greta

good luck NinaC. I hope Stacy reads this and doesn't make the same mistake that I made with my doctor and program fee.

Hey Indiogirl. it sounds to me that you got something for your money. it probably evens out with all those visits and fills and you like your doctor. Good luck

stacynclare - Chapman is where I went. Be aware of this ridiculous fee. Make the drive up to Marina Del Rey. Jeremy Korman is great, now accepts BlueCross. If you don't have insurance all the doctors have a cash price. Find a doctor and staff that are helpful and you like. It's worth it. Once you do, it can be just weeks before you are in surgery. I think you'll do it!!!

You bet Vipvernm - I was his 3rd patient of the morning. $3500 times 3. That didn't include what insurance paid him. NOt bad for a mornings work.

Greytz Yes, I would say that $1000 was worth it. I didn't get anything for this. I paid separately for physc, vitamins, protein powder. I came at the last minute and brought them all the paperwork. All they did was fax it to the insurance company. I'm not disputing program fees. This was an extra $3500 that insurance doesn't cover. Good luck

Hi stacynclare I went to Milton Owens, Coastal Obesityin Orange county, a big advertiser on this website. Not many surgeons charged this ridiculous fee. Just ask them if they have a "program fee" that insurance doesn't cover. By the way, this fee did not include any pre-op stuff. It was for a program manual (he gave the the booklet by allergen that is free), insurance paperwork, access to websites (he told me to got to lapbandtalk.com), like I needed to pay $3500 to come here. My guy was a rip off and the staff isn't particularly good or knowledgeable. Just ask about any other fees. Good luck, feel free to ask me any other questions. I'm one month out. Surgery went fine, but not much restriction and I am starving. I thought it would be easier. Listen to what is said on this website. It can be tough going until you hit that sweet spot. I'm glad I did it, just waiting for a few more fills to make overeating a much easier nut to crack.

I paid a $3500 "program fee" not covered by insurance. Don't do it. I regret it, got nothing for it, and am kicking myself. I rushed into it. Don't make the same mistake!!!

I actually reported it to my insurance company. He is a blue cross provider which is how I got his name. Now he collects from blue cross and me. By the way, I was his 3rd patient of the day. Can you imagine. $3500 time 3 plus what he collects from insurance. NOt bad for a mornings work. I'll let you know what the insurance says.

No "program fees". Depends if your insurance covers him. I think he took something like $3800 if you are cash pay, that includes everything with his surgery, office. Insurance, I"m not sure. I was going to pay this fee, but the hospital next door to him fell out of my insurance and I just couldn't afford it. He works out of Cedars which my insurance covers. I could kick myself for not doing it. I paid more to doctor Owens, plus he charged my insurance.

I didn't check out anyone else in OC. I switched to him at the last minute. Go to obesityhelp.com and you can look up all the OC doctors. Maybe they list their fees, but at least you'll have the phone numbers to call and check. good luck

Hey Nazzy I'll trade. I already paid $3500 and got nothing for it either. Don't sweat the $400!!!

Dr Korman in Marina Del Rey. 1-800 491-1977. LA bariatric center. I love him. Had a last minute insurance problem so I couldn't do it. After all the fees I paid to Owens, I should have just stayed with Korman.

I'm sorry, it's orange county. Drive the few extra miles, get a better doctor with no program fees. Oliak is in the same practice I thinks as Owens (my doctor). He has an awful staff, uncaring, unknowledgeable, inattentive. I asked him what size my band was and he didn't know and never looked it up after several requests. Go to LA or San Diego.

I don't know what it is about that practice. It really isn't the norm. I saw a great doctor in LA, much more caring, great staff, no extra program fee. It's really a rip off. Go find someone else!!!! Wish I had.

yes, my first fill was with the full 6cc.