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Do you happen to have his contact information? I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

I haven't posted in so long but I am now at the point where I really want to get this ball rolling. I used to have Kaiser So Cal insurance and switched to Aetna PPO 1/1/09. I did this in the hopes that I could get approval through insurance but I keep getting blocked. It seems that even though I have a BMI over 40 right now that isn't good enough and they want to see a two year history of BMI >40. I have been 35+ for over two years but that isn't good enough either. I haven't even tried to go through insurance cause I don't want to get declined. I just want the damn surgery! I have been going to Overeaters Anonymous in order to deal with the emotional issues as to why I eat over everything so hopefully I will have all of my emotional ducks in a row once I get the surgery. So, now I am in the process of finding doctors who will do patients that self pay. The doctor I wanted only does clients with self pay if they meet the criteria of getting insurance to cover but somehow get turned down. That was Dr. Martin @ Huntington Hospital in Pasadena. I am really hoping that some of you can share some of your experiences, strengths and thoughts regarding doctors, self pay options, prices and any other advice you could possibly give me. I just need help and I feel like I keep coming up on dead ends... I am in the Pasadena area and the surgeons that I am going to place calls to are Dr. Owen, Dr. Nazarian, Dr, Liu, Dr. Korman and Dr. Oliak. Does anyone have any other ideas? Any suggestions? Any reviews? HELP?!?!?!?!?

YEAH 2009 Bandsters!!!!1 I can't wait!!!!!

Kmcoolone, You are too funny. I am Kellster's roommie and I have been going to OA for aobut 2 months. I am planning on getting banded in the first part of 2009 and I haven't told them yet, I don't know if I even will. I just celebrated my first 30 days of abstinence and it felt great. What I have been thinking about alot lately though is...what happens when I have to commit my food to my sponsor each day and it all of the sudden becomes 'band-friendly' food? I feel like I'm keeping such a secret but I know that alot of people within OA don't believe in the outside assistance to help in physical recovery. Any suggestions...i just keep going one day at a time and my favorite line in OA so far is 'just for today'...I can do anything!

The sooner the better!!!! I can't wait!!!!!

I don't have that exact issue but I do have the issue that my roommate and I both have Aetna PPO in CA. We LOVE this surgeon and he is technically out of network for our insurance. The facility he uses however is an approved in-network facility so part of our surgery (the really expensive part, hopital stay, anesthesia) is covered. Maybe try and find a surgery center that is IN network and even if the surgeon is out but practices there then the cost isn't soooo bad. You do have to do a little manual adding and stuff but I think it's well worth it if it will save me money.

Wait...I'm confused....the price quote I got from Dr. Nazarian's office in Pasadena was like 15,999. You guys got a quote from them for 13,000? Also, are you talking about Dr. Nazarian when you say office in San Dimas? I am so confused! Who are the doctors in the Beverly Hills office (top surgeons)? I was going through Beverly Hills Physicians and that is how I found Dr. Nazarian & Nicole (the sales lady). Can you guys help me out cause I might be self pay, might be covered with insurance. I don't know yet but I need to weigh all my options. Also, can you guys put your progress on this thread so I can follow too? Thanks!

Congrats! Keep us posted on your upcoming surgery!

I am also a SO Cal Kaiser patient and my doctor pretty much told me that I don't qualify and I should just work out more. I came home completely frustrated and didn't know where to go from there. I am about to switch insurances but if there was some possible way to get it done through Kaiser I would! I'm miserable and I have some co-morbidities (high blood sugar, high blood pressure, joint pain, depression). Can anyone call that options/education line and sign up for orientation?

That is so awesome! I am switching my insurance this week to Aetna, from Kaiser. I am hoping to start my three month diet when the new insurance kicks in 1/1/09. I am hoping mine goes as easy as yours!!! You are helping me be more optomistic! :biggrin:

Hi Patty, I am in Pasadena and am looking into the LapBand as well. I am looking for surgeons right now and am interested in who your sister went to. I am not sure whether or not insurance will pay for it or if I will have to be self pay so I'm looking into both options. I also have about 100-110 lbs to lose and am so excited about it. Any info you have would be great but it would be nice to have a friend that is going through this too.

Congrats to you! I can't wait for that day...soon it will be my turn! I am very excited for you! Good luck!

Has anyone gotten banded by Dr. Jamshid Nazarian in Southern California? His bio reads... Dr. Jamshid Nazarian is a diplomat of the American Board of Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a Fellow of the International College of Surgeons. As an active member of the American Society of Bariatric Surgery and International Federation of Bariatric Surgery, Dr. Nazarian's focus is on Bariatric Procedures. He has been practicing in Los Angeles since 1986, and has performed over two thousand Bariatric cases. In total, he has participated in more than four thousand Bariatric surgeries. After completing his general surgery residency in New York at the Brooklyn Jewish Hospital, Dr. Nazarian completed his fellowship in thoracic surgery at Wayne State University in Michigan and Hahnamann University in Pennsylvania. Dr. Nazarian’s practice specializes in Laparoscopic procedures (minimally-invasive Gastric Bypass), and he has performed a large number of difficult corrective Bariatric surgeries referred from other institutions. Dr. Nazarian believes that each individual’s needs are unique and require customized care. He strives to improve each patient’s quality of life through his surgical expertise, professional qualifications, and extensive experience. Residency and Fellowships: General Surgery Brooklyn Jewish General Hospital, New York Thoracic Surgery Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI Hahnemann University Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA Societies - Memberships - Affiliations: American College of Surgeons The International College of Surgeons The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery The International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity Maybe I'm freaking out a little but he yawned during my consultation and I just think that's kinda rude. Also, the staff that works at his 'practice' are kinda pushy... What do you all think?

