greta

thanks wasabubblebutt I will post my experience . I didn't know about that thread. i'm not very computer savvy and have been bumbling around.

BigMomma - My $3,500 DID NOT include phyc, nutrition, etc. so if your insurance did not pay for all these pre op things, $1,000 seems right. I paid that on my own!! I agree restless monkey, there should not be extra fees on top of insurance.

oops $3,500. What a bargain. I paid because I was in a rush, had the date set with another doctor who didn't charge this and was much better, but insurance fell through and I had already taken time from work, etc

This is Greta. Since a lot of people asked me for details here it goes.....My doctor Milton Owens, Orange county ca, charges $3,700, yes $3,700 additional and it's a total rip off. this "includes", 24 hour access to him(I called the day after surgery to ask something, I've never heard from him. It's been 2 1/2 weeks), for a program manual, he gave me the program that lapband.com sends out for free and put a white sticker with his name on it. Nutrition guidance. i called to ask a question and they referred me to the free manual. It's awful. I asked for a refund, sent a letter going through each point, ;and they said tough, you signed the paper. Beware of Milton Owens. Anybody want to ask me I will be happy to answer.

Thanks, I guess I have to look at that I got the surgery and get on with it and stop kicking myself. And let's face it, I have spent so much on diet programs, hopefully this will be the last one. I just wanted people to beware that this is unusual and a rip off

I feel so awful that I paid this, I really don't want anyone else to get suckered. The doctor was MILTON OWENS - COASTAL OBESITY and he is a big advertiser on this website. In the consultation, they made me sign a paper stating that I understood this fee. I had to change doctor's at the last minute and I jumped into this stupidly. By the way, it's a total rip off. I get NOTHING that any other regularly covers and his charges are right in line with everybody. Watch out for him!!!

well, the truth is I already paid it. It is a total rip off for example, including in the list of things this offered was a program manual. It was the pamphlet from ALLEGRAN about lap band and he taped his name and number on it.

I had to switch to a different doctor at the last minute and went with a doctor who charged me $3,500 for a "program fee". It is a total rip off, offers nothing, and has not been a good doctor or office. Beware of "program fees". Most of the people on lapbandtalk.com don't have this fee. I was banded 1 1/2 weeks ago. I'm in OC california

My doctor charged a $3,500 program fee, that is not covered by insurance. Is this typical.