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!

I have a list of COE at work send me your email address

My email at work is dyoung@local1014.org

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.

I had mine with Dr Pham in Tustin, Ca(Orange Co.). He used Chapman Medical Center. It is a COE, as it needed to be for my insurance. The nurses there were very supportive and very nice. click his name in my profile to find out more information on him. and btw, it took me 3 years to get this approved. the first place(the GET THIN people) kind of dragged me around and kept me in the dark for a year and a half only to be denied by my insurance. I went to one my doctor suggested and again insurance block. But I finally found one that was covered by my insurance(CIGNA) and that was oBand.

good luck!

Parkview Community Hospital

3865 Jackson St

Riverside, Ca 92503

951-688-2211

They are COE

Good Luck!!!

I'm going to the OBand center and they r really good there just goggle OBand... What part of the high desert do u live?

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?

Go to the Forum, and scroll down. You will see your state on the left side of the screen Click on it, then click on the cities that you want. Look up the Dr.'s, and see who is at a COE.

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

I used St. Joseph of Orange, CA. Great hospital and office. Several surgeons do lap band there. I used dr. Hamamji. You'll feel more at easeata Center of Excellence and no large program fee. Just ad to buy some protein drinks.

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!

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

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.

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!

:)One thing is for sure-- there are alot of surgeons out there that do not charge the admin fee,,, shop around folks... I am not using the COE here in fla, but the hospt etc is all in network..

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

Parkview Community Hospital Is NOT a Center of Excellence with accreditation from any reputable medical society!

If you Have heard otherwise, please let me know.

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!