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!

Check out Dr Suh in Corona. His performs surgery at Inland Valley Regional Hospital in Murrieta which is a COE. Dr Suh has an excellent reputation and is all about educating his patients.

Thank you everyone for your help. I went to Cedar Sinai today and was extremely happy with Dr Burch and his extensive staff. I am very happy with my choice and can't wait to get further down this life changing path! A special thanks to Corrigan!

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.

Yes....American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.....

Any doctor who will accept what insurance pays for bariatric surgery if you are blue cross or blue shield ppo in california ($1000 for lapband which includes 3 months of follow up visits) is doing as many surgeries as he can in a day and will not be following your weight loss closely. they will see you as little as possible because they do not get paid! they will be doing your surgery as fast as possible because they do not get paid! you get what you pay for. any doctor who specializes in this and has built a practice around it will be charging the patient. do your research. ask how much your doctor gets reimbursed by insurance for your surgery and then do the math relative to the work involved to take care of you. funny how people will pay up for the nice car but not their own health.

I have blue shield and my doctor gets paid and spends time with me. No nurse assts or PA. I see the surgeon for every visit.

Correct me if I am wrong but are saying that only people who pay for surgery get taking care of...because I would have to disagree!

I had a consult with Dr. Oliak the other week and although there is a program fee involved, for me it makes sense. I've been going back and forth about having this surgery done for probably 2 years and I've seen a lot of people get the surgery done and not do well because of the lack of support. I'm still on the fence about moving forward, but if I'm going to do this, I want the best. The consult with him was for almost an hour and to be honest, I was surprised I got a private consult rather than attending a group seminar. Right there I felt like I would be in good hands if I chose him for my surgery. For me, money shouldn't be a major factor when it comes to changing my life. Not saying that it is for you, but for me I could see a major difference between practices that offered an extensive program and those that didn't.

Just be sure to do at least an internet search of any doctor or clinic you're interested in. Find out their experience

and history. As with any profession, not all surgeons are created equal. Your few hours of research may save you

a lifetime of misery. Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck.

Dr David Davtyan offers the best aftercare in the Los Angeles area. See one of his patient testimonials:

"...Now 6 months later, I am well on my way to my goal weight. I have lost 60 lbs. All of my diabetes is gone along with high cholesterol, fatty liver and high blood pressure. I can run up and down the stairs and walk for miles with no heavy breathing. I am almost ready to shop in "regular" stores. I don't buy "old lady" clothes anymore. I sleep in my own bed and don't wake up every few hours. But not only have I lost weight, I still go out with my friends and eat what I like. I just eat a lot less of it. I don't have to "sacrifice" anything. My body lets me know when I have had enough and I listen. I have my life back. And I owe it all to Dr. Davtyan and his fantastic staff of caring personnel. I am not a "patient". I am a member of their growing family. If you are looking for a way to get your life back, call Dr Davtyan. I have see a miracle."

See more of Dr David Davtyan's testimonials:

http://www.lifescrip...x#disqus_thread

@ Banded DD: what a wonderful, uplifting post. Congratulations on your success. I really needed to read a post like yours today. I have not yet had the surgery, but feel better about my choice after reading your post.