Long story short: I had planned to go with Dr. Liu.

Pros: He comes highly recommended, has done 1200+ procedures and has great outcomes.

Cons: Office staff, no support groups, psych evals, or nutri-counseling. Office in LA, and I'm in Riverside.

Today I received word from my insurance that I was denied. I won't know why until I receive the letter, but I suspect it's because he is not contracted with UHC--or with any insurance for that matter. The insurance reps I spoke with last week suggested it would be a problem.

I decided to look at physicians in my area. I found one. Dr. Coon.

Pros: His reviews are great. Everyone seems to love him as a person, not just a physician. He is very concerned with after care. He has monthly support groups, psych evals, nutritional counseling, etc. He is 10 minutes from my house. He is/works in a COE.

Cons: He's only done 100+ bands. The last four years he has spent doing bypasses. His wife (who works at the office) says it's because he wanted more studies to come out before he jumped on board. With everything I have read about him, that seems likely. Many of his patient reviews talk about the concern for patients, outcomes, etc.

So, fancy LA doc with high numbers? I would have to start the appeal process with my insurance. Or, local doc w/ a great personal reputation but not much in terms of procedures? For some reason my gut (no pun intended) has always said Coon. But, being from a medical family, that little red flag starts to wave every now and then when I think of how few procedures he has done.

Dr. Liu is through Beverly Hills Physicians huh? I have heard WONDERFUL things about him. I am going to a consultation tomorrow at the office in Pasadena. The Dr. is Dr. Nazarian and he comes highly recommended as well. If it were me, I would go to the more experienced doctor. I know there are other support groups that will allow you to join even if you didn't have your surgery by their doctors.

I don't really know where Dr. Liu is from. I saw him in his own private office, but now I hear people talking about Beverly Hills Physicians and a few other groups as well. I suspect he does some subcontracting or does independent work through other groups.

Thanks for your opinion on the matter. :tt1:

I would agree to go with the higher numbers, but the cons are compelling. What were Dr Coon's statistics for bypass? AND...

my doc spent a couple years studying banding under a renowned surgeon in San Diego. Where did Dr. Coon learn to do the band?

I think you need to find out that info before you can make an informed decision.