right now I am in the process of getting a sleep study done, lab work, and a Cardiologist visit per Dr. Smoot. I try not to get to excited due to being denied before... but I cant help to think positive, I have a wonderful staff supporting me and a new insurance company!! We shall see!!


I have decided to have Dr. Miller to perform the surgery. Dr. Miller is Dr. Smoots partner. Dr. Smoot is absolutely wonderful!! I definately give him 10+, however, the reason I have decided Dr. Miller is because I have the option of lap surgery rather than open... I have heard so many wonderful comments about both of these surgeons, I feel I am in the best of hands with either doctor. I will be meeting with Dr. Miller on Oct 29, 2003.


Met with Doc Miller 10/29/03!! He was really easy to talk to!! From what Isee, I am in really good hands. He answered all my questions and even laughed with me!! (That is important to me, I love a smile!!)



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PREVIOUS TRIUMPH: DR. ABBOUD (Coventry Insurance)
I met with Dr. ABBOUD on March 18, 2002. He was very nice and seemed to be concerned. His assistant was also very nice. The office staff seems to be a little overwhelmed. He told me I was qualified for the surgery, but requested I visit with a weight management doctor to make sure I am a candidate with no other options. (I guess a non-biased opinion)I went to that Dr. April 17th 2002 who stated I was very high risk and needed the surgery ASAP. She stated she would do what it takes to help... I was advised to contact Dr. Abbouds office in a week to schedule my date. After calling daily for the last month, and given different info relating to scheduling my date each time, I received a call from their office May 13th advising me I was declined surgery on March 19th and was questioned if I had heard from anyone :( I was advised to contact Coventry to discuss. Called them, advised to have Abbouds office submit new info. Received call back from Abbouds office stating ~ no change ~ policy exclusion. I also got the impression an appeal is not going to matter. Spoke with Abbouds office 5/14 requested medical necessity letter for a personal appeal, was advised I should receive a phone call tomorrow.... Things aren't looking real well... :( I will stay positive and file an appeal.. Hopefully the staff at Abbouds office will support me in my struggle.. Needless to say, they did not help at all...I was constantly given contradicting info. from different members of the staff, and when I would call to check the status.... I was treated as if I was bothering them. It became very insulting and discouraging, in fact I was kinda just left hanging..... I wont give up tho :)

Dr. Rodriguez cannot do the surgery due to scheduling conflicts, so one of his partners will be doing it, Dr. Samuel Miller. I have not met Dr. Miller yet, but have heard wonderful things about him. Either way, I need to thank the man, in advance, for saving my life.
***UPDATE**** I met Dr. Miller. I LOVED HIM! He's a really nice guy, pretty laid back, and funny too. He's a grad of Thomas Jefferson Medical College, so he can't be all that bad. My husband works at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and got his master's degree there, so I guess I'm a little partial to Jeff grads...lol.

I have nothing but good to say about Dr. Miller and his staff. They are extremely professional, helpful and take the time to make sure that I continue to do well post-op.

Prior to surgery they really took the time to explain that the surgery was not going to be a "quick fix." Despite having the RNY (which is a tool) Dr. Miller and his staff explained in no uncertain terms that I was going to have to make changes to no only my eating habits but lifestyle as well.

With their help, 8 months, post op, I have gone from a size 56 to 40. My weight the day of surgery was 400 lbs. Today I am 244 lbs. When they say "Changing Lives", they really mean it. :-)

My first impression of Dr. Miller was that he was really young, but at my consultation with him, I was very impressed by his medical knowledge. He explained the procedure including possible complications. He took the time to listen and answer any questions. He made me feel very at ease. I feel he is a wonderful choice for anyone interested in Gastric Bypass.

His office staff is wonderful. They are very caring and understanding. His office is very modern and equiped to meet the needs of the bariatric patient.

After care is a big part of his program. There is a nutritionist, a social worker, and a physical fitness professional to help with any concerns. We have regular follow-ups as well as blood testiing.

I would rate Dr. Miller #1. I am so happy that I had him for my surgeon and would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a Bariatric Surgeon. He is a very competent surgeon and his beside manner is the best!

He is very knowledgable and kind. By first impression he seems very concerned about his patients and that is good.

Dr. Miller and his team at Changing Lives are absolutely wonderful. He took his time in telling us EVERYTHING, good and bad about the surgery. He answered all our questions. He's very, very caring and trully is concerned about the person as a individual. Exercise is real important to him also. He's very positive and you can tell he really wants us to succeed. I had the surgery lap, with NOT ONE stitch. He has a wonderful, kind bedside manner. I would highly recommended Dr. Miller and his team to ANYONE considering this surgery. His disposition as a person is the best.

I was forunate to be my daughters caregiver when she had her surgery 7/8/02. So I met Dr.Miller in the very begining. You know the pain scale being 10 the worst pain posiable? Well... turn the table to 10 being the GREATEST! I give him a 20 ! The office staff great. The future I believe will still carry a 20 !
The post-op care is just as great again he gets a 20. over the explaining of surgery Dr. Miller spent a great deal of time with us all.
I can only tell from a caregiver and now a post-op pateint of only 2 weeks today he is a 20 in all the list of a great person and very professional Dr. Thanks Dr. S.Miller.

*Both my Husband and I were very impressed with Dr. Millers straight forward approach and willingness to answer all questions in an honest and unhurried way. I had researched his credientals and liked the fact that he graduated from Jefferson and was a Trauma Surgeon in the Military. He discussed throughly all aspects of the surgery and aftercare was touched on.What really sealed the deal for me was when I asked him why he had gotten into this field. He answered that at first it was because his partner, Dr Smoot, needed his help. Shortly after he realized what an impact he could have on a persons life, emotionally and physically. As a Surgeon he had never had the ability to connect with his patients as he was able to do in this practice.Then he said he had made so many new "friends" since doing this type of surgery. When was the last time you heard a Physician refer to his patients as friends. I decided then that this was the man I wanted to take this journey with.

Dr. Miller looks so young and very good looking....I told him that the very first time I met him.
I find him very professional and caring....he is to the point and will tell in the beginning if he can help you or not.
His staff are so nice and so professional, Chris the director is very knowledgeable, she make me so motivated about the surgery and what is expected of me to be strong phyiscally for surgery.
I trust Dr. Miller and his staff. What I dislike about this post surgery is that i live about 90 miles away from his network office and all the benefits he has; such as; exercise gym free 3mos for post-ops.
After care so important and I have been instructed it is a must for complete recovery....and I believe them.
Dr. Miller went over the risks of the surgery, that this operation is major and it has its risks; he also informed me of the preventive techniques he will perform too.
I know other patients who have had the surgery and are living well and living makes me rate him 100%.
I think that surigical competentence, bedside manner are great...Its wonderful that I met people who look at me the person not just me that fat person...and for that I am grateful