Dr. Liu is through Beverly Hills Physicians huh? I have heard WONDERFUL things about him. I am going to a consultation tomorrow at the office in Pasadena. The Dr. is Dr. Nazarian and he comes highly recommended as well. If it were me, I would go to the more experienced doctor. I know there are other support groups that will allow you to join even if you didn't have your surgery by their doctors.

You guys are scaring me!!!!!!!! I'm still new to all of this, sorry. What is sliming????

I am reading so many things about people have gall bladder surgery after getting the band. I'm looking into getting the band in March and I'm wondering if everyone has issues with their gall bladder? What are the issues? Does someone NEED their gall bladder? :wink_smile:

One more question...where did you find your doctor??? I tried to google him and I didn't find anything.

Hi Cassie, I am wondering what books you have read? I'd like to start reading more about the surgery...not that these boards don't help, I'd just like more information. Load it on!

Yeah Boopie, I'm so happy for you! I keep getting the good news/not so good news/good news/not so good...blah blah... I have my first surgeon consult next week just to talk about the procedure and stuff. I still haven't decided on self pay for sure but I do know one thing...I'm switching insurances to Aetna! Let me know how the orientation goes...will you try to find out for me the qualifications Kaiser has so at least I know? My PCP wouldn't even tell me. Thanks!

I am so sorry this has happened to you. I understand tests like this are on the expensive side. There are people that will do them but again it's you get what you pay for. The level of equipment and such differs drastically. I say go with your gut...I've been cheated on before and at one point tried to regain the trust and ended up just getting hurt again. Never again will I make that mistake! You are worth more than that!!!

Hi, I am in Pasadena and am not banded yet but am hoping that I will have the sugery soon (February-ish 2009). I will most likely be a self pay because my BMI (38) is too low for coverage. I do have Kaiser but I will be switching to Aetna during my open enrollment. I am looking into surgeons right now and have my first consultation on the 16th. It's interesting...I have always been drawn to special education teaching. I was a teachers assistant in high school for our special ed class and I have been contemplating going back to school to get my credential so I could teach special ed. I am glad you posted this and I hope that we can be a support system for each other.

Can someone enlighten me and tell me what a 'flouro' fill is? What is the difference between that and a regular fill? Also, what determines the different size band people get? Why are some people's 10cc's and some 8cc's etc? I saw on some posts people referencing a 'VV'...what does that mean? I know there is a post that goes through some of the most common acronyms on this forum but these weren't listed and I am just wondering. I'm new to all this so if anyone knows the answers, please help a sister out. Thanks!

This is my story so far...it's a compilation of other posts I have put up but I just wanted some new opinions, suggestions, ideas...ANYTHING!!! So I have Kaiser So Cal and I met with my PCP last week. It did not go very well. My doctor said that I don't qualify for the referral at all. She said even if I did Kaiser requires like 50 weeks of a weight management class (only offered in Panorama City or South Bay) and if you miss one then you are out of the program. It is pretty apparent to me that I need to switch insurances or pay for this out of pocket. I ONLY weighed in at 252lbs and that wasn't FAT ENOUGH...are you kidding me? It made me sick... She gave me all these suggestions like...try overeaters anonymous, food addicts classes, exercise more/eat less. All that bs that I've already tried. She also offered some basic weight management classes that Kaiser offers but again I would have to go to those other locations. I'm so confused, I don't know where to go next. I don't know if I should switch insurances and see if I'm covered or if I should just look into self pay...grrrrrrr I am so sick of Kaiser's s***. I am 5'8'' and my BMI is 38.8. The saddest part is that if I were to gain 20 more pounds I would qualify for the surgery. I HAVE TO GET FATTER TO GET SKINNIER!!! Isn't that unfathomable? I have decided that I am going to switch insurances for sure and then from there see if Aetna will cover with no co-morbidities or I will take out a loan and self pay. I am so frustrated with all the if's and maybe's and we'll see's...I want a definitive answer and I am being so impatient!!! I know I shouldn't be like that but it is so hard when everything I have done has just made me hit walls. It sucks...

That is a great story! Thank you so much for sharing. The thought of going to Mexico scares me slightly...I've been to Tiajuana (to party when I was younger) and it wasnt' the cleanest of places. I know that is very close-minded for me to say because the hospitals and surgery centers are probably not in the middle of the night scene but it just freaks me out a little. On top of that, where do you go now for fills? I am assuming you don't fly back to TJ all the time. How long ago did you get banded? 3 days ago? I appreciate everyone's stories and I have no idea where I will go from here but I HOPE that everything will work out the way it's supposed to and I will be a skinny, sexy chica once this is all over!

Does it matter though that I have never been actually 'diagnosed' with co-morbidities? They have never given me prescription drugs for any of them. I can try to switch PCP's (which one do you have)? :tongue2: You can private message me with the name if you want. Minxz, Unfortunately I used to have Kaiser NorCal and now I wish I never moved! Oh well, this struggle will make me stronger. Thank you all for all of your support, stories and inspiration! I am truly learning and moving forward because of you all and I can't express how truly apprciative of that I am.