Taynaydosmom

Another march bandster here! I am on the 8th! Can't wait but freaking out at the same time!

Another March bandster here! March 8th is my day! The 6th is my birthday so happy birthday to me! I am freaking out now that I have a date!

Correct me if I am wrong but are saying that only people who pay for surgery get taking care of...because I would have to disagree!

Wow 54 Shirley that's awesome...are you still planning to do surgery? It sounds like you totally have it under control! Great work!

I am currently enrolled in the Cedar Sinai program and I wouldn't go anywhere else! There are no program fees or hidden costs. They do require an extensive multidisciplinary approach. Nutrition, pschy, extensive pelts lap work up...but do you want to go somewhere where they put the band in on your first appt. The whole point of all the different appt. Is to make sure you will be safe during and after the procedure. I am extremely happy with Cedars.

I second all the above in regards to Corrigans post! I was very very impressed with the staff at Cedar Sinai in LA. Dr. Burch was in surgery the day I was there so I met with the PA Mary Alice! Love her! She spent over 45 minutes on my consult answering all my questions and concerns! I was also able to back my appointments up so that I was able to get 4 different appts. Done in one day. I live about 100 miles from the hospital so being able to get so much done on one visit was awesome! Wishing you all the best of luck!

Thank you everyone for your help. I went to Cedar Sinai today and was extremely happy with Dr Burch and his extensive staff. I am very happy with my choice and can't wait to get further down this life changing path! A special thanks to Corrigan!

Corrigan, my insurance company put me in touch with them because they said they are a CoE. But I lived in the SB/Riverside area for 15+ years and had never heard if it. So all I did was google it and everything that came up was negative. That's why I went with Oliak and now Burch!

Yes Parkview is a COE, I was banded there 11/1/11. I went in at 5:30am as ascheduled did not see anyone until bloodraw at 06:30am then went back to same day surgery about 7 am. Surgery was scheduled at 07:30 MD did not even show up until around 8:00am. I did speak with all of the surgical staff, anasthesiologist, ect. However after recovery upon return to same day surgery I dont feel my pain was controlled very well, they never called my friend to say how surgery went or that I was out of recovery. They rushed me to complete a barium swallow and after that was cleared I was kicked out of bed and told to wait in the waiting room. I had to call and find out where my people were and they said no one ever called them so I had to wait until they came to the hospital. I never did see the surgeon or find out how everything went. Still have not. I guess I have to wait until my follow up. I cant say I would recommend Parkview.

Sorry to hear about your experience there. I haven't heard good things about that hospital. Even though it would be the closest for me I would rather drive than get crappy care!

Thanks for all your help everyone! I am starting over fresh with Dr. Burch at Cedars in L.A. I have 4 appts. On the 10th so excited!

Corrigan...you are my hero!

I don't know if this is a legitimate post or not, but as with plastic surgeons, weight loss surgeons are not

all created equal. Some are a great deal better than others. In my opinion, anyone contemplating

WLS in other than a Center of Excellence is taking a great chance with their future. Of course there are excellent surgeons that are not CoEs, but which ones? Anyone who undergoes WLS without doing

adequate research is just jumping in the pool without checking if there's any Water. How in the world

would anyone allow a surgeon, advertising on a billboard, to operate on them without a thorough

investigation? Is there any wonder why these surgeries fail? No pre or post op care? Come on.

Cedars-Sinai is the best in SoCal, but it's a difficult drive from Hesperia. There is one in Orange county,

a couple others in LA, and two in San Diego. I went to Cedars and recommend it highly.

If you send me an email, I can give you more info.

I'm about 35 miles from you.

[/quoteAt this point I dont care if I have to drive...as long as I get good care. Did your Dr. require a program fee? Would love more info my email is taynaydosmom@aol.com

Parkview Community Hospital

3865 Jackson St

Riverside, Ca 92503

951-688-2211

They are COE

Good Luck!!!

I haven't heard good things about Parkview. What was your experience?

Feeling totally frustrated today! I had my first appt. with Dr. Oliak scheduled for today...but when they called to confirm I was slapped with the 3,500 dollar program fee. Needless to say that appt. was canceled. In order for my insurance to pay for the procedure I have to use a Center of Excellence aka COE. I am in the High Desert area of So Cal. But I am willing to travel to get this ball rolling again. Anybody have a COE that they would recommend in my area? Feeling the need to take my frustration out on the kids Halloween candy!

Nice to meet you Breeze! Wish you the best with your surgery! You will do great. So what part of Missouri are you from?

Nice to meet you! I had to laugh when I read your comment about friends. I can make friends but for whatever reason they don't stay around for to long...lol. Must be them couldn't possibly be me! tell me about your journey!

hi my name is shirley pendergraft im also on Facebook feel free to add me im 36 with two boys 14,15.i ive in fort smith ar.i have my first dr.app oct.27th cant wait itw all i think of not sure who all im telling i know my mom and other close kin i dont have any friends never been good at making friends.good luck everyone

Nice to meet you Roeroe! Would love to share this crazy journey with you. I don't yet have a date for surgery...just starting to jump through the hoops. I have been doing a self prescribed liquid diet during the day and a sensible dinner at night (well except for the night we had burritos from my favorite mexican place I have been doing his for he past 6 days and have lost 5 lbs. I guess I am just trying to pshyc myself up for the scary pre op liquid diet! What's your story?

I have heard through the grape vine that sometimes an upper gi or colonoscopy might happen pee surgery. What kinds of tests did you guys have to do pre surgery?

Sorry Gary I looked at fb before the lap band blog and defriended you. Look me up again!

i was banded sept 1 2011 seen doc on 8 of august started then on pre opt diet by sept 6. five days after my surgery i had lost a total of 24 pounds.had first fill sept 28 then just had second fill last week.to date i have lost total 50 pounds yea for me lol.i go to gym 3 days a week for an hour each day.have personal therapist and she works my a-- off you can look me up on face book be great to arrange our own support group.gary benavides i am in valdosta georgia.

Thanks! How was your recovery Corrigan?

It's great to meet you! I have also only shared my decision with my closest friends and family. I am really excited about this new adventure but I am just starting out. I don't have my first visit until nov 1. But when talking with my insurance the whole thing is covered 100%. So I am very hopeful to get his show on the road! I am a 36 year old mom of two, wife and a 1st/2nd grade teacher who lives in Hesperia ca. Where are you from and what's your story. You can friend me on Facebook if interested

Michelle fleisch

Hello everyone! I am interested in getting to know some new friends who are just starting out on this journey of being banded. Who else out there needs some support of someone else going through the same thing that they are? Let's do this together!