I've been giving serious thought about the lapband for some time now.... after some research it seems like a lot of places in the Los Angeles area are popup shops and have notoriously bad feedback online. (IE - ripoffreport.com) like 1800 get slim.

Does anyone have a doctor they trust in Los Angeles? If so, let me know, I hope she/he takes Anthem....

Thank you for your time and expertise.

Hi! Ok... so here is my advice. do NOT go to 1800 get slim. I have several friends who have went through 1800 get slim, and their stories scare me! I live east of LA, in the inland empire. I had surgery by Dr. Douglas Krahn. I cannot say enough good about him! Check out his website. Its www.westernbariatric.com. Also, I know Dr. Coon, and he is a very well known doctor as well. I trusted Dr Krahn with my life, and I have had no negative side effects from the surgery. I was banded in April, 2009, and I have lost 115 pounds. I have 30 more to go, and they are coming off, slowly but surely! I am not sure about the insurance that they accept becuase I was a cash patient. Dr. Krahn's staff is very helpful though and they can answer any insurance questions that you may have. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks!

Jen

Yea do not go through them! They are being sued for 4 careless deaths I believe.

http://www.surgithin.com/ This is my doctor. Dr. Paya. His office is in West Hills, but he did my surgery at UC Irvine (my insurance required a center of excellence). I've had no problems so far with my band, or with him, he used fluoroscope for his fills. Only thing I would say is he doesn't have much bedside manor, if that is something you are looking for. I used Anthem PPO, and was approved immediately

I was recommended by an acquaintance and she lost 100lbs. I believe much of her family had too (they did bypass though, she had the band). I had seen someone before him and I wasn't comfortable and the doctor was weird. He made me feel comfortable.

It's hard because it feels so weird at these doctors offices, it's not the same vibe as going to your primary physician.

Just do your research and make sure they make you feel comfortable. Also make sure you get it done at a center of excellence

Yea do not go through them! They are being sued for 4 careless deaths I believe.

http://www.surgithin.com/ This is my doctor. Dr. Paya. His office is in West Hills, but he did my surgery at UC Irvine (my insurance required a center of excellence). I've had no problems so far with my band, or with him, he used fluoroscope for his fills. Only thing I would say is he doesn't have much bedside manor, if that is something you are looking for. I used Anthem PPO, and was approved immediately

I was recommended by an acquaintance and she lost 100lbs. I believe much of her family had too (they did bypass though, she had the band). I had seen someone before him and I wasn't comfortable and the doctor was weird. He made me feel comfortable.

It's hard because it feels so weird at these doctors offices, it's not the same vibe as going to your primary physician.

Just do your research and make sure they make you feel comfortable. Also make sure you get it done at a center of excellence

I have the same insurance as you and I used Dr. Douglas Krahn with Western Bariatric. I cannot say enough about him, his staff, and his P.A. They are all awesome and I would VERY HIGHLY RECOMMEND him. His office is in San Bernardino, however.

I found him when some nurses/doctors at my work had done LOTS of research and their choice was Dr. Krahn. He has a website as well if you would like to check him out:

www.westernbariatric.com

Good luck!

Dr. Jeremy Korman is wonderful too.

I have Anthem as well HMO - I went to Dr. LePort and am having my surgery on 2/25 at a center of excellence - Fountain Valley Regional Hospital - it took a lot of chasing paper and appts for the hoops I had to go through - about 4 months worth - but worth all of it - can't wait.

Good luck and just stay persistent!

you could try dr. billy in thousand oaks/ventura

thats who i am using

I've been giving serious thought about the lapband for some time now.... after some research it seems like a lot of places in the Los Angeles area are popup shops and have notoriously bad feedback online. (IE - ripoffreport.com) like 1800 get slim.

Does anyone have a doctor they trust in Los Angeles? If so, let me know, I hope she/he takes Anthem....

Thank you for your time and expertise.

Who did you decide to go with?

I have Anthem as well HMO - I went to Dr. LePort and am having my surgery on 2/25 at a center of excellence - Fountain Valley Regional Hospital - it took a lot of chasing paper and appts for the hoops I had to go through - about 4 months worth - but worth all of it - can't wait.

Good luck and just stay persistent!

I was suppose to go through Leport and had issues at the end with wanting extra fee's and rude office managers. They said an assistant to the Dr (who was in network) would be out of network because thats how they do things, so it would cost me $2300 out of pocket for non network. I was furious, I was 2 weeks from surgery at that point!

So I switched to The New Program out of newport beach and couldn't be happier!

Hello, New here..but I did some research on my doctor.

I went through Lap Band VIP out of Tarzana, ca. I loved him..Bed side manner wonderful, education was great. Personal care...with follow up calls that night, the next day and 3rd day. Said they would stop bugging me and see me in a week. But Gave me the Dr. Cel phone number to call day or night. And they really went to bat for me with the insurance. Was very happy.

I've been giving serious thought about the lapband for some time now.... after some research it seems like a lot of places in the Los Angeles area are popup shops and have notoriously bad feedback online. (IE - ripoffreport.com) like 1800 get slim.

Does anyone have a doctor they trust in Los Angeles? If so, let me know, I hope she/he takes Anthem....

Thank you for your time and expertise.

I was suppose to go through Leport and had issues at the end with wanting extra fee's and rude office managers. They said an assistant to the Dr (who was in network) would be out of network because thats how they do things, so it would cost me $2300 out of pocket for non network. I was furious, I was 2 weeks from surgery at that point!

So I switched to The New Program out of newport beach and couldn't be happier!

Western Bariatric did the same to me- $2500 for the P.A. and they want it up front.

i have dr. billy too

banded 3/23/11

so far so good!

you could try dr. billy in thousand oaks/ventura

thats who i am using

i went to dr jeremy korman and he has offices in miracle mile and marina del rey. i had it done 3/15 and have been really happy with he and his staff. he met with me personally, no group mtg (i did it at the miracle mile office, i think they do group mtgs though in mdr). here's the marina del rey info and the phone for miracle mile below that.

http://www.labariatriccenter.com/

Miracle Mile Outpatient Surgery Center

5757 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 6

Los Angeles, California 90036

PH 323.964.0866 Ask for Joseph Rubin

also, cedars sinai has a lap band program. i don't know anyone who's had it there, but i can't imagine it being bad since it's one of the best hospitals in the world.

http://www.cedars-si...eight-Loss.aspx

I had been wondering about 1800 get thin. Thanks for the replies. I had started the process with their office in Beverly Hills, but ignored the bad vibes I had because I want the lapband so bad. I am spooked now. I think I will look into other facilities. Thank you for posting.

I had been wondering about 1800 get thin. Thanks for the replies. I had started the process with their office in Beverly Hills, but ignored the bad vibes I had because I want the lapband so bad. I am spooked now. I think I will look into other facilities. Thank you for posting.

Don't be discouraged!!!!! My new Dr., Dr. Owens, has an office in Orange County. www.coastalobesity.com. I don't know if it is close to you- but he's a great doctor and his staff is INCREDIBLE!!!!!

I am in the same situation as you! They told me they were in network ( which they are not) with my insurance. And they are trying to bill my insurance $13000.00 for an endoscopy!!! so now i am finally getting the hint to go elsewhere. Have you found somewhere you are going to go with??

I had been wondering about 1800 get thin. Thanks for the replies. I had started the process with their office in Beverly Hills, but ignored the bad vibes I had because I want the lapband so bad. I am spooked now. I think I will look into other facilities. Thank you for posting.